Effective ways to diagnose and treat osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis or rickets is a disease that reduces the elasticity of articular cartilage tissue. The disease can be manifested in any joint, and it has its own classification according to the location. The progression of the disease leads to impairment of joint motor function, and complete immobility often occurs.

The information provided discusses the symptoms of osteochondrosis, its etiology and treatment.

How does osteochondrosis manifest

The signs of osteochondrosis gradually appeared, at first it was a mild pain syndrome, and then gradually became chronic and intense. Usually, patients go to the doctor due to severe pain and inability to perform certain actions.

To make osteochondrosis treatment as successful as possible, the disease must be diagnosed as early as possible.

The following signs may indicate the development of osteochondrosis:

• Pain when moving;
• Joint tightening;
• The stiffness of the movement;
• Muscle cramps;
• Headache, elevated blood pressure and dizziness (with cervical osteochondrosis);
• Pain between the chest and shoulder blades (sternal osteochondrosis);
• Pain in hip and buttocks (back ac osteochondrosis and hip joint);
• Numbness in limbs;
• Bone pain;
• Improve weather sensitivity;
• Loss of vision.

Usually, the initial manifestations of this disease do not attract people's attention. This is why the initial stage of osteochondrosis is rarely diagnosed, and it is usually diagnosed entirely by accident.

Causes of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis does not occur naturally. The degeneration of the joints leads to their development, namely: the destruction of normal blood circulation and mineral metabolism, the formation of ossification-osteophytes. All of these can lead to impaired joint mobility, structural changes, and discomfort when moving and walking.

The main reason for

is:

1. Lack of continuous physical activity;
2. Joint injuries and injuries;
3. Joint deformation under excessive stress;
4. Abnormal nutrition and blood supply of joints;
5. Overweight problem;
6. Unbalanced diet;
7. Chronic stress;
8. genetic predisposition;
9. Endocrine Pathology;
10. Age-related changes;
11. Adverse working conditions (staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, hypothermia, lifting weights).

Patients with flat feet, congenital or acquired foot dysplasia, have an increased chance of suffering from the disease. Due to this disease, the load distribution during walking is not correct, which leads to changes in normal gait, resulting in deformation of the spine, knees and hip joints.

The occurrence of osteochondrosis of the spine is directly dependent on the already diagnosed musculoskeletal system diseases, such as scoliosis.

In addition, chronic diseases of internal organs may also be predisposing factors. Infections and inflammations can affect nearby tissues, leading to joint disease.

Classification of osteochondrosis

In medical terms, you can often find the definition of "spine chondropathy". This means that the initial stage of osteochondrosis will affect one or more parts of the spine. The pathology occurs in the intervertebral disc and does not affect nearby tissues. This is a special hidden danger of back rickets, because asymptomatic beginning does not give you the opportunity to start treatment and overcome the disease on time.

Usually, during a comprehensive physical examination, an asymptomatic rickets is accidentally discovered.

In addition, according to the location of pathology, we can also talk about hip joint disease-hip osteochondrosis. Pathology can also affect the accumulation of shoulders or joints. Osteochondrosis on the back is also classified according to the location.

What types of back osteochondrosis:

• Cervical chondropathyIt is manifested by pain and stiffness between the neck, the back of the head and the shoulder blade. For accountants, computer programmers and other occupations that sit for a long time, it is usually considered an occupational disease.
• Osteochondrosis of the chest areais ​​rare. Because this area is relatively fixed, symptoms are often confused with angina or intercostal neuralgia. In addition, the manifestations of breast osteochondrosis may resemble pancreatitis or gastritis.
• Lumbar or lumbar osteochondrosisis ​​the most common type of disease. This is due to the increased pressure on the department even during normal movement. As the load increases, weightlifting increases, and exercise progresses, the pressure on the lumbar vertebrae increases many times, which can trigger the development of diseases. The manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis are extremely diverse. The main symptoms include not only pain during bending, turning and other exercises, but also muscle atrophy, difficulty walking, decreased sexual function, and urinary system diseases.
• Coccyx osteochondrosisis ​​a rare disease that mainly affects women. This is directly related to the physiological characteristics of the small pelvic structure. It is determined by the pain syndrome when sitting, walking and doing physical exercise. Before the attack, injuries and falls are common, and they stay in an uncomfortable sitting position for a long time.

• Multi-segment osteochondrosiswas diagnosed when degenerative lesions of nearby joints were detected. They can be located in one or more parts of the spine.
• Common osteochondrosisis ​​manifested by lesions in two or more spine parts. This is a disease that is difficult to cure, and the chance of a complete recovery is small.
• Diffuse osteochondrosisIf the pathology has spread to all parts of the spine, the diagnosis can be made.

Progressive diseases are not only characterized by pain and discomfort during exercise. The connective tissue of the joint becomes inflamed, the intervertebral roots are compressed, and the growth of bone tissue (osteophytes) begins to form on the vertebrae.

Stages of development of osteochondrosis

In order to determine how to treat osteochondrosis, not only an accurate diagnosis is needed, but also the degree of involvement of joint elements in the pathological process. For this reason, it is customary to use classification according to the degree and the location of pathology.

What type of osteochondrosis:

1. Initial stageIt does not manifest as pain syndrome and does not require special treatment. According to statistics, more than 80% of the population over 50 years old have osteochondrosis. Recently, due to the popularization of professions that require permanent sitting posture, and the decrease in physical activity of children and adolescents, almost one in every person under 30 is diagnosed with osteochondrosis.
2. Second stageOsteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray examination. The image shows the formation of multiple fractures of the intervertebral disc, but the annulus fibrosis is still intact. The manifestation of the disease is trivial, usually discomfort, sitting or standing for a long time, after a short rest, the pain will disappear on its own. The second stage of osteochondrosis can be successfully diagnosed using conservative methods.

3. The third stage of osteochondrosisis ​​characterized by extensive injury to the intervertebral disc and possible rupture of the annulus fibrosis. The pain becomes constant and long-lasting, even during rest. The treatment of the third stage of osteochondrosis is carried out by conservative and surgical methods, and its prognosis depends on the severity of the pathology and timely medical help.
4. Fourth stageOsteochondrosis is the most serious. This depends on the serious damage of the joint structure. The ligaments, blood vessels, nerve endings and connective tissues of joints participate in the pathological process. Conservative methods are usually ineffective. Surgery is used more, but even if surgery does not guarantee recovery, patients often lose joint mobility and remain disabled.

In order to prevent osteochondrosis from transitioning to a critical stage, we must pay attention to the signals the body sends to us in time. In some cases, patients will endure years of pain and discomfort and adapt to the limitations of motor function, but do not seek medical help.

It should be pointed out that osteochondrosis is not a disease that can be cured at home by folk methods or using only painkillers.

A compulsory comprehensive approach is required, which is determined by the characteristics of pathological development, the cause of occurrence, and the various indicators of the patient.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

In order to ensure the correct treatment of osteochondrosis, special research is necessary. They will help determine the location and cause of the disease. You can only start the main treatment after all the unfavorable factors that affect the progression of the disease have been eliminated.

How to determine the extent and location of the pathological process:

• X-ray inspection.In order to obtain reliable information, it is necessary to take pictures in multiple projections. Determine the location and extent of joint damage, the presence of osteophytes and the condition of the bone canal.
• Doppler ultrasound.Check blood supply disorder, blood vessel integrity and blood flow speed.
• Myelography.A special examination of the spine using contrast media. Allows you to identify intervertebral hernias and their location.
• Computer tomography.Check the condition of the intervertebral disc, possible deviations in structure and deformation, compression of nerve roots and structural changes of individual vertebrae.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.Usually provide a more detailed inspection of the joint structure. Usually, when the information content of other checks is small, they are allocated. There is no doubt that the advantage is a more detailed study of the state of soft tissues.

has also conducted an impeccable study of patient memories. Even suffering possible injuries long before seeking medical attention, surgery and chronic diseases may also lead to the development of pathological processes in joint tissues.

In addition, individual examinations and inquiries are conducted on patients. Based on the information received, determine the diagnosis and extent of joint damage.

How to treat osteochondrosis

After diagnosing and determining the cause of osteochondrosis, the expert developed a separate treatment plan. It must consider the patient's physical indicators, the characteristics of pathological development and its locality.

Use integrated methods for treatment.

Drugs cannot be abandoned alone, because it is necessary to develop joint mobility at the same time, eliminate possible inflammatory processes in the surrounding tissues and neutralize the negative factors that lead to disease development.

This is why it is better to entrust the treatment of rickets to a specialist who will choose a set of individual exercises, taking into account the dynamics of the treatment.

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis

Prescription drugs depend on the type of lesion and the related pathological process in the tissue. Usually, patients try to treat osteochondrosis by themselves with drugs, homemade ointments and dressings, and folk remedies.

Unfortunately, this can only bring temporary relief, not completely eliminate the disease. In order to effectively treat osteochondrosis, the following types of drugs are used.

Medications include:

1. General and local anesthetics.These include ointments and dressings, as well as tablets and injections for severe pain syndrome. It is used to treat osteochondrosis during the worsening period.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can not only relieve pain and inflammation in the affected area, but also can be used when the body temperature drops due to diseases.
3. Muscle relaxantsDesigned to relieve muscle tension. The course of treatment for this group of drugs is 30-45 days and is strictly prescribed separately. Usually, they start with the smallest dose (severe hypertonic, injections are required), and then gradually increase. In order not to cause withdrawal syndrome, the dose was then gradually reduced.
4. Cartilage protectorHelp restore cartilage tissue and compensate for damaged areas. The effect of this group of drugs will not be immediately apparent, so a course of several months was prescribed. There are various forms of drugs. During the exacerbation, it is used in the form of injections, and then continues to be treated with tablets or capsules.
5. Vasoprotective agentsUsed to determine the pathology of the blood supply. They help strengthen blood vessel walls, promote their relaxation and restore metabolism. The admission time is also a few months.

6. Glucocorticoidsare designated to enhance the function of NSAIDs and muscle relaxants. They have obvious anti-inflammatory and congestive effects and help relieve pain and cramps. The course of treatment is determined individually. In the first few days when the disease worsens, they are used in injection form and then in tablet form. Reduce the dose gradually until the drug is completely stopped.
7. Biostimulants.They can speed up the metabolism and promote the recovery of joint tissues. It is impossible to use such drugs for self-treatment of rickets at home, but they have proven their effectiveness in complex treatments.
8. Complex vitamin preparations.Promote the overall strengthening of the body and accelerate the metabolic reaction.

Is osteochondrosis treated with medication only? of course not. In order to get rid of the disease completely, other medical procedures are necessary. Special attention should be paid to some special exercises. It is developed for each part of the spine or joints of the limbs.

Key points:Classes are conducted under the guidance of experts and can only be conducted after the inflammation in the affected area has been eliminated.

Remedial gymnastics

What to do if osteochondrosis occurs, which exercises are best to refuse, an appropriately qualified professional trainer will tell you. Initially, the exercise was carried out under his control, and later the patient could continue the exercise by himself.

Treatment of osteochondrosis at home requires regular exercise to restore joint mobility.

Massage and physiotherapy

Several alternative medicine methods are also used to treat spinal osteochondrosis. These include mud wraps, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, and manual therapy.

In medical procedures, drug electrophoresis, laser therapy, and heat therapy are often used. The important point is the sanitary treatment of specialized nursing homes.

What is osteochondrosis? More and more patients learn about this disease at a young age. A sedentary lifestyle, decreased muscle tone and uneven load on the joints-these weight-bearing factors lead to the degenerative development of cartilage tissue structure.

Persistent or periodic pain, stiffness, and even internal system failures are manifested by a decrease in elasticity and destruction of integrity.