Currently, osteochondrosis affects a huge number of people. Many of them are not even aware of the problem. Meanwhile, if treatment is not started in time, complications will come that will make themselves felt for the rest of their lives. Osteochondrosis, like many other diseases, is “getting younger” and significantly worsens the quality of life, knocking out of its usual rhythm.
In our article, we will get a little acquainted with the disease itself, and also dwell in detail on the medical method of its treatment.
Osteochondrosis and its types
Osteochondrosis is a deformation of the articular cartilage, bone tissue of the spine and intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis happens:
- lumbar (lumbosacral)
- cervical,
- chest.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- upright posture
- rachiocampsis,
- spinal injuries
- flat feet
- frequent weight lifting
- frequent changes in body position,
- prolonged stay in uncomfortable postures,
- spinal overload,
- lack of exercise and obesity,
- malnutrition
- stressful conditions.
Stages of osteochondrosis
- Due to certain changes in the intervertebral disc, vertebral instability appears. The spine is very prone to injury.
- The beginning of the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc. The intervertebral gap decreases.
- There is a rupture of the fibrous ring. The gelatinous core of the intervertebral disc protrudes. Due to the formation of an intervertebral hernia, spinal deformity is provoked.
- There is a pronounced pain syndrome. Due to the formation of bone growths and ossification of the ligaments of the spine, movements become limited.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Lumbar (lumbosacral) department
- Constant back pain aching in nature.
- A feeling of aching and numbness in the limbs.
- Decreased motor activity.
- Strengthening pain when making sudden movements, lifting weights, physical exertion, during sneezing and coughing.
Cervical
- Pain in the arms and shoulders, headaches.
- Vertebral artery syndrome (burning, throbbing headache, dizziness, noise in the head, colored spots and “flies” in front of the eyes).
Thoracic department
- Pain in the internal organs, in particular the chest (“count” in the chest) and the area of the heart.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made at the neurologist’s appointment based on the patient’s complaints (pain, restricted mobility, etc.). The spine is examined by him in the position of the patient standing, sitting and lying (at rest and in motion). When examining the back, attention is drawn to posture, structural features of the trunk, lower angles of the shoulder blades, side contours of the neck and waist, the position of the shoulders, etc. After this, the doctor, as a rule, directs the patient to radiography, computed tomography or MRI, with the help of which the diagnosis is clarified and specified, the degree of damage is determined, and latent abnormalities are revealed. Based on the findings, the neurologist prescribes appropriate treatment. As a rule, this is a complex therapy, including the use of medicines, massage, exercise therapy and other methods.
Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis with medicines
To begin with, it should be noted that at the initial stage of development of osteochondrosis in certain cases, you can do without drugs. It will be enough to use therapeutic gymnastics, all kinds of applicators (“Lyapko” roller, Kuznetsov applicator), as well as reducing stress and eliminating other causes of the disease. If the symptoms are gaining strength, and studies have shown characteristic changes, medications should be included that help to influence both the cause and the symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with medications is indicated during the period of its exacerbation and is aimed at relieving the inflammatory process, stopping the pain syndrome and enhancing metabolic processes due to internal administration or administration of drugs using injections.
Due to the fact that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease that adversely affects various organs and systems, its treatment should be comprehensive. Medicines for the treatment of osteochondrosis carry out the following tasks:
- anesthesia,
- removal of inflammation,
- improvement of blood circulation in affected tissues,
- cartilage repair
- returning mobility to the joints,
- elimination of depression caused by constant pain.
So, what kind of drugs can be prescribed by a neurologist to treat osteochondrosis?
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Eliminate inflammation and pain. They are used externally (gel, cream), inside (capsules, tablets), and also as an injection (intramuscularly, intravenously, subcutaneously).
- diclofenac (voltaren, diclac)
- ibuprofen (nurofen, long)
- ketoprofen (ketonal, febrofid)
- nimesulide (nimesil, nise)
- meloxicam (movalis, movasin)
- Vasodilators (vasodilators)
As a result of muscle tension and pain in osteochondrosis, blood vessel constriction occurs. In order to avoid undesirable consequences against the background of this, the doctor may prescribe pentoxifylline (trental) , which dilates blood vessels and improves tissue nutrition, as well as Actovegin and Berlition for a better restoring effect.
- Muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants)
They have a relaxing and calming effect on the muscles. The recovery process without drugs of this group proceeds more slowly, because due to their properties blood circulation is normalized, pain sensations become dull, mobility returns, and affected tissues recover faster. For these purposes, the doctor may be prescribed sirdalud , midocal or baclofen .
- Chondroprotectors
Chondroprotectors do not give further destruction, stabilize the condition. Reception of chondroprotectors is long, lifelong, the effect occurs after treatment for a period of at least 6 months. Chondroprotectors are used externally, orally and in the form of injections.
- glucosamine (don)
- chondroitin (chondroxide, structure)
- glucosamine + chondroitin (arthra)
- glucosamine + chondroitin + vitamins (teraflex)
- Alflutop (concentrate of 4 species of marine fish)
- Sedatives (sedatives)
Prolonged pain can trigger stress and depression. In this case, valerian preparations, motherwort, combined herbal preparations are prescribed. For more severe disorders, antidepressants (symbalta) are used , and sleeping pills (donormil) are used to improve the process of falling asleep and the quality of sleep .
- Vitamins and Vitamin and Mineral Complexes
Vitamins of group B are of greater importance here, as they are able to restore the sensitivity of the affected nerve fibers and reduce pain. They are part of such drugs as milgamma (tablets and injection) and neuromultivitis (tablets).
For the purpose of general strengthening of the body, vitamin-mineral complexes (compliance, multi-tabs) can also be prescribed .