Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic disorder in the tissues of the articular cartilage, which can be localized in any joints, as well as in the intervertebral discs. The name of the disease comes from the Greek words meaning “bone” and “cartilage”. Osteochondrosis develops due to physiological (that is, normal, provided by nature) weakening of the power of intervertebral discs. This leads to the fact that the cartilage tissue is poorly restored even after minor injuries. In addition, most people, especially those who have a sedentary lifestyle, unevenly load their back muscles because they stay in one position for a long time in the workplace, they talk on the phone for a long time, put their ears to their shoulders, carry bags on one shoulder, use too soft mattresses and pillows.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Almost all people of middle and older age are at risk of developing osteochondrosis of the spine, since the processes that cause the degeneration of cartilage tissues are completely natural. Risk factors and causes of osteochondrosis in more pronounced forms are:
– flat feet
– excess weight
– heavy exercise
– hypodynamia
– heredity
– spinal injuries
Previously it was believed that spinal osteochondrosis is manifested mainly after 35 years, but in recent years, patients aged 18-20 years have complained of back pain caused by osteochondrosis. Probable causes of the prevalence of osteochondrosis among young people are not only a sedentary lifestyle, but also frequent stresses and violations of posture.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis – pain and limited movement
There are osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, osteochondrosis of the thoracic and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. But regardless of the type of disease, a person always complains of pain. In which part of the back it manifests itself and whether it is given in the limb, it depends on the location, that is, on which part of the spine dystrophic processes have arisen. The pain can be caused by various reasons, for example, the pinching (squeezing) of nerve roots or hernias of intervertebral disks. A herniated disc is a rupture of the fibrous ring and a protrusion of the nucleus of the disc, that is, the cartilage itself. Herniated intervertebral discs in many cases occur on the background of osteochondrosis.
In men and overweight people, herniated discs occur much more often than others.
Pain in osteochondrosis can be different not only in intensity but also in localization. In osteochondrosis of the cervical region, pains arise not only in the neck, but also in the shoulder, they give to the arm.
Sometimes patients experience headaches, dizziness.
Osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine sometimes “imitates” pain in the heart. It can increase with various movements, be sharp or pulling.
In osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, pain may be lost in the leg. In the presence of herniated intervertebral discs, numbness of the limb sometimes arises, as if it “takes away”. Low back pain significantly limits the range of motion and can affect the functioning of internal organs.
Herniated discs occur predominantly in the cervical and lumbar spine, much less often in the thoracic region.
Complications of osteochondrosis and its treatment
This spinal disease is associated with pain, so treatment of osteochondrosis is necessary to get rid of it or significantly reduce, thus increasing the quality of life. The question of how to cure osteochondrosis causes a lot of controversy. The process of treatment of osteochondrosis is very long, it is associated with the restoration of the structures of the spine and the strengthening of the back muscles, and when indicated, with the surgical treatment of herniated discs. All this time, it is necessary to fight pain, since the cause of the disease – dystrophic phenomena in the tissues of the articular cartilage – is irreversible, and it is possible to affect mainly the surrounding tissues. Improving blood circulation and strengthening the muscle corset is due to physical therapy, massage, swimming. However, pain, even with diligent and regular exercises and procedures, does not disappear immediately.
Comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis: additional opportunities
To reduce pain in osteochondrosis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of external and internal use are used (unfortunately, their long-term use in tablet form has significant side effects), and B vitamins. Vitamins of group B are called neurotropic, as they help to restore the nerve fibers. The most important are Vitamin B1 (benfotiamin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which are contained in Milgamma® tablets. Benfotiamine normalizes metabolic processes in the damaged nerve roots, and pyridoxine improves the passage of nerve impulses, while both vitamins help reduce pain. Vitamins of group B in osteochondrosis are one of the elements of an integrated approach to therapy.