Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disorder in the articular cartilage tissues, which can be located in any joint, 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 a physiological weakening (that is, normal, provided by nature) of nutrition of the intervertebral discs.This leads to the fact that cartilage tissues are poorly restored even after minor injuries.In addition, most people, especially those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, unevenly load the back muscles due to prolonged standing in one position at the workplace, talk on the phone for a long time with their ear pressed to the shoulder, carry bags on one shoulder and use very soft mattresses and pillows.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Almost all middle-aged and elderly people are at risk of developing spinal osteochondrosis, as the processes that cause the degeneration of cartilage tissue are completely natural.Risk factors and causes of osteochondrosis in more pronounced forms are:
- flat feet;
- excess weight;
- heavy physical activity;
- physical inactivity;
- inheritance;
- spinal cord injuries.
Previously, it was believed that osteochondrosis of the spine occurs mainly after the age of 35, but recently patients aged 18-20 years have complained of back pain caused by osteochondrosis.Possible reasons for the spread of osteochondrosis among young people are not only a sedentary lifestyle, but also frequent stress and poor posture.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis - pain and limited movement
There is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine 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 and if it radiates to the limbs depends on the location, that is, in which part of the spine the degenerative processes have occurred.Pain can be caused by various reasons, for example, pinched (compressed) nerve roots or herniated intervertebral discs.A herniated disc is a rupture of the annulus fibrosus and protrusion of the core of the disc, that is, the cartilage tissue itself.Herniation of intervertebral discs in many cases occurs precisely against the background of osteochondrosis.
Men and overweight people experience herniated discs much more often than others
Pain with osteochondrosis can vary not only in intensity, but also in location.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pain occurs not only in the neck, but also in the shoulder, radiating to the arm.
Sometimes patients experience headaches and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine sometimes "imitates" pain in the heart.It can be intensified with different movements, be sharp or attractive.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the pain can radiate to the legs.In the presence of herniated intervertebral discs, sometimes numbness of the limbs appears, as if it is being "taken off".Low back pain significantly limits range of motion and can affect the functioning of internal organs.
Intervertebral disc herniation occurs mainly in the cervical and lumbar spine, much less often in the thoracic spine.
Complications of osteochondrosis and its treatment
This disease of the spine is accompanied by pain, so the treatment of osteochondrosis is necessary to get rid of it or significantly reduce it, thus increasing the quality of life.The question of how to cure osteochondrosis causes a lot of controversy.The process of treating osteochondrosis is very long;it is associated with the restoration of the spinal structures and the strengthening of the back muscles and, if indicated, with the surgical treatment of disc herniations.All this time it is necessary to fight the pain, since the cause of the disease - degenerative 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 occurs through physiotherapy, massages and swimming.However, the pain, even with diligent and regular exercises and procedures, does not disappear immediately.
Complex treatment of osteochondrosis: additional options
To reduce pain in osteochondrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for external and internal use are used (unfortunately, their long-term use in tablet form has significant side effects), and B vitamins. B vitamins are called neurotropic, since they help restore the functions of nerve fibers.The most important are vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).pills.Benfotiamine normalizes metabolic processes in damaged nerve roots, and pyridoxine improves the transmission of nerve impulses, while both vitamins help reduce pain.B vitamins for osteochondrosis are one of the elements of an integrated approach to therapy.