Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of articular cartilage tissues, which can be localized in any joints, as well as in intervertebral discs.
The name of the disease comes from the Greek words meaning “bone” and “cartilage”.Osteochondrosis develops due to a physiological (that is, normal, provided by nature) weakening of the nutrition of the intervertebral discs.This leads to the fact that cartilage tissue is poorly restored even after minor injuries.In addition, most people, especially those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, unevenly strain the back muscles due to prolonged stay in one position at the workplace, talk on the phone for a long time with the ear pressed to the shoulder, carry bags on one shoulder, and use too soft mattresses and pillows.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Almost all middle-aged and elderly people are at risk of developing osteochondrosis of the spine, since the processes that cause degeneration of cartilage tissue are completely natural.Risk factors and causes of osteochondrosis in more pronounced forms are:
- flat feet;
- excess weight;
- intense physical activity;
- physical inactivity;
- heredity;
- spinal injuries.
Previously, it was believed that osteochondrosis of the spine mainly manifests itself after 35 years, but recently patients aged 18-20 years complain of back pain caused by osteochondrosis.The probable reasons for the prevalence of osteochondrosis among young people are not only a sedentary lifestyle, but also frequent stress and poor posture.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis - pain and limited movements
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 itself and whether it radiates to the limbs depends on the location, that is, on the part of the spine where the degenerative processes occurred.Pain can be caused by various reasons, for example pinched (compressed) nerve roots or a herniated intervertebral disc.A herniated disc is a rupture of the annulus fibrosus and a protrusion of the disc nucleus, that is to say the cartilaginous tissue itself.Intervertebral disc herniations in many cases occur precisely against the background of osteochondrosis.
Men and overweight people suffer from herniated discs much more often than others
Pain associated with osteochondrosis can vary not only in intensity, but also in localization.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 of the thoracic spine sometimes “mimics” heart pain.It can intensify with various movements, be abrupt or pulling.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, pain can radiate to the leg.In the presence of herniated intervertebral discs, numbness of the limb sometimes occurs, as if it were “removed”.Low back pain significantly limits the range of movement and can affect the functioning of internal organs.
Intervertebral disc herniations occur mainly in the cervical and lumbar spine, much less often in the thoracic spine.
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 it, thereby increasing the quality of life.The question of how to cure osteochondrosis causes a lot of controversy.The treatment process for osteochondrosis is very long;it is associated with the restoration of spinal structures and strengthening of the back muscles and, if indicated, with the surgical treatment of herniated discs.All this time it is necessary to fight pain, since the cause of the disease - degenerative phenomena of articular cartilage tissues - is irreversible and it is possible to influence mainly the surrounding tissues.Improving blood circulation and strengthening the muscular corset is achieved through physiotherapy, massage 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 associated with osteochondrosis, nonsteroidal 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, because 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 passage of nerve impulses, while both vitamins help reduce pain.B vitamins for osteochondrosis are one of the elements of an integrated therapeutic approach.