Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of articular cartilage tissues, which can be localized in any joint, 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 cartilaginous tissue is poorly restored even after minor injuries.In addition, most people, especially those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, unevenly load their back muscles due to prolonged stay in one position at the workplace, talk on the phone for a long time with their ear on their 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, since the processes that cause degeneration of cartilaginous tissue are completely natural.The risk factors and causes of osteochondrosis in more pronounced forms are:
- flat feet;
- overweight;
- intense physical activity;
- physical inactivity;
- heredity;
- spinal injuries.
Previously, it was believed that spinal osteochondrosis mainly manifests itself after the age of 35, but recently patients aged 18 to 20 have been complaining of back pain caused by osteochondrosis.The likely 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 limitation of movement
There are osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.But regardless of the type of illness, people always complain of pain.In which part of the back it manifests itself and whether it radiates to the limbs depends on the location, that is, in which part of the spine the degenerative processes occurred.Pain can be caused by various reasons, for example, compressed (pinched) nerve roots or a herniated intervertebral disc.A herniated disc is a rupture of the fibrous ring and protrusion of the disc nucleus, that is, of the cartilaginous tissue itself.Intervertebral disc herniation in many cases occurs precisely against the background of osteochondrosis.
Men and overweight people experience herniated discs much more frequently than others
Pain in 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 “mimics” heart pain.It can intensify with various movements, whether sudden or pulling.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, pain can radiate to the leg.In the presence of an intervertebral disc herniation, the limb sometimes becomes numb, as if it were being “taken away”.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 frequently in the thoracic spine.
Complications of osteochondrosis and its treatment
This spinal disease is associated with pain, which is why osteochondrosis treatment is necessary to eliminate or significantly reduce it, thus 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 surgical treatment of herniated discs.All this time it is necessary to fight pain, since the cause of the disease - degenerative phenomena in the articular cartilage tissues - is irreversible and can mainly affect the surrounding tissues.Improving blood circulation and strengthening the muscular corset occurs through physiotherapy, massage and swimming.However, the pain, even with diligent and regular exercise and procedures, does not go away 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 prolonged use in tablets has significant side effects) and B vitamins. B vitamins are called neurotropic, as 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 approach to therapy.