Osteochondrosis of the spine

Spinal osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the spine (that is, associated with the gradual destruction of tissue and disruption of its function).The main changes are associated with the intervertebral disc (an elastic formation located between the vertebrae and is a kind of shock absorber that softens the shocks and vibrations of the vertebrae relative to each other when walking).With osteochondrosis, intervertebral discs become callous, harden, and often protrude into the spinal canal, where they can compress the spinal cord itself or its roots, causing corresponding complaints (pain in the arms and legs, back, numbness of the skin of the extremities).

Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis

• Pain in the back and neck: especially in the evening, after physical activity.
• Feeling of painful tension in individual muscles in the back.
• Numbness of the skin on the arms or legs (fingertips or as a separate strip on the skin).
• Weakness in the muscles of the arms or legs.
• Atrophy (thinning) of the muscles of the arms and legs.
• Dizziness, headaches: when the vertebral artery supplying the brain is compressed between the cervical vertebrae.

Forms

• Depending on which part of the spine the greatest changes are localized, the following forms of spinal osteochondrosis are distinguished:
  • osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
  • osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine;
  • osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
• Depending on the structural changes that have occurred in the intervertebral disc (elastic formation located between the vertebrae), the following stages of spinal osteochondrosis are distinguished:
  • Stage 1: intradiscal movement of the disc core (dense formation in its center) to the edge;
  • Stage 2: the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring of the disc (consisting of connective tissue) and instability of the spine (excessive mobility);
  • Stage 3: complete rupture of the disc with its prolapse in the form of a hernia into the spinal canal, possible compression of the spinal cord roots;
  • Stage 4: gross changes not only in the intervertebral discs, but also in the surrounding tissues (overgrowth of bone tissue, strong pathological fixation of the vertebrae to each other).

Reasons

• Excessive stress on the spine:
  • occupational hazards: heavy lifting (for example, for loaders), long-term work in a static (motionless) position;
  • excess body weight, which increases the load on the spine;
  • lifting excessively large objects (exorbitantly heavy).
• Spinal injuries: vertebral fractures, ligament ruptures.
• Hereditary causes: a tendency to gradual disruption of the nutrition of the vertebrae and the tissues that surround it (ligaments, intervertebral discs).

Diagnostics

• Analysis of complaints and medical history:
  • how long ago did you first experience back pain, numbness in your fingers and toes, and other complaints?
  • whether work or household activities are associated with lifting heavy objects, long-term maintaining a motionless position of the back and neck (sitting at a desk, etc.).
• Neurological examination: search for signs of neurological disorders (impaired sensitivity in the arms or legs, curvature of the spine, pain when feeling the muscles of the back and neck).
• X-ray of the spine: this method allows you to study the structure of the spine in one or more planes, detect thinning of the intervertebral discs (elastic formation located between the vertebrae), their protrusion towards the spinal canal, as well as marginal growth of the bone tissue of the spine (osteophytes), which are also a consequence of malnutrition of the spine and can damage the spinal roots, causing pain and sensitivity disorders.
• CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine in the cervical and spinal regions: allow layer-by-layer study of the structure of the spine and surrounding tissues (intervertebral discs, ligaments) and detect thinning of the intervertebral discs, the presence and size of protrusion (herniation) of discs from the space between the vertebrae.

Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis

• Limiting the load on the spine (do not lift heavy objects).
• Proper distribution of the load on the spine: for example, carry bags not in one hand, but in both, which makes the load more even.
• Massage of the back and neck-collar area.
• Physical therapy: a set of exercises that strengthen the muscles of the spine.
• Swimming.
• Acupuncture: influencing local processes of tissue destruction of the intervertebral disc using injections with special small needles.
• Painkillers.
• Medicines that reduce muscle tension (muscle relaxants).
• For advanced processes (prolapse of a hernia with compression of the spinal cord roots), surgical treatment (removal of the intervertebral disc, fixation of the affected part of the spine).

Complications and consequences

• Chronic back pain.
• Paralysis (weakness in the arms or legs).
• Poor cerebral circulation (when the vertebral artery supplying the brain is compressed between the cervical vertebrae).

Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis

• Gentle work regime: moderate weight lifting, refusal to lift excessively heavy objects, periodic changes in physical and mental labor (to “stretch” the spine).
• Active recreation.
• Gymnastics, morning exercises: daily performance of simple exercises that involve the spinal column (torso turns, slight bends).