The most common degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine is osteochondrosis. Its peculiarity is that it does not manifest itself in any way at the initial stage, so many patients turn to the doctor when the processes of tissue destruction are already well advanced. But even in this case, the diagnosis is not made immediately, but after a series of laboratory and instrumental tests. It is very important to correctly diagnose osteochondrosis, because the earlier treatment is started, the greater the chance of preventing complications. For this reason, you need to recognize the symptoms of osteochondrosis in a timely manner and consult a doctor.
Causes and mechanism of development
Osteochondrosis begins with destructive processes in the intervertebral discs. They gradually dry out and lose volume. This means that the discs can no longer perform their function correctly. They can collapse and then a hernia develops. However, most often this condition leads to the development of osteochondrosis.
Finally, the intervertebral disc protects the vertebrae from destruction, serves as a shock absorber during various movements and keeps the vertebrae in the correct position. As its volume decreases, displacement of the vertebrae occurs. Instability of a spinal segment leads to the formation of osteophytes - bone growths that keep the vertebrae apart. Otherwise, pinching of the nerve roots and compression of the blood vessels may occur. All these processes lead to many different signs of osteochondrosis, which is why it is so difficult to diagnose it in a timely manner. However, knowing why this pathology develops will allow people at risk to be more careful.
Osteochondrosis is usually caused by the following reasons:
- congenital developmental disorders of the spine or connective tissue defects;
- Injuries or constant overwork, heavy physical work;
- poor posture, flat feet, wearing uncomfortable shoes;
- staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, sedentary lifestyle;
- Obesity, poor diet, overweight;
- Exposure to chemicals, for example bad habits, taking certain medications;
- frequent stress;
- natural processes that occur as the body ages;
- constant vibration effect on the spine.
Osteochondrosis develops after a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, after which the vertebrae themselves begin to collapse
Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor your health in order to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. This is especially important for athletes, loaders, drivers, gymnasts and women who often worry about their loved ones and experience stress as a result.
Symptoms
The signs of osteochondrosis depend on the stage of the disease, as well as which part of the spine is affected by degenerative processes. Very often the patient doesn't even feel back pain at first, just a slight stiffness in the morning. When the intervertebral disc is destroyed by the displacement of the vertebrae, the nerve roots are pinched and pain occurs. Depending on the location of the disease, they can occur in more than just the back area. The pain often radiates to the shoulder blade, chest, arm or leg and can lead to headaches.
Also, a feature of osteochondrosis in the initial stages is that the pain increases during physical activity and subsides after rest. Even after adopting a comfortable posture, the patient feels better. Painful sensations worsen after hypothermia, stress, prolonged stay in a static position, for example, when working at a computer or sleeping on an uncomfortable bed. Very often, with osteochondrosis, stiffness of movements, muscle weakness and constant fatigue are observed. The patient tries to take a comfortable position in which he feels less pain.
The main symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis is pain and stiffness of movement.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The most common site of degenerative-dystrophic processes is the lumbar spine. It can withstand the highest loads not only when moving, but also when a person sits in one position for a long time. Due to the sedentary lifestyle of modern people, the muscle corset here is weak, so any overload can lead to the destruction of intervertebral discs or displacement of the vertebrae.
In addition to pain and general stiffness, there are special symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis in the lumbar region. If you notice the following signs from time to time, you should make an appointment with a neurologist:
- the lower limbs become numb;
- skin sensitivity is impaired, paresis may develop;
- Pain is felt in the pelvic organs, their function is disrupted;
- The patient cannot turn or bend, and pain is felt even when sitting.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
It is particularly important to know what symptoms the patient feels with cervical osteochondrosis. After all, sometimes pain in the neck is not felt at all, and other symptoms resemble vascular diseases, which a person tries to treat with medication. If the destructive processes in the cervical spine are not stopped, the blood supply to the brain can be disrupted and the body can be completely paralyzed.
Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the following signs in a timely manner:
- headaches that cannot be relieved with conventional analgesics;
- dizziness occurs when turning the head;
- Pain is felt in the shoulders, back of the head and arms;
- vision worsens, spots or colored spots are visible before the eyes;
- there is hearing loss, tinnitus;
- Tongue and fingers become numb;
- Coordination of movements is impaired.
With cervical osteochondrosis, headaches and tinnitus are often observed
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
Signs of osteochondrosis in the chest area can easily be confused with diseases of the internal organs. And although back pain is the main symptom, it has its own characteristics. Patients describe this feeling as if their chest was being squeezed by a tire. The pain increases when inhaling and exhaling, so many attribute these sensations to heart disease.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain increases with hypothermia, when raising the arms and also at night. Numbness of the skin, goosebumps and coldness in the extremities may occur. Digestive system dysfunction often occurs.
diagnosis
In order to prevent complications of osteochondrosis, it is very important to see a doctor at the first signs. This is movement stiffness and back pain after training. This pathology is treated by a vertebrologist or neurologist. An experienced doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis during an examination and discussion with the patient.
However, some symptoms of the disease are very nonspecific and resemble the manifestations of many other pathologies. Therefore, differential diagnosis is very important to exclude diseases in which vascular and neurological symptoms also develop. These can be angina pectoris, hypertension, stomach ulcer, pyelonephritis. The main difference between osteochondrosis and them is that it has a chronic course and develops slowly with periodic exacerbations, and the pain usually subsides at rest.
However, without special diagnostics, it is still difficult to make a correct diagnosis. Most often, instrumental examination methods are used for this: radiography, CT, MRI, ultrasound, myelography and others. Sometimes laboratory tests are also necessary. They help determine the presence of an inflammatory process and an increase in the concentration of calcium in the blood.
The most common diagnostic method in the initial stages of the disease is radiography.
Radiography
In the initial stages, X-ray diagnostics are required to confirm the diagnosis. This is the main examination method for osteochondrosis. It is the simplest and most accessible remedy and has the fewest side effects. After the location of the pain is determined, photographs are taken of that area of the spine. They are usually performed in two projections: direct and lateral.
With correct diagnosis, this is indicated by the following radiological signs: the distance between the vertebrae decreases, atrophy of the intervertebral discs is observed, osteophytes are visible, there may be destruction of vertebral tissue or a change in the shape of the spine.
Myelography
This is a more complex method, may have side effects and is not suitable for everyone. Finally, myelography is based on the injection of a special contrast fluid into the spinal canal. This can lead to an allergic reaction or even damage to the spinal cord. The spine is then x-rayed.
This method allows you to examine the spinal canal and determine where it is damaged by degenerative processes. In addition, myelography can detect the presence of intervertebral hernias in the initial stages.
MRI is a more informative examination method and is therefore used when a differential diagnosis is required.
tomography
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis using CT or MRI is performed less often because these methods are not yet widely available. Therefore, they are used in difficult cases, as well as when osteochondrosis needs to be differentiated from other diseases. But with an MRI or CT scan, you can examine the spine and surrounding tissues in great detail.
These diagnostic methods allow you to detect the condition of blood vessels, the presence of hernias, compression of nerve roots and the shape of the intervertebral discs. They are necessary for the differential diagnosis of osteochondrosis from osteomyelitis, spinal cord tumors, spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis and syringomyelia.
Timely recognition of the symptoms of osteochondrosis and their correct diagnosis help to start treatment in a timely manner. This will prevent the development of complications, alleviate the patient's condition and reduce the number of exacerbations.