Osteochondrosis and regular back pain affect 60–80% of the population over 30 years of age. Untreated osteochondrosis reduces the quality of life and can lead to disability and disability, so it is important to recognize it in the initial stages of development and seek help from a doctor.
In the article we will talk about osteochondrosis, its symptoms and diagnostic methods, as well as how to distinguish osteochondrosis from other diseases that manifest as back pain and what to do if signs of spinal osteochondrosis appear.
What is spinal osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the core of the intervertebral disc is gradually destroyed. Over time, damage to the intervertebral disc involves other structures of the spine in the pathological process and leads to disorders of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. Osteochondrosis is also characterized as premature aging of the articular system or as a pathology resulting from damage to the vertebrae, for example, after injury.
The development of osteochondrosis is influenced by many factors, so researchers have systematized the reasons that explain the origin of the disease:
- involutive - inflammatory processes and other damage to the spine lead to premature aging of cartilage, for example, as a result of a sedentary lifestyle;
- degenerative – disorders in the intervertebral discs occur as a result of a failure of metabolic processes, for example, as a result of an unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse;
- dysmetabolic - osteochondrosis occurs due to malnutrition in the intervertebral cartilage due to the fact that with age the number of blood vessels that supply blood with nutrients decreases.
The development of osteochondrosis is a cascade in which one pathological process triggers another. For example, due to age-related changes and a decrease in the number of vessels in the disc, nutrition is disrupted, which leads to a malfunction in biochemical processes and damage to the intervertebral disc.
As degenerative and dystrophic changes develop in the spine, muscle tone and the functioning of the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord through natural openings in the vertebrae are disrupted. This leads to consequences on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
Two views on the problem of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis: comparison of approaches to therapy (post-release)
Andrey Borisovich Danilov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Nervous Diseases of the Institute of Postgraduate Education of the Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education First Moscow State Medical University named after.. I.M. Sechenov Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University)
gave a report on new views on osteochondrosis.
A.B. Danilov noted that osteochondrosis is not the only cause of back pain. Often, patients are pushed to additional, possibly unnecessary, instrumental research methods (radiography, MRI, etc.), the results of which poorly correlate with neurological symptoms and do not answer the question of the cause-and-effect relationships of morphological and structural changes and pain syndrome.. According to foreign authors, osteochondrosis is degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) [1]. DMD is a major source of back pain and radicular pain. A detailed elucidation of the pathogenesis of DMD contributes to the development of effective methods for treating back pain. The pathogenesis of DMD is very complex. It has been shown to involve cell apoptosis, autophagy, pro-inflammatory cytokine storm, and increased matrix catabolism. The accumulation of senescent cells in the degenerative disc suggests a detrimental role of cellular senescence in the pathogenesis of DMD. On the one hand, aging disc cells lose their replicative ability, which entails a gradual decrease in the number of functional cells. On the other hand, the set of secreted substances changes in aging disc cells, which changes the nature of the surrounding microenvironment to inflammatory. They reduce the production of extracellular matrix and enhance its degradation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by senescent disc cells, including TNF-α, IL-1α/β, IL-17, IL-6, COX-2 and chemokines, may promote senescence of adjacent disc cells and immune cell infiltration, and then increase inflammation in the microenvironment of the degenerative disc. Thus, senescent disc cells undergo phenotypic changes and disrupt the balance between anabolism and catabolism of the extracellular matrix in the discs. As a result, disc degeneration accelerates [2, 3]. Further intensification of the inflammatory response occurs due to the infiltration of immunocytes, as well as neovascularization and germination of nerves into structurally defective disc tissue. At the final stage, sensitization of nerve endings and modulation of the activity of the pain channel of the dorsal root ganglion by inflammatory mediators and neurotrophins occurs, which leads to pain.
Professor A.B. Danilov emphasized that discogenic pain is clearly localized, is axial in nature, and does not radiate. How to stop this process of destruction? Unfortunately, the body's capabilities are extremely limited; the decrease in the content of chondroitin sulfate in the disc is directly proportional to the degree of its degradation.
The study of inflammatory mechanisms of discogenic pain is a very promising direction, primarily from the point of view of developing therapeutic possibilities.
Approaches to pathogenetic therapy for back pain include (Fig. 1):
genetic engineering therapy;
anti-catabolic drugs (TIMPs);
N-peptide;
NF-kB inhibitors;
SASP blockers (chondroitin, aggrecan);
stem cell therapy [4].
Among the listed approaches, today only SASP blockers (including chondroprotectors) are available for real clinical practice. Pathogenetic therapy is a way to prevent disc degeneration, inflammation processes and, accordingly, enable the patient to live without pain. Chondroprotectors are not only pathogenetic therapy, but also have a strategic effect - they protect a person from many future problems, in particular, preventing degenerative changes in the joints. produces a bioactive chondroprotector with a unique composition - AMBENE®Bio, which effectively copes with pain in just 1 course of therapy - 10 injections of 2 ml every other day. As the results of the study by I.V. showed. Menshikova and V.I. Sorotskaya (2021), after the first course of AMBENE®Bio, there is a significant reduction in pain during movement by 40–57%, pain at rest by 54–71%, and positive changes persist over the next 6 months. [5].
The high effectiveness of AMBENE®Bio and its modulating chondroprotective effect are due to the synergy of four components: chondroitin sulfate, polypeptides, 15 amino acids, micro- and macroelements (Fig. 2) [6]. Professor A.B. Danilov noted that the long-term therapeutic effect of the drug lasted for 6 months. achieved thanks to modern production technology.
At the end of his speech, A.B. Danilov emphasized that to implement a personalized approach to therapy, it is not enough to have only clinical recommendations; it is necessary to take into account many factors associated with the patient himself, which include the individual pain phenotype, age, gender, psyche, sleep, physical activity, cognitive functions, social factors , comorbidity.
The session was continued by Alexander Mikhailovich Lila, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Director of the Federal State Budgetary Institution NIIR named after. V..A. Nasonova,
who presented a report on a personalized approach to the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis (OA).
According to modern recommendations, complex treatment of patients with OA includes non-drug and drug methods, while Professor A.M. Lila drew attention to a number of factors that a practicing physician should take into account when accepting a patient with this nosology.
Factors determining OA therapy:
localization of the process (the main localizations of primary OA include small joints of the hands, knees, and hip joints);
age, gender, general status, comorbid conditions;
radiographic stages of osteoarthritis;
OA phenotype (Table 1);
effectiveness of previous therapy;
the patient's willingness to follow medical recommendations.
A.M. Lila emphasized that the creation of a classification based on the phenotyping of patients depending on the prevailing pathophysiological changes is a fundamental factor both for individual selection of therapy and for the transition from insufficiently effective symptomatic treatment to more effective disease-modifying treatment.
A.M. Leela presented two conceptual approaches to OA phenotyping proposed by F. Berenbaum [8]: the “top-down” movement, which is based on already known facts about the disease, and the “bottom-up” movement (step-up), which involves searching for a phenotype based on complex statistical methods (Fig. 3) [9].
Elderly patients with two or more diseases, which are called “comorbid diseases” or “comorbid conditions,” deserve special attention. In this group of patients, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions must be taken into account.
Professor A.M. Leela emphasized that drugs with a favorable safety profile should be used to treat OA in patients with comorbid conditions. These drugs include symptomatic slow acting drugs for osteoarthritis, SYSADOAs, incl. AMBENE®Bio, which has its own analgesic effect, is involved in the suppression of catabolic inflammation, which underlies the progression of OA [10].
In addition, special attention should be paid to non-pharmacological methods of treating OA: physical therapy, the use of robotic exoskeletons.
At the conclusion of his speech, A.M. Leela emphasized that symptom-modifying therapy should be prescribed to every patient as soon as possible after the diagnosis of OA.
The session was concluded by Alexey Yurievich Feklistov, junior researcher. Laboratory of Osteoporosis, Department of Metabolic Diseases of Bone and Joints, Deputy Chief Physician of the Federal State Budgetary Institution NIIR named after. V.A. Nasonova,
with a report in which he presented for the first time the results of a clinical study conducted under the leadership of the Research Institute of Rheumatology in five clinical centers in Russia to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the drug Ambene®Bio (HUMMYBRI).
Inclusion criteria for the study were:
age over 18 years;
OA of the knee, hip or small joints of the hands, radiographic stage I–III according to Kellgren - Lawrence;
pain when moving more than 40 mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS);
taking a stable dose of NSAIDs for at least 4 weeks. before the start of the study;
signed informed consent;
the patient's willingness and ability to participate in the study.
In the study, 155 patients (92% women, 8% men) received therapy with the complex drug Ambene®Bio. Patients with OA of the knee joints accounted for 54%, with generalized OA - 31%, OA of small joints - 12%, OA of the hip joints - 3%. Most patients had stage II–III disease (Table 2).
The regimens for using the drug are presented in Table 3.
The results of treatment of patients were assessed by VAS pain at rest and with movement, AUSCAN, WOMAC indices after 12 months. (Table 4).
The results of a multicenter clinical study of the effectiveness and safety of AMBENE®Bio have proven that therapy with its use in patients with OA of small and large joints can reduce the severity of pain, improve joint function and slow down the progression of OA in patients. The use of AMBENE®Bio makes it possible to reduce the need for NSAIDs and reduce their intake, which is especially important for comorbid patients, while the drug is well tolerated. The analgesic and chondroprotective effect of the drug was observed after the first course of therapy and persisted for up to 6 months. after its completion. A short regimen of therapy (2 ml every other day for a course of 10 injections) allows you to quickly and effectively achieve a long-term therapeutic effect.
At the conclusion of his speech, A.Yu. Feklistov especially emphasized that the results of the clinical trial "HUMMINGBRI" allow us to consider the drug AMBENE®Bio as an effective treatment for patients with OA of large and small joints, which has a favorable safety profile. And the release of a new dosage of 2 ml makes it possible to carry out treatment in a short course (10 injections) and get a long-term effect.
The event was held with the support of Promomed Group of Companies
Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease with periodic exacerbations that are provoked by injuries, a sedentary lifestyle, heavy lifting, hypothermia and psycho-emotional stress. The most common and characteristic symptom for dystrophic disorders in the core of the intervertebral discs is regular aching back pain in different segments: in the neck, chest and lower back.
There are two types of symptoms of osteochondrosis: reflex and compression. Reflex symptoms develop due to irritation of the spinal cord roots. They manifest themselves in the form of spasm or vasodilation, muscle twitching, and weakening of muscle strength. Compression symptoms develop due to compression (usually caused by a herniated disc) of the nerves and manifest as loss of sensation in the affected segment (neck, arms or lower back).
The following symptoms are also characteristic of osteochondrosis:
- tension and soreness in the muscles of the neck and back;
- curvature of the spine to the side, back or forward;
- disturbance of sensitivity and nervous regulation: there is a feeling of goosebumps crawling on the skin, changes in heat and cold on the skin of the back and limbs, numbness in the arms or legs;
- weakening of the muscle strength of the limbs;
- frequent urination – up to 10–12 times a day.
Symptoms: how does arthritis differ from arthrosis in sensations?
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis is that arthritis begins with joint swelling, erythema (redness and warmth of the skin) and sharp pain that is not related to the intensity of movement. Painful sensations may even intensify at night (while arthrosis “subsides” after rest). There is often no crunch in arthritis. The pathological condition is usually provoked by stress, fatigue, colds, sore throat, cystitis and more. The course of an acute episode may be accompanied by:
- increased temperature;
- fever;
- enlargement of the joint due to swelling;
- loss of strength, increased fatigue;
- weight loss.
- Depending on the etiology:
- conjunctivitis;
- pain in the urinary tract;
- negative symptoms from organs with an active blood supply (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver).
The first sign of arthrosis is usually muscle discomfort, tension, and the appearance of a dull crunching sound in the joints. Morning stiffness and other signs may appear much later. Symptoms develop gradually, the disease is characterized by a sluggish nature - this is the main way arthrosis differs from arthritis. As it progresses, the following appears:
- reduction in range of motion;
- changing the contours of the joint;
- pain that gets worse after exercise.
Redness of the skin and paroxysmal character are not typical for arthrosis unless it is complicated by arthritis.
The nature of sensations during arthritis and arthrosis may be similar, but their mechanisms differ significantly. Thus, the classic symptoms of arthritis (swelling, pain, redness of the skin) are formed due to synovial effusion produced by the joint membrane during inflammation. Symptoms of arthritis are associated with mechanical damage to the articular surface and bone, the formation of bone spurs to distribute the decompensated load.
Localization: what is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?
Both diseases can affect any joint, but in most cases the location of the pathology can indirectly indicate its nature. So, for example, arthritis has a so-called “affected joints” and “excluded joints” - depending on the prevalence of the disease.
Arthritis primarily affects:
- wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints;
- proximal interphalangeal joints;
- knee and ankle;
- metatarsophalangeal (in particular, the joints of the big toes);
- elbow joints.
The lesions can be either symmetrical (rheumatoid arthritis) or asymmetrical (psoriatic and other types).
Arthrosis selects load-bearing joints, which anatomically experience greater load. These include:
- knee:
- metacarpophalangeal joints of the thumbs;
- distal finger joints;
- hip;
- ankle;
- intervertebral.
Where can osteochondrosis lead to?
Pain due to osteochondrosis is localized not only in the back. They spread to the upper and lower extremities. To your feet:
- buttocks;
- back and sides of the thighs;
- lower leg and inner ankle;
- back of the feet;
- toes;
- heels.
Pain can also spread into the arms to:
- deltoid muscle;
- the outer edge of the hand, down to the fingers;
- back of the hand;
- three middle fingers;
- ring finger and little finger (rare).
How is osteochondrosis diagnosed?
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on a survey, physical examination and instrumental examination methods. Specific examination methods are determined during consultation.
The doctor begins the diagnosis by collecting an anamnesis: identifying the probable causes of back pain, establishing the location of the pain and its duration, identifying the presence of concomitant pathologies, for example, allergies, congenital diseases and drug intolerance. Next he moves on to inspection. The physical examination is performed standing or sitting. The doctor can identify the curvature of the spine, evaluate muscle strength and reflexes, and look at the color of the skin. To detail the picture of the disease, you need to consult with related specialists: a neurologist, neurosurgeon, oncologist, rheumatologist and phthisiatrician.
A neurologist makes a diagnosis of “osteochondrosis” if:
- regular aching back pain;
- increased pain when lifting weights, sneezing, coughing;
- numbness and a feeling of aching in the joints;
- decreased range of motion in joints;
- muscle spasm;
- damage to the nerve roots;
- changes on an x-ray of the spine.
Therapeutic measures
NSAIDs relieve pain and inflammation.
Since oteoarthrosis and osteochnodrosis are degenerative pathologies affecting the osteochondral tissue of the spinal column, the treatment methods are also identical. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain. To speed up the process of cartilage restoration, chondroprotectors are used. Glucocorticoids, muscle relaxants and vitamin-mineral complexes are also used to treat pathologies.
If nerve fibers are pinched due to osteochondrosis, drugs are prescribed to restore the affected nerve.
For therapeutic purposes, means of physical rehabilitation in the form of massage, exercise therapy and physiotherapy are used for chondrosis and osteoarthrosis. Massage movements normalize microcirculation, accelerate metabolic processes and relieve muscle spasms. Physical exercise normalizes blood circulation and improves tissue nutrition. Physiotherapeutic procedures have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Do you need an X-ray of the spine?
X-ray of the spine or spondylography is one of the mandatory examinations for osteochondrosis, with the help of which structural disorders of the spine can be identified. Spondylography allows you to find pathological changes, for example, thinning of the intervertebral disc. Typically, for the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine, x-rays are taken in two (and sometimes three) projections for greater detail.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging make it possible to identify pathologies associated with osteochondrosis: disc herniation and reduction of the lumen of the spinal canal, protrusion of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
With cervical osteochondrosis of the spine, two main symptoms appear - cervicago and cervicalgia. Cervicago is an acute painful cervical lumbago that appears when moving the head and due to tension in the muscles of the cervical spine. Cervicalgia is aching and severe pain in the neck. Cervicalgia is accompanied by paresthesia - a disturbance of sensitivity in the form of numbness and a sensation of crawling on the skin.
If damage to the nuclei of the intervertebral discs of the neck progresses, cervical radiculitis appears - painful sensations in the back of the head. The pain is characterized by regularity; in addition, it intensifies occasionally, especially when moving the head.
This triad - cervicalgia, cervical radiculitis and cervicago - can be complicated by the syndrome of nocturnal hand dysesthesia, in which sensitivity is distorted. For example, a warm object may feel cold to your fingers, but if you shake your hands, sensitivity is restored.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is most characterized by painful lumbago in the chest area (dorsalgia). Chest pain worsens with moving your arms, sneezing, coughing, and lifting heavy objects. Most often the pain is girdling. Paresthesia also often occurs in the chest. Sometimes damage to the nuclei of the intervertebral discs can be disguised as diseases of the internal organs, for example, gastritis or angina, since pain can be localized in the upper abdomen and in the heart area.
Thoracic osteochondrosis and arthrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis can be associated with arthrosis of the costovertebral joints. They are subject to constant stress due to the respiratory movements of the chest. When expanding at the height of inspiration, maximum abduction of the head of the costal arch occurs as part of the articulation. In this case, it may be subject to injury due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc.
Such arthrosis in thoracic osteochondrosis causes impaired respiratory function, which inevitably leads to oxygen starvation of vital organs (brain, heart, liver, spleen).
Low mobility of the thoracic spine does not allow diagnosing osteochondrosis at an early stage. Therefore, you need to be attentive to any pain or stiffness. At an early stage, thoracic osteochondrosis can be treated conservatively. It is possible to prevent the development of arthrosis and preserve the vital volume of the lungs, respiratory function and avoid the risk of developing an intervertebral hernia, which disrupts the process of tissue innervation.
How to distinguish between heart pain or osteochondrosis?
Pectalgic syndrome is pain in the anterior chest wall, which may resemble pain in the heart. Pectalgia can be a sign of both osteochondrosis and heart problems.
However, pain during angina and heart attack differs from pectalgic syndrome due to osteochondrosis. The peculiarity of pain during angina pectoris and myocardial infarction is that it is of a compressive nature and spreads to the left shoulder blade, arm and jaw.
Pectalgic syndrome in osteochondrosis does not spread beyond the boundaries of the anterior chest wall, does not radiate to the arm and shoulder blade, and is not accompanied by fear of death. However, these are only subjective feelings. Therefore, to rule out cardiac pathology, you need to see a doctor and have an electrocardiogram done, which will reveal rhythm disturbances or signs of myocardial infarction.
If the pain begins to spread to the left shoulder blade, arm, jaw, is accompanied by a feeling of fear, is not eliminated by taking nitroglycerin and lasts more than 10–15 minutes, you need to call an ambulance.
Clinical picture
Although the diseases are very similar to each other, their symptoms are significantly different. The main difference in the clinical manifestation of pathologies can be seen in the comparative table:
| Characteristics | Osteochondrosis | Osteoarthritis |
| Manifestation of pain | After sleep, when in a forced position for a long time | At night, after daytime physical activity |
| Localization of pain | In the affected area of the spine with irradiation to the sternum and limbs | Localized in the diseased joint |
| Feeling stiff | Has a long-lasting nature | Passes within an hour |
| Swelling | Applies to face, shoulders and limbs | Extremely rare |
| Temperature | Often accompanied by low-grade fever | An increase in local temperature is observed only in cases of complications |
| Major complications | Vertebral artery syndrome | Reactive synovitis |
Why is lumbar osteochondrosis dangerous?
With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, lumbago or lumbodynia most often occur - regular lumbago and aching pain in the lumbar region. Due to constant pain, movements are limited: a person cannot bend down, do exercises or lift a heavy object.
Lumbago can go away on its own. However, they are prone to exacerbations, and each exacerbation indicates additional displacement of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal. If the destruction of the intervertebral disc progresses, lumbosacral radiculitis is formed, accompanied by lower back pain that radiates to the buttocks and thighs.
What diagnosis will intra-articular injections help with?
Injections of drugs that replace synovial fluid help to cope with pain and stiffness of movement both with arthrosis and osteoarthritis. For example, a course of intra-articular injections of Noltrex restores its quantity and level of viscosity, eliminates mechanical friction and widens the joint space for a long time. It is necessary to undergo it, depending on the severity of the disease, every 9-24 months.
Ideally, treatment of arthrosis and osteoarthritis should be comprehensive. Restoring synovial fluid alone is not enough to return to normal life. It is necessary to take care of proper nutrition, reduce the load on the sore joint, get rid of extra pounds and follow all the recommendations of the rheumatologist-orthopedic surgeon.
What is the difference between osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis?
Osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis (spondylogenic osteoarthritis) belong to the class of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, there is a key difference between them: with osteochondrosis, the core of the intervertebral disc is affected, and with osteoarthritis, the intervertebral joints are affected. This makes the difference in symptoms and treatment.
With osteochondrosis, back pain is regular and aching, manifests itself at rest and intensifies with movement, and with spondyloarthrosis, the appearance of pain is associated with extension and flexion of the spine. Typically, the pain syndrome with osteoarthritis of the spine is one-sided and has a cramping nature. Also, spondylogenic osteoarthritis is characterized by morning stiffness, which lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.
Youth and joint health: osteoarthrosis and osteochondrosis
Joints take a hit
Joints are a real miracle given to us by nature.
They are able to withstand enormous loads. But this only works if the joints are healthy. If the resource of a joint decreases due to its condition, and we continue to load it in the usual volume, then the disease will quickly make itself felt. You can reformulate the famous truth a little. If you wake up after 50 years and nothing hurts, then you are dead. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.71 billion people on the planet suffer from diseases and disorders related to the musculoskeletal system.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint diseases: it affects about 20% of the world's population. You should not think that osteoarthritis is an age-related disease.
- Only 60-70% of patients are in the age group over 65 years.
- Every third patient with osteoarthritis experiences the disease between the ages of 45 and 64 years.
In addition to osteoarthritis, another common disease is osteochondrosis. The difference between them is that the latter affects the joints of the spine, while osteoarthritis affects any joints.
Osteoarthrosis vs osteochondrosis
During movement, our cartilages act as a shock absorber - they reduce pressure on the surface of the bones and ensure their smooth movement. You can compare the structure of cartilage to a sponge: it absorbs fluid, and when loaded, releases it to the articular cavity. Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage, making it dry and brittle.
Osteochondrosis is a disorder of the tissue structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, which leads to a decrease in their elasticity. The gap between the vertebrae decreases, which leads to pinched nerve endings. Hence the pain syndrome that almost all patients experience, as well as intervertebral hernias.
Whichever of these problems you have to face, the result is the same - progression of the disease without proper care and support.
Who is at risk?
It is clear that with age the risk of encountering the disease is higher. Gender-wise, over the years, the disease has shifted towards women. But the fact remains: patients of orthopedic surgeons and surgeons are getting younger every year. For example, osteochondrosis today often occurs at the age of 30-35 years.
Uncomfortable shoes, improper wearing of a backpack, sports or ordinary injuries contribute to the development of the disease. And already at 35-40 years old you have to constantly complain about pain in the neck, back, and headaches. There are several main groups that are especially susceptible to the occurrence of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis.
- Older patients. Elderly people are at risk, since over time the cartilage tissue is destroyed, the damaged intra-articular cartilage needs increased nutrition. For good blood circulation, it is necessary to maintain regular physical activity. You can exercise every day, but very carefully.
- Overweight people. Poor nutrition, consumption of trans fats and hydrogenated oils, fatty red meat leads to leaching of calcium from the body and the occurrence of inflammation. Extra pounds turn into an additional burden for weakened joints - the joints hurt, and the pressure on them increases.
- Active people. Sports activities are not only recommended for completely healthy people. But you need to consult a doctor and clarify the condition of your joints before loading them in the gym or while jogging. In any condition, physical activity is indicated, but it must correspond to age, level of training and the degree of impairment of the musculoskeletal system.
- Injuries. Fans of sports or active recreation often delay diagnosis and treatment. The pain can be relieved with any ointments or gels, but subsequently the risk of it becoming chronic increases. Sometimes the result is elective surgery.
- Office employees. The development of technology has led to the fact that we can solve a hundred different problems without leaving the couch. It's worth using your smartphone or tablet to pay bills, get statements, order food, or buy a gift. Not only work, but also leisure has moved online. And this means a reduction in physical activity and a transition to a non-stop sitting position. Metabolism is disrupted, salts are deposited, which negatively affects the condition of the joints.
The development of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis may also be caused by:
- heredity;
- metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalance;
- infections, toxic poisoning;
- vitamin deficiency, dehydration, adherence to diets;
- bad habits;
- stress.
Modern lifestyle, diet, habits determine the condition of the joints and well-being over the age of 40. And if at the initial stage there may be no symptoms at all, then over the years the disease progresses, pain appears after physical activity, and then at rest.
But even visually detectable joint deformation will not prompt everyone to visit a doctor. Such indifference to one's own health is amazing. After all, it leads to serious consequences, and often to disability. Anyone can be at risk, regardless of age - the disease is diagnosed at 20 years old and at 65.
How to support joints?
Many people pay attention to the disease only when pain appears, but they are in no hurry to go to the doctor. The approach to treatment for the majority remains symptomatic: take painkillers, apply warming ointments, use compresses prescribed by a neighbor or grandmother. But the disease does not go away. The process of destruction of cartilage tissue continues even in the absence of pain.
The main task is to stop the destruction process, and not to eliminate the symptoms. Preparations containing chondroitin sulfate prevent further destruction, nourish cartilage, and increase its hydration. These can be not only tablets, but also gels and ointments , which act locally as effectively as possible. The advantage is an additional anti-pain effect: inflammation is often accompanied by severe, long-lasting pain, which affects the quality and lifestyle.
Chondroitin sulfate is one of the components of cartilage. With degenerative changes in our joints, its reserves decrease. The ability to bind water is reduced, causing damage to articular cartilage to progress. Chondroitin sulfate coming from preparations stimulates metabolic processes, slows down and stops the destruction of cartilage, and starts the reverse restoration procedure.
For medical purposes, chondroitin sulfate is isolated from the cartilage tissue of fish, shark cartilage, cartilage or trachea of mammals. This is a natural substance to which our body is accustomed, therefore it has no side effects and can be used for long courses. Your joints will definitely be happy with such support!
VSD or cervical osteochondrosis?
Vegetovascular dystonia is a syndrome in which the functioning of the autonomic nervous system is disrupted. VSD is a functional disorder in which there are no structural changes either in the spinal column or in the nuclei of the intervertebral discs.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia has a mental origin - it is a neurosis that is associated with intrapersonal conflicts or childhood traumas. Externally, VSD and osteochondrosis can be similar to each other: headaches, dizziness, pain in the anterior chest wall.
To distinguish diseases, it is necessary to carry out instrumental diagnostics - x-rays of the cervical spine and other parts, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. As a result of diagnosis, there will be no organic changes in VSD, unlike osteochondrosis.
Main reasons
Excess weight creates additional stress on the joints and spine.
Dystrophic damage to the spine and its joints is caused by negative factors alone. Therefore, both diseases can be caused by identical reasons:
- loads on the spine;
- genetic predisposition;
- physical inactivity;
- age-related changes;
- metabolic and hormonal imbalances;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- decreased protective functions of the body;
- musculoskeletal injuries;
- abnormalities in the development of the spinal column;
- overweight;
- concomitant pathologies;
- disturbance of phosphorus-calcium metabolism;
- deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
The disease damages bone tissue.
The root cause of the development of osteoarthritis can be a concomitant illness such as osteoporosis. Changes in bone density lead to frequent injuries and provoke the formation of growths. While osteochondrosis is one of the factors that provokes the active development of osteoporosis.
Treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia
Vegetative-vascular dystonia is treated with medications, psychotherapy and lifestyle correction. Patients are prescribed symptomatic treatment: sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, restoratives, and vitamins. The goal of psychotherapy for VSD is to teach the patient to regulate negative emotions and increase stress resistance. The lifestyle is also adjusted: you need to balance work and rest, exercise and adhere to a balanced diet.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home?
It is not recommended to treat osteochondrosis at home. There are several reasons for this:
- at home it is impossible to accurately diagnose “osteochondrosis”, since back pain has different origins: neurogenic, vascular, viscerogenic (due to diseases of the internal organs) and psychogenic. That is, a person is treating osteochondrosis, but in fact, back pain arose, for example, due to kidney diseases;
- it is impossible to objectively assess the effectiveness of treatment without control diagnostics;
- the patient cannot adequately select treatment for himself, and folk remedies do not have an evidence base, and therefore, most likely, they are ineffective and may have side effects.
In one case, you can be treated at home - only after consulting a doctor who will correctly diagnose, prescribe adequate treatment and periodically monitor the effectiveness of therapy using X-rays, CT or MRI.
What is the difference between treating arthritis and arthrosis?
Let's start with the forecasts. Arthrosis is always incurable - it is a chronic disease and can only be contained. Arthritis can be either chronic (rheumatoid, idiopathic, psoriatic) or transient (infectious).
Let us take a closer look at the features and fundamental differences in the treatment of these diseases.
Arthritis treatment
You can get rid of infectious arthritis before the onset of destructive changes in the joint with timely treatment with antibiotics. The key role is played by the correct selection of the drug (for this you may have to take an antibiogram). In this case, due to self-medication, you can lose valuable time.
Rheumatoid arthritis requires lifelong treatment with corticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs and NSAIDs. Their use requires regular consultation with a doctor due to the negative impact on the body (especially if the dosage and duration of the course are not observed). New biological products demonstrate high efficiency - they reduce the severity of symptoms of the disease (pain and swelling).
If necessary, analgesics are prescribed - systemic or local. Complex therapy also includes diet, physiotherapy, and therapeutic exercises. If the disease has affected other organs, it is necessary to obtain advice from specialized specialists.
Treatment of arthrosis
In the early stages of arthrosis, drugs and physiotherapeutic techniques are extremely effective, which enhance regeneration, nutrition and moisture supply to the cartilage tissue. Regular use of chondroprotectors can significantly improve the quality of life at all stages of the disease, except the last.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids are prescribed symptomatically to relieve inflammation and begin basic therapy. Analgesics are also used according to the same principle - usually local, in the form of gels and creams. As with arthritis, physical therapy and physiotherapy are indicated, but the techniques will differ. Optimal choice: electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, mud therapy and others.
What is the difference between the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis? The main emphasis is on the “restoration” of the cartilage capsule. However, in advanced cases, surgical treatment may be required, including joint replacement.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis can be conservative or surgical. Which method will be the main one depends on the stage of the disease and the neglect of the musculoskeletal system.
Conservative treatment includes medications, physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Medications are mainly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants to relieve pain and normalize muscle tone. In physical therapy, one of the main conditions for recovery is early activation, that is, 1-3 days after pain is eliminated, you need to walk, run, exercise in the pool or ride a bike. It is also important to change your lifestyle to an active one, since sedentary behavior is one of the factors in the development of back pain and destruction of the nuclei of the intervertebral discs.
Surgical treatment is used in cases where conservative therapy has proven ineffective within 2–4 weeks, and in cases where there are pronounced structural changes in the spine. What kind of operation is needed will be determined by the surgeon after consultation with a neurologist and studying research data. For example, in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, methods are used that relieve the spinal cord from pressure from the vertebrae or hernia (discectomy and decompression).
If you experience back pain, which is accompanied by lumbago in the spine or neck, aching pain in the chest, weakened muscles in the arm or leg, unpleasant tactile sensations on the skin and numbness, consult a neurologist for advice.
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Author: Makeeva Marina Anatolyevna
Neuropathologist, reflexologist. Highest category. Candidate of Medical Sciences. Work experience 26 years.
Treatment of osteochondrosis and arthrosis
Conservative methods of treatment are mainly used to treat osteochondrosis and arthrosis. Pharmacological drugs without additional methods of manual therapy do not have any therapeutic effect. This is due to the fact that the development of osteochondrosis and arthrosis is based on a violation of the diffuse nutrition of cartilage tissue. Accordingly, the liquid and the medicinal substances dissolved in it do not penetrate the damaged cartilage tissue. With the use of manual therapy techniques, regeneration processes are launched and the use of chondroprotectors becomes effective.
In our manual therapy clinic, the following techniques are used for the complex treatment of osteochondrosis and arthrosis:
- traction traction of the spinal column allows you to eliminate compression, restore intervertebral spaces to physiological height, and relieve pain;
- reflexology (acupuncture, pharmacopuncture) – relieve pain, start the process of restoration of damaged tissues, increase the overall tone of the human body;
- kinesiotherapy and therapeutic exercises trigger the process of impaired diffuse nutrition and increase the performance of the muscular frame of the back;
- osteopathy and massage restore microcirculation of blood and lymphatic fluid, improve the elasticity of tissues (cartilage, tendon, ligament and muscle);
- laser exposure allows you to quickly restore the damaged structure of bone and cartilage tissue;
- Physiotherapy allows you to quickly restore the health of the spinal column.
If you need to undergo an effective and safe course of treatment for osteochondrosis and arthrosis, you can make a free appointment with a vertebrologist in our manual therapy clinic. During the consultation, the doctor will tell you about all the possibilities and prospects for using manual therapy methods in your individual case.