Osteochondrosis - what is it, causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention - how to treat spinal osteochondrosis? The doctors of the MEDSI clinic will tell you

Osteochondrosis (degenerative disc disease) is one of the most common causes of low back and neck pain, and also one of the most misunderstood.

Simply put, osteochondrosis (degenerative disc disease) is directly related to back or neck pain and is caused by wear and tear on the intervertebral discs. In some cases, degenerative disc disease (degenerative disc disease) can also cause weakness, numbness, and sharp shooting pain in the arms or legs (radicular pain). Osteochondrosis typically manifests as chronic back pain, with intermittent episodes of more severe pain.

Osteochondrosis (degenerative disc disease) develops in all parts of the spine, but clinical signs often appear in the cervical and lumbar regions, since these areas of the spine are subject to the greatest load, which leads to disc wear. Treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the morphological and clinical picture and can be either conservative or surgical.

Definition of the term osteochondrosis

The term "degenerative" understandably implies that symptoms will worsen with age. However, this term does not refer to symptoms, but rather describes the process of disc degradation over time.

Despite the name, degenerative disc disease (osteochondrosis) is not a disease, but a condition in which the natural, age-related wear and tear of the discs causes pain, instability and other symptoms.

This disease usually does not lead to long-term disability and in most cases, non-surgical methods of therapy are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis.

While it is true that disc degeneration is likely to progress over time, the pain of degenerative disc disease does not usually get worse and, in fact, patients usually feel better after a sufficient period of time. The cascade theory of degeneration explains how this process works.

Disc degeneration is a natural part of the aging process, and over time, all people experience some changes to their discs. However, a degenerating disc does not always cause symptoms. In fact, degenerative disc disease is quite variable in nature and severity.

It is important to note that disc degeneration (osteochondrosis) can accelerate the development of conditions such as:

• Spinal stenosis, a form of spinal degeneration that results in compression of a nerve root or spinal cord.
• Spinal osteoarthritis, changes in the facet joints at the back of the spine resulting from degeneration.
• Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which the body of one vertebra slips forward relative to the underlying one due to degeneration of the facet joints.
• Scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, can develop gradually due to unilateral disc degeneration.

Clinical treatment and rehabilitation, Barnaul

The center specializes in medical rehabilitation of guests with dysfunctions of the peripheral nervous system and musculoskeletal system. For example, here you can undergo rehabilitation after hip replacement at the sanatorium. They offer multidisciplinary proprietary programs that are aimed at restoring mobility, relieving pain, preventing thrombosis and returning to normal life. The treatment includes massages, mechanotherapy on the Artromot simulator, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, visiting the pool, and drug therapy. In addition, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Altai region.

Indications

: consequences of operations and injuries, recovery after arthroscopic operations and joint replacement, sports injuries

Causes of Pain in Degenerating Discs

A degenerating disc does not always cause pain or other symptoms. Because the disc itself has very little innervation, pain usually occurs when the degenerating disc impacts other structures of the spine (such as muscles, joints, or nerve roots).

Pain associated with osteochondrosis (degenerative disc disease) is usually associated with two main factors:

• Inflammation. With disc degeneration, inflammatory proteins from the inner surface of the disc can leak, causing swelling in the surrounding spinal structures. This inflammation can cause muscle spasms and local soreness in the back or neck. If a nerve root becomes inflamed, pain and numbness may radiate to the arm and shoulder (cervical radiculopathy—for disc degeneration in the cervical spine) or to the hip or leg (lumbar radiculopathy—for disc degeneration in the lumbar spine).
• Abnormal instability of micromovements. The shock-absorbing and supportive function of the discs decreases as they degenerate, resulting in small, unnatural movements between the vertebrae. These micro-movements can cause tension and irritation in surrounding muscles, joints and/or nerve roots as the motion segment of the spine becomes increasingly unstable, causing episodes of severe pain.
• Both inflammation and micromotion instability can cause spasms in the lower back or neck.
• Muscle spasm is the body's attempt to stabilize the spine. Muscle tension and spasms from osteochondrosis can be quite painful and are believed to cause severe pain.

What happens in the spine during disc degeneration?

Degenerative processes in osteochondrosis primarily affect the intervertebral discs, but indirectly involve other structures of the spine in the pathological process. The two outcomes most associated with degenerative processes are:

• Erosion of the cartilage surface. Like other joints in the body, each vertebral segment is a joint that contains cartilage. Between the disc and each vertebral body there is a layer of cartilage known as the endplate. The end plate acts as a transmitter for oxygen and nutrients moving in and out of the disc. As the disc wears down and the end plate begins to deteriorate, this supply of nutrition is disrupted, which can accelerate disc degeneration. As the disc goes through this process, the height of the disc drops dramatically.
• Disk collapse. As the disc degenerates, the disc space is less likely to collapse, placing undue stress on the surrounding muscles as they support the spine and reduce the space between the vertebrae, resulting in additional micromotion and instability of the motion segments.

These processes usually progress gradually, and not all at the same time. Endplate erosion and disc space destruction can lead to spinal instability, tension in surrounding muscles, and development of both local and radicular pain.

Cost of living

Carrying out a course of rehabilitation after osteochondrosis in Moscow and the Moscow region, the specialists of the Eden sanatorium set themselves the following tasks:

• Bringing damaged nerve endings to a relaxed state.
• Prevention of muscle atrophy during a person’s rest, monitoring the quality of breathing, establishing metabolic processes in the body, improving intestinal motility.
• Reducing the frequency of spasms of the vertebral muscles in lumbar osteochondrosis.
• Developing the correct load on all parts of the body when moving.
• Formation of correct body position (developing the habit of correct posture).
• Restoring normal ability to move in the problem area.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis (degenerative disc disease) most often occurs in the cervical or lumbar spine, as these areas of the spine are subject to stress and movement.

The most indicative symptom of osteochondrosis is low-intensity, constant pain around the degenerating disc, which occasionally transforms into acute intense pain.

Acute flare-ups of pain may be related to recent activity and abnormal stress on the spine, or they may occur suddenly without an obvious cause. Episodes may last from a few days to a few weeks before subsiding and disappearing for a while

Other common symptoms of osteochondrosis include:

• Increased pain with activity that includes bending or twisting the spine or lifting something heavy
• Peculiar sensations caused by instability of the spine, inability to provide support for the back, which can slow down and complicate movement.
• Muscle tension or muscle spasms, which are common consequences of spinal instability. In some cases, a degenerated disc may not cause pain, but muscle spasms are often very painful and cause temporary disability.
• There may be radiating pain that feels sharp, stabbing or burning. In cases of disc degeneration in the cervical region, this pain is felt in the shoulder, arm or hand (cervical radiculopathy); In cases of lumbar disc degeneration, pain is felt in the hips, buttocks or back of the leg (so-called lumbar radiculopathy).
• Increased pain when holding certain positions, such as sitting or standing for long periods of time (increased low back pain) or when looking at a cell phone screen for long periods of time (increased neck pain).
• Reducing pain with frequent changes of position. Likewise, regular neck stretching can reduce cervical pain, and short, frequent walks throughout the day can reduce the pain of lumbar disc degeneration.
• Reducing pain in certain positions, such as reclining or lying down with a pillow under the knees, or using a pillow that supports the natural curvature of the neck during sleep.
• The nature of chronic pain can range from feeling uncomfortable or mild to severe and debilitating.
• Chronic pain due to osteochondrosis can lead to permanent disability, but this is relatively rare.

Restorative therapies for osteochondrosis

For lumbar and cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to carry out complex treatment, the program of which includes the following measures:

• Hood. Used during rehabilitation for lumbar osteochondrosis. It differs according to the type of impact (pulsation, gravity, hood on a chair). Thanks to this procedure, pain is reduced or completely eliminated.
• Physiotherapy . Physical exercises must be performed after remission appears. Physical education contributes to the complete strengthening of muscle tissue (in the back, abs, arms and legs). When performing physical exercises, avoid heavy weights and sudden movements.
• Physiotherapy . It is carried out only under the strict supervision of a specialized specialist.
• Massage sessions. Rehabilitation procedures are prescribed strictly after the patient’s pain has been removed. For this procedure, the patient is on a hard surface; under his stomach there is a special cushion or pillow that prevents the spine from bending during the massage.
• Preventive procedures . To eliminate the possibility of recurrence of the disease, a person must develop the right habits. Control of posture and regular moderate sports activities contribute to overall health improvement after osteochondrosis.

Additional services

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

The following process is usually used to diagnose osteochondrosis (degenerative disc disease):

• Medical history
  : Information is collected about current and past symptoms of neck or back pain, including the onset of the pain, how often the pain occurs, when the pain is felt, and the severity of the pain and its effect on mobility. The medical history may also include information about sleep quality and dietary habits, level of physical activity, and how symptoms increase or decrease with activity or posture.
• A physical examination
  to determine the presence of abnormalities in tenderness to palpation, range of motion in the spine, and neurological tests to determine whether reflexes or sensation are impaired.
• Medical imaging methods
  (MRI, MSCT, PET, radiography). The most informative MRI study is that it can detect disc degeneration in the spine and conditions such as disc protrusion or herniation or more serious problems (for example, spinal stenosis).

It is important to note that pain intensity does not correlate with the degree of disc degeneration. Severely degenerated discs may not cause much pain, while discs with minor degeneration may be a source of severe pain.

For this reason, the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease (osteochondrosis) should always be based on a combination of medical history, physical examination, and medical imaging findings.

Conditions in the Edem sanatorium for guests

Our boarding houses are designed taking into account all the latest technologies and have everything necessary for elderly people and people with disabilities. We offer cozy rooms for living with new furniture and household appliances. Each room is equipped with a special button for quickly calling staff. A special balanced menu has been developed for boarding house guests, taking into account the vitamins and minerals necessary for recovery. Medical examinations and all procedures of the rehabilitation course are carried out by leading specialists. In addition, the most friendly and pleasant atmosphere reigns in the Eden boarding house, which cannot but please a sick person.

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Treatment

The key to treating osteochondrosis is to improve mobility and reduce pain so that daily activities do not suffer. Pain from a degenerated disc is usually associated with instability, muscle spasm and inflammation, and treatment is directed at these pathological links.

The main methods of treating osteochondrosis:

• Exposure to cold
  . Applying ice or a cold pack to the painful area of ​​the spine can relieve pain and reduce inflammation, which may be helpful after exercise or activity.
• Thermotherapy
  . You can use various heat sources (such as a warm bath) to relax your muscles and reduce tension and spasms. But exposure to heat is only possible in the absence of cancer or infectious diseases.
• Medicines.
  Over-the-counter pain medications fall into two main categories: pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin (Bayer) and naproxen (Aleve). These medications are usually recommended for the treatment of low-intensity chronic or acute pain. For severe episodes of pain, medications such as muscle relaxants and narcotic painkillers are recommended. Prescription analgesics are prescribed only to relieve an acute episode of pain.
• Physiotherapy.
  Various physiotherapy procedures are used to treat osteochondrosis (cryotherapy, HILT therapy, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy).
  (TENS)
  is also quite successfully used, which allows you to block excessive pain.
• Manual therapy
  . A chiropractor can manually influence the structures of the spine and thus relieve muscle tension, reduce root compression and eliminate blockage in the joints. Manual techniques can temporarily reduce pain and improve mobility of motor segments
• Epidural injections
  . Steroids may provide temporary pain relief and improve mobility. Medical procedures can be recommended in cases where it is necessary to quickly relieve the inflammatory process and reduce irritation of nerve fibers.

In many cases, a trial of treatment may be necessary to determine which treatments are best for a particular person. Due to the long-term nature of degenerative disc disease, preferred pain treatment options may change over time.

List of services included in the price of a sanatorium-resort voucher for the treatment of osteochondrosis

1. Initial examination by a doctor on the day of arrival.
2. Physician supervision during treatment.
3. 24-hour medical service on duty (providing assistance if necessary).
4. Laboratory diagnostics: general clinical blood test, blood glucose, prothrombin index, biochemical (total cholesterol, α-cholesterol, β-cholesterol, triglycerides, atherogenic coefficient, transaminases), general urinalysis, general stool analysis.
5. Functional research methods: electrocardiography (ECG), external respiratory function (ERF).
6. Ultrasound as prescribed by a doctor – 1 organ.
7. Consultations with specialists (cardiologist, psychologist, otolaryngologist, physiotherapist).
8. Swimming in the pool.
9. Therapeutic gymnastics classes.
10. Manual massage – 2 units.
11. Underwater hydromassage.
12. Balneotherapy: baths (pine-pearl, pine-salicylic, mineral), showers (circular, fan, Charcot, ascending), dry carbon dioxide baths, whirlpool and contrast baths.
13. Hardware physiotherapy (galvanization; electrophoresis of drugs, bischofite; pulsed currents (SMT-, DDT-therapy); ultrasound therapy and medicinal ultraphonophoresis; microwave therapy; magnetic field therapy (alternating, pulsed magnetic field of local and general influence), darsonvalization, ultratonotherapy; UHF electric field; EHF therapy; UV irradiation; external magnetic-infrared laser therapy, supravenous laser therapy).
14. Hardware vacuum massage.
15. Lymphopressure.
16. Detensor therapy.
17. Electrovibrothermal massage (EVTM).
18. Cryotherapy.
19. Ozokerite-paraffin treatment.
20. Speleotherapy.
21. Aerosol therapy.
22. Autogenic training.
23. Infusion intramuscular, intravenous jet therapy.
24. Diet therapy.
25. Taking mineral water.
26. Health path, Nordic walking.
27. Treatment in the ENT office

Other services:

• rental of sports equipment: (in summer: bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, rackets, balls, pleasure boats, catamarans, fishing equipment and sun loungers; in winter: skates, tubing, cross-country skis and snowmobiles).
• cultural and entertainment programs for children and adults;
• library;
• Wi-Fi in the hall of the 1st floor of the main building.

Exercise therapy

The purpose of exercise is to help stop degeneration in the spine and reduce further relapses of pain. An exercise program for degenerative disc pain usually includes:

• Stretch marks. Targeted stretching exercises are useful for reducing tension and improving the elasticity of the spinal muscles. For cervical pain, stretching the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back can relieve pain; Stretching the lower back, hip, pelvis and harmstring muscles can help relieve lower back pain.
• Exercises with weights. Strengthening and strengthening the back muscles allows for better support of the cervical or lumbar spine, reducing pain and instability. The safest exercises are on machines.
• Aerobic exercise. Regular aerobic exercise is important to maintain healthy circulation and maintain muscle activity and joint function. Aerobic exercise increases heart rate and increases the flow of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, including to the spinal structures. Low-impact options include using methods such as a stationary bike, elliptical machine, or water aerobics.

An added benefit of exercise is that it can help reduce pain naturally because exercise releases endorphins, which are the body's natural painkiller.

It is best to choose an exercise program with a physical therapy doctor, which will allow you to avoid incorrect intensity and amplitude of movements and not cause an exacerbation of symptoms.

Acupuncture.

Impact on biologically active points, both with the help of needles and by introducing drugs into them (pharmacopuncture), allows you to restore normal conductivity, but to nerve fibers and block excess impulses.

Massage.

Relieves muscle tension and muscle spasms well. This treatment method is widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Sanatorium "Edem" will guarantee high-quality rehabilitation after osteochondrosis in Moscow

The private sanatorium "Eden" is a network of modern institutions in Moscow and the Moscow region , in which leading specialists will provide rehabilitation after osteochondrosis with high quality and with a guarantee. All procedures performed in our sanatorium are carried out under the strict supervision of specialized doctors. Each of the patients admitted to us for rehabilitation after osteochondrosis is guaranteed to find themselves in a favorable environment and friendly environment . We will give warmth and care to any person who needs our help. You will not need to worry about the effectiveness of the procedures and your own safety. The rehabilitation program at the Eden boarding house is developed taking into account all the characteristics of the disease and is guaranteed to help overcome the disease completely.

Lifestyle changes

Small, meaningful changes in your daily life can help improve your overall health, which in turn can improve your spine and muscle health. Some recommendations include:

• Avoid nicotine
• Avoid excess alcohol intake
• Adequate drinking water intake
• Increase physical activity in daily life and avoid staying in one position for long periods of time. For example, you need to get up every 20-30 minutes after sitting, stretch and walk a little.
• Use ergonomic furniture to support the spine, such as ergonomic work chairs, a table or special neck pillows

The focus of this part of treatment is on education and guiding the patient toward a healthy lifestyle while minimizing stress on spinal structures that may be causing or contributing to pain.

Surgical methods of treatment

Surgery to treat osteochondrosis is usually recommended only if there is intense pain that is resistant to conservative therapy. The goal of the surgery is to correct the underlying biomechanical abnormalities in the spine that are causing pain, such as excessive micromovement, inflammation, and/or muscle tension.

Conservative treatments can be carried out for 6-12 weeks, but sometimes the duration of treatment can be longer. According to statistics, only 10% to 20% of cases of disc degeneration in the lumbar region and up to 30% of cases of disc degeneration in the cervical region require treatment using surgical techniques.

There are several factors to consider before choosing surgical treatment, including:

• Recovery process. The recovery period after spine surgery may consist of a combination of physical therapy, painkillers, or wearing a brace
• Lifestyle. The daily lifestyle changes required for surgical treatment can be significant. In the case of surgery, the long recovery process is accompanied by disability. In addition, regular physical therapy (PT) and pain management will be required to achieve optimal results.
• Visual confirmation of disc degeneration. Spinal surgery for degenerative disc disease is usually only recommended if medical imaging findings correlate with a specific cause of pain, and even then, surgical results are not always predictable.
• Spinal surgery is always elective, meaning the choice is up to the patient. Fusion surgery is the most common procedure used to treat persistent pain associated with disc degeneration. In recent years, artificial disc replacement has begun to be used, which is functionally preferable to vertebral fusion.

Sanatorium "Sakropol" 4*, Saki

The sanatorium has a new modern water and mud bath, where natural treatment factors of the Saki resort are used. Among them are brine and mud from Lake Saki, which has no analogues in the world and is effective for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Also, as part of the treatment, guests are prescribed massages, hardware physiotherapy, acupuncture, and exercise therapy. The sanatorium is excellent for rehabilitation after endoprosthetics. The sanatorium has beautiful rooms, a swimming pool, entertainment, and the sandy beach can be reached by transfer.

Indications

: consequences of operations and injuries to the bones of the limbs and trunk, traumatic arthropathy, rehabilitation after endoprosthetics