The best drugs for osteochondrosis

Goals of drug treatment Drugs for effective treatment of osteochondrosis: release form What drugs should be taken for osteochondrosis?

Conservative treatment of osteochondrosis includes various therapeutic measures - from massage and diet to therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy. All of them help improve the patient’s condition and prevent the development of complications. But the leading method has been and remains the use of pharmaceutical drugs for osteochondrosis.

Drugs for osteochondrosis are the main way to combat the disease.

Goals of drug treatment

Treatment of osteochondrosis with drugs is so effective in the early stages of the disease that, with a properly selected treatment regimen, it can completely cure osteochondrosis or permanently eliminate its most unpleasant symptoms. In the later stages, drug control of the disease is possible.

Medicines for osteochondrosis are designed to influence the disease not only symptomatically, but also to eliminate its causes systemically. Therefore, therapy is carried out in the following directions:

anesthesia of affected areas;
relieving inflammation and stopping the acute period of the disease;
restoration of microcirculation in affected tissues;
improving metabolic processes and protecting cartilage from further destruction (for example, by free radicals);
regeneration of cartilage tissue in intervertebral discs;
restoration of mobility in the vertebral joints.

In cases where the disease is accompanied by depression or emotional stress, therapy is also aimed at restoring a normal psychological state.

During the period of remission, patients can do without medications or take them in courses in prophylactic dosages.

Prevention

In order to prevent the occurrence or aggravation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is recommended to carry out a number of preventive measures at regular intervals, including:

rejection of bad habits;
adherence to the principles of proper, balanced nutrition;
tracking the safest and most comfortable position for the spine while walking, running, sitting;
ensuring comfortable sleep in the correct body position;
organization of exercises according to the recommended sets of exercises for the thoracic spine with osteochondrosis.

The comfort of a person’s daily life is largely determined by his health.

When the first symptoms of a spinal disease appear, seek advice from a specialist who will help diagnose the disease and select the correct course of treatment for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

Drugs for effective treatment of osteochondrosis: release form

To treat osteochondrosis, agents for external and internal use are used. The choice of drug release form depends on the patient’s habits and lifestyle, concomitant diagnoses and stage of the disease.

Tablets and capsules

Tablets and capsules for osteochondrosis are the most popular form of release. They have high bioavailability and systemic effects on the body.

The tablets should be taken directly with meals, usually 2 times a day.

The main disadvantage of tablets (especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) is that they act directly on the mucous membrane of the digestive system. Such drugs are not recommended for chronic use due to the risk of inflammation and stomach ulcers. They must be taken under the supervision of a doctor.

Treatment with drugs for osteochondrosis can only be started after consultation with a doctor.

Powders

Some medications for osteochondrosis are available in sachet form (a portion of powder in a paper bag for a single dose). Crystalline preparations are very well absorbed and easy to use - you need to take them only once a day, diluting them in about ½ glass of warm water. The effect of taking them comes a little faster. Powder preparations are easier to dose and contain fewer additional components. But not all patients like the need to prepare the mixture and its taste.

Ointments, gels, creams and solutions for compresses

Products for external use are excellent for local anesthesia, relieving inflammation and swelling. They are considered much safer for the body than tablets, since they do not come into contact with mucous membranes and are absorbed into the blood in small quantities. Local preparations do not have a cumulative effect, are easy to use and, as a rule, do not require a prescription. They can be used continuously, not in courses. Among the external forms of release, it is worth highlighting the patches - they are simply attached to the affected area of the spine, they can be worn under clothes all day.

Ointments, gels and creams are the best drugs for osteochondrosis for patients who have contraindications to taking tablets (with steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components) from the heart and endocrine system.

The main disadvantages of this form of release are:

low bioavailability (about 5% of the active substance overcomes the natural barriers of the skin);
the possibility of local allergic reactions due to too frequent use;
help to completely get rid of symptoms only in the early stages of the disease.

Please note that ointments with NSAIDs should be used with caution, especially if the patient has ulcerative-erosive lesions of the stomach and intestines. Their active ingredients, even in small quantities, block the enzyme that protects the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. They also reduce the natural production of enzymes responsible for relieving inflammation.

External products should be rubbed in with vigorous circular movements up to 6 times a day. And compresses (for example, with dimexide) - keep 1-2 times a day for about 10 minutes.

Solutions for injections

Medicines for intravenous and intramuscular administration have maximum bioavailability and reduced impact on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, since the active substances enter directly into the blood.

Injectable medications for osteochondrosis can quickly stop the exacerbation of the disease, relieve pain, swelling, and restore the sensitivity of nerve endings. Injections are an excellent alternative to oral medications for those with lactose intolerance. After all, most NSAIDs in tablets (for example, meloxicam) are lactose-containing drugs.

For particularly severe back pain, the drug is injected as a blockade - directly into the nerve. The effect of such an injection lasts up to 3-4 weeks, but the procedure must be carried out by a qualified medical professional due to the proximity of the blockade site to the spine.

The main disadvantage of injection solutions is the need to administer them with an injection or dropper (usually in a hospital). Like other groups of medications, solutions with NSAIDs can only be used as prescribed by a doctor to avoid side effects.

Drugs for the effective treatment of osteochondrosis must be used strictly according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor.

Causes of development and risk factors

In 1888, the German surgeon Franz Konig first described osteochondrosis and suggested that such lesions arise as a result of inflammation. However, additional research has shown that the cause may be multifactorial in nature and is most likely related to repetitive microtrauma and reduced blood supply. The development of osteochondrosis in children and adolescents may be caused by damage to the endochondral epiphyseal growth plate (after injury or against the background of other developmental pathologies). As the skeleton grows, the undamaged area continues to ossify, harden and ossify, while the damaged part temporarily or permanently stops the ossification process, leading to improper load distribution and poor circulation.

Aggravating factors for dystrophic diseases are considered to be injuries or excessive constant stress on the back associated with heavy physical work, especially in conditions of increased vibration. Intense training in the gym in violation of the rules of stress on the back and a sedentary lifestyle are also unfavorable from the point of view of spinal health. People suffering from flat feet and excess weight are at risk. We must not forget about the factor of genetic predisposition - for example, in some patients, intervertebral discs may have a loose structure.

What medications should I take for osteochondrosis?

Medicines for osteochondrosis differ not only in the form of release. They are also divided into the following pharmacological groups.

Anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis

The work of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis is based on suppressing the production of prostaglandins - hormone-like substances that cause inflammation and pain in the affected areas. Non-steroidal drugs for osteochondrosis can quickly eliminate pain and hot skin, restore local metabolism, relieve swelling, discomfort and deterioration of sensitivity, and relieve pressure on the nerve roots of the spine.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis are produced in various dosage forms - capsules and tablets, gels and creams, solutions for intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous administration. Treatment of NSAID drugs for osteochondrosis usually involves a combination of different forms. For example, tablets are used as the main therapy, gels and ointments “quench” residual inflammation, and injections are needed for pain relief. Patches (for example, Voltaren, Versatis) help relieve inflammation at all stages of treatment.

The list of NSAID drugs for osteochondrosis includes:

artradol;
ibuprofen (nurofen, dolit, ibuprom);
ketoprofen (ketonal, fastum, bystrumgel, flexen);
diclofenac (Voltaren, Diclac, Diclobene, Dicloran Plus, Ortofen);
ketorolac;
xefocam;
indomethacin (indovazin, indobene, indocid);
nimesulide (nimesil, nise, nimulid, nimika);
naproxen;
piroxicam;
Celebrex (celecoxib);
febrofide;
meloxicam (movalis, movasin).

Steroid (hormonal) anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis are rarely used - mainly in the most advanced cases. These include prednisolone, cortisone, dexamethasone and others.

Chondroprotectors

With osteochondrosis, the spring function of the intervertebral discs deteriorates, which directly depends on the volume of cartilage tissue and its elasticity. To maintain sufficient cartilage thickness, the body must regenerate cartilage cells (chondrocytes) at a rate that roughly matches their destruction. But with dehydration, unbalanced nutrition, stress, metabolic or anatomical disorders, the rate of decay of chondrocytes increases, and new cells are either inhibited in growth or have an insufficient margin of safety. To protect cartilage and restore its normal growth rate, it is worth taking special products based on glucosamine and chondroitin - chondroprotectors. Chondroprotective drugs for the effective treatment of osteochondrosis can stabilize the condition of cartilage, prevent its further destruction and, subject to all medical recommendations, even help restore lost chondrocytes.

Chondroprotective drugs for osteochondrosis include:

artracs;
chondrolone;
rumalon;
Don;
chondroxide;
osterepar;
teraflex;
alflutop;
collagen ultra.

Some of them (for example, Dona) contain only glucosamine, others (Structum, Chondroxide) - only chondroitin. Modern drugs combine active ingredients and additionally include vitamins (artracam).

For a sustainable effect, chondroprotectors (in the form of tablets, injections or external agents) must be taken for life, in courses of 3-6 months.

Warming drugs

To eliminate discomfort in osteochondrosis, the so-called. warming medications. They:

dilate blood vessels in the skin, which inhibits the transmission of pain impulses to the brain;
improve blood microcirculation in connective tissue;
distract the patient from unpleasant sensations.

When irritating drugs are applied, the peak effect is observed after half an hour, and the analgesic effect lasts for 2-4 hours. A local increase in skin temperature is normal.

The list of drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis includes ointments, creams, gels and tinctures based on:

camphor (camphor ointment);
turpentine;
benzyl nicotinate;
nonivamide;
capsaicin (espol ointment, capsicum tincture);
bee and snake venom.

Most of these drugs have a combined composition - for example, bee venom and NSAIDs or snake venom, salicylic acid and turpentine. Therefore, before use, you must make sure that you are not allergic to each of the components.

Local and general analgesics

Painkillers for osteochondrosis are usually used in the form of tablets and injections. For moderate pain, the usual medicines in the medicine cabinet can help - analgin or paracetamol. Nefopam and Ambene are also effective (has an anti-inflammatory effect, which reduces pain).

In the later stages of osteochondrosis, opioids are prescribed - potent drugs with a number of contraindications. These include tramal (tramadol).

For complex pain relief (for example, blockade), the so-called. “cocktails” that simultaneously have an analgesic, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic and allergen-reducing effect. The composition may include lidocaine or novocaine, bupivacaine, corticosteroids, vitamin B12 and other components.

Important! Analgesics only relieve pain without affecting its cause. Therefore, without proper treatment, osteochondrosis continues to progress, requiring a transition to increasingly serious painkillers.

Vasodilators

Vasodilators for osteochondrosis, or vasodilators, help restore normal blood supply to the tissues around the affected intervertebral joints.

Pain and muscle tension cause the blood vessels to narrow. This impairs tissue nutrition, causes oxygen starvation of the brain and accelerates the progression of the disease. Therefore, in case of cervical osteochondrosis, drugs to normalize blood circulation are especially important. During rehabilitation therapy the following are used:

pentoxifylline, or trental (vasodilator);
xanthinol nicotinate (improves blood flow, reduces swelling of nerve roots);
aminophylline (eliminates circulatory failure);
Mexidol (pressure and metabolic processes stabilizer);
vasonite-retard, octolipene (microcirculation stimulants);
actovegin (tissue regeneration stimulator);
Cavinton (promotes saturation of tissues with oxygen, dilates blood vessels);
berlithion (antioxidant).

Vascular medications for osteochondrosis improve peripheral blood circulation and cellular metabolism and relieve pain.

Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants

To eliminate spasm and tension, antispasmodics and muscle relaxants are used. They normalize blood circulation, relieve pain, and restore mobility. Patients are prescribed:

sirdalud (tizanadine);
mydocalm (tolperizole);
baclofen;
cyclobenzaprine;
novocaine, lidocaine, trimecaine.

To enhance the effect of drugs to relax muscles in osteochondrosis, they can be prescribed together with clonazepam or diazepam (prescription drugs). These drugs can be addictive, so they are used with caution.

Sedatives

Symptoms of osteochondrosis and treatment with drugs often provoke chronic stress, emotional stress, depression and other disorders of the psycho-emotional spectrum in patients

For general calming and combating insomnia, you can use herbal preparations - for example, tincture of valerian, motherwort, peony.

For more serious disorders, antidepressants are recommended - gidazepam, Cymbalta, Eglonil, Donormil.

Vitamin and mineral complexes

Since osteochondrosis is considered a disease of the whole body, complex vitamin and mineral therapy (complivit, duovit, doppelhertz, multi-tabs) is of great importance. Vitamins A, groups B, C, D, E, calcium and phosphorus preparations help to significantly improve the condition.

Vitamin A

(retinol acetate) is a natural antioxidant that stimulates collagen production and reduces the destruction of chondrocytes, promotes the renewal of joint tissue.

B vitamins

(cyanocobalamin, milgamma, neuromultivit, neurobion, neurorubin, neuroplex, celtican complex, pyridoxine, thiamine) reduce pain, inflammation and numbness of the hands, improve the sensitivity of nerve fibers.

Vitamin D

(calciferol, aquadetrim, vigantol) is responsible for the absorption of calcium and helps restore bone tissue lost due to osteochondrosis.

Vitamin E

(tocopherol) is necessary for normalizing blood circulation, protecting against free radicals and cartilage regeneration.

Don't self-medicate! Good luck to you in the treatment of osteochondrosis!

Images designed by Freepik

Diagnostics

A preliminary diagnosis is made during the initial examination based on his complaints, a history of previous injuries or systemic diseases. Osteochondrosis is indicated by pain on palpation, a decrease in pain intensity when raising the arm, and a change in skin tone. The main role in studying the condition of the shoulder joint is played by radiography. It is most informative when detecting changes in bone and cartilage structures.

X-ray is quite informative for diagnosing osteochondrosis.

To identify degenerative changes in soft tissues, ligaments, muscles, tendons, MRI or CT is performed. Using arthroscopy, if necessary, the joint cavity is examined from the inside.

The symptoms of shoulder osteochondrosis are very similar to the clinical manifestations of arthrosis, arthritis, and periarthritis. Therefore, diagnostic differential measures are carried out to exclude these pathologies.