The most common degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine is osteochondrosis. Its peculiarity is that it does not appear in any way in the initial stage, so many patients consult a doctor when the processes of tissue destruction have already gone far. But even in this case, the diagnosis is not established immediately, but after a series of laboratory and instrumental tests. Correct diagnosis of osteochondrosis is very important, because the earlier treatment begins, the greater the chance of preventing complications. That is why it is necessary to identify the symptoms of osteochondrosis in time and consult a doctor.
Causes and mechanism of development
Osteochondrosis begins with destructive processes of the intervertebral discs. They gradually dry out and their volume decreases. This leads to the fact that the disks can no longer perform their functions properly. They can collapse and then a hernia develops. But most often this condition leads to the development of osteochondrosis.
After all, the intervertebral disc protects the vertebrae from destruction, acts as a shock absorber during various movements, and keeps the vertebrae in the correct position. As its volume decreases, the vertebrae move. Instability of a segment of the spine leads to the formation of osteophytes - bony growths that keep the vertebrae apart. Otherwise, pinching of nerve roots and compression of blood vessels may occur. All these processes cause the presence of many different signs of osteochondrosis, which is why it is so difficult to diagnose in time. But if you know why this pathology develops, people at risk can be more careful.
Osteochondrosis usually develops due to the following reasons:
- congenital disorders in the development of spine or connective tissue disorders;
- injuries or constant overload, heavy physical work;
- bad posture, flat feet, wearing uncomfortable shoes;
- long-term uncomfortable posture, sedentary lifestyle;
- obesity, poor nutrition, overweight;
- exposure to chemicals, such as bad habits, taking certain medications;
- frequent stress;
- natural processes occurring during the aging of the body;
- constant vibration effect on the spine.
Osteochondrosis develops after a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, and then the vertebrae themselves begin to collapse.
Therefore, you should carefully monitor your health to see a doctor at the first symptoms. This is especially important for athletes, loaders, drivers, gymnasts, women who often worry about their loved ones and experience stress because of this.
Symptoms
The signs of osteochondrosis depend on the stage of the disease, as well as on which part of the spine is affected by degenerative processes. It very often happens that the patient does not even feel back pain at first, only a slight stiffness in the morning. During the destruction of the intervertebral disc, due to the displacement of the vertebrae, the nerve roots are compressed and pain occurs. Depending on the location of the disease, they may appear not only in the back area. The pain often radiates to the shoulder blade, chest, arm or leg, and a headache may also occur.
A characteristic of osteochondrosis in the initial stage is that the pain intensifies with physical activity and decreases after rest. The patient feels better even after assuming a comfortable position. Painful sensations are aggravated after hypothermia, stress, prolonged stay in a static position, for example, when working at a computer or sleeping on an uncomfortable bed. Very often, in case of osteochondrosis, stiffness of movements, muscle weakness and constant fatigue are observed. The patient tries to assume a comfortable position in which he feels less pain.
The main sign 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 bears the greatest load not only during movement, but also when a person sits in one position for a long time. Due to the sedentary lifestyle of modern people, the muscular ligament is weak here, so any overload can lead to the destruction of discs or displacement of the vertebrae.
In addition to pain and general stiffness, osteochondrosis of the spine has special symptoms in the lumbar region. If the following signs appear 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 functioning is disturbed;
- the patient cannot turn or bend, the pain can be felt even while sitting.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
It is especially important to know what symptoms the patient experiences in cervical osteochondrosis. After all, sometimes neck pain is not even felt, and other symptoms are similar to vascular disorders, which a person tries to treat with drugs. If the destructive processes of the cervical spine are not stopped, it can lead to disruption of the blood supply to the brain and even complete paralysis of the body.
Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the following signs in time:
- headache that cannot be relieved by conventional pain relievers;
- dizziness occurs when turning the head;
- pain is felt in the shoulders, back of the head, arms;
- vision deteriorates, spots or colored spots appear in front of the eyes;
- there is hearing loss, tinnitus;
- the tongue and fingers become numb;
- coordination of movements is impaired.
In the case of cervical osteochondrosis, headaches and tinnitus are often observed
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
Signs of osteochondrosis in the chest region can easily be confused with diseases of internal organs. And although the main symptom is back pain, it has its own characteristics. Patients describe this feeling as if a hoop is squeezing the chest. The pain intensifies when inhaling and exhaling, so many people attribute these feelings to heart disease.
In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain intensifies with hypothermia, raising the arms, and at night. You may experience numbness, goosebumps, and cold extremities. Disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system often occur.
Diagnostics
In order to prevent the complications of osteochondrosis, it is very important to consult a doctor immediately at the first signs. This is stiffness in movement and back pain after exercise. This pathology is treated by a vertebrologist or neurologist. An experienced doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis during the examination and conversation with the patient.
But some symptoms of the disease are very non-specific and resemble the manifestations of many other pathologies. Therefore, differential diagnosis is very important, which helps to rule out diseases in which vascular and neurological symptoms also develop. It can be angina pectoris, high blood pressure, peptic 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 most often subsides with rest.
But without special diagnostics, it is still difficult to make a correct diagnosis. Instrumental examination methods are most often used for this: radiography, CT, MRI, ultrasound, myelography and others. Sometimes laboratory tests may also be necessary. They help to identify the presence of an inflammatory process and an increase in the concentration of calcium in the blood.
In the initial stages of the disease, the most common diagnostic method is radiography.
Radiography
In the initial stage, X-ray diagnostics is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. This is the main examination method of osteochondrosis. It is the simplest and most accessible and has the fewest side effects. After determining the location of the pain, photographs are taken of this area of the spine. It is usually performed in two projections: direct and lateral.
In the case of a correct diagnosis, the following radiological signs indicate: the distance between the vertebrae decreases, atrophy of the discs is observed, osteophytes are visible, vertebral tissue destruction or deformation of the spinal column may occur.
Myelography
This is a more complex method, has side effects and is not suitable for everyone. After all, myelography is based on the injection of a special contrast liquid into the spinal canal. This can cause an allergic reaction or even damage to the spinal cord. After that, an X-ray of the spine is performed.
This method makes it possible to examine the spinal canal and determine where it is damaged by degenerative processes. In addition, myelography can determine the presence of intervertebral hernias in the initial stage.
MRI is a more informative examination method, so it is used when differential diagnosis is required.
Tomography
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out less often with the help of CT or MRI, since these methods are not yet available everywhere. Therefore, it is used in difficult cases, as well as when it is necessary to distinguish osteochondrosis from other diseases. But with an MRI or CT scan, you can examine the spine and surrounding tissues in great detail.
These diagnostic methods make it possible to see 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: osteomyelitis, spinal tumors, spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis and syringomyelia.
Timely identification and correct diagnosis of the symptoms of osteochondrosis helps to start treatment in time. This prevents the development of complications, alleviates the patient's condition and reduces the number of exacerbations.