Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is affected. In turn, the focus of the injury involves the surrounding tissues of the vessels and the nervous system in the process. This is the reason for the changes in the musculoskeletal system, in bone and muscle tissues.
Young people often ignore the first symptoms of osteochondrosis, which occur en masse at the age of 25 or earlier. This often occurs among students whose occupation involves a sedentary lifestyle, which is why older people often seek medical attention when chronic osteochondrosis is already observed, the treatment of which can be difficult.
Dystrophic phenomena in the spine can have a pathological effect on internal organs. In medical practice, the relationship between the health of the internal organs and the spine has been confirmed.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis.
If the diagnosis of osteochondrosis was confirmed, this means that a long procedure for its treatment lies ahead, despite the frivolous attitude towards this disease that exists in society.
The best treatment for osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. The course consists of several stages, each of which aims to achieve a specific result.
First stage
Pain sensations are eliminated. The doctor may suggest the use of a device that supports the neck and back in the most physiologically correct position. Together, they are prescribing painkillers and physiotherapy procedures, as well as methods of traditional medicine, for example acupuncture, which is confirmed in official sources and forms the range of services of health-medical institutions approved by the Ministry of Health.
Second stage
The task is to restore the discs of the spine and prevent changes in the dystrophic nature.
Treatment consists of adjusting the diet, physical therapy, manual therapy, massage, acupuncture. This complex improves blood circulation in the intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues.
With symptoms of a neurological nature, a neurologist may perform a novocaine block or use more serious medications to relieve muscle spasms. They may return after a while, but prolonged work on the joints and tendons restores their healthy functionality.
It should be noted that at the initial stage, treatment is possible without the use of drugs. In the complex of therapeutic measures, it is enough to introduce exercise therapy, reduce intense physical exertion, use applicators, physiotherapy procedures.
Drug therapy
Medications begin to be used with the progression of the disease and when the patient has already started osteochondrosis of the back. Drug treatment can affect not only the symptoms, but also the causes of the disease and its consequences.
Medications allow you to solve the following tasks:
- pain syndrome relief;
- reduction of inflammation and edema of tissues;
- strengthening of biologically active processes and blood circulation in the affected areas;
- restoration of cartilage tissue, return of motor activity to the joints;
- elimination of a depressed state due to constant pain and concerns for their own health.
Medications prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Relieves pain and swelling of tissues, can be used in the form of injections, ointments and gels, tablets and capsules. Among them: diclofenac, meloxicam, ibuprofen, nimesulide, ketoprofen Vasodilators (vasodilators). The vessels are capable of contracting due to chronic pain syndrome. To ensure a normal tone, the doctor prescribes: pentoxifylline (to reduce vascular tone), thioctic acid (for better recovery). (muscle relaxants) and pain relievers. Treatment takes longer without these drugs. Providing a relaxing effect, the mobility of the joints increases, the blood flow is normalized and the pain processes disappear. Drugs of this group: baclofen, tetrazepam, chondroprotectors (symptomatic drugs of delayed action). They contain easily digestible forms of collagen fibers that can alleviate inflammation, slow down and reverse degenerative phenomena in cartilage and bone tissues. The effect of the drugs occurs after long-term use (at least 6 months). Among the drugs in this group: chondroitin, a bioactive concentrate of 4 species of marine fish, glucosamine, glucosamine + chondroitin, pentoxifylline, hyaluronic acid, sedatives (sedatives). They relieve stress and depression in the context of illness. There are synthetic and natural origin. These include: tincture of motherwort, valerian; antidepressants, maprotiline), hypnotics (antihistamines, derivatives of barbiturates and benzodiazepines) Vitamin and mineral complexes. Preference is given to preparations containing vitamin "B", which can have a regenerative effect on affected nerve areas and relieve pain.
Osteochondrosis and massage
Today, when choosing one of the methods of treating osteochondrosis with massage, doctors recommend listening to the prescriptions of the attending neurologist or therapist.
Any type of therapeutic massage is prescribed only in case of remission of the disease. If an exacerbation has occurred, its use is not recommended, so as not to aggravate the situation.
Among the types of massages used to treat osteochondrosis are:
- classic;
- self-massage;
- point;
- Thai;
- segmental reflex;
- Vacuum cleaner;
- periosteal.
The duration of the procedure is 20 to 45 minutes. This is enough to achieve a healing effect and the ability to feel relief already in the first sessions.
To achieve a permanent effect, the duration of the course is 10-15 procedures. This is followed by a break for several months, after which the course of therapeutic massage is repeated again, and for as long as necessary at the discretion of the attending physician.
Third degree osteochondrosis, treatment.
In this stage, the fibrous ring of connective tissue undergoes destruction. This, in turn, causes the intervertebral disc to bulge and herniate. In this case, the painful sensations are not expressed, but persist due to the possibility of pinching the roots of the nerve endings.
It can manifest as numbness of the limbs, loss of control over the functions of the pelvic organs, decreased muscle tone, impaired sense of coordination and balance. Really confirming the diagnosis of grade 3 osteochondrosis is only possible with the help of an X-ray, which will show defragmentation (the appearance of cracks) and deformation of the spinal joints and the formation of osteophytes (bony outgrowths).
On MRI and CT examination, hernias and displacements with sheath ruptures and pinched nerve endings are visible, these complications often accompany stage 3.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine in patients at this stage does not always have a favorable prognosis. Most cannot completely get rid of the manifestations of the disease.
The therapeutic effect is achieved in complex therapy of conservative and surgical methods.
Conservative method
It consists of drug treatment, massage treatment, exercise therapy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (avoiding lifting heavy objects, sharp turns of the spine, giving up bad habits).
Injecting drug treatment
They perform novocaine block, facet joint block, epidural and paravertebral block, use corticosteroid drugs (dexamethasone, prednisolone) to relieve inflammation.
When treated with injections, the active substance immediately enters the paravertebral region or directly into the vertebra, which ensures the fastest therapeutic effect.
Surgical method
It is often used due to the destruction and displacement of the intervertebral discs and consists of the following operations:
- removal of the intervertebral disc, partially or completely;
- connection (osteosynthesis) of adjacent vertebrae to protect the spinal cord.
Hirudotherapy method
Medicine by many methods allows to influence osteochondrosis. Leech treatment helps to increase the activity of the joints, and the active principle (hirudin) in their saliva dilutes the blood, helps to restore and regenerate the affected tissues due to better absorption of nutrients, relieves swelling, pain, pinching the nerves and increases the effect of other conservative methods. The procedure is painless and in one session, lasting 30-60 minutes, 5-7 individuals from a pharmacy or medicinal leech are used.
The course of treatment consists of 8-10 procedures with periods of 5 days between them.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of people have osteochondrosis of the spine of varying severity, and the disease is underestimated in its consequences, it makes sense to contact the clinic as soon as possible for medical help from our generalists and performproper treatment. preliminary diagnosis of the disease. . .