Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is affected. In turn, the focus of injury involves the surrounding tissue of the vessels and the nervous system in the process. This is the reason for changes in the musculoskeletal system, in bone and muscle tissue.
Young people often ignore the first symptoms of osteochondrosis, which appear en masse at the age of 25 and earlier. This often occurs in students whose profession involves a sedentary lifestyle, which is why the elderly often turn to medical care 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 internal organs and the spine has been confirmed.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis
If the diagnosis of osteochondrosis was confirmed, it means that a long procedure for its treatment is ahead, despite the frivolous attitude towards this disease existing 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 wearing a device that supports the neck and back in the physiologically most correct position. Together, they prescribe pain relievers and physiotherapy procedures, as well as methods of traditional medicine, for example, acupuncture, which is confirmed by official sources and is the range of services of medical health institutions approved by the Ministry ofhealth.
Second phase
The task is to restore the discs of the spine and prevent changes of a dystrophic nature.
Treatment consists of adjusting diet, physiotherapy, 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 blockade or use more serious drugs 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 heavy physical exertion, use applicators, physiotherapy procedures.
Drug therapy
The drugs 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.
Medicines allow you to solve the following tasks:
- relief of pain syndrome;
- reduction of tissue inflammation and edema;
- strengthening of biologically active processes and blood circulation in the affected areas;
- restoration of cartilage tissue, return of motor activity of the joints;
- elimination of a depressive state of constant pain and worries for his own health.
Drugs prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Relieve pain and tissue swelling, 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 able to contract from chronic pain syndrome. To ensure normal tone, the doctorprescribed: 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, joint mobility increases, blood flow normalizes and pain processes disappear. Medicines in this group: baclofen, tetrazepam Chondroprotectors (symptomatic long-acting medicines). They contain easily digestible forms of collagen fibers which can relieve inflammation, slow down and reverse degenerative phenomena in cartilage and bone tissue. The effect of the drugs occurs after prolonged 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. They relieve stress and depression against the background of illness. There is a synthetic and natural origin. These include: tincture of motherwort, valerian; antidepressants, maprotiline), hypnotics (antihistamines, barbiturate derivatives and benzodiazepines) Vitamin and mineral complexes. Preference is given to preparations containing vitamin "B", which is able to have a regenerating effect on the 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 treating neurologist or therapist.
Any type of therapeutic massage is prescribed only in case of remission of the disease. In case of exacerbation, it is not recommended to use it, so as not to aggravate the situation.
Some of the types of massage used to treat osteochondrosis include:
- classic;
- self-massage;
- point;
- Thai;
- segmental reflex;
- empty;
- periosteum.
The duration of the procedure is 20-45 minutes. This is enough to achieve a healing effect and the ability to feel relief from the first sessions.
To achieve a permanent effect, the course duration is 10-15 procedures. This is followed by a break of several months, after which the course of therapeutic massage is repeated, and for as long as necessary at the discretion of the attending physician.
Third degree osteochondrosis, treatment
At this stage, the fibrous ring of connective tissue undergoes destruction. This, in turn, causes protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc. In this case, painful sensations are not expressed, but persist due to the possibility of pinching the roots of nerve endings.
It can be manifested by numbness in the extremities, loss of control of the functions of the pelvic organs, decreased muscle tone, impaired sense of coordination and balance. To truly confirm that the diagnosis of grade 3 osteochondrosis is only possible with the help of the x-ray, which will show defragmentation (the appearance of cracks) and deformation of the joints of the spine and the formation ofosteophytes (bone growths).
Upon examination of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, hernias and displacements with rupture of the sheath and pinching of 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. The majority cannot completely get rid of the manifestations of the disease.
The therapeutic effect is achieved in the complex therapy of conservative and surgical methods.
Conservative method
It consists of drug treatment, massage, exercise therapy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (avoiding lifting heavy objects, sharp bends in the spine, giving up bad habits).
Injection drug treatment
They practice novocaine blockade, facet joint blockade, epidural and paravertebral blockade, use corticosteroids (dexamethasone, prednisolone) to relieve inflammation.
During treatment by injection, the active substance immediately penetrates into the paravertebral region, or directly into the vertebra, which guarantees the fastest therapeutic effect.
Surgical method
It is often used due to the destruction and displacement of 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. Treatment with leeches helps increase the activity of the joints, and the active substance (hirudin) in their saliva thins the blood, helps restore and regenerate affected tissues through better absorption of nutrients, relieves swelling, pain, pinching of nerves, and increases the effect of other conservative methods. The procedure is painless and in one session, which lasts 30-60 minutes, 5-7 people from a pharmacy, or medicinal leeches, are used.
The course of treatment includes 8-10 procedures with periods of 5 days between them.
Due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of people suffer from 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 general practitioners and to conduct appropriate treatment, preliminary diagnosis of the disease. . .