Osteoarthritis of the spine

Osteoma is a disease characterized by degenerative changes in the cartilage tissues of the spine. Inadequate treatment leads to structural violations and dysfunction of the discs, spinal deformities. Depending on the location of the pathological process, there are the following types of osteonecrosis: cervical, thoracic, lumbar. According to statistics, this disease is observed in more than half of the world population in people over the age of 35. The main reasons for its development are trauma, systematic uneven loads on the spine and legs.

What is it

Talking about what osteonecrosis is, it should be said that this disease causes a violation of the structure of the disc tissues themselves, reducing their elasticity and changing their shape. At the same time, there is a decrease in the distance between them, which eventually leads to spinal instability.

Due to the contraction of the disc space, the nerves that come from the spinal cord are compressed. This causes an increase in muscle tone and pain.

The loss of elasticity causes the formation of herniated discs and the development of protrusion (a disease in which the vertebrae begin to bulge into the spinal canal without the annulus rupture). And if the treatment is carried out improperly or not at all, then this leads to degeneration of the joints of the spine and ligaments with the further formation of osteogenic processes (bone formation).

The development of osteonecrosis causes a violation of motor functions. The patient begins to be bothered by constant pain in the focal area, which is aggravated by back flexion/extension. There is a high probability that the phenomenon of lower back deviation, arched back.

As a rule, the first symptoms of the disease appear in people during the period of physiological aging of the body. But there are situations when the pathology begins to develop much earlier. And the reason for this is often the wrong lifestyle.

In medicine, there is also something called chondrosis, and it has similar symptoms and causes. What is the difference between chondrosis and osteonecrosis? It's simple. Fibromyalgia is an early stage in the development of osteonecrosis, when the replacement of damaged tissue by fibrosis and the formation of osteoclasts has not yet begun in the spine. When there is a pronounced deformation of the spine and the formation of new processes, we are talking about osteonecrosis.

Stimulating factor

What is chondrosis and osteochondrosis - find out. Now we should talk about the reasons for their development. After all, if you do not get rid of them, the treatment of the disease will not allow to achieve positive momentum. As noted at the beginning, the main reason for the onset of pathology is uneven load on the spine. It can be provoked by:

• carry heavy bags on one shoulder or one hand;
• improper posture when sitting;
• sleep on soft mattress, high pillow;
• Wearing shoes that are not comfortable and are not anatomically correct.

And osteonecrosis of the spine can also develop against the background of:

• hypotension (accompanied by impaired blood circulation, decreased muscle tone, dyspnea);
• passive lifestyle;
• fat;
• trauma (fractures, sprains, bruises);
• flat feet;
• Other degenerative diseases lead to poor circulation in the spine.

Highlighting the causes of osteonecrosis of the spine, it is also important to note:

• frequent physical stress;
• neuro-emotional exhaustion;
• metabolic disorder;
• intoxication (drugs, chemicals);
• pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
• genetic predisposition;
• scoliosis;
• anemia;
• pregnancy;
• smoke;
• drink alcoholic beverages;
• prolonged/regular dehydration.

There are many reasons for the development of osteonecrosis of the back. Usually, its occurrence occurs immediately due to the influence of several factors (eg, trauma, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, prolonged stay in the wrong posture). It can be established only through a thorough diagnosis, study of the medical history.

Stages of development

Before talking about what to do if scleroderma begins to develop, it is also important to talk about its stages of development, as not only the severity of the symptoms but also the treatment strategies. belong directly to them. There are 4 degrees in total:

• First stage. At this stage, pathological processes occur in the medullary nucleus of the disc. Dehydration (dehydration) is noted in it, which eventually contributes to its decrease in height and the formation of cracks in the annular fibers. There is no picture of symptoms at this stage of the disease. A person may experience only slight discomfort in the back area after intense exertion, being in an uncomfortable position for a long time, etc. v.
• Second stage. Accompanied by a decrease in disc space, the muscles and ligaments of the vertebrae sag. Such changes lead to increased mobility of the vertebrae. And any trigger can cause them to change direction or slip. In terms of symptoms, at this stage, the patient already has discomfort in the back and pain occurs with certain types of loads and positions.
• Third stage. It is characterized by the appearance of prolapse and protrusion, degenerative, degenerative joint disease of the disc joints. At this stage, the disease often causes difficulty in movement, tingling in the diseased area and numbness. The pain syndrome has a pronounced feature, it occurs periodically even at rest, when not carrying heavy loads.
• Stage four. At this stage, the body is trying to adapt to the disturbances that have arisen. His mission is to do everything possible to improve spinal fixation. To do this, he begins to form osteophytes - the form of bone that replaces the gaps in the spine. However, in this way the body not only does not help, but also harms. After all, the process of bone degeneration leads to pinched nerves, damage to healthy vertebrae. And this becomes the reason for the growth of fibrous capsulars in joints and discs (the increase in volume of fibrous tissue when it combines with the remaining pieces of cartilage). If a person suffers from a minor and intrusive trauma at the same time, then the severity of the pain syndrome increases. In the absence of them, the clinical picture diminishes.

Symptom

Talking about what osteonecrosis is and how to get rid of it, one cannot but talk about the symptoms with which it can manifest itself. The main sign of its development is the presence of discomfort or pain in the neck, chest area and lower back. The severity of sensations directly depends on the degree of development of the disease.

Imaging examination shows curvature of the spine in a horizontal or vertical plane. They are usually observed in the lower back or neck, less often in the chest area.

If we talk about the patient's own feelings, among them there is periodic or constant fatigue in the back region, as well as pain, which can be worn and pronounced, depending on the severity of the process. pathology. It can be localized in:

• neck,
• shoulder shoes;
• chest;
• lumbar region;
• perineum.

In this case, stiffness of movement can make it difficult to carry out household chores. It most commonly occurs in the upper extremities. The symptomatic picture may be supplemented by other signs. It all depends on the location of the focus, its severity and the characteristics of the organism. If the patient has disc deviation, condyle, hernia, bone tumor, it often leads to impaired blood circulation, spinal canal dysfunction, edema, fibrosis, and compression. All this leads to the appearance of symptoms that can complicate the diagnosis and lead to misdiagnosis.

Speaking of the manifestation of osteonecrosis, it is necessary to highlight the most common symptoms that patients complain of. Including:

• pain arising in the neck, waist, shoulders, back, ribs;
• stiffness when moving, discomfort in the morning after waking up, when bending, turning;
• numbness in hands, feet, neck;
• discomfort in the joints and back muscles;
• frequent dizziness, migraine;
• rapid fatness;
• hurt;
• violation of the sensitivity of the upper extremities;
• decreased muscle tone.

Signs of osteonecrosis are directly dependent on the location of the pathological focus:

• Cervical department. In this case, the pain is localized in the neck, arms, and shoulder blades. She can give shoulder blades and shoulders. Cervical fibroids can also present with headaches, ringing in the ears, "goose bumps" in front of the eyes, and dizziness.
• Chest part. With this pathology, pain appears in the chest. Can be worn on the shoulder, armpit. It often causes discomfort and pain in the heart area. It can cause respiratory system malfunction, difficulty breathing.
• Lumbosacral region. Pain syndrome predominates in the lumbar spine. It also manifests as discomfort in the legs, hips, and pelvic organs. Often causes sexual dysfunction.

Any discomfort in the spine is a serious reason to see a doctor.

The presence of signs such as back fatigue, pain can not only indicate the onset of the disease in question, but also a sign of other diseases not related to dystrophic changes of the disc. Diagnosis of osteonecrosis or sclerosis can only be made by an experienced physician after a thorough diagnosis.

Diagnose

We've talked about what causes osteonecrosis and how it can manifest itself. But I have to say that there will be no results based on visual examination and the patient's own perception. To do this, you must undergo a thorough examination, which necessarily includes:

• X-ray of the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine (depending on the area of discomfort);
• myelography;
• Neurological examination of sensitivity and reflexes.

When additional diagnostic methods are used:

• CT;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• NMR.

To exclude the presence of inflammatory or infectious diseases, laboratory tests are also prescribed:

• HUG;
• UAC;
• blood chemistry.

If necessary, a consultation of specialists of a narrower profile is indicated.

Treatments

Unlike cartilaginous fibrosis, with osteonecrosis in the vertebral region, a chronic process occurs, which cannot be eliminated by conservative methods. But this does not mean that there is no need to fight it. Inadequate treatment can lead to serious consequences - the spine becomes deformed, fibrous tissues appear instead of bone structures, cannot perform the necessary functions, the person becomes disabled. .

Conservative therapy

With osteonecrosis what to do, the doctor will tell you. As a rule, with such a disease, the following methods are used:

• Drug treatment. In this case, the drug is used to eliminate painful sensations, reduce inflammation and restore metabolism. If the patient is in severe pain, blocking drugs are used, which, in addition to analgesia, also help reduce the severity of the syndrome of hypertonia. The following types of blockade are used in osteonecrosis: trigger point blockade, intracavitary, facial, paravertebral, epidural blockade.
• Physical therapy activities. They are also used to relieve pain and improve the effectiveness of medications. Usually, for osteonecrosis, ultrasound therapy, magnetic field, low frequency current, laser beam, etc. v. used.
• Physiotherapy and kinesitherapy. All patients, without exception, were assigned exercise therapy. It is carried out under the supervision of specialists. Helps correct posture, increase muscle tone, reduce nervous tension. The systematic execution of special exercises also helps to increase the distance between the intervertebral discs, evenly distributing the load on the musculoskeletal system.
• Massage. Hand massage helps to normalize blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and clamps. If the patient has a nervous system disorder, hydro-acupuncture is prescribed.
• Manual therapy. It is selected individually for each patient. Provides the normalization of lymph flow, blood circulation, metabolism, mobility of the spine. Prevents the development of complications, strengthens the immune system.
• Spinal traction. This method involves stretching the spine using special equipment. Thus, an increase in disc space and a decrease in the expression of osteonecrosis can be achieved.

Surgical treatment

If conservative treatment does not help to eliminate the signs of osteonecrosis and does not bring any positive motivation, they must intervene surgically. The signs for it are:

• cauda equina syndrome, which develops in the presence of a large hernia;
• narrowing of the spinal canal with compression of the brain and nerve vascular bundles;
• combination of osteonecrosis with significant vertebral dilatation response with severe segmental instability;
• root compression at the level of the lumbar segment L5;
• Cervical osteonecrosis, which occurs with disc syndrome of the vertebral arteries.

Surgical treatment of osteonecrosis can be done in a number of ways:

• Lamotomy. This type of surgery involves removing a piece of yellow bone and ligament structure.
• Laminectomy. During that time, much of the spine that limits the spinal canal is removed.
• Foraminotamia. The purpose of the operation is to widen the lens channel.
• Unclog faucet. In this surgery, part or all of the disc is removed.
• Laser vaporization of the disc core. It is performed with the participation of a special LED, which ensures partial destruction of the disc that leads to the reverse growth of the herniated mass.

How to get rid of osteonecrosis, only the doctor decides. It is important to understand that each case is individual, and the choice of this surgical intervention depends on the location of the disease, its severity, whether the patient has other diseases or not. .

Traditional method

At home, you can treat a disease of the spine. But this should be done only in the event that the symptoms of scleroderma (the early stage of the disease's development) persist and after a preliminary consultation with a doctor.

Speaking of what helps cure scleroderma, the following alternative medicine formulations should be highlighted:

1. You need to take 1 kg of coarse salt, mix with 3 tbsp. l. Dried cabbage, add 100 ml of water, mix well. The resulting gruel must be placed on low heat and heated to a temperature of 50 degrees. This mixture is applied to the painful area, a film is placed on top of it, followed by a warm handkerchief. With such a method, the patient needs to lie down until it cools down completely. After the procedure, it is necessary to keep warm for another 2 hours.
2. Pour 1. 5 liters of water into the pot, add 3 handfuls of sawdust and boil the resulting mixture, then filter the water. Sawdust tarpaulin is spread on a plastic bag, previously covered with a tarpaulin on the bed. A gauze napkin was placed on top of the sawdust, after which they lay back and covered with a warm blanket. So lie down for 30 to 40 minutes.
3. Take 200 g of fenugreek roots, 100 g of black bean root, and 100 g of enoki mushrooms. The herbs were put into a 3-liter jug, filled with vodka to near the mouth. The resulting composition is placed in a dark place for 3 weeks, and then filtered. Drink 3 times a day before meals, 1 tbsp. l. During a month. Then take a 10 day break and repeat the course.

It is very difficult to treat osteonecrosis. It is difficult to respond to conservative treatments. But if you combine them with proper nutrition, home treatment, exercise therapy and all the doctor's recommendations, then the patient has every chance to get rid of the agonizing pain and discomfort. prevent the development of complications.