Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is affected. In turn, the focus of the lesion involves the surrounding vascular tissues 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 among students whose occupation involves an inactive lifestyle, so older people often turn to medical care when chronic osteochondrosis has already been noticed, which can be difficult to treat.
Dystrophic phenomena in the spinal column 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 is confirmed, it means that a long procedure of its treatment is 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 phases, each of which is aimed at achieving a certain result.
The first phase
Feelings of pain are removed. Your doctor may suggest wearing a device that supports your neck and back in the most physiologically correct position. Together, they prescribe painkillers and physiotherapy procedures, as well as traditional medicine methods, such as acupuncture, which is confirmed in official sources and make up the range of services of medical health institutions approved by the Ministry of Health.
Second phase
The task is to renew the discs of the spinal column and prevent changes in the dystrophic nature.
Treatment includes dietary adjustment, 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 novocaine blockade or use more serious medications to relieve muscle cramps. They can return after a while, but long-term work on the joints and tendons restores their healthy functionality.
It should be noted that in the initial phase, treatment is possible without the use of drugs. In the complex of therapeutic measures it is enough to introduce exercise therapy, reduce heavy physical effort, use applicators, physiotherapy procedures.
Drug therapy
Medications begin to be used as the disease progresses 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 relief;
- reduction of inflammation and edema in tissues;
- strengthening biologically active processes and blood circulation in the affected areas;
- cartilage tissue regeneration; return of motor activity to the joints;
- removing the depressed state from constant pain and taking care of one's own health.
Medications prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). They relieve pain and swelling of tissues, they can be used in the form of injections, ointments and gels, tablets and capsules. Among them: diclofenac, meloxicam, ibuprofen, nimesulide, ketoprofen, vasodilators (vasodilators). Ships may narrow from chronic pain syndrome. To ensure normal tone, the doctor prescribes: pentoxifylline (to reduce vascular tone), thioctic acid (for better recovery). (muscle relaxants) and painkillers. Treatment lasts longer without these medications. Providing a relaxing effect, joint mobility increases, blood flow is normalized and pain processes disappear. Drugs from 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 tissue. The effect of the drug occurs after prolonged use (at least 6 months). Among the drugs in this group: chondroitin, bioactive concentrate of 4 species of marine fish, glucosamine, glucosamine + chondroitin, pentoxifylline, hyaluronic acid, sedatives (sedatives). They relieve stress and depression in the background of the disease. There are synthetic and natural origins. These include: tincture of lemon balm, valerian; antidepressants, maprotiline), hypnotics (antihistamines, barbiturate derivatives and benzodiazepines), vitamin and mineral complexes. Preference is given to preparations containing vitamin "B", which can have a regenerative effect on the affected areas of the nerves and relieve pain.
Osteochondrosis and massage
Today, when choosing one of the methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis with massage, doctors recommend listening to the prescriptions of neurologists or therapists who come.
Any type of therapeutic massage is prescribed only in case of remission of the disease. If it gets worse, it is not recommended to use it so as not to make the situation worse.
Among the types of massage used to treat osteochondrosis are:
- classical;
- self-massage;
- point;
- Thai;
- segment reflex;
- vacuum;
- periosteal.
The duration of the procedure is 20-45 minutes. This is enough to achieve a healing effect and the ability to feel relief already in the first sessions.
In order to achieve a lasting effect, the duration of the course is 10-15 procedures. This is followed by a break of several months, after which the course of therapeutic massage is repeated again, and as long as necessary at the discretion of the doctor.
Third degree osteochondrosis, treatment
At this stage, the fibrous ring of connective tissue undergoes destruction. This in turn causes a bulge and herniation of the intervertebral disc. In this case, the painful feelings are not expressed, but last due to the possibility of squeezing the roots of the nerve endings.
It can manifest as numbness of the extremities, loss of control over the functions of the pelvic organs, decreased muscle tone, impaired sense of coordination and balance. Really confirm the diagnosis of grade 3 osteochondrosis is possible only with the help of radiography which will show defragmentation (appearance of cracks) and deformation of the spinal joints and the formation of osteophytes (bone growth).
Examination of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography shows hernias and displacements with rupture of the sheath and constriction of nerve endings, 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 the complex therapy of conservative and surgical methods.
Conservative method
It consists of medication, massage, exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (avoiding heavy lifting, sharp turns of the spine, giving up bad habits).
Drug injection treatment
They perform novocaine blockade, facet joint blockade, epidural and paravertebral blockade, use corticosteroid drugs (dexamethasone, prednisolone) to relieve inflammation.
When treated with injections, the active substance enters immediately into the paravertebral region or directly into the spine, which ensures the fastest therapeutic effect.
Surgical method
It is often used to destroy and move 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.
Method of chiropractic
Medicine by many methods allows to influence osteochondrosis. Treatment of leeches helps to increase the activity of joints, and the active substance (hirudin) in their saliva thins the blood, helps to restore and regenerate the affected tissues due to better absorption of nutrients, relieves swelling, pain, nerve tightening 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 leech are used.
The course of treatment consists of 8-10 procedures with an interval of 5 days.
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 as soon as possible to contact the clinic for medical help of our general practitioners and conduct appropriate treatment, preliminary diagnosis. . .