Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is involved. In turn, the focus of the lesion involves the surrounding tissues of the blood vessels and the nervous system in the process. This is the cause of changes in the musculoskeletal system, 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 is often the case among students whose occupations involve a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, older people often seek medical attention when chronic osteochondrosis is already observed, which can be difficult to treat.
The dystrophic phenomena in the spine can have a pathological effect on the internal organs. In medical practice, the relationship between internal organs and spinal health has been confirmed.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis
If the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is confirmed, it means that we have a long procedure ahead of us in treatment, despite the fact that there is a frivolous attitude towards the disease in society.
The best treatment for osteochondrosis is an integrated approach. The course consists of several stages, each aimed at achieving a particular outcome.
First phase
The pain disappears. Your doctor may recommend wearing a device that keeps your neck and back in the most physiologically correct position. Together, they prescribe painkillers and physiotherapy procedures, as well as traditional methods of medicine, such as acupuncture, which are also confirmed by official sources, and form part of the services of health care institutions approved by the Ministry of Health.
Second stage
The task is to restore spinal discs and prevent dystrophic changes.
Treatment includes diet modification, physiotherapy, manual therapy, massage, acupuncture. This complex improves blood circulation to the intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues.
With neurological symptoms, the neurologist is able to perform novocaine blockade or use more serious medications to relieve muscle cramps. They may return after a while, but prolonged work on the joints and tendons restores their healthy functioning.
It should be noted that in the initial stage, treatment is possible without medication. In the complex of therapeutic measures, it is enough to introduce movement therapy, reduce heavy physical exertion, use applicators and physiotherapy procedures.
Drug therapy
The medications are started as the disease progresses and when the patient has already started osteochondrosis of the back. Medication can affect not only the symptoms but also the causes and consequences of the disease.
Medications allow you to solve the following tasks:
- alleviation of pain syndrome;
- reduction of tissue inflammation and edema;
- strengthening biologically active processes and blood circulation in the affected areas;
- cartilage tissue repair; return of motor activity to the joints;
- eliminating the state of depression from constant pain and worries about their own health.
Medications prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). It relieves pain and swelling of tissues and can be used in the form of injections, ointments and gels, tablets and capsules. Among them: diclofenac, meloxicam, ibuprofen, nimesulide, ketoprofen. Vasodilators. The blood vessels are able to contract from chronic pain syndrome. To ensure a normal tone, your doctor will prescribe: pentoxifylline (to reduce vascular tone), thioctic acid (for better healing). (muscle relaxants) and painkillers. Treatment lasts longer without these medications. Providing a relaxing effect, the mobility of the joints increases, the blood flow normalizes, and the pain processes disappear. Drugs belonging to this group: baclofen, tetrazepam. Chondroprotectors (delayed-acting symptomatic drugs). They contain easily digestible forms of collagen fibers that can relieve inflammation, slow and reverse the degenerative phenomena of cartilage and bone tissue. The effect of the drugs occurs after long-term use (at least 6 months). Among the drugs belonging to this group: chondroitin, bioactive concentrate of 4 marine fish species, glucosamine, glucosamine + chondroitin, pentoxifylline, hyaluronic acid, sedatives (sedatives). They relieve stress and depression in the background of the disease. They are of synthetic and natural origin. These include: uterine tincture, valerian; antidepressants, maprotiline), hypnotics (derivatives of antihistamines, barbiturates and benzodiazepines). Vitamin and mineral complexes. Preference is given to vitamin B-containing formulations which are able to have a regenerating effect on the affected nerve areas and relieve pain.
Osteochondrosis and massage
Today, when one of the ways to treat osteochondrosis with massage is chosen, 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. If exacerbation has occurred, it is not recommended to use it so as not to aggravate the situation.
The types of massage used to treat osteochondrosis include:
- classic;
- self-massage;
- point;
- Thai;
- segmental reflex;
- vacuum;
- periosteal.
The duration of the procedure is 20-45 minutes. This is enough to achieve the healing effect and the feeling of 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 the therapeutic massage is repeated and for as long as the doctor decides.
Third degree osteochondrosis, treatment
At this stage, the fibrous ring of the connective tissue is destroyed. This, in turn, causes protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc. In this case, the painful feelings are not expressed but persist because of the possibility of pinching the roots of the nerve endings.
This can manifest itself in numbness of the limbs, loss of control of the functions of the pelvic organs, decreased muscle tone, and impaired sense of coordination and balance. Indeed, confirm the diagnosis of grade 3 osteochondrosis using radiography only, which shows defragmentation (appearance of cracks) and deformity of the spinal joints and formation of osteophytes (bone outgrowths).
Examination of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography reveals hernias and displacements with vaginal rupture and constriction of nerve endings, these complications often accompanying stage 3.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis at this stage in patients 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
This includes medication, massage therapy, exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (heavy lifting, avoiding sharp turns in the spine, giving up bad habits).
Injection medication
Novocaine blockade, facet joint blockade, epidural and paravertebral blockade are performed, corticosteroid drugs (dexamethasone, prednisolone) are used to relieve inflammation.
In the case of treatment by injection, the active ingredient enters the paravertebral region immediately or directly into the vertebrae, which provides the fastest therapeutic effect.
Surgical method
It is often used for the destruction and displacement of intervertebral discs and consists of the following operations:
- partial or complete removal of the intervertebral disc;
- osteosynthesis of adjacent vertebrae to protect the spinal cord.
Hirudotherapy method
Medicine makes it possible to influence osteochondrosis in a number of ways. Treatment with leeches helps increase joint activity, the active ingredient in saliva (hirudin) thins the blood, helps to repair and regenerate affected tissues due to better absorption of nutrients, relieves swelling, pain, nerve stings and increases the effects of other conservative methods. The procedure is painless and in a session lasting 30-60 minutes, 5-7 people from a pharmacy or medicinal leech are employed.
The course consists of 8-10 procedures with periods of 5 days.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of people have varying degrees of severity in spinal osteochondrosis and underestimate the consequences of the disease, it makes sense to contact the clinic as soon as possible to get medical help with general help and appropriate treatment for a preliminary diagnosis. . .