Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that affects the nucleus of the intervertebral disc. In turn, the focus of the lesion involves the surrounding tissues of the vessels and the nervous system. This is the cause of changes in the musculoskeletal system, bones 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 happens among students whose profession involves a sedentary lifestyle, which is why older people often seek medical help when chronic osteochondrosis is already present, which can be difficult to treat.
Dystrophic phenomena in the spine can have a pathological effect on internal organs. In medical practice, the connection between the health of the 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 forthcoming, despite the frivolous attitude to this disease existing in society.
The best treatment for osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. The course consists of several stages, each of which is aimed at achieving a specific result.
First stage
Pain sensations are eliminated. The doctor may suggest wearing a device that keeps the 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 has been confirmed in official sources and constitute the scope of services of medical health institutions approved by the Ministry of Health.
Second phase
The task is to restore the discs of the spine and prevent changes in the dystrophic nature.
Treatment includes dietary adjustments, physical therapy, manual therapy, massage, acupuncture. This complex improves blood circulation in the intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues.
In case of neurological symptoms, a neurologist may perform novocaine blockade 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 in the initial stage treatment is possible without the use of drugs. In the complex of therapeutic measures it is enough to introduce exercise therapy, to reduce the heavy physical load, to use applicators, physiotherapeutic procedures.
Drug therapy
The drugs 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:
- relief of pain syndrome;
- reduction of inflammation and swelling of tissues;
- strengthening of biologically active processes and blood circulation in the affected areas;
- cartilage tissue repair; return of motor activity in the joints;
- eliminating depression from constant pain and worries about your own health.
Medications prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Relieve 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 may constrict due to chronic pain syndrome. To ensure normal tone, the doctor prescribes: pentoxifylline (to reduce vasculartone), thioctic acid (for better recovery). (muscle relaxants) and painkillers. Treatment takes longer without these drugs. Providing a relaxing effect, joint mobility increases, blood flow is normalized and pain processes disappear. Drugs from this group: baclofen, tetrazepam, chondroprotectors (symptomatic drugs with delayed action). 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, bioactive concentrate of 4 species of marine fish, glucosamine, glucosamine + chondroitin, pentoxifylline, hyaluronic acid. Sedatives (sedatives). They relieve stress and depression against the background of the disease. It has 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 treatment of osteochondrosis with massage, doctors recommend listening to the prescriptions of the treating neurologist or therapist.
Each type of therapeutic massage is prescribed only in case of remission of the disease. If an exacerbation has occurred, it is not recommended to use it so as not to aggravate the situation.
Among the types of massage used to treat osteochondrosis are:
- classic;
- self-massage;
- point;
- Thai;
- segmental 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 in the first sessions.
To achieve a lasting 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 as much as necessary at the discretion of the attending physician.
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 sensations are not expressed, but continue 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 confirm the diagnosis of grade 3 osteochondrosis is possible only with the help of radiography, which will show defragmentation (the appearance of cracks) and deformation of the joints of the spine and the formation of osteophytes (bone growths).
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans show hernias and dislocations with rupture of the sheath and pinching 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. 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 medication, massage treatment, exercise therapy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (avoiding heavy lifting, sharp turns of the spine, giving up bad habits).
Injectable drug 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 the paravertebral area or directly into the vertebrae immediately, which provides 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.
Method of hirudotherapy
Medicine through many methods makes it possible to influence osteochondrosis. Leech treatment helps to increase the activity of the joints, and the active substance (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 increases the effectfrom other conservative methods. The procedure is painless and in one session, which lasts 30-60 minutes, 5-7 individuals from a pharmacy or medical 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 general practitioners and conduct appropriate treatment, preliminary diagnosis of the disease. . .