Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that affects the nucleus of the intervertebral disc. In turn, the focus of the lesion covers the tissues around the vessels and the nervous system during this period. This is due to changes in the musculoskeletal system, bone and muscle tissue.
Young people often ignore the first signs of massive osteochondrosis at the age of 25 and earlier. This is often the case among students who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, older people often seek medical attention when they have chronic osteochondrosis, which can be difficult to treat.
Dystrophic events in the spine can have pathological effects on internal organs. In medical practice, the link between the health of the internal organs and the spine has been confirmed.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis
If the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is confirmed, it means that there will be a long procedure for its treatment, despite the frivolous attitude towards this disease, which exists in society.
The best treatment for osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. The course consists of several stages, each of which aims to achieve a certain result.
The first stage
Feelings of pain are eliminated. The doctor may suggest wearing a device that supports the neck and back in the most physiologically correct position. Together, they prescribe painkillers and physiotherapy procedures, as well as traditional medical methods, such as acupuncture, which constitutes the services of medical facilities approved by official sources and approved by the Ministry of Health.
The second stage
The task is to restore the discs of the spine and prevent changes of a dystrophic nature.
Treatment includes dietary adjustment, physical therapy, manual therapy, massage, acupuncture. This complex improves blood circulation in the intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues.
A neurologist with symptoms of a neurological nature 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 function.
It should be noted that treatment at an early stage is possible without the use of drugs. It is enough to apply exercise therapy in a complex of therapeutic measures, reduce heavy physical stress, use applicators, physiotherapy procedures.
Drug treatment
The drug is used as the disease progresses and the patient already has osteochondrosis of the spine. Medication can affect not only the symptoms but also the causes and consequences of the disease.
Medications 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;
- cartilage tissue regeneration; return of motor activity to the joints;
- overcoming the state of depression from constant pain and worries about their health.
Medications prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Eliminate 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). Vessels are able to shrink 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 takes longer without these medications. It has a relaxing effect, increases joint mobility, normalizes blood flow and eliminates pain processes. Drugs from this group: baclofen, tetrazepam, chondroprotectors (symptomatic drugs with delayed action). They contain forms of easily digestible collagen fibers to eliminate inflammation, slow down and reverse degenerative events in cartilage and bone tissue. The effect of the drug occurs after prolonged use (at least 6 months). Drugs in this group include: chondroitin, a bioactive concentrate of 4 species of sea fish, glucosamine, glucosamine + chondroitin, pentoxifylline, hyaluronic acid, sedatives. They eliminate stress and depression in the background of the disease. It is of synthetic and natural origin. These include: motherwort, valerian tincture; antidepressants, maprotiline), hypnotics (antihistamines, barbiturates and benzodiazepine derivatives) Vitamin and mineral complexes. Vitamins containing vitamin B, which are able to have a restorative effect and relieve pain in the affected nerve areas, are preferred.
Osteochondrosis and massage
Today, when choosing one of the methods of massage treatment of osteochondrosis, doctors recommend listening to the prescriptions of the attending neurologist or therapist.
Any type of therapeutic massage is prescribed only in case of elimination of the disease. If aggravation occurs, it is not recommended to use to avoid aggravation of the condition.
Among the types of massage used in the treatment of osteochondrosis are:
- classic;
- self-massage;
- point;
- Thai;
- segmental reflex;
- vacuum;
- periosteal.
The duration of the procedure is 20-45 minutes. This is enough to get the healing effect and the ability to feel relaxed already in the first sessions.
The duration of the course is 10-15 procedures to achieve a lasting effect. This is followed by a break of several months, after which the course of therapeutic massage is repeated and as required by the decision of the attending physician.
Treatment of third-degree osteochondrosis
At this stage, the fibrous ring of connective tissue is destroyed. This, in turn, causes the intervertebral disc to bulge and rupture. In this case, the painful sensations are not expressed, but continue due to the possibility of squeezing the roots of the nerve endings.
It can manifest itself as numbness of the extremities, loss of control over the functions of the pelvic organs, loss of muscle tone, loss of coordination and balance. Really confirm the diagnosis of grade 3 osteochondrosis, but it is possible with the help of X-rays, which will show defragmentation (appearance of cracks) and deformity of the lumbar joints and the formation of osteophytes (bone growths).
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) scans show hernias and ruptures of the cortex and compression of nerve endings, a complication that often accompanies stage 3.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis in patients at this stage does not always have a favorable prognosis. Many can not 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 includes medication, massage therapy, exercise therapy, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (avoiding heavy lifting, sharp back spins, and giving up bad habits).
Injectable drug treatment
Novocaine blockade, facet joint blockade, epidural and paravertebral blockade, use of corticosteroid drugs (dexamethasone, prednisolone) to relieve inflammation.
When treated with injections, the active substance immediately enters the paravertebral region or directly into the vertebrae, 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:
- partial or complete removal of the intervertebral disc;
- connection of adjacent vertebrae to protect the spinal cord (osteosynthesis).
Hirudotherapy method
The drug provides the effect of osteochondrosis in many ways. Leech treatment helps to increase the activity of the joints and the active substance in saliva (hirudin) thins the blood, helps to regenerate and regenerate the affected tissues as a result of better absorption of nutrients, increases the effectiveness of swelling, pain, nerve compression and other conservative methods. The procedure is painless and uses 5-7 people or a medicinal leech from a pharmacy in a session lasting 30-60 minutes.
The course of treatment consists of 8-10 procedures with intervals of 5 days.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of people have varying degrees of severity of the spine and, as a result, the disease is not assessed, it makes sense to seek medical help from our generalists as soon as possible and receive appropriate treatment; initial diagnosis of the disease. . .