What is osteochondrosis and how to treat it

In the International Classification of Diseases, 11th version, osteochondrosis is understood as osteochondritis dissecans. With this concept, evidence-based medicine refers to a disease in which the bone under the articular cartilage dies due to insufficient blood supply. As a result, a piece of bone or cartilage may fall off.

In the “ Yod ” telegram channel we tell you how to take care of your health based on evidence-based medicine.

Mostly children and adolescents experience osteochondrosis. The disorder most often affects the knees, elbows and ankles.

The causes of the disease are not fully known. But scientists have several assumptions:

• Repetitive microtraumacan damage joints, resulting in decreased blood flow.
• Constant load on the joint.Due to stress, not only bones can be damaged, but also the vessels that pass through the tissue near the elbows and knees.
• Genetic predisposition.In some people, due to a mutation, the protein in the ACAN gene cannot build cartilage as well as it should. Because of this, the connective tissue becomes weak and cannot withstand the load.

But in our tradition, for some reason, it is customary to call completely different conditions osteochondrosis.

Currently reading

⚡️

5 diseases that don’t exist but are still being diagnosed

What is osteochondrosis called in the CIS countries?

In many countries, osteochondrosis is a junkyard diagnosis that has no relation to the real disease. It is placed when the doctor cannot or for some reason does not want to find out the real cause of the symptoms.

The main reason for diagnosis is pain in the back or neck, which gets worse with movement. Other signs due to which some doctors may write osteochondrosis into the chart:

• pain radiates to the head, shoulders, legs, pelvis;
• constant feeling of stiffness and muscle tension;
• numbness of the arms and legs, buttocks;
• changes in posture and gait;
• weakness in the legs;
• increased fatigue;
• inflammation in the joints – they become warm and swollen ;
• dizziness;
• sleep problems;
• decreased performance.

All of these symptoms can occur due to a variety of conditions, from serious infections to simple fatigue. This is why using the wrong term is not only a mistake, but also dangerous. And it will not help the patient with his condition.

What causes symptoms that are attributed to osteochondrosis

In evidence-based medicine, if a patient complains of discomfort in the spine , he may be given a symptomatic diagnosis – back pain. It is extremely common . For example, in 2020 alone , 619 million people  worldwide experienced low back pain.

There can be many reasons for discomfort, and in some cases it is impossible to name a specific one .

Muscle tension

Spasmodic pain in the upper back and neck that radiates to the shoulders can be caused by muscle strain. Moreover, you don’t have to play sports to experience the condition. The reason may be stress, poor sleep, poor posture .

Home treatment is usually sufficient to relieve muscle tension. For example, light self-massage, relaxation and gentle stretching.

If muscle pain persists for several days, you should make an appointment with a doctor.

Whiplash

This is the name for an injury that occurs due to a sudden movement of the neck and head back and forth. For example, during a car accident or from a strong blow to the chest.

Pain from whiplash may radiate to the back of the head, accompanied by muscle tension and the inability to move the neck and head.

Whiplash usually goes away on its own in 2 to 3 weeks. But for some people, symptoms last longer.

Diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis

This is the name for a condition in which bone deposits occur in the ligaments and tendons of the neck. Because of this, the tissues harden. This causes some people to experience pain, stiffness, and impaired mobility.

There is no cure for hyperostosis, but your doctor may recommend physical therapy , warm compresses, and steroid injections  to reduce symptoms .

In rare cases, specialists suggest surgery to remove a bone spur, if present.

Cervical spondylosis

Due to severe wear and tear of the cervical spine, the discs change shape and growths—spurs—appear on their edges. As a result, pressure on surrounding tissues increases, which can lead to pinched nerves.

Spondylosis is accompanied by pain, stiffness and weakness in the neck, tingling and numbness in the arms and shoulders, and headaches. In rare cases, even the ears may hurt .

For treatment, the doctor may suggest painkillers and, if the pain does not go away for a long time, prescribe a muscle relaxant. Another possible recommendation is exercise. Surgery may be necessary if the disorder causes a pinched nerve or problems with the spinal cord.

Destruction of intervertebral discs

Over time, the discs between the vertebrae wear out – this is normal and happens to everyone. The disruption may not cause any symptoms, but in some cases the disruption is so severe that the vertebrae begin to rub against each other and pinch nerves. Then pain arises, which can radiate to the legs and arms. You may also notice tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs. Discomfort may worsen with movement or when a person has to remain in one position for a long time.

Treatment is aimed primarily at controlling symptoms: Doctors offer painkillers and steroid injections, a laser procedure to “burn” nerves near the damaged area, physical therapy and training in exercises to relieve pain. For some patients, specialists may recommend using a cane or wearing a special neck brace to reduce the load on the spine.

Sometimes doctors suggest surgery to remove some tissue or bone to relieve pressure on pinched nerves.

Intervertebral disc displacement

The condition is also called intervertebral hernia. When disrupted, the soft pad of tissue between the bones of the spine protrudes outward. If it puts pressure on the nerves, discomfort occurs. The pain occurs in the back, tingling in the arms, legs, feet, neck or buttocks.

An intervertebral disc can slip due to age, excessive exercise, a sedentary lifestyle, or excess weight.

To treat the condition, the doctor may suggest pain medication and refer the patient to a specialist who teaches exercises to relieve the condition. In some cases, surgery may be required, but it is usually not necessary.

Lumbar stenosis

In this condition, the space inside the vertebrae is narrowed. This is often due to bone spurs, which can occur in older people with osteoarthritis.

Often the stenosis causes no symptoms, but some people experience pain in their lower legs when walking.

To treat stenosis, doctors offer painkillers, muscle relaxant medications, injections of anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy.

Osteoarthritis

The disease can affect the joints that connect the vertebrae to each other. This can cause a person to develop bone spurs, which can cause lower back pain.

To alleviate the condition, your doctor may suggest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, ibuprofen . The specialist may also advise the patient to apply compresses, wear shoes with shock-absorbing soles, visit a chiropractor, lose weight and do exercises.

In rare cases, osteoarthritis may require surgery.

Ankylosing spondylitis

This is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation of the joints and ligaments of the spine. It can also affect the knees, ankles and hips.

With spondylitis, in addition to back pain , stiffness, swelling, and a constant feeling of fatigue that does not go away even after rest may occur . Symptoms tend to develop gradually, usually over months or years, and may come and go.

Over time, the disease can cause bones to fuse. Because of this, the amplitude of movements decreases.

Treatment usually depends on symptoms and severity of the condition. To relieve pain, doctors offer analgesics based on ibuprofen and naproxen. Patients also usually need physical therapy. Since the disease can cause the spine to “freeze” into an awkward position, posture  exercises are especially helpful.

In severe cases, the doctor may suggest surgery to replace the affected joint or correct severe curves in the spine.

Infection

Rarely, back pain can be a sign of a fungal or bacterial infection in the discs, bones of the spine or the soft tissue around it. Symptoms may also include stiffness, fever, chills, weight loss, muscle spasms, and painful or difficult urination.

Without treatment, the infection can spread to the vertebrae and cause weakening and destruction of bones. Deformed vertebrae can fuse, put pressure on nerve roots and lead to constant pain.

This serious infection may require hospitalization to treat . At the hospital, the patient is given antibiotics or antifungal drugs, and may also be offered surgery to remove the affected tissue.

Cauda equina syndrome

This is a rare condition in which something presses on the nerves in the lower back. The reason may be displacement of the vertebral discs, the formation of growths on the bones, infections and tumors.

In addition to pain, cauda equina syndrome may cause numbness or tingling in the lower back, weakness in the legs, and urinary or fecal  incontinence .

To treat this condition, you need to find out what caused it. And then fix the problem: remove pieces of bone, spinal discs or tumor. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to control your bladder and bowels.

How to get rid of back and neck pain

To get rid of pain, you need to see a doctor. The specialist will try to find out the possible cause and help eliminate it. But in 85% of people, discomfort does not appear against the background of any disease or disorder.

Experts at the Mayo Clinic advise making an appointment with your doctor if discomfort does not go away within a week. But there are cases when help is needed immediately. Call 103 or 112 and call an ambulance if the pain is due to injury, accompanied by diarrhea , urinary incontinence or fever.

Even if you make an appointment with a doctor, you need to do something about the pain before your appointment. Here are some ways to help reduce this symptom.

1. Take painkillers

Take over -the-counter ibuprofen-based anti-inflammatory medications. You can also take aspirin , but it is not recommended for children and adults taking blood thinners.

2. Lie down

If the pain is severe, you should rest for at least a day. Try lying on your back with a pillow under your knees and your head and shoulders elevated. It may be comfortable to sleep on your side, then you can place a pillow between your knees. If this is uncomfortable, try bending the knee on the leg that is on top.

3. Be mobile

A day of rest will be useful, but it is better to avoid long bed rest: the more you move , the faster you will recover. Being active helps relieve muscle spasms and prevents loss of muscle strength. Going for an intense workout is not necessary. It is enough to continue doing your daily activities, walking, going to yoga and Pilates .

4. Warm up your back

To do this, you can use a heating pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Experts at the medical resource UpToDate believe that heat can help relieve joint stiffness and muscle spasms in the first few weeks after discomfort begins.

5. Maintain good posture

Raise your head and roll your shoulders back and down. Try to keep your neck in line with your body and avoid hunching forward. This will help reduce upper back pain.

And to make it comfortable to hold your head correctly, do not sit in the same position for too long, place the monitor at eye level, do not put pressure on your upper back with your backpack – it is better to choose a suitcase or bag.

6. Be less nervous

Stress can increase tension in the neck and interfere with or delay the recovery process. To relax , try breathing exercises: take a deep breath, hold the air for a few seconds, and then exhale completely. Breathe normally for a few seconds and then repeat.

To reduce your stress levels, you can also try meditation, stress management techniques, and psychotherapy.