Osteochondrosis: what kind of disease, symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, prevention. Diagnosis of osteochondrosis: main causes, complications and treatment Osteochondrosis of the spine examination

Osteochondrosis must be taken seriously. Only the uninitiated think that this is a simple disease that can be easily dealt with without the help of a specialist. For effective treatment, you need to approach the problem comprehensively. Eliminate heavy loads, lead a measured lifestyle, eat right and perform special exercises. In the acute phase, medication support and constant medical supervision will be required.

Osteochondrosis - what is it?

Dystrophic processes leading to partial or complete changes in intervertebral discs. The vertebrae, compressing, crush the discs, which, under the influence of stress, infection, and poor nutrition, lose their elasticity. As the discs shrink, they begin to put pressure on the nerve endings, which causes unbearable pain. The disease at an early stage does not cause serious problems, but the sooner the patient turns to a specialist, the more effective the treatment will be.
At the onset of the disease, minor changes occur in the spine. Osteochondrosis comes on unnoticed. Minor pain appears in different parts of the spine, signaling degenerative processes in the discs.

If treatment is not started immediately, the process may become irreversible and transfer to the tissues of the vertebrae. Disc degeneration leads to a gradual weakening of the outer fibrous rings. Patients with osteochondrosis often encounter complications such as protrusion and vertebral hernia.

Regular studies in this area provide disappointing statistics. People over thirty years of age often encounter spinal disease; 70% of patients suffer from various forms of osteochondrosis. This is a neurological disease that affects the ligaments of the intervertebral joints. It is accompanied by sharp pain, pressure surges and other symptoms, which often do not allow people to lead their usual lifestyle and work normally.

Osteochondrosis does not occur without reason, suddenly, with acute pain. The first symptoms are minor and unnoticeable. If there is an unexpected deterioration in your health, or the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the spine that quickly pass, you should not neglect the body’s signals. You should immediately consult a doctor for advice and undergo a full examination. Timely treatment will help avoid serious complications.

Important. By neglecting treatment and the advice of doctors, you may encounter protrusion or bulging of part of the disc - a hernia, in which part of the nucleus pulposus hangs into the spinal canal and can cause paralysis, pinching of nerve endings, resulting in unbearable pain.

There are several types of osteochondrosis, named after the location and position of the pain in the spine.

• Cervical
• Chest

During the examination, the specialist will determine the extent of the lesion, the location of the impact and choose the method of complex treatment. The effectiveness of treatment for osteochondrosis largely depends on strict compliance with all the instructions of the attending physician.

Causes

Experts, after numerous in-depth studies, have come to the conclusion that the main reason for the appearance of osteochondrosis is the uneven distribution of loads on different parts of the spinal column. The root cause may be intense work in unusual conditions, long sitting in one position, heavy loads during sports training, impacts. The result of an unexpected or prolonged load on a certain area of ​​the spine is a gradual change in the structure of the intervertebral discs.

Among the main reasons for the appearance and gradual development of the disease, several main ones can be identified:

• Hereditary changes in the development of the body, leading to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
• Diseases of the endocrine system, failure of metabolic processes.
• Improper development of the musculoskeletal system, leading to pathological changes in the body.
• Any injuries to the back, lower back, neck due to falls, training, sudden loads, impacts.
• Inactive lifestyle, burdened by poor nutrition.
• Osteochondrosis is a constant companion of overweight and obese people.
• Abuse of alcohol and nicotine necessarily leads to the destruction of intervertebral discs.
• Constant psychological and physical stress, stress and overwork become the root cause of intervertebral cartilage dystrophy.
• Women at different stages of pregnancy often experience manifestations of osteochondrosis.

People of certain professions are most susceptible to osteochondrosis, since monotonous performance of their duties gradually leads to dystrophic changes in the structure of intervertebral cartilage. The main risk groups include:

• Accounting workers.
• Cashiers and managers.
• Drivers of any vehicles.
• People who play sports professionally.

It should be borne in mind that women are most often affected by the disease due to a poorly developed muscular system.

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The corset of the spinal muscles that support the spine is stronger in representatives of the stronger half of humanity. Women who have magnificent large breasts and do little exercise will definitely encounter and.

Development of osteochondrosis

No disease occurs without a reason and does not begin immediately. The body always goes through changes step by step. The disease has four main stages, which you need to know about in order to promptly consult a doctor for help.

1. Gradually beginning dystrophic changes in the nuclei pulposus of the intervertebral cartilages usually proceed unnoticed. Dehydration of the disc becomes the root cause of microcracks, loss of elasticity and thinning of cartilage. Often people at this stage feel slight discomfort when sitting in one position for a long time or unexpected lumbago during intense exercise.
2. The second stage is already difficult not to notice. Degenerative changes in tissue lead to the appearance of protrusion. The fibrous capsule is destroyed and the intervertebral space is reduced. The result will be pinched nerve endings and the appearance of sharp pain in certain areas of the back. The pain syndrome is actively expressed during any bending, sharp turns and running. Osteochondrosis is accompanied by a sharp loss of performance and the appearance of weakness in the body.
3. Complete or partial abrasion of the intervertebral cartilaginous lining due to osteochondrosis. The thinning of the tissue is clearly visible during radiography. Symptoms of the disease are pronounced and can lead to partial paralysis. It is impossible to relieve the pain, and you have to resort to injections and other medicinal effects on the source of the disease. Only strong drugs and complete rest help.
4. This is the last stage, characterized by complete destruction of the intervertebral cartilage. A complex disorder of the neurological system, leading to the appearance of bone growths in place of cartilage tissue. The mobility of the joints is completely impaired. Osteophytes can injure the nerve endings of the vertebrae and bone segments. At this stage, treatment may require the help of a surgeon.

The fossilized appearance of the spine can lead to partial or complete immobilization of the patient. In this case, the pain may disappear.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a pathological change in the cartilage tissue of the connective discs of the spine. Degenerative-dystrophic changes occur for various reasons and lead to the formation of diseases of the ligamentous intervertebral discs. During osteochondrosis, soft tissues and nerve endings are infringed. The vessels and nerve endings located near the lesion experience serious changes, which causes severe pain and disruption of the supply of nutrients.

The main symptoms indicating the development of osteochondrosis

You should be attentive to any, even minor changes in the body. The sooner you begin preventive measures to address the emerging focus of the disease, the more effective the treatment will be.

• Pain appears in the neck, chest, lower back and ribs.
• There is stiffness in movements when turning, bending and fast walking and running. When lifting weights, short-term pain appears.
• Hands and feet lose sensation, become numb and swell.
• Chills appear even at high temperatures outside. Aches in the lower and upper extremities.
• Sudden and very painful spasms in the muscles of the legs and arms.
• A pronounced dysfunction in the functioning of the genital organs appears, which can cause serious psychological trauma.
• The appearance of dizziness and severe headaches.
• Sharp pain in the chest area, strongly reminiscent of a pre-infarction state.
• The sensitivity of the fingers is partially or completely lost.
• Unsystematic muscular hypotonia.
• A sharp decrease in performance, high fatigue, loss of visual acuity.

Symptoms may appear unexpectedly, for no apparent reason. Most often, exacerbation is preceded by prolonged and unexpected physical exertion, overwork at work or in training, sudden hypothermia and prolonged exposure to vibration. Any injuries, even those without visible consequences, blows, bruises can become a trigger for the development of osteochondrosis.

Symptoms characteristic of the development of the disease in different parts of the spine

Cervical. The disease can be signaled by sharp, quickly onset pain in the shoulders and arms, the appearance of attacks of nausea, dizziness and sudden attacks of migraines. Unexplained pressure surges not related to the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

The appearance of constant noise in the ears and stars in front of the eyes indicates problems in the cervical spine. Older people may suddenly lose consciousness while walking.

Chest. The appearance of sharp pain in the front of the chest, abdomen, between the ribs. Breathing becomes more frequent and difficult. Pressing heaviness in the chest area. Sharp pain in the area of ​​the shoulder blades when turning, moving or bending. Disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Attacks of pancreatitis, bloating, diarrhea. Limbs suddenly become numb and people may lose balance when walking. Sharp attacks of weakness, a feeling of trembling under the skin.

Lumbar. The appearance of a dull, increasing pain in the lumbar region. It can radiate to the leg, leading to loss of balance when moving. Sharp shots in the lower back lead to partial or complete immobilization of the body. Unpleasant tingling sensations appear in the lower extremities even when resting. When you bend over, it becomes difficult to straighten up without assistance. Disturbance in the functioning of the genitourinary system.

Possible complications

Many people do not pay special attention to the first manifestations of degenerative-dysfunctional processes in the connective tissues of the spine. Such an attitude towards one’s own body can have a sharply negative impact on the functioning of all internal organs. The imbalance of functions will increase like an avalanche, and the person may suddenly find himself in a hospital bed. Decreased mobility of the spine, disruption of the speed of signal transmission and difficulty in the flow of nutrients to certain areas of the body lead to the development of dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system, joints and ligaments.

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Partial or complete destruction of intervertebral connections leads to the development of numerous chronic diseases. Even minor pain in the spine, suddenly appearing and disappearing just as quickly, should force a person to undergo a full examination. This will help identify the origins of the disease and, with the help of preventive measures, avoid further development of the disease.

If you ignore the first signals, you may encounter more serious problems:

• The appearance of sharp, prolonged pain in the head, migraines and dizziness.
• Problems in the cervical spine can lead to sudden loss of vision.
• Often, hearing loss is a consequence of a disorder in the upper spine.
• The development of osteochondrosis can cause autonomic dysfunction.
• Problems in the lower back lead to a sharp exacerbation of diseases of the genitourinary system.
• Lack of proper treatment for osteochondrosis leads to chronic radiculitis and sciatica.
• Heavy loads and lack of systemic treatment cause intervertebral hernia.
• People experience diseases such as lumbago, spondyloarthrosis, and lumbodynia.
• Long-term development of osteochondrosis without qualified treatment leads to spinal canal stenosis, spondylosis, and osteophytosis.

It is necessary to clearly understand that any disturbances in the functioning of the spine will necessarily lead to the development of more complex chronic diseases of the internal organs. Damage to the neurovascular bundles impedes the rhythmic functioning of organs, disrupts the supply of the required amount of nutrition and the removal of waste and toxins.

This negatively affects the entire body. Damaged cells and wastes accumulating inside tissues stimulate the development of malignant tumors. You may suddenly find out that your excellent health has suffered serious damage from minor pain in the lower back, back or neck.

Exacerbation phase of osteochondrosis

People experience a sharp deterioration in their health in the spring in the lower spine. This may be due to the lack of the required amount of minerals and vitamins. Sudden physical activity and temperature changes outside. In winter, the thoracic region suffers the most. Due to infectious diseases, hypothermia and poor nutrition. The cervical spine is most affected by a sedentary lifestyle or working in one sitting position. At the first symptoms, you need to use warming ointments and try to get rid of spasms and swelling as quickly as possible. Immediate contact with a specialist will help to effectively cope with osteochondrosis. If severe swelling occurs, using diuretics, do not forget to take medications containing potassium and calcium.

Diagnostics

A doctor who is approached by a patient with sharp pain in the spine must follow several steps in succession

1. Anamnesis collection. Conducting a detailed conversation with the patient. The goal is to find out the root causes of the disease. At what time do the most striking attacks occur, which leads to the onset of pain. Individual characteristics of the course of the disease "Osteochondrosis".
2. Thorough personal examination by a specialist. The skin is examined for rashes and swelling. The flexibility of the joints and the sharpness of the reflexes are checked. Palpation of the painful area will help localize pain points and find areas of aggravation. Percussion with fingers or special instruments helps determine the irradiation of pain. Using tingling needles, the degree of sensitivity in different parts of the body is determined.

To obtain the most complete picture of the state of the body and identify hidden foci, a hardware examination should be used, which necessarily includes:

• Diagnosis using x-ray. A photograph of the affected area allows you to immediately notice the narrowing of the permissible gap between the spinous vertebrae. Drying of the intervertebral discs is clearly visible on an x-ray.
• MRI, a modern technology that guarantees accurate diagnosis of spinal diseases. The use of magnetic resonance imaging helps to determine and localize the site of intervertebral hernia formation.
• Computed tomography in its significance and effectiveness is not much different from MRI. The only drawback is the increased radiation exposure, so CT is not recommended for use in children.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

No qualified specialist uses the same treatment methods for all patients. If a doctor claims that everyone can be cured using one method, it is best to turn to another. The method of treatment is always based on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body, the dynamics of the development of the disease and the body’s reaction to medications.

The holistic path to healing includes:

1. Passive or active physiotherapy, always prescribed individually, taking into account the age, weight and condition of the patient.
2. Using various massage techniques and special exercises for the affected parts of the spine.
3. A well-trained, experienced chiropractor can provide invaluable assistance.
4. The use of drug support in the acute phases of the development of osteochondrosis.
5. The use of hardware treatment with electrophoresis, heating, and effects on reflex zones.
6. Using special stretching and relaxation techniques.

How can you help at home with osteochondrosis?

People who work a lot and do not have free time neglect going to the doctor. However, progressive disease can become a serious cause of disability. To prevent negative consequences and reduce the risk of serious complications, treatment can be carried out at home.

To do this you need:

1. Gradually give up bad habits. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption often cause the development of the disease.
2. Maintaining proper diet. You will need to give up fatty, spicy and salty foods. It is best to consume more natural juices and fresh vegetables.
3. Those who cannot work without several cups of coffee a day should consider switching to green tea. The drink contains no less caffeine, but more benefits.
4. Make sure your bed is properly equipped. Orthopedic pillows and a mattress will help the body to fully rest and relieve pain.
5. Restoring good blood flow. The ideal option is to use the services of a professional massage therapist. If you don’t have the money for this, learn the technique of self-massage.
6. Daily special gymnastics. At first, this may require some effort, but over time a person gets used to it and can no longer do without it.

Drugs for the drug treatment of osteochondrosis

You should not rely on the opinions of friends and close relatives in this matter. We must remember that each person is individual. A drug that could help your brother or friend may have a completely different effect on you and cause serious health problems. Doctors prescribe medications that relieve swelling, reduce pain, stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissues and restore the musculoskeletal system as a whole. Only a qualified doctor can choose the right set of drug treatments for osteochondrosis. The effectiveness of treatment will depend on the collected medical history, visual examination and the use of hardware diagnostics.

Prescribed medications can be divided into several groups:

• NSAIDs. They affect areas of pain, localizing and eliminating the unpleasant consequences of their occurrence. These include diclofinac, ibuprofen, piroxicam. The dosage and method of administration are always prescribed by the attending physician, based on studies of the patient’s body.
• Antispasmodic. A group of drugs that helps quickly relieve spasms of muscle tissue and relieve the patient of unbearable pain in the damaged area of ​​the body. Sirdalud, dratoverine, myolastane and other medications present on the pharmaceutical market have the same focus.
• Antioxidant. A mandatory drug necessary for the rapid removal of accumulated toxins from internal tissues. Vitamins of group B and C. Mexidol and other drugs of this group.
• Resumption of microcirculation in the circulatory system. Trental, theonicol. Nicotinic acid, Actovegin and other drugs offered in the pharmacy in this direction.
• Chondroprotector. It has a narrowly targeted effect, designed for the rapid restoration of cartilage tissue. Stimulates increased metabolism and elimination of toxins. Teraflex, chondroxide, structum.

The doctor may prescribe injections to relieve pain and speed up the healing process. In this case, it is necessary to visit the day hospital for daily injections. Dosages and medications are always prescribed individually. If negative factors appear, you should immediately tell your doctor about them and change the drug or reduce the dose of the drug.

Ointments and gels are usually used for minor local problems. They can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription, after consulting with the seller. However, they only provide temporary relief from severe pain. After relief, you must immediately contact a specialist for more comprehensive and complete treatment.

The choice of drugs and treatment method influences the development of osteochondrosis. Monitor your health carefully after starting treatment and talk to your doctor immediately about any changes. A specialist who has been observing you for a long time and is well aware of the patient’s various chronic diseases is able to cope with the disease as quickly as possible. Remember that osteochondrosis is an insidious disease and can appear at the most unexpected moment under the influence of external factors. Be treated by a doctor who is trustworthy and has long confirmed his qualifications. Only the comprehensive use of all existing means will help quickly relieve the patient of osteochondrosis.

Non-drug treatments

• Regular massage perfectly stimulates blood flow and helps maintain muscles, cartilage and tendons in perfect condition.
• Manual therapy helps to quickly relieve pain, localize the source of the disease and stimulate the restoration of cartilage tissue.
• Physiotherapy. A properly selected individual set of exercises guarantees the harmonious development of the musculoskeletal system.

Prevention of osteochondrosis

Taking care of your body will help you avoid serious problems in the future. Simple precautions will save you from this insidious disease:

1. Try not to carry heavy weights above 10 kg.
2. When carrying heavy bags, distribute the load evenly into both hands.
3. Proper nutrition will relieve obesity and relieve stress on the spine.
4. Regular visits to the pool and daily gymnastics are the key to health.
5. When working in one position, try to find time for a short warm-up.

Is it possible to cure osteochondrosis completely?

By seeking help from a specialist and completing a full course of treatment for osteochondrosis in a hospital, you can guarantee a good result. After discharge from the hospital, you should definitely consult with your doctor and learn an individual course of exercises to maintain the muscular system. At least once every three months you need to visit a massage therapist or chiropractor. Adhere to an active lifestyle and proper nutrition so that your muscles are always in perfect condition. Preventive measures will help you stay in excellent physical shape.

Osteochondrosis is a difficult disease and only the uninitiated think that it is easy to cope with. The support of a qualified doctor, compliance with all instructions, patience and perseverance will help you restore your health.

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What methods of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis do doctors use? The most detailed answer in this article. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a secretive and dangerous disease that affects more than 50% of the entire population of the Earth aged 35 years and older. Women are most often affected.

The main symptoms are weakness, pain in the shoulders, neck and chest area, dizziness, migraine. The causes of osteochondrosis are a sedentary lifestyle, neck injuries, and hypothermia. The disease affects only the first seven vertebrae of the cervical spine - the intervertebral discs simply become thinner.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that develops in the spinal column, in which intervertebral discs are destroyed, nerve roots, vessels and arteries in the cervical region are compressed. And this happens due to developments for a number of reasons, which will be written about below.

If you have the following signs of osteochondrosis, you should immediately make an appointment with a specialist:

Factors provoking the development of osteochondrosis:

Why is it necessary to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis?

“I’m 52 years old, my name is Tatyana. I want to tell my story about how I completely cured osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernia.

A few months ago I got a cramp at the dacha; a sharp pain in my lower back didn’t allow me to move, I couldn’t even walk. The doctor at the hospital diagnosed osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine of the 2nd degree, herniated discs L3-L4.

They prescribed Artrosan and Milgamma, but they did not help. The pain was unbearable. They called an ambulance, they put a novocaine blockade and hinted at an operation. I kept thinking about this, that I would end up a burden for family…

The sooner the patient diagnoses the disease, the greater the chance of preventing various complications, including disability. Cervical osteochondrosis most often occurs in the weaker half of humanity.

Methods for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis in women are the same as for men, adolescents and children. Yes, unfortunately, recently cases of osteochondrosis in children aged 6-18 years have become more frequent, but the signs of the disease are not so clearly expressed.

Important! Correct diagnosis of the disease can only be made by a qualified neurologist who can accurately determine the degree of osteochondrosis.

It is not recommended to self-diagnose or treat yourself because you may be treating the wrong disease. The sooner a specialist identifies osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the sooner the development of the disease and the occurrence of complications can be stopped.

Which doctor can diagnose cervical osteochondrosis?

“My wife has long suffered from acute pain in her joints and back. Over the past 2 years, pain has always been present. Previously, I could not imagine that a person could scream like that in pain. It was terrible, especially in the middle of the night, when blood-curdling screams were heard in complete silence.

According to her, the pain was like dogs gnawing on her legs and back. And I couldn’t help her, I just held her hand and reassured her. She injected herself with painkillers and fell asleep, and after a while everything happened again...

In the morning, when my wife woke up, she cried more and more often. The smile completely disappeared from her face, as if the sun had left our house forever. She also had difficulty moving - her knee joints and sacrum did not even allow her to turn around.

The first night after using this new remedy was the first time without screaming. And in the morning my wife came up to me cheerfully and said with a smile: “But there is no pain!” And for the first time in these 2 years I saw my beloved wife happy and smiling. She flutters around the house like a swallow, the rays of life play in her eyes.”

Which specialists can participate in the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis?

Therapist. This is a universal doctor who must know the main symptoms of many diseases. He does not deal with diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Based on the patient's complaints and the results of differential diagnosis, the doctor should refer the patient to a suitable specialist.

Orthopedic surgeon. It is most logical for this doctor to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis, because he practices only in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The surgeon must carefully study the data from radiography, MRI, CT, tests and provide an accurate diagnosis. He must also issue appropriate treatment recommendations.

Cardiologist. This specialist is rarely involved in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. They are referred to him if there is compression of the cervical artery or large vein. This is extremely dangerous. As a result, a cardiologist can become the main physician in the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Collection of anamnesis (initial data)

“My name is Ekaterina, I’m 42 years old. Several years ago I had a severe flu, after which I ended up in the hospital with complications. One of the complications was the inflammatory process in the lower back and joints. X-ray showed initial signs of lumbar osteochondrosis and hernia. And at that time I was 39 years old.

When walking and climbing stairs, there was aching pain in the lower back and leg.

I tried a lot: Voltaren, Milgamma, Meloxicam... Some helped more, some less. But only this new remedy took away the terrible pain. The last x-ray showed nothing.

I just want to wave this photo in front of the doctors, who said that it could get worse, but it won’t get better. I keep the product on hand and recommend it to everyone. It saved me, that’s for sure.”

Diagnosis of any disease, including cervical osteochondrosis, begins with the collection of initial data or anamnesis. Thus, the neurologist must find out the patient’s symptoms that brought him to the appointment. What questions does the doctor ask?

• a description of all the symptoms that bother the patient (pain, numbness, high blood pressure, decreased performance, sleep problems);
• the exact location where the pain occurs;
• when was the last time there was an exacerbation of the disease;
• what is the nature of the symptoms: duration and intensity;
• under what circumstances did the first unpleasant sensations appear?
• whether self-treatment was carried out, what medications were taken, and what effect they had;
• what influenced the improvement of the condition;
• whether there were back injuries;
• whether relatives had musculoskeletal diseases;
• whether any other symptoms appeared in the body.

After collecting initial data, the specialist examines the patient. How does a physiological examination of a patient take place during an appointment with a neurologist?

After collecting anamnesis and examining the patient, the doctor determines further methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis.

To identify cervical osteochondrosis, instrumental diagnostics are mainly used - using a variety of medical devices. The main criteria for diagnosing osteochondrosis, and what studies are needed, are determined only by the attending physician. Below we will talk about this type of diagnosis.

X-ray examination

“My name is Olga, I’m 38 years old. My lower back hurt very badly. I came to the hospital - they did an MRI, they said: “You have hernia and osteochondrosis 4 degrees. Get ready for operations" I almost fainted there! Horrible! What surgery, I'm only 38? It turns out that even at this age you can develop grade 4 osteochondrosis.

But it all started with ordinary lower back pain, which then became chronic, aching, and then a lumbar hernia formed! She made it difficult to sleep and walk. I refused the operation because I was afraid of the anesthesia: I might fall asleep and never wake up again. I also have heart problems. As a result, they prescribed me a bunch of useless medications, and when I returned, the doctors simply shrugged their shoulders, saying, what do you want, the operation must be done….

A couple of months ago, on the Internet, I came across an article that literally saved me. I regained my health and the pain went away! I am so grateful to fate, to the incident that brought me to this article! Finally my spine is healthy, all thanks to this article! For everyone who has BACK PAIN - read NECESSARILY ! Now there is NO PAIN, I sleep normally, walk and work in the country.”

Radiography is the illumination of the human skeleton using special waves. Basically, radiation diagnostics is carried out in two projections:

• straight: the patient lies on his back;
• lateral: lying on your side.

Functional x-ray examination is sometimes used. In this case, the patient must take various positions in which the spine turns one way or another, as well as an X-ray with the jaw lowered or the head thrown back.

CT - computed tomography is prescribed if x-rays provide little information. CT is a newer method of radiography.

How does the procedure work? The person is placed in a closed or open tomograph. The scanner moves around the patient's body, takes a large number of x-rays and creates a detailed image of the spine. Only one patient should be in the room during the procedure.

Is it possible to cure cervical osteochondrosis?

You can completely get rid of osteochondrosis, or rather its symptoms, if you strictly follow the course of treatment and prevention. The disease will stop its development, and the person will not even remember that he has osteochondrosis.

In the early stages of development of cervical osteochondrosis, there is a high chance of getting rid of the disease. In advanced cases, you can only reduce the symptoms and maintain the body in normal condition. To do this, you should follow a daily routine, swim in the pool, do physical therapy, eat right and follow all the doctor’s instructions.

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Therapeutic plasters

We'll tell you about ways to relieve pain and cure diseases of the back and joints using local remedies that are convenient to use at home.

Plasters for the treatment of diseases of the joints and spine have advantages in ease of use, long-term analgesic effect and a small number of contraindications.

Zb Pain Relief. This is an orthopedic Chinese patch that eliminates pain, inflammation, muscle spasms and restores damaged cartilage tissue in the vertebrae. The composition includes more than 30 natural components. The medicinal components of the patch melt due to body temperature and provide a long-lasting analgesic effect for 3 days.

Payne Relief patch is the most effective and popular patch

Here is what Japanese professor Yoshinori Osumi writes about plasters:

Black jade. In this pain relief patch, medicinal substances penetrate deep into the skin, effectively relieving inflammation and pain. The product affects the very cause of pain. The patch is valid for 2 days. The orthopedic patch contains more than 40 natural herbs, including dragon's blood, zhgun-root, myrrh.

Black jade patch effectively affects the source of pain

Here's what a well-known doctor says about the patch: Sergei Mikhailovich Bubnovsky:

"On the very first day, Black Jade launches the body's regeneration systems. It also relieves pain, you will immediately feel it. Within...

Injoint. This is an invisible gel patch that is good for many diseases of the spine and joints. Contains 3 powerful natural ingredients: bee venom, snake venom and deer antlers. Injoint relieves severe pain and inflammation and affects the very cause of the disease. The product is valid for 1-2 days.

Invisible patch Injoint will help cope with the cause of the disease

Here is what A.L. Myasnikov writes about the patch:

“A very good remedy that allows you to restore even severely damaged joints and eliminate pain is Injoint, developed back in 2018 by the V. A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology. Since this remedy...”

Unique ointments

Flekosteel (Flekosteel). FLEKOSTEEL is a remedy that quickly eliminates pain from arthrosis and osteochondrosis. Relieves muscle spasm and eliminates inflammation. FLEKOSTEEL also effectively treats many diseases of the back and joints, as it slows down the process of degeneration of cartilage tissue and stimulates the metabolism in it, promoting the restoration of articular cartilage.

The positive effect is noticeable after the first use, and with regular use you can significantly slow down the progression of the disease of the joints and spine. Ingredients: 100% natural, active components of various medicinal plants. The product has been tested by experts, certified and meets quality standards.

Here's what patients say about the product:

“I used to have a lot of back pain, osteochondrosis, which is not uncommon at my age. My wife found FLEKOSTEEL on the Internet. It became a real salvation for me - before, sometimes I couldn’t straighten up in the morning, but now everything is fine. And most importantly, the back pain has disappeared "Mikhail, 58 years old pensioner."

Artraid (Artrade). What does this ointment contain? Extracts of cedar resin and medicinal plants, beeswax. Thanks to this composition it is possible completely restore deformed tissue in intervertebral discs and joints. The disease goes away completely.

Artraid is a sought-after ointment that is not sold in a regular pharmacy

Here is what Valentin Ivanovich Dikul writes about Artreid:

“I confess to you, when I first heard about it, I just laughed because I didn’t believe in its effectiveness. But I was amazed when we completed the testing...

Cream-wax “Healthy”. It has a unique composition: cedar resin, propolis, bee moth, dead bees, wax and poison, B vitamins. Cream-wax is effective restores damaged joints and spinal discs, improves the condition of blood vessels, relieves pain, inflammation and severe swelling, and helps reduce salt deposits.

Zdorov cream-wax has been helping with back, lower back and joint pain for many years.

Here is a review from one of the owners of a large pharmacy chain, German Klimentievich Abramov:

“ZDOROV is a good drug. It really helps return joints to their normal state, and in the shortest possible time, and we sold it for about a month, then...

Note! Important!

Vacuum massage cups “VACUUM APPARATUS” not only eliminate pain, but also affect the causes of diseases, due to which they have a long-term healing effect.

Vacuum cupping treatment relieves severe pain and muscle spasms after the first session

UNIQUE PROPERTIES OF VACUUM APPARATUS VACUUM CANS:

• Quickly relieve pain (acute and aching).
• Increase blood circulation.
• Relieves swelling.
• Improve metabolism.
• Return mobility to joints.
• Increases the elasticity of fabrics.
• Provide bones and joints with essential microelements.
• Prevents the occurrence of complications and further development of the disease.
• They have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.

Here is one of the many patient reviews:

“I was pleasantly surprised by the effect of massage cups. To be honest, at first I didn’t really trust the miracles of Chinese medicine, but now I’ve changed my mind. Banks really help better than the strongest pills. The pain goes away almost immediately, and there is no need to poison yourself with pills. I completed 2 courses, as recommended, and I feel great!”, Svetlana, St. Petersburg.

Osteochondrosis is a very complex disease that requires careful diagnosis and timely treatment. To make an accurate diagnosis, specialists resort to various studies - blood tests, x-rays, MRI, visual examination.

What symptoms and signs indicate osteochondrosis?

With osteochondrosis, degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in the structure of the intervertebral discs. The disease can affect any part of the spine. Depending on the location, cervical, lumbar and thoracic osteochondrosis is distinguished. Sometimes the symptoms of the disease are similar to other pathologies not related to the spinal column. Therefore, a thorough diagnosis of osteochondrosis is of great importance in the fight against this disease.

Patients often put off going to the doctor, which significantly complicates treatment.

You should seek help if the following symptoms occur:

Ask your question to a neurologist for free

Irina Martynova. Graduated from Voronezh State Medical University named after. N.N. Burdenko. Clinical resident and neurologist of the BUZ VO \"Moscow Polyclinic\".

• pain in the area and, increasing with exercise and disappearing after rest;
• or ;
• numbness of the limbs;
• lower back pain radiating to the lower extremities;
• disturbance, pain in, feeling of squeezing;
• sensation of goosebumps on the skin;
• pain under the armpits, which radiates to the arm;
• pain in the jaw or ears for no apparent reason or inflammatory processes;
• gastritis, which does not go away even after prolonged complex treatment.

Which doctor should I contact?

If such symptoms occur, it is necessary to contact a neurologist or vertebrologist for further diagnosis of the body’s condition.

How does a doctor conduct initial research?

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is carried out in several stages. To begin with, the specialist interviews the patient in detail. During this survey, the specialist is interested in disturbing symptoms (type of pain, location, other symptoms), studies the medical history, treatment methods and the effectiveness of the therapy received. It is important for a specialist to find out the patient’s working and rest conditions, the presence of bad habits, hereditary diseases, and diet.

Observing a patient during an appointment can provide the doctor with a lot of useful information.

First of all, pay attention to a person’s posture. In a healthy person, in a standing position, there is a vertical line passing through the middle of the vertebrae, the cervical and lumbar spine are curved forward, the thoracic and sacral spine is curved backward. Lack of arching in the lower back is one of the many signs of osteochondrosis.

The presence of scoliosis (curvature of the spinal column to the side) may also indicate the presence of an illness.

Important indicators are body weight, height, and proportionality of a person. When diagnosing the condition of the limbs, attention is paid to their symmetry, muscle condition and movement.

Using palpation, the doctor determines painful areas of the body and the strength of muscle fibers. A hammer is also used to determine the sensitivity of the skin and the condition of the tendons.

At the first visit, the specialist may not establish a diagnosis and may prescribe additional research methods to determine the general condition of the body.

Since the disease is quite difficult to treat, a whole range of laboratory and instrumental studies are used.

What tests can be prescribed?

Thanks to a blood test, it is possible to determine the presence of osteophytes, neurological changes and the inflammatory process (present in the exacerbation phase of the disease). The most common blood tests, which provide a lot of valuable information, are general and biochemical analysis of the material.

General or clinical analysis shows red blood cells, white blood cells and their content in the blood, hemoglobin level and the degree of dehydration (if present).

The material is taken from a finger and the state of capillary blood is examined using a microscope.

This test also determines ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). ESR in osteochondrosis is of great importance in diagnosing the disease. It shows the physical characteristics of blood elements and indicates the presence of an inflammatory process. After taking the biomaterial, it is placed in a special tube, an anticoagulant is added and the process is monitored. As a result of such a study, red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube. After adding the anticoagulant, the time until complete sedimentation is recorded. This indicator is decisive.

Biochemical analysis more complex and shows the state of internal organs, thanks to a detailed study of the chemical composition of the material. This method can determine the content of protein components, liver enzymes, and the condition of the kidneys and other organs. To carry out the procedure, venous blood is taken, which is processed and placed in a special analyzer.

A detailed study is carried out using chemical reagents.

A blood test for osteochondrosis provides a lot of useful information. With pathology, you can see an increase in platelet levels and ESR. According to the results of biochemistry, the content of total protein and albumin will be increased, as well as a decrease in calcium and phosphorus levels.

If during the research no deviations from the norm are revealed, but pain is present, then we can conclude that the disease is in remission and repeat laboratory tests.

What other research is being done?

Radiography

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis always includes an x-ray of the spinal column. This method clearly reflects the condition of the structures, the presence of distortions or growths. The procedure is carried out using a special apparatus. When exposed to X-rays, bone density and the thickness of the vertebral cortex can be determined. Today, the procedure is carried out on digital devices using ion radiation. They are more convenient and safer for the body. Considering all the value of the method, it still has some contraindications.

Ionizing radiation affects the germ cells, thyroid gland, lens of the eye and red bone marrow. It poses a particular danger to the fetus

Therefore, pregnant women undergo CT (computed tomography).

X-ray diagnostics are also not performed on patients who took a barium mixture 4-5 days before the examination, since staining may distort the picture.

For cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis, special preparation for the procedure is not carried out. If the disease affects the lumbosacral region, then patients are prescribed a three-day diet before an x-ray. Avoid eating foods that cause fermentation in the intestines. Bloating and excessive gas formation can distort the drawing.

The X-ray procedure lasts several minutes. For this, the person is placed on a couch. The picture is taken in the supine and lateral position. Before the procedure, you must remove all metal objects and jewelry so as not to spoil the painting. Tattoos and metal implants will also show up in the photo. After assuming the correct position of the person, the specialist remotely starts the process. After which the image appears on the computer or is sent to a special laboratory for printing. At this point the procedure is completed, and after some time the finished x-ray is given to the patient.

In the presence of osteochondrosis, a specialist can see in the image a decrease in the height of the intervertebral gap, a decrease in the density of the bone tissue of the spine, the presence of osteophytes, fusion of the vertebrae, a change in the shape of the vertebrae as a result of exposure to calcium salts.

X-ray signs of osteochondrosis can also show the degree of development of the pathological process.

Tomography

There are two types of tomography - magnetic resonance and computer.

The CT method consists of layer-by-layer scanning of the body using X-rays. The resulting images appear on a computer monitor. It is also possible to create a three-dimensional model of the organ under study. CT can be:

• dental;
• X-ray;
• cone beam;
• single-photon emission.

This research method is used for various diseases of the body and has a number of contraindications.

Cone beam CT is considered the most effective and safest for the body. The process is carried out using a special apparatus, which is installed at head level, rotates, and takes several dozen pictures per second. The patient sits or stands. The advantages of this type of CT are the speed of the procedure, low level of radiation, and the ability to create a three-dimensional image. The photographs clearly show all changes in the bone structure, the location of the vertebrae, and salt deposits.

X-ray CT is performed using a special scanner. It passes x-rays through the area under study and allows you to create a three-dimensional image on a computer. A contrast agent is often used and administered locally. This method provides more information and has a higher level of radiation exposure.

Single-photon emission CT scans are performed using two scanners that rotate around the patient.

The device is similar in appearance to an X-ray CT machine. This method allows you to create a three-dimensional image of the studied area.

MRI for osteochondrosis is also used, but more often with damage to the thoracic region. The advantage of the method is that the images can reveal pathological processes in tissues and organs, disorders of the structure of bones and cartilage tissue. MRI is the safest and has the least contraindications. This is due to the influence of a magnetic field.

For osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, MRI can show the causes of the development of radiculitis, lumbago, and also indicate methods for eliminating the problem. Compared to CT, MRI provides more information, but has a high cost and duration of the procedure itself.

Therefore, it is better to consult with a qualified specialist on how to determine osteochondrosis.

Neurological research

Neurological studies are carried out by a neurologist during the examination of the patient. First, they interview the patient and study their medical history. When examining the patient, they are asked to indicate the exact location of the pain. Typically, pain points are located along the midline of the spine.

The doctor probes the entire pain area, including the location indicated by the patient. Next, the specialist determines where the pain radiates when pressed, the sensitivity and motor activity of the lower extremities, the symmetry of tendon reflexes, and examines the presence of muscle hypotension. At the end of the inspection, a Lassegue test is performed. To identify this symptom, the patient is placed on his back. The doctor slowly lifts the straight leg with one hand and holds the knee with the other so that it does not bend. Raise until the patient experiences pain. Normally, movements should be carried out without pain.

A symptom is considered positive if there is pain at the beginning and end of the procedure, and it goes away during bending.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis includes a comprehensive examination of the whole body to identify diseases of the nervous, digestive, vascular, and urinary systems, the symptoms of which can be confused with osteochondrosis. For an accurate diagnosis, an electroencephalogram, cardiogram, and ultrasound of the abdominal organs are additionally performed. There are a number of diseases with which osteochondrosis is differentiated:

• disturbances in the activity of the nervous system;
• pathologies of internal organs (gastritis, ulcer, pyelonephritis, cyst, heart pathology);
• changes in the hip joint;
• malignant neoplasms in the spine;
• consequences of injuries without compromising the integrity of cartilage.

Differential diagnosis is the most accurate method, although it takes a long time.

But thanks to it, it is possible to identify concomitant diseases in the patient and provide timely assistance.

Discography

Only a qualified specialist knows how to determine osteochondrosis. This disease is diagnosed using discography. This method allows you to identify changes in the intervertebral disc.

The essence of the procedure is to inject a contrast agent into the disc using a needle. At the same time, fluoroscopy is performed. The patient may experience discomfort and pain.

Before the study begins, the necessary laboratory tests are carried out, the patient is asked about the medications used, allergies and the presence of concomitant diseases. The procedure is carried out on an empty stomach. The patient is placed on the table and the necessary devices are connected to monitor the heart.

The needle insertion site is cleaned and anesthetic is administered, then the needle is inserted. After installing it, a contrast agent is released into the center of the disk and the needle is pulled out. When taking an x-ray, you can see the contrast outside the intervertebral disc, which indicates a violation of its integrity.

The process lasts about an hour, after which the patient needs to rest for 30-60 minutes under the supervision of doctors.

Electromyography

The method allows you to evaluate the neuromuscular system in the damaged area of ​​the spinal column. It is especially often used for radicular syndrome.

The process consists of determining the potential of a muscle when its nerve ending is stimulated. For osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, the femoral muscles are examined to determine the condition of the nerve roots. The procedure also allows you to determine intervertebral hernias and their location.

Thanks to electromyography, it is possible to identify the disease at the initial stage, monitor the already prescribed treatment and predict the further development of the pathological process.

Or legs (the pain is aching););

when standing motionless for a long time, there is a desire to lean on tabletops, move around in a chair (this is explained by stiffness of the spine due to pathology);

with osteochondrosis, you are worried about stiffness of the neck and lower back in the morning, loss of sensitivity in the arms and legs, goosebumps;

It should be taken into account that osteochondrosis can masquerade as diseases of the urinary system, so an early consultation with a specialist who knows how to diagnose osteochondrosis and other related diseases is necessary.

Treatment should begin as soon as the first symptoms appear.

Therefore, you should not delay visiting a specialist who will help determine osteochondrosis using MRI, CT, laboratory and other diagnostic methods.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine affects more and more of the world's population under 40 years of age. Sometimes, in people at a fairly young age, destructive and degenerative changes in tissue in the vertebral structure are detected. In order to make the most accurate diagnosis and develop an optimal treatment regimen for the patient’s body, a number of important diagnostic measures should be carried out.

One wonderful remedy helped me get rid of back pain...

Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out in several stages. When you first contact a specialist, you can only hear a preliminary diagnosis; it will not necessarily be accurate. Only after a series of manipulations will a vertebrologist be able to confidently state the presence of osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic, sacral region or another type of pathology.

Collection of information at the first stage

Initially, the local therapist, vertebrologist or any other specialist collects a complete medical history. First of all, you should find out the answers to the following questions:

1. What symptoms are troubling (pain, stiffness, paresthesia, numbness, dizziness, blood pressure problems, decreased performance)?
2. When did the symptoms first appear, what does the intensity of the pain depend on, and what medications are used to make the pain disappear?
3. In which area is the discomfort most pronounced?

Having received clear answers to the questions asked, the diagnostician will be able to determine the following key points:

• The time period in which the first clinical manifestations of the disease appeared;
  Circumstances that influenced the development of the destructive-degenerative process
• Nature of therapy undertaken at home
• Specifics of exacerbations, factors influencing the development of remissions

In addition, for diagnostic purposes, the doctor clarifies the following circumstances:

• Accommodations
• Place of work
• Does the patient engage in sports or heavy physical work in everyday life?
• Are there any cases of similar diseases in the family?
• Lifestyle
• Having bad habits
• Have there been any injuries to the spinal column?
• Food culture

Objective examination

Any words of the patient are subjected to careful analysis. All complaints, symptoms taken “from words”, reasoning regarding the state of health are subjective sources of information.

It is possible to talk about an accurate diagnosis only if there are objective data. The first significant data are obtained during physical examination and palpation.

The vertebrologist pays attention to the following features:

• What is the gait like at the moment?
• Is the patient constrained, how confident are his movements?
• What is the nature of the skin, especially in the area where the degenerative process is most active?
• A comparison is made between relatively healthy areas and areas where there are problems
• The diagnostician looks for areas where there are pronounced inflammatory processes, swelling, muscle spasms or nerve destruction

X-ray data

Using radiography, you can obtain extremely important data necessary to formulate the optimal treatment regimen. The study allows you to determine the exact height of the intervertebral elements, identify basic changes in the structure of the vertebrae, find possible bone formations, and also determine how much the openings between the bases of the vertebrae themselves have changed.

Also, with the help of x-rays, it is possible to diagnose pathological mobility, displacement of some vertebrae from the anatomical position, their pathological approach, the presence of bone and salt growths. Usually they are “examined” from several angles in order to fully examine all departments from the position most convenient in terms of diagnosis. Be sure to take photographs of a frontal projection (on the back) and a lateral view (on the side).

In exceptional cases, a standard radiograph is replaced with a functional one. The difference is that the person being examined must take certain positions during the diagnostic procedure, in which the diagnostician will be able to more accurately examine the anatomical features and identify the presence of possible pathological conditions.

Tomography

Magnetic resonance and computed tomography are often used in diagnosis. During a CT scan, it is possible to take fairly high-quality images of individual parts of the spine or the vertebrae themselves.

The segments are quite clearly visible. It is possible to adequately assess the condition of cartilage and bone tissue, the quality of the vascular network and nerve tissue, and detect problems in soft tissues and ligaments.

During computed tomography, it is possible to diagnose ruptures in fibrinous rings, the nature of the development of formations, the height of the disc elements, and much more. Typically, a CT scan is prescribed if the X-ray data turned out to be uninformative.

Magnetic resonance imaging uses electromagnetic pulses to accurately examine the human body. The technique allows you to most accurately determine the locations where the largest number of pathologically changed segments are, identify hernias, protrusions and compression of the nerve roots of any part.

Research obtained in the laboratory

During laboratory tests, you can obtain enough information to form the most complete and high-quality picture of degenerative-destructive pathology. First of all, you need to take a blood test and a number of biological materials.

Laboratory test indicators will reveal the general condition of the body, features of humoral regulation, key aspects regarding immunity, the presence of inflammatory reactions and much more. Specifically for diagnosis, determining the level of calcium in the body and SOE plays an important role.

Basics of differential diagnosis

Any disease requires differential diagnosis. Osteochondrosis affects not only the structure of the tissues that form the spinal column, but also has a significant impact on neighboring organs and even organ systems located remotely from the pathological focus. In general, diagnosticians try to exclude other pathologies associated with the digestive tract, nervous system, and cardiovascular complex.

It is necessary to exclude all those clinical manifestations that resemble osteochondrosis, but may “belong” to a completely different pathology developing in the human body. A vertebologist, therapist, neurologist and cardiologist alternately prescribe various types of tests to help eliminate possible malfunctions in the functioning of a particular organ.

The following diagnostic measures are considered standard:

• Cardiogram
• Ultrasound examination of internal organs. Particular attention is paid to those organs that are located in the affected area. For example, in the differential diagnosis of the thoracic region, it is important to study the condition of the stomach and heart; if there is a suspicion of destruction in the sacral region, the pelvic organs are examined
• Endoscopy of the digestive tract (if osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic segments of the spine is suspected)

Pathologies with which osteochondrosis is often confused

Osteochondrosis is a very common pathology. Usually, if there is a fairly clear picture of clinical manifestations, a diagnosis of destructive-degenerative changes in one or more parts of the spinal column is immediately made. But in some cases, a person is worried about a completely different disease.

Degenerative-destructive processes should be distinguished from the following diseases:

• Problems in the development of the spine in the absence of destructive processes in the intervertebral elements
• Oncological conglomerates in the structure
• Consequences of recent fractures, bruises and other injuries or old injuries to the vertebrae
• Diseases of internal organs, pain often radiates towards the spine (inflammatory processes in the kidneys, various stages of urolithiasis, gastritis in the acute stage, peptic ulcer, angina pectoris)
• Pathological disorders in the structure of the nerve tissue

After receiving the research results, as well as a full differential diagnosis, you can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

How to improve blood circulation with cervical osteochondrosis?

If you have been diagnosed osteochondrosis", don’t be alarmed. No one has ever died from this disease. Although, of course, when for no apparent reason your neck, shoulders and back start to hurt, your arms and legs go numb, tinnitus and dizziness appear - it’s not very pleasant. Today, When every second inhabitant of the Earth suffers from osteochondrosis, doctors seriously thought: “Maybe this is not a disease at all, but an adaptive reaction of the body?”

What is osteochondrosis?

Despite the fact that “chondros” means “cartilage” in Greek, osteochondrosis most often means not all damage to cartilage tissue, but only problems with the cartilage of the spine. With osteochondrosis, intervertebral discs - special cartilaginous structures that provide our spine with flexibility and mobility - become defective. This is where it all begins. When osteochondrosis progresses, irreversible changes occur in the vertebrae themselves.

Causes of osteochondrosis.

The main cause of osteochondrosis is improper distribution of the load on the spine, which leads to changes in cartilage tissue in places of excess pressure. Anything can provoke the disease: vertebrae “knocked out” as a result of injury, weakened back muscles, stooping and lateral S-shaped curvature of the spine, dragging heavy objects and simply holding an uncomfortable position for a long time. Osteochondrosis can develop not only in people with poor posture and engaged in mental work, but also in those who are well physically trained - for example, athletes and loaders.

In addition to purely mechanical reasons, metabolic disorders (for example, calcium and phosphorus), lack of microelements and vitamins (magnesium, manganese, zinc, vitamins D and F) also lead to the development of osteochondrosis. It is possible that hereditary predisposition plays a significant role in this.

What happens with osteochondrosis?

When lifting heavy objects, jumping, falling and similar impacts, the maximum load on the intervertebral discs decreases. As a result, these cartilage discs are constantly injured, and they cannot heal on their own. As is known, cartilage tissue, like nervous tissue, is practically not restored. Over time, damaged intervertebral discs lose their elastic properties, become flattened, and the distance between the vertebrae decreases. This means that the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord are pinched and pain occurs. At the same time, swelling appears in the area where the neurovascular bundle is clamped, which leads to even greater pinching and increased pain.

If the intervertebral disc has already begun to collapse, it ceases to absorb shock, becomes even more injured, and gradually the spine loses its flexibility. In 95% of cases the cause lumbosacral radiculitis is osteochondrosis of the intervertebral disc.

How to recognize osteochondrosis?

The main symptom of osteochondrosis is pain. Depending on where the damaged intervertebral discs are located, pain may occur in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, and even chest. Sometimes a person thinks that he has heart problems, but in fact, it is an aching nerve that is pinched as a result of osteochondrosis. Along with pain, a person often feels muscle tension and numbness. If the blood vessels supplying the brain are compressed, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, double vision, nausea and vomiting occur.

Diagnosis.

With such complaints you need to contact a neurologist or traumatologist. He will examine the spine and, if necessary, prescribe radiography, computer or magnetic resonance tomography He will check how things are going with the cerebral circulation.