Osteochondrosis 1 Degree: Lumbar, Thoracic, Cervical Spine

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 19:51

Osteochondrosis 1 degree

The content of the article:

1. Osteochondrosis of the first degree: features
2. The reasons
3. Clinical symptoms
4. Diagnostic methods

5. How to treat a disease

   1. Drug therapy
   2. Non-drug treatment
6. Video

Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree (stage, art.) Is the initial stage of degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spinal column. The defeat of the intervertebral discs, and, accordingly, the symptoms of the disease at this stage are not yet pronounced. During this period, the disease responds well to treatment; if all recommendations are followed, it is possible to slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue and avoid complications.

1 degree of osteochondrosis - the initial stage, if vigorous measures are taken during this period, the development of the disease can be stopped

Osteochondrosis of the first degree: features

Spinal osteochondrosis is a pathology that is manifested by the destruction of cartilaginous tissue (intervertebral discs). The intervertebral discs are located, respectively, between the vertebrae, providing mobility and flexibility of the spine. Each disc consists of 2 components - the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus.

Any part of the spine can be affected:

• cervical;
• chest;
• lumbar;
• sacral.

The disease is characterized by a gradual progression of changes - from initial dystrophic changes in the intervertebral disc to displacement of the nucleus pulposus, the formation of bone growths. In accordance with the existing changes, several stages of osteochondrosis are distinguished.

Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree of the lumbar spine is characterized by initial dystrophic changes in the nucleus pulposus and the posterior part of the annulus fibrosus. The annulus fibrosus protrudes towards the spinal canal, irritating the receptors of the posterior longitudinal ligament. This is how back pain and compensatory muscle tension in the affected area appear. The integrity of the annulus fibrosus is not compromised.

The reasons

There is no single reason that would lead to the development of the disease. Many factors have an impact. The most common are:

Provoking factor	Explanation
Excessive physical activity	Various static and dynamic loads contribute to the development of osteochondrosis. This is due to microtraumas of the intervertebral discs during physical overload.
Obesity	Overweight leads to overloading of the intervertebral joints and imbalance.
Improper nutrition	Lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet can lead to dystrophy of the intervertebral discs. Cartilage loses strength and elasticity.
Flat feet	The main function of the foot is to maintain body weight. With flat feet, this function is impaired, so the spine has to cope with the additional load.
Other factors	Other factors also have a negative effect on the condition of the discs: • sleeping on a soft mattress; · sedentary lifestyle; · Carrying heavy bags on the shoulder; · sedentary work.

Plays a role and hereditary predisposition. The development of the disease can be caused by the influence of both one factor, and their combination. Moreover, the more factors are affected, the higher the likelihood of the development of a pathological process. In addition, the older a person is, the higher the likelihood of developing an illness.

Clinical symptoms

Often the only symptom that worries the patient is back pain. Painful sensations arise reflexively due to irritation of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Pain in the initial stage of the disease has the following characteristics:

• occurs after physical exertion, with a long stay in an uncomfortable position;
• passes after rest;
• not intense;
• is periodic, not permanent;
• localized in the area of the affected disc.

The localization of pain depends on which part of the spine is affected. The neck, lower back, less often - the thoracic region can hurt.

Diagnostic methods

Clinical symptoms alone are not enough to make a diagnosis, since back pain is a nonspecific symptom. A physical examination and additional tests are required. On a physical examination, the doctor reveals:

• localization of pain (along the spinous processes of the vertebrae);
• tension of the muscles located next to the spine;
• lack of neurological disorders.

Additional studies are used to clarify the diagnosis. Survey X-ray of the spine, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are performed.

There are no changes on the plain radiograph at the initial stage of the disease. The study is carried out for differential diagnosis with other diseases of the spine. Using MRI, you can identify the localization of the lesion, the degree of disc degeneration.

How to treat a disease

At an early stage of the disease, conservative methods of treatment are used; the operation is not indicated. Conservative therapy has 2 directions - medication and non-medication.

Drug therapy

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis includes the use of several groups of drugs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, chondroprotectors.

The use of chondroprotectors refers to pathogenetic treatment, that is, drugs from this group directly affect the mechanism of the development of the disease. But the use of NSAIDs and muscle relaxants refers to symptomatic treatment, that is, they only eliminate the symptoms.

Group of drugs	Mechanism of action, indications	List of drugs
NSAIDs	Reduces pain and inflammation. Shown in the presence of pain.	Ibuprofen · Ketoprofen; · Indomethacin; Diclofenac; · Nimesulide; · Meloxicam.
Muscle relaxants	Relaxes tense muscles. The use of muscle relaxants is recommended to be combined with physical activity and massage. Shown in the presence of muscle tension.	· Mydocalm; · Sirdalud; · Baclofen.
Chondroprotectors	Protect cartilage tissue from destruction. They work especially well in the early stages of the disease. Shown in all cases.	· Mukosat; · Sinart; Don; · Glucosate.

Non-drug treatment

An important role in the treatment of osteochondrosis is played by non-drug methods - physiotherapy exercises, massage, manual therapy, physiotherapy, spinal traction.

Treatment method	Description
Physiotherapy (exercise therapy)	Exercise therapy is one of the main methods of treating osteochondrosis. It consists in creating dosed loads aimed at strengthening the muscle corset. An important condition for the effectiveness of exercise therapy is regularity.
Massage	Massage normalizes tissue trophism by improving blood circulation and metabolism. Mechanical action on muscles can also relieve muscle tension and relieve pain.
Manual therapy	Manual therapy is aimed at eliminating muscle block, which occurs as a result of prolonged static or dynamic stress.
Physiotherapy	Physiotherapy methods are aimed at eliminating pain, relaxing tense muscles and improving microcirculation in the affected area. For this can be used: · Currents of low frequency; · Ultrasound; · Laser.
Spine traction	Spinal traction aims to increase the intervertebral space and prevent further disc destruction.

Video

We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.

Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author

Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".

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