Osteochondrosis polysegmentary: treatment. LFK in polisegmentary osteochondrosis and coxarthrosis

Osteochondrosis polysegmentary is a fairly common and dangerous disease. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that pathological processes appear immediately in several segments of the spine, sometimes even in different parts of the spine. In the absence of therapy, the ailment can lead to complications, and therefore it is extremely important to diagnose it in time and start treatment.

So, what symptoms are accompanied by polysegmental osteochondrosis and why does it develop? What methods of treatment can the doctor suggest? Than this disease is dangerous? The answers to these questions will be useful to many.

What is the essence of the problem?

The human backbone consists of cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral parts. Each of them, in turn, includes a certain number of vertebrae, which alternate with the intervertebral discs - connective tissue, elastic structures, which are some kind of shock absorbers. With age (or in the presence of other causes) the structure of the cartilaginous tissue changes, becomes thinner. So begins osteochondrosis.

The disease is very dangerous, because the pathological process in the intervertebral discs leads to subsidence of the vertebrae, which begin to clamp blood vessels and nerve roots. Osteochondrosis polysegmentary is a disease in which this process affects several vertebrae at once, often even in different parts of the spine.

The main causes of the disease

Polysegmentary osteochondrosis of the spine can develop under the influence of various factors. Here is a list of the most common possible causes:

• Of great importance in this case is the age, because in the aging process the structure of the cartilaginous tissue changes, which can lead to its subsequent dystrophy.
• Risk factors include congenital anomalies in the development of spine elements.
• Constant uneven loads on the spine can also contribute to the development of osteochondrosis (the risk group includes workers who, in connection with the characteristics of occupations, are forced to spend a long time in a sitting or standing position). This also includes permanent weight lifting.
• To contribute to the development of the disease may also be previous injuries of the spinal column.
• Various disorders of posture, including scoliosis, also belong to risk factors.
• A constant stay in an uncomfortable position can also lead to the appearance of a pathological process.
• Speaking about osteochondrosis, we can not fail to mention the weakness of the muscular corset. If the muscles of the back are weakened, then the spine has to cope with a large number of loads.
• It is worth mentioning about nutrition, because for the normal development and functioning of the bone apparatus the body needs to receive such substances as vitamin D, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Deficiency of minerals and beriberi can lead to disruption of the normal structure of connective tissues.

By the way, most often osteochondrosis polysegmentary develops under the influence of several risk factors.

Types and forms of the disease

Symptoms and features of the disease largely depend on its form, namely the location of the pathological process:

• Polysegmentary osteochondrosis of the cervical region is often accompanied by rather characteristic symptoms. Patients complain of persistent headaches, weakness and dizziness. Approximately the same clinical picture develops with lesions of the thoracic segments of the spine. Depending on which nerve roots have been affected, the patient may experience pain in the region of the heart.
• Polysegmentary osteochondrosis of the lumbar region often causes disorders in the functioning of the abdominal organs. Some patients complain of pain in the small pelvis, which can give in the thigh, buttocks, shins. Sometimes there is a development of intermittent claudication. The same clinical picture is observed in the defeat of the sacral department.

It is worth noting that the diagnosis process is difficult in the event that the pathological process spans segments of the spine in different departments. Symptomatic in this case becomes mixed.

What symptoms are accompanied by osteochondrosis?

What signs should I pay attention to? Osteochondrosis polysegmentary has a rather characteristic clinical picture, which, however, depends on the degree of lesion, as well as the location of the pathological process. The fact is that as a result of changes in the intervertebral discs, compression of the roots of the spinal nerves is observed. Each of them has its important functions, because it provides sensitivity, transmission of nerve impulses and the work of certain organs of the thoracic, abdominal cavity. Thus, osteochondrosis polysegmentary affects the condition of not only the bone apparatus, it is dangerous for other systems of organs.

As for the symptoms, the earliest manifestations are:

• Back pain, which can spread along the nerve endings;
• A change in skin sensitivity, a feeling of numbness (for example, in the tips of the fingers and toes);
• Sensation of tingling, burning, chills;
• Various violations in the work of internal organs, depending on which of the nerve endings were compressed;
• Stiffness in movement, reduction of muscle strength.

What diagnostic methods are used?

If you notice any symptoms or worsening of your health, you should contact a specialist. Quite often the process of diagnosis can be fraught with some difficulties. For example, if the nerves of the thoracic area are infringed, the patient can be sure of having heart problems. But if the pathological process occurs in the sacral part of the spine, occasionally the sickness arises in the groin, as a result of which they first turn to the urologist.

Patients with suspected osteochondrosis (polysegmentary including) are required to undergo an examination with a neurologist-vertebrologist. Here they are assigned some diagnostic procedures, including X-ray and ultrasound, tomography, etc. In addition, it is important to conduct a biochemical blood test in order to check the patient for a deficiency of minerals and vitamins.

Polysegmentary osteochondrosis: treatment with drugs

After the diagnosis the doctor will make a suitable treatment regimen. Quite often, therapy involves taking various medications:

• In some cases, patients are prescribed a reception of vasodilators that help to relieve spasm from the arteries and small vessels, normalize blood circulation and nutrition of tissues. Such drugs are most often needed for cervical osteochondrosis (Papaverin, Eufillin).
• Since the ailment is often accompanied by soreness, the doctor can recommend an effective analgesic that helps to relieve discomfort ("Ketanov", "Dicloran").
• The course of therapy sometimes includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help not only slow the development of the inflammatory process, but also eliminate soreness and relieve fever ("Diclofenac", "Ibuprofen").
• If osteochondrosis is associated with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, patients are prescribed multivitamin complexes (Vitrum).
• An important part of the treatment is the use of chondroprotectors, which stimulate metabolic processes in connective tissues and promote regeneration processes (Teraflex, Rumalon, Arthra).
• Sometimes the constant soreness and discomfort is reflected in the emotional state of the patient. In the most severe cases, patients are prescribed psychotropic and sedative medications (Novo-Passit).

Other therapeutic methods

Drugs are just part of the treatment. In addition, other therapeutic measures are needed. For example, such methods as phonophoresis and UHF are considered quite effective. These procedures help to quickly eliminate the inflammatory process.

After the exacerbation was removed, doctors recommend some supporting procedures. For example, a good result can provide exercise therapy for polysegmental osteochondrosis and coxarthrosis. Naturally, physical exercises and the degree of exercise are determined individually by a physiotherapist. In addition, a therapeutic massage will be useful. The purpose of these activities is to remove muscle spasm and gradually strengthen them, thereby relieving the load from the spine.

Osteochondrosis polysegmentary: how dangerous can the disease be?

Undoubtedly, this ailment can be extremely dangerous. In the absence of treatment, development of unpleasant and dangerous complications is possible. In particular, the probability of a transition to spondylosis, which is accompanied by progressive degeneration of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, is not excluded. Such a disease leads to the appearance of regular pain attacks, a decrease in overall activity, a restriction of mobility, and sometimes to disability. In addition, the possibility of squeezing vessels and nerve endings is possible, which is fraught with a violation of the work of different organ systems.