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The use of chondroprotectors, hernia of the spine

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Diseases of the spine and joints "younger" from year to year, and now the doctors treat not only the elderly, but patients of 30-40 years.

Herniated discs, osteochondrosis and joint disease arise not only because of the high loads and injuries of musculoskeletal system. The reason for these diseases may be insufficient blood supply to cartilage, which is common in people leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Treatment of intervertebral hernias were previously carried out only with the use of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Now there are other drugs conservative treatment belonging to the group of chondroprotectors, which not only reduce inflammation, but promote regeneration of cartilage tissue, the volume and viscosity of the synovial fluid, it does not have strong side effects.


The structure of the intervertebral discs

Spinal discs perform an important function in the body – provide the structural strength of the spine, absorb it walking and loads, preventing damage to the spinal cord.

  • The intervertebral disc consists of a gelatinous or nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and two cartilaginous plates.
  • Purposee kernel has a jelly-like structure and is necessary for depreciation of the spine.
  • The fibrous ring consists of many concentric lamellae, and with the help of the ligaments fixed to the vertebral body. Fibrous ring prevents the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus, therefore, the formation of a hernia is always associated with its gap.
  • Cartilage plate associated with a vertebral body, a fibrous ring and the gelatinous core. When you start the process of devascularisation and decreases the blood supply of the intervertebral discs due to the blood vessels, further nutrition of the intervertebral discs provide the cartilage plate.

Heightintervertebral discs in different parts of the spine varies: so, they are much thicker and fit more tightly to the vertebrae in the cervical and lumbar to provide maximum mobility.

Herniated disc in the cervical and lumbar is very dangerous because the progression of the disease can lead to circulatory disorders of the brain or loss of function of the intestine and urogenital system.


How is the hernia?

A healthy intervertebral disc has a very elastic fibrous ring, the risk of rupture which is minimal. However, age-related changes of the body excessive exercise and a sedentary lifestyle can trigger degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs and the development of the disease becomes quite natural.

Physiological changes in the intervertebral discs lead to a decrease in their elasticity. Fibrous ring loses the ability to retain water, which threatens the dehydration and cracks. In gelatinous kernel increases the number of collagen, and the number of mukoproteidov, on the contrary, decreases. In this condition the intervertebral disc is very vulnerable, there is a risk of rupture of the fibrous ring, which most often occurs in the posterior part, where it is least closely associated with the vertebra. Under pressure the nucleus pulposus ring first stretched (protrusion), and then breaks. Formed prolapse or herniation of the intervertebral disc.

Devascularization of the intervertebral discs occurs gradually, further power occurs through the cartilaginous plates by diffusion and osmosis. Therefore there is a need for additional power vertebrae, maintaining good circulation.

Most of these changes due to age, but they can provoke metabolic disorders, sedentary lifestyle, hereditary factors.

So, with age decreases the blood supply of the intervertebral discs due to the blood vessels – a process called devascularization. Food and a constant flow of blood is very important for the health of the intervertebral discs. Circulatory disorders – the reason that the hernia arises not only from the miners and of weightlifters whose spine is experiencing a huge load, but also among office workers, leading a sedentary lifestyle.

With increasing loads on the spine, the incorrect distribution between the departments of degenerative processes in the intervertebral disks increase, which in the end leads to protrusion of the nucleus pulposus beyond the annulus. Early on, the hernia may not be apparent – pain is absent if the kernel is not pinching the nerve.

Symptoms of herniated discs include:

  • Pain at the site of localization of the hernia – if it is in the region of the lumbar spine, the pain may be in the legs and cause numbness. In addition, a herniated lumbar manifests itself a number of violations of bowel function, pelvic, genital and urinary system.
  • Fatigue and weakness even after slight physical activity, like walking or climbing stairs.
  • Partial paralysis or paresis in a specific area of the body is observed in children with hypertonicity or hypotonia of the muscles.
  • Sharp pain when trying to bend, to pull the neck or turning the head syndrome tension.

  • Vertebral artery syndrome – develops when the hernia in the cervical spine and manifests itself periodic dizziness, headaches, impairment of vision and hearing. In the absence of timely treatment, the disease can cause irreversible damage to the Central nervous system.

  • Radicular syndrome – pain in the area of the affected nerve, weakness and atrophy of muscles in the zone of its action, the violation of tendon reflexes.

The hernial SAC in the protrusion can compress the nerve roots, blood vessels and spinal cord, which manifests with symptoms such as pain and numbness. In the absence of these symptoms hernia often remains undiagnosed.

In 10% of cases of hernia patients need surgery. Because of possible complications it is prescribed only for severe pain, numbness of limbs, loss of control over urinary system, which leads to spontaneous urination. If the pinching of the hernia has no distinct symptoms, the doctor prescribes drugs of conservative treatment, including chondroprotectors. All kinds of operations to remove herniated discs – indications and consequences


Chondroprotectors: what is the mechanism of action?

The main active ingredients of chondroprotectors – chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are structural components of cartilage, without them is impossible the regeneration of damaged vertebrae and joints. At an elevated concentration in the blood starts regenerative processes in the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, lost pain and swelling aroundthe damaged area of the spine.

This group of drugs is often characterized as a slow symptomatic agents. With prolonged use of chondroprotectors reduce inflammation and pain, improving the condition of cartilage.

Chondroitin sulfate acts on the chondrocytes and stimulates the synthesis of structural components of cartilage including collagen, proteoglycan, hyaluronic acid, glycosaminoglycan. Able to influence the cellular inflammatory factor, reducing its intensity, slows down and stops the destruction of cartilage. Activates the synthesis of synovial fluid.

Glucosamine exhibits antioxidant activity, protecting tissues from free radicals, stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid and its own chondroitin, heparin, and glycoprotein. Improves the quality of synovial fluid while restoring joint mobility. Reduces the activity of lysosomal enzymes and the amount of free radicals.

List of medications-chondroprotectors

The active ingredient of the majority of chondroprotectors – chondroitin sulfate, which is extracted from the cartilaginous tissues of animals.

Experts lead the discussion on the topic, what substance in the composition of the cartilage more efficiently – chondroitin sulfate or glucosamine. In the treatment of osteoarthritis and a herniated disc are used monopreparations of one or another substance, so that the final decision remains for the attending physician. Chondroitin has anti-inflammatory action when used externally in form of ointment is able to relieve swelling and reduce pain.

Glucosamine stops the process of destruction of joint tissue, promotes the development of its own chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid.

A modern classification of drugs depending on the composition:

  • Monopreparations sulfate: Chonsurid, Structum, Chondrolon, Mucosal, symptoms, Hundred;
  • Monotherapies of glucosamine: don, Albona, Glucosamine sulfate, Farmaskin THC, Aminoacid;
  • Combination medications: teraflex, Andronova, Chondrosamine, of Artra.

Topic: Modern BAD recovery of the joints


The indications for the use of chondroprotectors

Chondroprotectors assign together the basic therapy of osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine, combined with moderatephysical activity in the form of warm-up exercises of the affected departments, as well as vitamin therapy under the supervision of a physician.

Chondroprotectors take to reduce pain and inflammation, this group of drugs effectively restore the joints in the early stages of osteoarthritis, promote cartilage regeneration and increased synthesis of its structural components.

The course of treatment is six months, and the first qualitative changes will be visible only after 2-3 months. Stable improvement occurs after 6 months of treatment. It is therefore recommended that their use for 6-12 months.

Preparations assign inwards in the form of powder or tablets, in the form of ointments for application in the area of localization of inflammation, as well as intramuscular and intra-articular injection.


Proven the effectiveness of chondroprotectors?

Because of the development of the hernia is, first and foremost, an inadequate supply of the intervertebral discs with nutrients and oxygen that come from the blood, treatment with chondroprotectors can't be the only measure of treatment. The drugs enter the blood, and with blood must reach the affected area and act on it, but if the blood supply is disrupted, the result of such treatment will be zero. It is therefore important to perform the exercises of physiotherapy, so that the blood flows to the muscles and tissues in the region of the hernia, and with it came and cartilage.

Intervertebral hernia is a final result of disease of the intervertebral discs. So chondroprotectors are not prescribed for the treatment of hernia and repair damaged tissues and prevent degenerative processes in the future.

Clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of chondroprotectors as drugs for conservative treatment of intervertebral hernia. Course duration is a minimum of six months and more, while the hernia is reduced by 1 mm every 6 months. Chondroprotectors help prevent hernias in other parts of the spine and are an excellent prevention of degenerative disc disease.

On topic: the best Complex of exercises for lumbar hernia of the spine


Feedback about the use of chondroprotectors

"I went to the doctor with complaints of pain in the back and legs, was discovered a hernia. In addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, the doctor recommended that chondroprotectors. After a couple of monthsapplication the pain began to appear less often, the hernia has not disappeared. The doctor said that conservative treatment is ineffective in my case, and chondroprotectors just reduced pain symptoms"

"Took place in the clinic treatment of hernia treatment. The doctor prescribed symptoms in combination with iontophoresis, plus physiotherapy. The pain disappeared in the second month after the procedure, but not completely, sometimes pains appear. The hernia is gone, but the new entrapment is not found."

"Took teraflex on capsule daily for joint pain and lower back pain. Back trouble stopped by the end of the first week, but my knees from time to time get sick, though not as much as before. Doctors hernias and prolapses not found"

"In my time have tried many popular chondroprotectors to relieve pain from a herniated lumbar. Took don in capsules, symptoms put in an ointment topically is ineffective. Helped only in combination with phonophoresis, pain is gone, the hernia is slightly decreased, but not disappeared completely."