What is chondrosis
Chondrosis always precedes degenerative disc disease. You could even say that these two diseases are closely interrelated: they are just different stages of development. When chondrosis, there is a change or intervertebral articular cartilage, wherein the fabric gradually become thinner, and the layers adjacent to the bones, become stronger and change its structure. Healthy tissues are replaced by fibrous, fibrous, they accumulate modified, the "wrong" products.
Chondrosis often occurs almost imperceptibly for the person, although in more severe cases may occur pain, the cause of which can be set by a comprehensive examination. Often to determine the presence of this disease is possible only with the help of x-rays. To diagnose without professional help and without conducting a special survey is very difficult. X-ray reveals symptoms of chondrosis as the reduction of the thickness of the intervertebral disk or multiple disks, their motion forward, backward or sideways, and the unusual, sloping shape of the vertebrae.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis develops on the basis of the chondrosis, if left unchecked the disease and not to take action. If in the second case the changes affect only the intervertebral disc, in the first they would pass on the ligaments and bone tissue. Accordingly, x-ray osteochondrosis, shows a quite different picture than when chondrosis.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease is more pronounced than the symptoms of chondrosis, so people often turn to the doctor when the disease reaches this stage. Asymptomatic in some cases, can take place only osteochondrosis of the thoracic, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Usually a sick person feels pain in the neck, back, forearm. In more severe cases the unpleasant sensations "cross over" to the heart and even felt in the fingers.
Gradually begins to disrupt the function of muscles, develops their atrophy. The sharp movements can occur in the vertebrae crunch and a sharp shooting pain. In the most severe cases osteohondroz leads to deterioration of the extremities, the hands become weak, the temperature drops, edema. Additional symptoms of osteoarthritis, which is absolutely not characteristic of chondrosis is ringing and noise in ears, nausea, vomiting, frequent headache in the morning, blinking and pain in the eyes, flaking of the skin, impaired sweating.
If chondrosis is sufficient to receive medications and physiotherapy, osteochondrosis usually require more complex treatment, which includes underwater stretching, hydrogen sulfide and radon baths, electrophoresis, impact of ultrasound.