To date, the disease has become very "young" and people aged 25 and over are increasingly exposed to it, although more recently the age of 30 to 35 has been considered risky. Pathologies of the cervical part are more common, so you need to be able to quickly recognize the symptoms of the disease to start treatment.
So what is called osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? This term characterizes the degenerative-dystophilic process in the intervertebral disc, which acts as a kind of shock absorber between the segments of the spinal column. This situation leads to changes in its structure and anatomy, segments and articular elements of the cervical spine. Osteochondrosis of the neck is characterized by acute pain symptoms that require prompt treatment.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Where does cervical osteochondrosis come from? A little below we list the factors, whose chronic or acute action leads to an increase in stress in the neck. As a result, the body compensates for the increased loads with the work of the muscles, however, due to constant tension, spasms with impaired blood circulation occur. Together, these factors lead to degenerative changes in the spine, changes in its structure, problems with blood nutrition and metabolism. There follows the turn of changes in the intervertebral joints, there is an overgrowth of the bone tissue of the segments of the spine.
We list the factors contributing to the development of the disease:
- Scoliosis and poor posture.
- Excess weight.
- Stay in wrong and unnatural positions for a long time.
- Regular overload of the back and cervical spine, for example, due to the peculiarities of the work.
- Low mobility, sedentary physical inactivity.
- Injuries to the spine in the past.
- Metabolic problems.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Overworked stress, prolonged susceptibility to depression.
- The inheritance factor.
- Abnormal development of the vertebrae.
Degrees of cervical osteochondrosis
It is necessary to be able to distinguish between the concepts of "stage" and "grade", which characterize osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. We will consider the stages a little later, now we will talk about the grades that depend on the general clinical condition and the patient's complaints, have different symptoms and require, accordingly, different treatment.
- First degree - 1. . . Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by minor manifestations of the disease, the main symptoms are pain in the neck region, which does not appear often, intensifying if you turn your head. They can be accompanied by slightly tense muscles.
- Second degree - 2. . . The severity of the pain and symptoms are much stronger and are able to give to the shoulder area. This is due to the fact that the intervertebral disc became lower in height, which led to pinching of the nerves. The pain syndrome tends to increase with movement, a feeling of weakness and headache lead to reduced performance.
- Third degree - 3. . . This development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by the formation of hernias in the intervertebral space. The differences from the previous degrees are in the symptoms, which are even more pronounced and painful: it gives more intensely to the shoulder and arm, a feeling of numbness and weakness is possible in them. The disease is accompanied by the same headache, weakness, limited neck mobility, and a distinct pain syndrome is detected during palpation.
- Fourth degree - 4. . . This degree is characterized by the complete destruction of the tissues of the intervertebral disc. Problems with the blood supply to the brain are likely, in particular, through the vertebral artery, which carries blood to the cerebellum and back of the head. Against this background, there are coordination difficulties, dizziness, ringing in the ears.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis has some differences from osteochondrosis in other areas. They arise due to the closer arrangement of the segments relative to each other, the more complex structure of the first two segments: atlas and axis. In addition, there are fewer shock absorbers between the elements of the spine, and as a result, they wear out and break faster. In addition, it is cervical osteochondrosis that often leads to compression of the nerves of the spinal cord.
Cervical osteochondrosis - the most common symptoms:
- Painful sensations. . . They are characterized by a different localization: in the back of the head, shoulders and cervical regions. The occurrence of pain in the shoulder joint indicates pressure on the nerve responsible for transmitting pain impulses in this location. Occipital pain reflects the presence of a spasm of the neck muscles due to difficulties with blood flow to this area. Perhaps a feeling of pain in the vertebra, the presence of a creak.
- Weakness in the hand. . . It occurs due to damage to the nerve responsible for the motor activity of the upper limbs.
- Poor hand sensitivity. . . The nerve that innervates the skin of the arm is damaged.
- Limited movement, creak. . . It is a consequence of the low height of the intervertebral disc, bone growth in the segments of the spine, the presence of small affected structures.
- Problems with coordination, feeling of weakness and dizziness. . . Due to the progress of the pathology, fibrous tissue is formed. It partially leads to constriction of the vertebral artery, which has its own channel in the elements of the spinal column. This reduces the lumen of the vessel, creating a deficit of blood in the occiput and cerebellum.
- Hearing, sight, speech problems. . . They are a further development of the constriction of the vessel that feeds the cerebellar and occipital area.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is made in the presence of a person's characteristic symptoms and complaints. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is diagnosed by various methods, mainly aimed at visualizing the state of the damaged part. Most often used:
- X-ray. It is not very informative, it only shows the presence of deviations, it is mainly suitable for early diagnosis.
- Computed tomography. Compared with radiography, the visualization of the pathologies of the segments of the cervical spine is improved, but it does not accurately determine the presence of a hernia, of what size. Also, this procedure cannot cause the canal to "constrict" with the spinal cord.
- Magnetic resonance. Such a diagnosis is the most modern, is characterized by a greater information content, allows you to assess in detail the defects of the bone structure, the state of the intervertebral discs, the existence of hernias, their size and direction of growth.
- If a deterioration of the current in the vertebral arteries is suspected, additional diagnostics is performed using the ultrasound duplex scan procedure. Such a study accurately determines the presence of obstacles that reduce the speed of blood flow.
Based on the data obtained during the diagnosis, we can talk about various stages:
- Phase 1, characterized by minor violations of the anatomy of the vertebrae.
- Phase 2. . . Probably non-observance of the position of the vertebrae relative to each other, displacement, rotation relative to the axis of the spine, the intervertebral disc may have a slightly reduced height.
- Phase 3. . . The disc is reduced in height by a quarter, the joints are changed, there are growths of bone tissue, stiffness of the intervertebral foramen and the spinal canal.
- Phase 4. . . It is even more aggravated than the previous one. The disc is significantly reduced in height, there are deep joint pathologies and extensive bone growths behind, the spinal canal and passages under the spinal cord are strongly compressed.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main methods of such treatment are: drug therapy, physiotherapy, use of massage of the affected area, therapeutic gymnastics. Let's take a closer look at some of the methods.
Pharmacological treatment
The prescription of any drug should only be handled by a competent specialist.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their action is the effective removal of pain syndrome, inflammatory and edematous process of blocked nerve endings.
- Vitamin B is used to improve metabolic processes in the vertebrae and nerves.
- Medicines that increase blood flow. Used to nourish altered nerve endings and improve blood flow to the brain.
- Chondroprotectors used to restore cartilage and intervertebral disc tissue.
- Muscle relaxants, anti-spasms.
Physiotherapy
- Electrophoresis. . . Delivery of drug ions to the desired part of the pathology using the action of an electric field. Before the procedure, anesthesia with novocaine is performed, and aminophylline is also used, which improves blood flow.
- With ultrasound. . . Relieves inflammation, pain, promotes metabolism at the application site.
- Magnetotherapy. . . Has an analgesic effect, relieves swelling.
- Laser therapy. . . The treatment is carried out by exposure to light waves of a special frequency. Well relieves inflammation and promotes blood circulation.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is allowed only in the absence of exacerbations of the disease. The techniques will be effective in the absence of pain and discomfort when performing, they are also very effective as a means of prevention. Here are some basic exercises:
- Lie on your stomach and rest your folded arms on the floor. Do head and torso lifts for 60-90 seconds, keeping your back straight, then smoothly return to your original position. Do 2-3 repetitions.
- Lie on your stomach with your arms extended down along your torso. Turn your head left, right, in turn, trying to reach the floor with your ear. Do 5-7 reps on each side.
- In a sitting position, inhaling, bend forward, trying to reach the chest with the head. Then, on the exhale, on the contrary, lean back, throwing your head back. Do 12 repetitions.
- In a sitting position, place your palms on your forehead. Apply mutual pressure from the forehead to the palm and vice versa. Continue up to half a minute, repeating 3 times.
- Orderly and unhurried rotation of the heads at the sides, 5-7 rotations each. If you feel lightheaded, reduce the number of repetitions or slow down your speed.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: question - answer
Does it happen that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine needs to be treated with surgery?
It happens, but in those rare cases when conservative treatment does not give effect six months after its inception. In such situations, chronic pain and tension of the nerve endings are usually present.
How long can you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs?
Most of these drugs affect the condition of the gastric mucosa, so their frequent and regular use is not recommended. The exact duration of taking medications is determined by the attending physician, who has information on the stage of osteochondrosis in the patient and the possible presence of concomitant pathologies.
Are chondroprotective drugs effective in restoring damaged intervertebral disc tissue?
Confirmation of the effect of taking such drugs has not been proven, so doctors rarely recommend them.
What to do at home when there are no exacerbations to avoid exacerbations in the future?
For preventive purposes, the best will be to use physiotherapy exercises, massage of the cervical area, refusal of significant physical activity.