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Cervical osteochondrosis: treatment and symptoms

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by pain

Neck pain is a warning sign.Maybe it's just too much effort and you should just relax and unwind.But what if the pain is associated with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?It is important to pay close attention to the symptoms and treatment, as complications can affect the most important organ - the brain.

What is cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative disease of the osteochondral system of the body.It leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of bone tissue of the vertebrae and the formation of growths on their surfaces.

The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae, the first of which articulates with the skull.The anatomical and functional unit of the spinal column is the spinal motor segment.This is a joint complex thanks to which the spine moves.The complex consists of two vertebrae, an intervertebral disc, the articular surfaces of the vertebrae (facets), nerves, ligaments and muscles.

Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to disruption of the biomechanics of the spine as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, hernias of the intervertebral discs and compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels can form.

Pathological processes in the intervertebral disc go through four stages: malnutrition, weakening of the ligaments, damage to the disc and compression of the nerves.

  • Phase 1

    The nutritional and metabolic conditions of the intervertebral disc are disrupted.Due to their structure the discs are powered only during movement.If it is not there, degenerative changes in the tissue begin: the disc starves and dehydrates.Water loss leads to the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot perform shock-absorbing functions.The load on the fibrous ring increases, cracks and tears appear in it.At this point a slight pain may appear.

  • Phase 2

    In the second stage, the ligamentous apparatus of the motor segment of the spine is weakened.The connection becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process in the disc worsens, hernia (prolapse) begins - leakage of the nucleus pulposus through the cracks of the fibrous ring.The pain becomes periodic.

  • Phase 3

    Subsequently, the intervertebral disc is permanently damaged.The nucleus pulposus of the disc extends beyond the annulus fibrosus.The resulting hernia can affect the nerve roots.An inflammatory process develops.This is manifested by an exacerbation of pain, the so-called radicular syndrome.

  • Phase 4

    In the fourth stage, the lesion affects nearby tissues.Compression of the radicular artery is possible, leading to insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, a section of the spine may remain completely immobilized.

First signs and main symptoms

At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, discomfort, limitation of movement and pain in the neck area appear.Often this is not given importance.

Over time, the pain intensifies, becomes aching, burning, headache, neck, shoulder blades, shoulders ache - perhaps this is developing vertebral artery syndrome.The artery becomes pinched or spasms, and blood flow is interrupted.

In stages 1-2 of cervical osteochondrosis, ophthalmological problems associated with spasm in the vessels often arise.Darkening of the eyes, flickering, the appearance of "floaters", colored spots before the eyes - all these are symptoms of osteochondrosis.

The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Headaches, dizziness, nausea and cough;
  • Hearing impairment, ear pain, facial pain;
  • Motor disorders of the arms and legs.Skin sensitivity on the head may disappear;
  • Hand pain.If a nerve root is pinched, the entire area to which it sends impulses may become injured or “fall off.”

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, three main pain syndromes can be distinguished:accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.A syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms.Determining the main pain syndrome is important, since the entire treatment regimen is based on eliminating pain.But it is impossible to eliminate it without knowing its origin.

  1. Myofascial syndrome- pain in the skeletal muscles and adjacent fascia.The disorder is associated with overload, which causes spasm, hypertonicity and painful knots within the muscle (trigger points).
  2. Radicular syndrome- pain caused by prolonged compression of the spinal nerve roots.The process of hernia formation in spinal osteochondrosis leads to crushing of nerve fibers and the resulting inflammatory reaction.The pain spreads along the nerve.
  3. Facet syndrome- pain in the vertebral joints.The vertebrae of the second cervical have articular processes connected to each other via articular facets.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases, and this leads to the fact that the joint capsules of the facet joints are in constant tension.It causes pain.Furthermore, the pain increases towards the end of the day, especially with prolonged forced postures.

Causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine

One of the main causes of osteochondrosis is the evolutionary inadaptability of the spine to high vertical loads.Human ancestors walked on four legs, like other mammals.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis, since in the horizontal position of the body the intradiscal pressure is two times lower than in the vertical position.By the standards of evolution, the transition to an upright posture occurred not so long ago, and the spine simply did not have time to adapt to the high vertical load.So, along with upright walking, a person also acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The structure of the human neck makes it even more vulnerable.The human cervical region is composed of seven small mobile vertebrae, which articulate with each other like an infantile pyramid.This structure can hardly be defined as stable outside the resting state.Furthermore, the muscle structure in this area is weak and the loads can be high - all this makes the neck vulnerable.Any injury is fraught with consequences.Even if the damage occurred in another part of the spine, load redistribution can be the cause of osteochondrosis.

Another factor is aging.The formation of the skeleton and cartilaginous tissue is completed by the age of 21, after which the irreversible process of aging (degeneration) begins.Nutrition of the cartilaginous tissue is carried out only by diffusion, and if the intervertebral disc does not receive enough nutrients, it begins to gradually deteriorate.

In addition, the development of cervical osteochondrosis is promoted by:

  1. Autoimmune diseases.They involve the body's cells in the pathological process of destruction of cartilage tissue.
  2. Infections, hormonal imbalance, slow metabolism - all these circulatory disorders can also act as factors in the development of osteochondrosis.
  3. A sedentary lifestyle, working conditions in which a person spends most of his time in a forced static position.
  4. High loads resulting in injuries can lead to compression.
  5. Genetic defects associated with weakness of the musculoskeletal system and inferiority of cartilaginous tissue.

The spinal canal in the cervical spine is very narrow, so high loads, any ailment or injury can lead to compression of the spinal cord.And this is very dangerous.

In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass through this area.If blood stops flowing to the brain in adequate amounts, a stroke can occur.

Diagnostics

During the initial diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor collects the patient's medical history.Find out what hurts and how, with what intensity, during physical activity or at rest, at what time of day it hurts most, if there have been injuries to the cervical spine.

During the examination of the neck, the doctor feels the vertebrae and cervical muscles, lymph nodes;evaluates the range of motion, excludes or confirms radicular syndrome.

Subsequently, to exclude autoimmune diseases, laboratory tests are prescribed: general blood count, ESR, rheumatoid factor, HLA B27 antigen.

The main role in the diagnosis is played by radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

  • X-rayhelps evaluate the condition of bone structures;soft tissue and cartilage are not shown in the images.To visualize these structures, a contrast medium is injected: angiography, discography, myelography.
  • Computed tomography (CT).This method also uses the principle of radiography, but with the help of computerized processing it is possible to obtain a series of images of longitudinal and transverse sections in which the bone and cartilaginous tissue can be seen.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).It is the “gold standard” in the diagnosis of pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissue.MRI provides information not only on the structure of organs and tissues, but also on their functioning.In the case of osteochondrosis, a frequent complication is hernia of the spine.MRI allows you to diagnose the process of hernia formation in the early stages.

Treatment

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is reduced to conservative methods.First, the pain syndrome is relieved, and then various procedures are prescribed.But in the most extreme cases, when the pain doesn't go away for more than three months and medications don't help, the only option is surgery.

Non-surgical treatment methods

Osteochondrosis affects the osteochondrosis system for many years, so treatment will take time.You have to be patient.Objectives of conservative treatment:

  1. Eliminate the pain.
  2. Relieves inflammation.
  3. Restores the functions of the spinal roots.
  4. Strengthen the muscle corset and ligaments.

Conservative treatment includes drug therapy and physical therapy.Medication helps relieve pain during a flare-up, and physical therapy helps start the body's self-healing processes.

During severe pain with radicular syndrome, so-called "blockades" are performed: the drug is administered near the root of the inflamed spinal nerve.

Physiotherapy treatment is based on natural and artificially recreated physical factors: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser and others.To recreate them, special devices, devices and manual techniques are used.

  • Laser therapy— biological activation of the regeneration processes of the intervertebral discs.The body begins to heal itself.
  • Plasma therapy (PRP therapy)- injections of plasma isolated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors and hormones.After injections, local immunity increases and regeneration processes are started.
  • Acupuncture- stimulation of nerve endings with special needles.Improves metabolism in the affected areas, relieves pain.
  • Shock wave therapy- exposure to high frequency waves.It allows you to start natural recovery processes.
  • Kinesitherapy- movement therapy.It can be active (physiotherapy) and passive (massage, tractions).Physical therapy strengthens the back muscles, traction relieves tension and pain.Selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
  • Manual therapy and massage- impact on soft tissues and joints in order to restore balance in the body and synchronize processes.Restores mobility and eliminates pain.
  • Registration- paste special patches on the skin in places where it is necessary to influence the receptors of muscle stretching and compression.It can both relax and improve tone.

During periods of acute pain, the patient is advised to wear special bandages and collars around the neck to relieve the load on the spine.

The positive effect of conservative treatment is achieved within 2-3 months.If no results are achieved, the patient is advised to undergo surgery.

Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis

Surgical intervention in the case of cervical osteochondrosis is an extreme measure that requires special indications.Surgery is recommended if:

  1. The pain cannot be relieved with therapeutic treatment for more than 3 months.
  2. There is a herniated disc.
  3. Loss of sensation in the limb.

Postoperative rehabilitation also takes time and may include therapeutic treatment.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.It cannot be left untreated.Such serious disorders in the musculoskeletal system can lead to disability.Neck pain can become chronic, and osteochondrosis can spread to different parts of the spine.Timely prevention can prevent the development of this disease.

Prevention

To keep the cervical spine healthy, daily physical activity is necessary.Nutrition of the intervertebral discs occurs during movement, so it is extremely necessary.It is important that loads are optimal and regular.

If the job involves constantly remaining in a static position, periodic warm-up is necessary.And at home after a working day, you can lie down for a while on your back on a flat surface, placing a pillow under your neck.This method will help restore the cervical curve of the spine and eliminate muscle tension.

In the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, correct posture during sleep is important.If a person gets up in the morning with neck pain, it means that the muscles have not had time to rest and recover.Here will help an orthopedic pillow, which is selected individually for 3-5 years.