Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a progressive process of dystrophy, rupture of the intervertebral discs.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are characterized by severe pain in the neck, head, shoulders and affect everyone, regardless of age.

OSTEOCHONDDROSIS DESCRIPTION

Osteochondrosis of the neck has become much younger. Young people have suffered from this since adolescence. The neck is the weakest area of ​​the spine. Seven vertebrae are very close to each other, and the skeleton of the muscles develops worse than the rest of the sections. The neck is subject to strong tensions, as it supports the skull and is in constant motion.

What is cervical osteochondrosis? The intervertebral discs are nourished by the diffusion of adjacent tissues. The deterioration of the blood supply to the tissues surrounding the vertebrae leads to a deficiency in nutrition and water. The hunger of the nucleus of the disc and the fibrous annulus leads to degenerative processes.

Bone tissue growing close to the vertebrae, compressed intervertebral discs and compressed nerves and ligaments appear for the first time as signs of decreased performance. High-intensity pain is initially concentrated in the neck, head, shoulders, heart, arms, upper chest, moving to the lower extremities. Each of the seven vertebrae sends signals to other departments. The compressed nerve roots affect the state of other systems in the body.

Osteochondrosis is especially dangerous for the brain. The vertebral artery that runs here serves to supply blood to the back parts of the brain. Squeezing it leads to headaches, often progressing to migraines, not subject to painkillers. Osteochondrosis of the neck can be accompanied by dizziness, visual and hearing impairment, nausea and vomiting. Later, pharyngeal symptoms appear, sudden fainting due to a lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Compression of the vertebral artery leads to ischemia of the spinal cord and brain. A worsening of the process causes a spinal stroke.

BASIC PROCESSES FOR THE DISEASE

Osteochondrosis of the neck should be considered on the side of the interaction of physiological and pathological factors:

• physiological process:The aging of the spinal cartilage occurs due to natural irreversible causes. The changes occur in the central part of the intervertebral disc. The process of age-related changes in the body leads to the replacement of the pulp by fibrous tissue;
• pathological process:degenerative changes occur in the intervertebral structures, destruction of the surrounding vessels and nodules. The changes occur outside the cartilage itself, there is compression of the blood vessels, irritation of the nerve endings. A person feels dysalgia, pain symptoms of a local and reflected nature.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine takes on a pathological form when physiological aging is replaced by a pathological process. At first, the body's compensatory and protective mechanisms are activated, eliminating the disease. Therefore, osteochondrosis can pass or occur only sporadically. But this function is not permanent.

The progress of the disease, expressed in the compression of vascular and nervous structures, is accompanied by the following processes:

• spondylolisthesis, in which the spinal disc slides. Even a slight displacement leads to the development of paralysis. Severe displacement is fatal;
• the pulposus nucleus is impregnated with calcium salts. This leads to malnutrition of the disc, causes the formation of a hernia;
• an intervertebral hernia formed due to protrusion of the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae. Ignoring therapeutic measures leads to flaccid paralysis;
• the appearance of microcracks in the fibrous ring, the development of protrusion. The intervertebral disc protrudes beyond its limits;
• spondylosis, which means worn out vertebrae. Osteophytes appear - growths of bone tissue in the form of hooks and spines, located on the sides of vertebral bodies. There is severe pain and, as a result, stiffness of movement.

REASONS FOR THE APPEARANCE OF NECK OSTECHONDROSIS

An increase in the load on the cervical spine leads to an attempt by the body to compensate for the condition. This is how muscle spasms start, blood circulation deteriorates, deformities. The structure of the vertebrae themselves changes. The cause can also be progressive discosis resulting from prolonged physical effort.

The main factors that cause cervical osteochondrosis to appear:

• hypodynamic;
• weakening of the immune system;
• excessive physical activity;
• presence of lesions in the spine;
• nutritional deficiency of essential substances, obesity;
• posture problems (scoliosis, flat feet, rheumatism);
• hereditary factor;
• autoimmune diseases that cause cartilage degeneration;
• stress, prolonged nervous tension;
• climatic factor, cold and humidity;
• congenital anomalies of the spine.

The main causes of osteochondrosis are the disproportionate distribution of the load on the spine, a very weak muscle corset. People over the age of thirty are at greater risk, especially if they spend the day sitting for a long time.

DEVELOPMENT STAGES

The progression of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be divided into several stages:

• first, preclinical.It is characterized by slight deformities of the vertebrae, smoothness of the cervical lordosis. Pain is felt with sudden movements of the head, fatigue occurs. The development of the disease can be prevented without medication. You need to balance your diet, choose exercises and take preventive measures;
• second.An unstable state is established between the vertebrae. There are displacements of the vertebrae between them, torsion - rotation around the spine. The pain that intensifies with the movement of the neck from time to time radiates to the shoulders and arms. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, which leads to nerve compression. It is characterized by signs such as distraction, fatigue, headaches;
• third stage.The height of the intervertebral disc is reduced by a quarter from the upper disc. Deformities begin to appear in the intervertebral joints. There is a decrease in the lumen of the intervertebral foramen, the spinal canal. The intense pain is felt all the time. The arm muscles start to go numb due to the formation of herniated intervertebral discs. The cervical spine loses flexibility. The patient feels dizzy, weak.

The height of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced. Intervertebral discs are destroyed and replaced by connective tissue. Large osteophytes are formed at the back of the cervical spine. The spinal canal narrows too much, causing the development of myelopathy. The patient's condition worsens, accompanied by impaired coordination, dizziness, severe pain, tinnitus.

SYMPTOMS

The symptomatic picture of neck injury differs from disorders elsewhere. This is due to the denser arrangement of the vertebrae in relation to each other. Due to the small height of the intervertebral discs, the clinic begins to manifest itself even with mild pathologies. The signs of injury vary depending on which of the eight nerve roots is affected. There is a nerve under each of the seven vertebrae and its compression has its own symptoms.

Problems in the first two vertebrae affect the sensitivity of the occiput. The pain is located in the occipital parietal region. The defeat of the nerve termination of the third vertebra is rare. Symptoms are manifested in numbness of the compressed area, tongue, speech problems. The fourth root signals a problem of pain and numbness in the collarbone and shoulder. It can create difficulty in breathing, heart pain. Fifth segment disease causes pain in the shoulders, decreased sensitivity of the limbs.

Lesions of the sixth and seventh vertebrae are the most common among patients. The neck, shoulder blades, forearms, lower back, back suffer. There is numbness in the hands and fingers. Pathological changes in the eighth nerve root are characterized by the spread of pain in the lower extremities. There is a loss of skin sensitivity, the little fingers and toes are numb. Impaired blood circulation causes blue feet and hands.

Common signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• pain spreading to the upper and lower body;
weakness
• , decreased hand sensitivity;
• difficulty in movement, crushing;
• impaired coordination, accompanied by tinnitus, tinnitus, feeling of disorientation, weakness, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• numbness of the tongue, fingers and toes, hearing loss, vision.

NECK OSTECHONDROSIS DIAGNOSIS

To determine the damaged intervertebral discs and the degree of your disease, the doctor needs to perform a series of tests: X-rays, MRI, CT scan (CT scan), duplex ultrasound scan. The most accurate way to examine the health of the cervical spine is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of magnetic resonance imaging is to identify pathological changes in the tissues of the spine, in particular, the spinal cord and intervertebral hernias. After examining and questioning the patient, carrying out the examination, the responsible neurologist makes a preliminary diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

TREATMENT

If you suspect osteochondrosis, see a neurologist. The duration of treatment depends on the person's age, the severity of cervical osteochondrosis, the type of therapy and the patient's adherence to all the doctor's recommendations. A complete cure for severe forms of osteochondrosis is impossible. The goal of complex treatment is to delay the ongoing pathological process, eliminate symptoms. Therapy can be conservative, operative or a combination of both. If headaches become more frequent, it will be necessary to start therapy as soon as possible.

There are two main types of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis:

• medicine, performed by taking medicines;
• physiotherapy includes courses in UHF, electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. They have a stimulating effect on blood flow, metabolism and relieve muscle spasms.

To weaken the compression of peripheral areas of the central nervous system (CNS) and level the painful syndrome at the time of exacerbation of the disease, drug therapy is used. After eliminating the acute manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis, therapy is not interrupted. Physiotherapy is prescribed. It is necessary to massage the neck area regularly. Folk remedies are also used.

MEDICAL THERAPY FOR OSTEOCHONDROSIS

Drug treatment will have full effect only in combination with other methods, for example, with physical therapy exercises (exercise therapy), massage. The medications are designed to relieve pain, restore cartilage tissue regeneration and activate blood circulation in affected neck tissues.

Many doctors prescribe injections to be more effective at nerve endings. But vitamins are best taken in the form of pills, as injections are very painful. To provide an anti-inflammatory effect, the doctor administers intramuscular injections.

Main types of therapeutic drugs:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They have an analgesic effect, remove aseptic inflammatory process, root swelling. With obvious signs of illness, injections are made twice daily with these drugs. Use a cream topically;
• chondroprotectors.Activate metabolism, regenerate cartilage tissue. Eliminate damage to the intervertebral discs. There are injectable medications for joints and muscles. The course of therapy is carried out for up to 4 months;
• group B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), E, ​​A, C, Dhelp to improve the metabolism in tissues, catalyzing their recovery;
• muscle relaxants.For relaxation of spasmodic muscles. The pills are used within a month. In a severe form of the disease, a variety of injectable drugs are used;
• drugs to activate blood flow in the brain,blood rheological properties.

The following are used as additional drugs to speed recovery:

• angioprotectors- injectable forms of drugs are designed to activate blood flow in the veins, strengthen vascular tone;
• glucocorticosteroids- to reduce edema and inflammation in the form of injections;
• biogenic stimulants.Speed ​​up metabolic processes, help restore destroyed tissues.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physical therapy methods complement drug treatment, significantly increase the recovery rate, prolong the remission phase and reduce the frequency of exacerbations.

Physiotherapy methods:

• Exercise therapyis ​​one of the most effective methods of treating osteochondrosis. Regular exercise activates blood circulation, helps to restore damage;
• massageimproves nerve conduction, restores muscle tone;
• magnetic therapyrelieves tissue edema;
• laser therapyworks with a concentrated beam of optical light. Launches recovery processes in the body;
• reflexology- activation of certain points. Strengthens the immune system, relieves spasms and pain in the neck;
• ultrasoundprovides an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect;
Electrophoresis
• with medicinal herbs.The electric current promotes the penetration of drug ions into a specific location.

To get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, manual therapy, thermotherapy and mud therapy are also used. All of these methods slow the progress of the disease.

It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis with herbs, but, accompanying the main therapy, they help to relieve the condition. Mix 2 teaspoons of bee honey with two mummy pills. The mixture is heated, applied to a warm scarf, which is tied around the neck at night. The biostimulating properties of honey perfectly complement the treatment. To grind, use a tincture of radish, vodka and honey in the proportion of 1, 5: 0, 5: 1, measured in cups. You can twist three large lemons using a meat grinder with four cloves of garlic. Pour boiling water over the mixture in a two-liter jar. After mixing the contents, drink half a glass on an empty stomach. Pain can also be relieved by heating with mustard patches, pepper plaster.

HEALING EXERCISES

During the recovery period, you can perform a series of therapeutic exercises for the neck. Exercise therapy is based on several dynamic exercises. You should not do gymnastics during an exacerbation. When performing exercises, it is recommended to monitor the appearance of discomfort, this is unacceptable.

On your stomach, lift your upper body using your arms. Delay for 1-2 minutes. Lower to the starting position and repeat 2-3 times. Next, you need to stretch your arms across your body. The heads turned are made to the right and to the left 6-7 times, trying to reach the ground with the ear. Sit down. Tilt your body forward as you inhale, your head tilts toward your chest. As you exhale, lean back, throwing your head back. Sufficient 10-15 slopes. Now you need to place your palms on your forehead and apply mutual pressure for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. Rotate your head 10 times in each direction. If your head starts to spin, the exercise should be stopped.

COMPLICATIONS

The cervical region is rich in blood vessels, nerve endings that feed the brain. The slightest tightening of them damages the whole body, interrupting blood circulation in the brain and causing neurological disorders: migraine, dysfunctions of the heart, respiratory system, vision, hearing, hypertension. Especially dangerous complications in the form of vertebral artery syndrome, cerebral ischemia, spinal effusion, resulting from the advanced form of neck disease. When radiculopathy occurs, mobility is lost. Compression of the spinal cord is fatal.

To avoid surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, one should not delay looking for medical attention at the first sign. It is necessary to use all available therapy methods, as well as changes in lifestyle, nutrition.