To date, the disease has become much "younger" and more and more often people aged 25 and over are exposed to it, although recently the age of 30-35 was considered dangerous. Cervical pathologies are the most common, so you should be able to quickly recognize the symptoms of the disease in order to begin treatment.
And so, what is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine called? This term characterizes the degenerative-dystophilic process in the intervertebral disc, which acts as a kind of shock absorber between the segments of the spine. 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 sharp pain symptoms that require timely treatment.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Where does cervical osteochondrosis come from? A little below we list the factors, the chronic or acute action of which leads to increased stress on the neck. As a result, the body compensates for the increased loads with muscle work, however, due to the constant tension, spasms occur in them with impaired blood circulation. Together, these factors lead to degenerative changes in the spine, changes in its structure, problems with blood nutrition and metabolism. Next comes the reversal of changes in the intervertebral joints, there is an excessive growth of bone tissue of the spinal segments.
Let us list the factors that contribute to the development of the disease:
- Scoliosis and poor behavior.
- Excess weight.
- Long stay in wrong and unnatural positions.
- Regular overload of the spine and cervical spine, for example, due to the peculiarities of work.
- Low mobility, decreased physical inactivity.
- Spinal cord injury in the past.
- Metabolic problems.
- Excessive physical activity.
- Stress overload, prolonged susceptibility to depression.
- Inheritance factor.
- Abnormal development of the vertebrae.
Degrees of cervical osteochondrosis
It is necessary to be able to distinguish between the concepts of "phase" and "degree", which characterize osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. We will examine the stages a little later, now we will talk about the degrees that depend on the general clinical condition and the patient complaints, have different symptoms and require, accordingly, different treatment.
- First degree - 1. . . Osteochondrosis of the cervix is characterized by small 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 may be accompanied by slightly tense muscles.
- Second degree - 2. . . The severity of the pain and the symptoms are much stronger and they are able to give the shoulder area. This is due to the fact that the intervertebral disc became lower in height, which led to nerve scratching. Pain syndrome tends to increase with movement, a feeling of weakness and headaches lead to decreased 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 scales are in the symptoms, which are even more pronounced and painful - this gives more shoulder and arm, in them a feeling of numbness and weakness is possible. The disease is accompanied by the same headache, weakness, neck mobility is limited and a distinct pain syndrome is detected when palpating.
- Fourth degree - 4. . . This degree is characterized by complete destruction of intervertebral disc tissue. Problems with the blood supply to the brain are possible, in particular, through the vertebral artery, which carries blood to the cerebellum and the back of the head. Against this background, there are difficulties in coordination, dizziness, tinnitus.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervix has some differences from osteochondrosis in other areas. They arise due to the closer arrangement of the segments in relation to each other, the more complex structure of the first two segments - the atlas and the axis. In addition, there are fewer shock absorbers between the backbone elements and, accordingly, they wear out and break down faster. In addition, it is osteochondrosis of the cervix that often leads to compression of the spinal nerves.
Osteochondrosis of the cervix - the most common symptoms:
- Painful sensations. . . They are characterized by 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 to this site. Neck pain reflects the presence of a neck muscle spasm due to difficulties with blood flow to the area. Perhaps a feeling of pain in the vertebrae, the presence of a crisis.
- Weakness in the hand. . . Manifested due to damage to the nerve responsible for the motor activity of the upper limbs.
- Poor sensitivity in the hand. . . The nerve that irritates the skin on the arm is damaged.
- Limited movement, chewing. . . It is a consequence of the low height of the intervertebral disc, the growth of bones in the segments of the spine, the presence of small affected structures.
- Coordination problems, feeling weak and dizziness. . . Due to the progression of the pathology, fibrous tissue is formed. Partly leads to constriction of the vertebral artery, which has its own channel in the elements of the spine. This reduces the lumen of the vessel, creating a blood deficit in the occiput and cerebellum.
- Hearing, sight, speech problems. . . They are a further development of vessel constriction feeding the cerebellar and occipital area.
Diagnosing
Diagnosis is performed in the presence of symptoms and complaints characteristic of a person. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is diagnosed by various methods, mainly aimed at visualizing the condition of the injured part. Most commonly used:
- Radiography. It is not very informative, it only shows the presence of deviations, it is mainly suitable for early diagnosis.
- Computed tomography. Compared to radiography, the appearance of pathologies of the cervical spine segments has improved, but does not accurately determine the presence of a hernia, what size it is. Furthermore, this procedure cannot determine the ‘tightening’ of the canal with the spinal cord.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Such a diagnosis is the most modern, characterized by the increased content of information, allows you to assess in detail the defects of bone structure, the condition of the intervertebral discs, the existence of hernias, their size and direction of growth.
- If there is a suspicion of a current deterioration in the vertebral arteries, additional diagnosis is performed using the double ultrasound scanning procedure. Such a study accurately determines the presence of obstructions that reduce the speed of blood flow.
Based on the data obtained during the diagnosis, we can talk about different stages:
- Phase 1, is characterized by minor violations of the anatomy of the vertebrae.
- Phase 2. . . Perhaps disregarding the position of the vertebrae in relation to each other, displacement, rotation in relation to the spine, the intervertebral disc may have a slightly reduced height.
- Phase 3. . . The disc shrinks in height by a quarter, the joints change, there is protrusion of bone tissue, narrowing of the intervertebral foramen and spinal canal.
- Phase 4. . . Still even heavier than the previous one. The disc is greatly reduced in height, has deep articular pathologies and extensive bone growth, the spinal canal and the passages below the spinal cord are strongly compressed.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main methods of such treatment are: drug therapy, physiotherapy, the use of massage of the affected area, therapeutic gymnastics. Let’s take a closer look at some of the methods.
Medication treatment
The prescription of any medicine should only be handled by a competent specialist.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs of non-steroidal origin. Their action is the effective removal of pain syndrome, inflammatory and edematous process of fixed nerve endings.
- Vitamin B is taken 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 tissues.
- Muscle relaxants, anti-spasms.
Physiotherapy
- Electrophoresis. . . Delivery of drug ions to the desired part of the pathology using the action of an electric field. Prior to the procedure, novocaine anesthesia is performed, and aminophylline is also used, which improves blood flow.
- With ultrasound. . . Relieves inflammation, pain, stimulates metabolism at the site of application.
- Magnetotherapy. . . Has analgesic effect, relieves swelling.
- Laser therapy. . . Treatment is carried out by exposure to light waves with a special frequency. It relieves inflammation well 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 during execution, in addition, they are very effective as a prevention tool. Here are some basic exercises:
- Lie on your stomach and support your arms bent at the floor. Perform head and torso lifts for 60-90 seconds, keeping your back straight and then return to its normal position. Do 2-3 repetitions.
- Lie on your stomach with your arms outstretched along your torso. Turn your head left, right, on the other side, trying to reach the floor with your ear. Do 5-7 repetitions on each side.
- In a sitting position, sucking, bend forward, trying to reach the chest with your head. Then, in exhale, instead, lean back, throwing your head back. Do 12 reps.
- In a sitting position, place your palms on your forehead. Apply mutual pressure of the forehead to the palm and vice versa. Continue for up to half a minute, repeating 3 times.
- Clean rotation of the heads to the sides, 5-7 rotations each. If you feel dizzy, then reduce the number of repetitions, or slow down.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: questions - answers
Does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine need to be treated with surgery?
Occurs, but in those rare cases when conservative treatment does not give effect half a year after its onset. In such situations, chronic pain and tightness of nerve endings are usually present.
How long can you take non-steroidal 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 the medication is determined by the attending physician, who has information about the stage of osteochondrosis in the patient, as well as whether there is concomitant pathology.
Are chondroprotective drugs effective in restoring damaged intervertebral disc tissue?
Confirmation of the effect of taking such drugs has not been proven, as a result of which doctors rarely recommend them.
What to do at home when there is no deterioration in order to avoid deterioration in the future?
For preventive purposes, it will be best to use physiotherapy exercises, massage the cervical area, refuse important physical activity.