Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a progressive process of dystrophy, a disorder 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.

DESCRIPTION OF OSTEOCHONDROSIS

Osteochondrosis of the neck has become much younger. Young people suffer from adolescence. The neck is the weakest area of ​​the spine. The seven vertebrae adhere tightly to each other, and the skeleton of the muscles is less developed than the other parts. The neck is exposed to serious stress because it serves as a support for the skull and is in constant motion.

What is cervical osteochondrosis? Intervertebral discs feed by diffusion from adjacent tissues. Deterioration of the blood supply to the tissues surrounding the vertebrae leads to a lack of nutrition and water. Starvation of the disc nucleus and annular fiber leads to degenerative processes.

Overgrowth of bone tissue near the vertebrae, pinched intervertebral discs, and compressed nerves and ligaments first appear as signs of reduced performance. High-intensity pain is initially concentrated on the neck, head, shoulders, heart, arms, upper chest, moving to the lower extremities. Each of the seven vertebrae sends signals to other departments. Compressed nerve roots affect the condition of other body systems.

Osteochondrosis is especially dangerous for the brain. The spinal artery that passes here performs the function of supplying blood to the back of the brain. Pinching leads to headaches, which often develop into migraines, which are not amenable to pain relief. Osteochondrosis of the neck can be accompanied by dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, nausea and vomiting. Later, pharyngeal symptoms appear, sudden fainting due to lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Compression of the vertebral artery leads to ischemia of the spinal cord and brain. Worsening of the process causes a spinal stroke.

BASIC DISEASE PROCESSES

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

• physiological process:spinal cartilage aging 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:there are degenerative changes in intervertebral structures, destruction of surrounding vessels and nodes. Changes occur outside the cartilage itself, there is compression of blood vessels, irritation of nerve endings. The person feels dysalgia, symptoms of pain of local and reflected nature.

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

Disease progression, expressed by compression of vascular and nerve structures, is accompanied by the following processes:

• spondylolisthesis, in which the spinal disc slides. Even a small shift leads to the development of paralysis. Heavy displacement is fatal;
• The pulposus nucleus is impregnated with calcium salts. This leads to disc malnutrition, causing hernia formation;
• intervertebral hernia caused by a protrusion of the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae. Neglecting therapeutic measures leads to flaccid paralysis;
• appearance of microcracks on the annular fibrosus, development of bulges. The intervertebral disc protrudes beyond its limits;
• spondylosis, which means wear of the vertebrae. Osteophytes appear - growths of bone tissue in the shape of hips and spines, localized on the side of the vertebral body. There is severe pain and, as a result, stiffness of movement.

REASONS FOR THE APPEARANCE OF DOOR OSTECHONDROSIS

Increasing the load on the cervical spine leads to the body's attempt to compensate for the condition. Thus begin muscle cramps, worsening of blood circulation, deformities. The structure of the vertebrae themselves is changing. Progressive discosis, which is the result of long-term physical exertion, can also be the cause.

The main factors that cause cervical osteochondrosis:

• hypodynamics;
• weakening of the immune system;
• excessive physical activity;
• presence of spinal cord injuries;
• 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 disproportionate load distribution on the spine, too weak a corset muscle. People over the age of thirty are at greatest risk, especially if their day is spent sitting for a long time.

DEVELOPMENT PHASES

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

• first, preclinically.It is characterized by mild vertebral deformities, smoothness of cervical lordosis. The pain is felt by 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 implement preventative measures;
• seconds.An unstable state is established between the vertebrae. There are displacements of the vertebrae with each other, torsion - rotation around the spine. The pain, which is intensified by the movement of the neck from time to time radiates to the shoulders and arms. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, leading to nerve constriction. It is characterized by such signs as distraction, fatigue, headache;
• third phase.The height of the intervertebral disc is reduced by a quarter compared to the superior disc. Deformities begin to appear in the intervertebral joints. There is a reduction in the lumen of the intervertebral foramen, the spinal canal. Severe pain is constantly felt. The muscles of the hand begin to numb due to the onset of 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 were destroyed and replaced with connective tissue. Large osteophytes form on the back of the cervical spine. The spinal canal narrows greatly causing the development of myelopathy. The patient's condition worsens, followed by impaired coordination, dizziness, severe pain, and tinnitus.

SYMPTOMS

The symptomatic picture of the neck lesion differs from the disorder in other parts. This is due to the denser arrangement of the vertebrae towards each other. Due to the small height of the intervertebral discs, the clinic begins to manifest even in mild pathologies. Signs of involvement will vary depending on which of the eight nerve roots is affected. Beneath each of the seven vertebrae is a nerve, and its compression has its symptoms.

Problems in the first two vertebrae affect the sensitivity of the occiput. The pain is localized in the parietal, occipital region. Defeat of the nerve ending of the third vertebra is rare. Symptoms are manifested in stiffness of the constricted area, tongue, speech problems. The fourth root signals a problem with pain and stiffness of the collarbone, the shoulder. May cause breathing difficulties, heart pain. The disease of the fifth segment causes pain in the shoulders, reduced sensitivity of the limbs.

Lesions of the sixth and seventh vertebrae are most common among patients. Suffer neck, shoulders, forearms, lower back. Numbness is 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 on the hands and feet numb. Impaired blood circulation causes blue legs and fists.

Common signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• pain spreading to the upper and lower body;
• weakness, decreased sensitivity of the hands;
• difficulty moving, crunching;
• impaired coordination, accompanied by ringing, tinnitus, feeling of disorientation, weakness, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• numbness of the tongue, fingers and toes, impaired hearing, vision.

DIAGNOSIS OF NECK OSTECHONDROSIS

To determine damaged intervertebral discs and the degree of their disease, the doctor must perform a series of examinations: X-ray, MRI, CT (computed tomography), ultrasound duplex scan. The most accurate way to examine the health of the cervical spine is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of MRI is to identify pathological changes in the tissues of the spinal column, especially the spinal cord and intervertebral hernias. After the examination and examination of the patient, conducting the examination, the attending neurologist makes a preliminary diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

TREATMENT

If osteochondrosis is suspected, you should consult a neurologist. The duration of therapy depends on the person's age, the severity of cervical osteochondrosis, the type of therapy and the patient's adherence to all medical recommendations. A complete cure for severe forms of osteochondrosis is impossible. The purpose of complex treatment is to slow down the ongoing pathological process, to eliminate symptoms. Therapy can be conservative, operative, or a combination of both. If the headaches become more frequent, it is necessary to start the therapy as early as possible.

There are two main types of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis:

• drugs, is carried out by taking drugs;
• physiotherapy includes courses of UHF, electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. They stimulate blood circulation, metabolism and relieve muscle cramps.

In order to weaken the compression of the peripheral zones of the central nervous system (CNS) and to equalize the pain syndrome at the time of worsening of the disease, drug therapy is used. After the removal of the acute manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis, the therapy is not stopped. Physiotherapy is prescribed. It is necessary to regularly massage the neck area. Folk remedies are also used.

MEDICINAL THERAPY OF OSTEOCHONDROSIS

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

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

Main types of therapeutic drugs:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They have an analgesic effect, remove aseptic inflammatory process, root edema. With obvious signs of illness, injections are given twice a day with these medications. Use the cream topically;
• chondroprotectors.Activate metabolism, regenerate cartilage tissue. Remove damage to the intervertebral discs. There are injections for the inside of the joints and muscles. The course of therapy is performed for up to 4 months;
• B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), E, ​​A, C, Dhelp to improve metabolism in tissues, catalyze their recovery;
• muscle relaxants.To relax cramping muscles. The tablets are used within a month. In severe disease, various injections are used;
• drugs to activate blood flow to the brain,rheological properties of blood.

The following are used as additional medications to speed recovery:

• angioprotectors- forms of injectable 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.Accelerate metabolic processes, help repair damaged tissues.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapeutic methods supplement drug treatment, significantly increase the speed of recovery, 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 repair damage;
• massageimproves nerve conduction, restores muscle tone;
• magnetic therapyrelieves tissue edema;
• laser therapyworks with a concentrated beam of optical light. Initiates recovery processes in the body;
• reflexology- activation of certain points. Strengthens the immune system, relieves cramps and neck pain;
• ultrasoundgives an analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect;
• electrophoresis with medicinal herbs.Electric current promotes the penetration of drug ions to a specific site.

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

It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis with herbs, but, following the main therapy, they help to alleviate the condition. Mix 2 teaspoons of bee honey with two mummy tablets. The mixture is heated, applied to a warm scarf that 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 a ratio of 1, 5: 0, 5: 1, measured in glasses. You can wrap three large lemons with a meat grinder with four cloves of garlic. Pour the mixture with boiling water in a two-liter jar. After mixing the contents, drink half a glass on an empty stomach. The pain can also be relieved by warming with mustard patches, pepper plaster.

HEALING EXERCISES

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

Lift your upper body with your hands from a prone position. Set aside for 1-2 minutes. Lower to the starting position and repeat 2-3 times. Then you need to stretch your arms along your body. Turning the head is done to the right and left 6-7 times, trying to reach the floor with the ear. Sit down. Tilt your body forward while inhaling, head tilted toward your chest. On the exhale, bend back, tilting your head back. Enough 10-15 inclinations. Now you need to put your palms on your forehead and apply pressure to each other for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. Turn your head 10 times in each direction. If your head starts to spin, the exercise must be stopped.

COMPLICATIONS

The cervical region is rich in blood vessels, the nerve endings that feed the brain. At least their compression harms the whole body, disrupts blood circulation in the brain and causes neurological disorders: migraine, heart, respiratory system, vision, hearing, hypertension. Particularly dangerous complications in the form of vertebral artery syndrome, cerebral ischemia, stroke, which result from an advanced form of neck disease. When radiculopathy occurs, mobility is lost. Spinal cord compression is fatal.

In order to avoid surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, seeking medical help should not be delayed at the first signs. It is necessary to use all available methods of therapy, as well as changes in lifestyle, diet.