Osteochondrosis of the neck - symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (CS) is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Every year, doctors diagnose this disease more and more often, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to progress. According to statistics, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the upper part of the spine occur more often in women, especially in patients in the postmenopausal period. The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are pain, limited mobility, insufficiency of cerebral circulation, and that is dangerous not only for health, but also for life. To protect yourself from the dangerous consequences of pathology, you need to start treating it in the early stages. It is important to carry out complex therapy, change the way of life in order to stop the destruction of spinal segments and prevent serious complications.

Disease development

The cervical spine is most sensitive to various injuries and degenerative changes. This is due to the fact that this segment is the most mobile, and the muscles are weak here. The small cervical vertebrae withstand severe stress on a daily basis, leading to the gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs. The vertebrae press against each other, causing the cartilaginous pads between them to lose a lot of fluid, begin to break down and deform.

In addition, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to insufficient nutrition of cartilage tissue. And the spinal canal in this area is narrow, so it is often constricted, which causes neurological symptoms.

Pathology in women in the early stages is manifested by heaviness in the back of the head, tingling in the hands and so on. Often patients confuse the first signs of the disease with overwork.

A large number of blood vessels and nerve roots are located in the neck area, and when they constrict, neurological disorders can also occur. It is especially dangerous if the deformed disc or vertebrae constrict the spinal artery that feeds important parts of the brain. When it is compressed, the coordination of movements is disturbed, a woman can lose her balance, her eyesight and hearing worsen, and the risk of a stroke increases.

Reference. According to statistics, cervical osteochondrosis is most often found in patients aged 25-40. This is due to a large decrease in physical activity, inactive work. Women are more likely to be diagnosed than men because they have more fragile vertebrae and thin bone tissue.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis SHOP:

• Stage 1 - the intervertebral disc loses a little moisture, its height decreases, cracks may appear on the fibrous ring (outer shell). This is a stage of cervical chondrosis, which is difficult to recognize because it has unexpressed symptoms. The neck gets tired quickly, there is discomfort, heaviness in the damaged area, sometimes there is a slight pain that passes quickly.
• Stage 2 - cracks on the surface of the disc increase, the nucleus pulposus (gel-like contents of the disc) is displaced and can protrude through the damaged areas. Thus, a protrusion of the cartilaginous mucosa appears, which can compress the spinal cord and its roots. Occasionally there is severe pain, weakness, limited mobility, numbness of the face, neck, shoulders, arms.
• Stage 3 - the protrusion penetrates through the outer shell of the disc, resulting in a hernia. The pain becomes more pronounced, neurological disorders are present.
• Stage 4 - the disc is almost completely destroyed, the vertebrae rub against each other, bone growths (osteophytes) appear on their edges, which were created to stabilize the damaged segment. Nerve endings, spinal cord, blood vessels are damaged. Adjacent joints begin to damage. Clinical signs are pronounced.

It is easiest to stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the first two stages of osteochondrosis. In phase 3, complex treatment will help stop further destruction of the spinal segment. In the last stage, you can’t do without surgery.

Reasons

TRADE Osteochondrosis is a complex and time-consuming process that usually has several causes. In most cases, the pathology occurs as a result of a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, metabolic disorders. Often the disease occurs due to injury or due to the natural aging of the body and the weakening of its defenses.

Doctors identify the main causes of osteochondrosis SHOP in women:

• Disorder of metabolic processes.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Chronic muscle tension around the cervical segment.
• Posture curvature.
• Lack of fluids and nutrients in the body.
• Longer stay in an awkward position (neck stretched forward and hunched back).
• Overweight.
• Frequent wearing of high-heeled shoes.
• SHOP injuries.
• Lifting heavy objects.
• Autoimmune pathologies.
• Frequent stress, chronic murder.
• Hypothermia.
• Infectious diseases.
• Neck too long or too short etc.

All these factors provoke malnutrition of the intervertebral discs and lead to their degeneration.

Female cervical osteochondrosis can be caused by pathologies of the vertebral artery associated with genetic predisposition, intrauterine disorders, trauma during childbirth. The disease can occur as a consequence of rheumatism, endocrine disorders, overload of the cervical segment during pregnancy, local overload.

Bitan. The main cause of cervical osteochondrosis in women is menopause, as well as changes associated with that period. At this stage, the concentration of progesterone in the body decreases, which is very important for bone tissue. The likelihood of degenerative changes is associated with age-related weakening of the neck muscles and weakening of vertebral support in this area.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis is characterized by a wave flow, when the acute period is replaced by remission. Exacerbation can cause infections, injuries, hypothermia, prolonged stress on the neck.

The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women are headache, discomfort, heaviness in the neck. It is important to distinguish chondrosis pain from migraine or autonomic dysfunction in a timely manner.

Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis SHOP in women are caused by neurological syndromes:

• Cervical dyscalgia occurs when nerve endings are irritated by fragments of damaged cartilage lining. Then there is a specific crunch in the neck, pain, which becomes more pronounced when moving the head and after sleeping.
• Scale muscle syndrome results from damage to the veins and nerves of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery. This symptomatic complex is accompanied by pain from the inner surface of the shoulder to the fist on the injured side. The limb becomes pale, cold, edematous, numbness occurs. Neck pain spreads to the back of the head when the patient turns his head.
• Shoulder-scapular periarthrosis syndrome - dystrophic changes affecting the tendon fibers that surround the shoulder. Painful sensations from the neck radiate to the shoulder and shoulder girdle. There is a forced position of the neck - it is tilted to the affected side, and the shoulder is slightly lowered.
• Vertebral artery syndrome - a blood vessel is constricted by fragments of a damaged disc or osteophyte (depending on the stage of the disease). The patient has dizziness and headache, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. The pain is localized in the nape of the neck, scalp and temples.
• Cardiac - the nerve bundles of the spinal cord are damaged. There is heart pain, arrhythmia. If C3 is damaged, pain appears in the middle of the neck, the tongue swells, the patient cannot chew food normally. If C4 is injured, then discomfort occurs in the area of the shoulder girdle, collarbone, heart. With the defeat of C5, the neck pain response spreads to the shoulder girdle, the inner surface of the shoulder. C6 irritation manifests as pain from the neck and shoulder blades to the shoulder girdle and spreads throughout the arm to the thumb. If C7 is damaged, the pain syndrome spreads to the back of the shoulder girdle, affecting the entire arm, including the index finger and middle finger. When C8 is compressed, the pain spreads from the affected area to the elbow and little finger.

Also, the female emotional sphere can be disturbed, weakness appears, she becomes anxious, sensitive. Insomnia often occurs, memory and attention are impaired due to regular headaches.

Symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident appear when a woman suddenly tilts her head, tilts it, or does work that strains her arms and cervical spine, for example, when she digs, paints the ceiling and carries weights.

Violation of cerebral circulation is manifested by dizziness, trembling gait, "flies" in front of the eyes, tinnitus, weakness, nausea. In some patients, the voice becomes hoarse, sometimes disappears, and a sore throat appears.

Osteochondrosis during menopause is accompanied by migraine, increased sweating of the body in the area between the neck and the shoulder girdle. When the vertebral artery is constricted, the work of the cardiovascular system is disturbed.

If the disease lasts a long time, then there is a failure of circulation of important centers that perform neuro-endocrine functions. Due to the increased permeability of the vascular walls, atherosclerosis of the cerebral and cardiac arteries develops.

Diagnosis

If you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis, see a therapist. After the visual examination, the specialist will refer you to an orthopedist, vertebrologist or neurologist.

The following methods are used to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis:

• X-rays allow you to find out that the patient has moved the vertebrae, osteophytes are present at their edges, the distance between the vertebrae has decreased. Therefore, the study is conducted in different planes. To describe the characteristic changes in detail, the doctor takes visible pictures.
• CT of the cervical spine provides detailed information on pathological changes in the vertebrae. This method allows obtaining volumetric images for more detailed study, it is used in difficult diagnostic cases.
• MRI is used to accurately assess the condition of soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles) in the affected area.
• Electromyography allows you to check the conduction of a nerve fiber.

Also, doctors may prescribe doppler ultrasound (doppler ultrasound of the large arteries of the brain) to determine the state of blood flow in this area.

Conservative treatment

In the early stages, treatment of osteochondrosis SHOP in women can be carried out at home. However, the doctor should put together a therapeutic regimen. It is important to understand that this is a long process and that it is unlikely to be completely cured (especially for older women).

Complex treatment includes:

• Taking medication.
• Use of orthopedic aids.
• Physiotherapy.
• Physiotherapy procedures.
• Massage, hand stroke.
• Alternative treatments.

Conservative techniques will help stop pain, inflammation, normalize muscle tone, improve metabolic processes, and nourish damaged segments of the spine. With timely therapy, it is possible to stop pathological changes.

Medications for cervical osteochondrosis will help get rid of inflammation and pain.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out with the use of drugs that will help improve the metabolism of cartilaginous linings between the vertebrae, stop inflammation, pain. The following drugs are used for this purpose:

• NSAIDs. It can help relieve mild to moderate inflammation and pain.
• Analgesics. The pain is relieved.
• Preparations to improve cerebral circulation.
• Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle cramps.
• Chondroprotectors. They help stop the destruction of the disc, improve metabolic processes and speed up recovery.
• Magnesium-based drugs.
• Nootropics. They stimulate the brain by normalizing blood circulation, have a mild sedative effect.

Reference. In addition to intense pain that is not relieved by oral medications, therapeutic blockades are used, for example, with a solution of novocaine or NSAIDs.

The treatment can be supplemented with anti-inflammatory and pain relievers in the form of gels, creams and ointments. They will be effective in the remission phase or in combination with oral agents.

The decision on the choice of drug combinations is made by the doctor. The specialist will compile a medication regimen and determine their dose. It is important to follow his recommendations, as many of the above medications threaten dangerous complications.

During the acute phase of osteochondrosis, a woman must give up heavy physical activities. To empty the cervical segment, you need to wear a special corset (Shants collar), which will fix the vertebrae in the correct position. This device is recommended for use during prolonged sedentary or heavy physical work.

Physiotherapy procedures will help relieve pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area:

• Diadynamic therapy.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Electrophoresis.
• Electroanalgesia.
• Ultraviolet radiation and so on.

The therapeutic effect is manifested after approximately the third session, then headache, hearing disorders, visual disturbances, dizziness, sleep is normalized or disappears, and the general condition improves.

With the help of underwater traction of the cervical segment, it is possible to expand the distance between the vertebrae, release the compression of nerves or blood vessels and restore the normal position of the vertebrae.

The massage will normalize muscle tone, reduce the flow of lymph fluid, which causes swelling. After a few sessions, blood circulation in the damaged area improves.

Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the most effective methods of treating osteochondrosis in TRADE. Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the weak muscles of the neck, which will then take part of the load from the spine and help stop or slow down degenerative-dystrophic changes. During classes, blood circulation improves, metabolic processes and disc nutrition are accelerated, which has a positive effect on their condition.

Women should train every day. They consist of simple but effective exercises. The complex consists of turns, tilting the head in different directions, as well as neck movements, during which the hands are used. These elements can be performed at home, but only with the permission of a doctor. Physiotherapy exercises are performed only in the remission phase.

Complex treatment can be supplemented with reflexology (acupuncture), chiropractic (leech therapy), swimming, etc.

Surgery

Surgery is prescribed in the last stages of osteochondrosis of the SHOP, which are accompanied by serious destruction of osteochondral structures. Also, surgical intervention is necessary if conservative techniques are ineffective or the spinal canal is significantly narrowed.

In the cases described above, an anterior cervical discectomy is performed. During the procedure, the doctor immobilizes the damaged segment of the spine and removes the hernia that compressed the spinal nerve. Then the vertebrae, between which the disc was removed, merge. If necessary, the space between the vertebrae is filled with a synthetic insert (cage).

After 3-5 days the patient is discharged home. The rehabilitation period is about 12 weeks. To speed up your recovery, you need to take medication, wear a corset, lead a healthy lifestyle, go to physiotherapy procedures, and finally exercise.

Lifestyle recommendations

To quickly get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis and stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical segment, you need to adjust your lifestyle. To do this, the patient must follow these recommendations:

• Go for walks every day, avoid running, jumping and other explosive activities.
• Heavy objects must not be carried.
• You can’t sit for long, in extreme cases wear a corset and occasionally take a horizontal position.
• Perform specific physical exercises for the back muscles at home.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow.
• Adhere to the diet, supplement the diet with foods rich in magnesium, calcium (nuts, dairy products, seafood, legumes), as well as plant fiber, chondroitin (jelly meat, jelly). Refuse fatty, fried, salty foods, alcohol. Your doctor will advise you in more detail about your dietary rules. But in any case, it must be true.

Hypothermia should not be allowed, warming will be useful in the absence of an inflammatory process.

Complications

In the absence of timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a woman may experience the following consequences of the pathology:

• The probability of a bulge that turns into a hernia after a while. The bulge compresses the spinal cord as well as its nerves, causing neurological damage.
• Osteophytes occur when the disc is severely damaged; they irritate the spinal nerves and blood vessels.
• In advanced cases, severe weakening of the neck muscles or incomplete paralysis is possible, then the head inadvertently hangs to the side or forward.
• Compression of the vertebral arteries, impaired blood circulation in the affected area. This condition can cause neuralgia (pain along the nerve pathway), hearing and vision damage.
• Paralysis (incomplete or complete) arm.
• Stroke.

If a woman addresses this problem in the early stages of SELLING osteochondrosis, then she will be able to prevent the above conditions.

Preventive measures

Ideally, it is necessary to deal with the prevention of osteochondrosis in TRADE, even during the period of intrauterine development. The expectant mother should exclude factors that negatively affect the development of the fetus: infections, oxygen starvation, intoxication. If a birth injury has occurred, the newborn should be treated.

To reduce the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis SHOP, a woman should follow these recommendations:

• Load the spine evenly, for example, carry the load in both hands or alternate in the right and then in the left.
• Don’t lift too much weight on your own.
• Try to avoid neck injuries, hypothermia.
• When working on garden plots, take a break every 1. 5 hours, rest for 20 minutes.
• Choose shoes with cushions on the soles that will cushion the blows while running or jumping.
• When sitting for a long time, use a high-backed headrest chair or wear a corset.

It is also important to eat properly, control weight, avoid stress, take vitamin preparations for medical reasons, treat pathologies that can cause osteochondrosis in time. In the remission phase, it is recommended to visit sanatoriums in order to undergo treatment.

The most important

As you can see, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs more often in women than in men, because the former have more fragile vertebrae and thin bone tissue. The patient's pathology is especially sensitive in the postmenopausal period. The disease is manifested by pain, neurological disorders and dangerous symptoms of cerebrovascular accident. It is recommended to start treatment in the early stages to avoid dangerous complications of osteochondrosis. To do this, a woman must take medication, adjust her lifestyle, attend physiotherapy procedures, massage and do physical therapy. Surgical treatment is indicated only in advanced cases. To prevent pathology, you need to observe moderate physical activity, treat injuries and diseases in time that can cause osteochondrosis.