Osteochondrosis is a dangerous and painful disease of the spine associated with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs and adjacent joints and bone tissues. Often the pathology develops precisely in the cervical spine. The disease is associated with discomfort and significantly affects the quality of life. In this case, cervical osteochondrosis can occur at any age. Today, this disease is diagnosed even in school children and adolescents, which is linked to the prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle.
Causes of Cervical Osteochondrosis
There are many factors that lead to pathological changes in the spine. The occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often preceded by a combination of several reasons that contribute to the displacement and pathological destruction of the intervertebral discs. These include:
- various neck injuries, including childbirth;
- prolonged stay in one position (driving, computer);
- hereditary predisposition;
- Metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis;
- excessive and improper loads that lead to the quick erasure of the hard drives;
- hormonal and autoimmune diseases;
- natural aging;
- less often - infectious diseases, hypothermia, stress, etc.
Features and stages of development of the disease
The neck region is the most flexible part of the spine. It comprises seven vertebrae (C1 - C7) that are connected by elastic and elastic intervertebral discs. The latter consist of the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus. Due to various factors, the position of the intervertebral discs and the structure of their tissues change, which leads to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
The disease develops in several stages:
- Injuries or improper loading disrupt the normal position of the intervertebral disc.
- Deterioration in metabolism decreases the strength and elasticity of the annulus fibrosus, thereby decreasing the distance between the vertebrae.
- A decrease in the elasticity of the intervertebral disc leads to improper load distribution, which leads to the protrusion of the nuclei, the formation of hernias and the curvature of the spinal line.
- Due to a decrease in the intervertebral distance, the nearby nerves and blood vessels become pinched, pain occurs, and the work of other organs is disturbed.
- The friction of the vertebrae creates bone growth (osteophytes). The ligaments of the cervical spine become practically immobile and the symptoms of the disease become pronounced.
Treatment, begun at each stage, allows you to prevent irreversible changes in the structure of the spine and avoid dangerous disruptions in the work of other body systems.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Pathological changes in this part of the spine have very specific manifestations. The most typical symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- Pulling pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulder, or arm that is aggravated by physical exertion, sneezing, or coughing;
- Crunching of the cervical spine when turning or tilting the head;
- Numbness and tingling in hands and feet;
- regular dizziness and fainting;
- persistent tinnitus and hearing loss;
- dull pain between the shoulder blades and in the area of the heart;
- Feelings of general weakness and increased tiredness.
diagnosis
If cervical osteochondrosis is suspected, it is important to undergo a full examination to determine the condition of the spine and the degree of disease progression. For an accurate diagnosis, a physiological examination with palpation and percussion of the neck, as well as an instrumental examination, is traditionally used:
- Radiography (lateral, direct);
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
In addition, to determine the cause of the onset of the disease, ultrasound of neighboring organs, an electrocardiogram of the heart, duplex scanning of blood vessels, blood and urine tests can be prescribed.
Methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis
Stop pathological changes and eliminate the existing manifestations of the disease is possible only with the help of complex therapy. In the early stages, you can get rid of cervical osteochondrosis without surgery - with the help of conservative treatment.
Experts choose an individual course of therapy for each patient, taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism, age and lifestyle. Usually the complex includes several types of treatment at the same time, the main purpose of which is to eliminate symptoms, prevent the progression of the disease and restore the normal functioning of the spine.
- Drug therapy.During the period of exacerbation, various means are used to relieve pain and other manifestations of the disease. The patient can be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors, ointments with a warming effect, drugs for restoring cartilage tissue and others.
- Physical therapy.Allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation using ultrasound, laser, or magnetic vibrations. Manual therapy, acupuncture, electrophoresis, and other procedures to normalize metabolic processes in the affected area and alleviate unpleasant symptoms can also be included in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Massage.Has a firming and relaxing effect on the cervical spine. Eliminates excessive muscle tension and increases the intensity of metabolic processes. Therapeutic massages are performed using different techniques: classical, acupressure, segment reflex or vacuum. Hardware methods for influencing the cervical spine, such as hydro or vibration massage, achieve good results.
- Traction.Performed once before starting treatment to release pinched blood vessels and nerve endings. During traction, the spine is stretched using special devices and simulators. It provides a correction of the position of the intervertebral discs and an even distribution of the vertebrae along the entire length to normalize blood flow and correct load distribution.
- Exercise therapy.Therapeutic gymnastics is the basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Regularly performing a special series of exercises, you can restore the natural mobility of the vertebrae and ensure normal nutrition of the intervertebral discs with useful substances. Therapeutic exercises usually include bending, twisting, and other neck movements performed by the patient in the clinic or at home.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis lasts a month and a half. Pain and other acute manifestations of the disease usually go away by the end of the first week of complex therapy. In severe cases, where an intervertebral fracture or osteophytes (spine-like bone growth) were detected during diagnosis, the patient is assigned to surgery.
Why are destructive changes in the neck dangerous?
Due to the structural features (tight fit of the vertebrae) and the narrow location of the nerve and blood channels that supply the brain, cervical osteochondrosis is considered a rather dangerous disease. Pathological changes in this part of the spine without timely treatment can have serious consequences, for example:
- Violation of the cerebral circulation;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- hypertonic disease;
- Ischemia of the spinal cord and brain;
- Spinal stroke;
- Breathing problems;
- Loss of mobility of the spine due to growth;
- Radiculopathy (pinched nerve roots);
- Hearing, vision and coordination disorders;
- Compression of the spinal cord;
- Intervertebral hernias and so on.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To keep the spine healthy and to prevent the disease from recurring after treatment, it is important to make lifestyle changes. The following methods have been found to be effective in preventing cervical osteochondrosis:
- Using an orthopedic mattress and low pillow for sleeping;
- Maintaining correct posture while sitting at the table and walking;
- regular warming of the neck with prolonged work on the computer;
- drink a vitamin-rich diet and drink plenty of fluids;
- general physical activity throughout the day.
In consultation with a doctor, you can learn more about cervical osteochondrosis, the treatment of this disease and methods of prevention.