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Cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Cervical osteochondrosis is a progressive degenerative-dystrophic process, which leads to exhaustion, deformation and destruction of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region.The loss of shock -absorbing cartilage causes pains both due to the exposure of the joint surfaces (spondylarthrosis), and due to the refinement of the nerve roots of the spinal cord.

In the absence of timely treatment, it is possible to ossify the spine with the loss of its natural flexibility, impaired blood supply to the brain, the deterioration of nervous conduction in those parts of the body that innervate the roots of the cervical spine.

Pathology can develop both independently and as part of a general damage to the spine with the coverage of the chest, lumbar and sacral parts.

General information

It is believed that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is more common than in other departments.In fact, this is not so - dystrophic phenomena develop evenly at all points of the maximum load - in the area of the main bends of the spinal column (the lower the department is located, the greater the load it carries).However, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are more pronounced, so they seem more frequent.This is due to the high mobility of the vertebrae of the neck, which at the same time hold the head, as well as with the peculiarity of the outputs of the spinning roots of the spinal cord.

Note!According to statistics, the disease affects more than 60% of middle and older people.However, recently, a rejuvenation of the pathological process has been observed - pathology is found in young people and even in adolescents.This is due to the general computerization of study and work, as well as a decrease in physical activity and a deterioration in the quality of nutrition.

Given the age audience, 2 forms of cervical osteochondrosis can be distinguished - physiological and pathological.

Physiological processIt is associated with the natural aging of the body, when the symptoms of the disease are a consequence of the gradual wear of the intervertebral discs.The process occurs under the influence of the endocrine system and is a consequence of menopause.The destruction of the cartilage structures begins from the center of the intervertebral disc and is accompanied by a gradual replacement of the cartilage tissue of the fibrous.The pathology is irreversible, however, it can be compensated by special medicines.

Pathological processIt is associated with abnormal destructive changes in the body - immune, dystrophic, inflammatory, metabolic.First of all, subcutaneous tissues are involved-salts of salts on bone structures appear, nerve roots are inflamed, atrophy or skeletal muscle hypertonicity occurs, which leads to circulatory disorders in the head-and-groove.With timely diagnosis, the pathology is treated and ends with the complete restoration of the healthy function of organs and tissues.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis and their symptoms

There are 4 main stages of the pathological process:

  • 1st stage-is expressed by slight discomfort and muscle overstrain in the diseased region, cartilage discs lose their stability;
  • 2nd stage-local pain appears, especially with head movements.The intervertebral discs are deformed, the fibrous ring begins to collapse, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced;
  • 3rd stage-the pain intensifies and becomes constant, movement becomes limited.The heads of the head can provoke bouts of dizziness, nausea, a violation of the blood supply to the brain leads to general lethargy, rapid fatigue, impaired concentration, the cartilage tissue is thinner, the vertebrae are closed, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed with the emergence of the risk of intervertebral hernia;
  • The 4th stage-the pain syndrome completely immobilizes the neck area, the blood circulation of the brain is disturbed and requires constant drug support, the vertebrae begin to grow together.

Cervical osteochondrosis: signs, symptoms of pathology

In the first stages, osteochondrosis is asymptomatic.As the disease develops, a distinctive feature is the presence of painful or uncomfortable sensations in the head, neck and chest, less often the upper limbs.

All possible symptoms can be conditionally attributed to 4 types of syndromes: heart, vertebral, roying (nervous) and spinal artery syndrome (with circulatory disorders).

Vertebrate syndrome:

  • crunch in the neck when turning/tilting heads;
  • With the progress of the disease, pain and difficulty of movement occur;
  • Morphological disorders of the structure in the body of the vertebra and intervertebral space (visible on the X -ray).

Heart syndrome:

  • shortness of breath, weakness;
  • a feeling of incomplete breath, lack of air;
  • spontaneous phenomena from the cardiovascular system-angina pectoris, rag pain, burning;

Rook syndrome:

  • numbness of the tongue, shoulders, fingers, occipital region;
  • difficulties with swallowing;
  • unpleasant sensations in the area between the shoulder blades;
  • Headache in the nape and forehead.

Vail artery syndrome:

  • unreasonable jumps in blood pressure;
  • dizziness, up to loss of consciousness;
  • noise in the ears, a feeling of cotton wool in the head;
  • temporary one -sided blindness, "flies" in the eyes;
  • periodic attacks of nausea, especially when heading;
  • headaches - mainly in the nape, as well as migraines;
  • drowsiness, decrease in performance, memory, concentration of attention, depression.

Attention!All these syndromes should be combined with each other.The absence of symptoms of one of them can be a reason for differential diagnosis with other groups of diseases.

The causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Dostrophic phenomena in the cervical spine are associated with the vertical location of the skeleton and the specific distribution of static and dynamic loads, which largely depend on the predominant poses and degree of development of skeletal muscles.

The main reasons:

  • The lack of movement - what does not develop - degrades: the muscles are weakening, the tissues are destroyed;
  • Incorrect static poses - muscle clamps lead to circulatory disorders with subsequent tissue dystrophy;
  • lack of nutrition or an unbalanced diet - the body should receive everything necessary for the construction and renewal of bone and cartilage structures of the skeleton, maintaining muscle tone;
  • obesity, overweight, wearing weights - the load on the structure of the skeleton increases;
  • constant nervous tension and nervous stresses;
  • hypothermia of the cervical region - “caught”, “inflated” - provokes hidden inflammatory processes;
  • The presence of autoimmune diseases with the involvement of cartilaginous tissue leads to its premature destruction;
  • Endocrine pathologies are confused by mineral metabolism, reduce the digestibility of calcium, silicon, phosphorus and other elements of bone-chryshot tissue;
  • injuries of the cervical region;
  • Congenital abnormalities of the spine and adjacent muscles.

Diagnostics

MRI of the cervical department

The diagnosis of “osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra” is made up with the low specificity of the symptoms and a wide variety of their manifestations.In the examination process, a consultation of a neurologist, surgeon, orthopedist, cardiologist will be required.

A physical examination is carried out by a doctor with a patient survey.The main diagnostic load lies with instrumental and laboratory research methods.

Instrumental diagnostics:

  • X -ray of the cervical department;At the initial stage of the process, the MRI of the cervical department will be more informative - it will ensure high -quality visualization of solid and soft tissues - will show the condition of the intervertebral discs, the presence of osteophytes, deformations, damage to the nerve roots and blood vessels;will evaluate the condition of the ligaments, muscles, bone tissue;
  • Ultrasound shows the dynamic state of soft tissues;
  • Dopplerography of the vessels of the neck will help assess the hemodynamics and the degree of damage to the blood vessels (in particular, the state of the spinal artery);
  • Contrast myelography - will help with suspicion of infringement of nerve processes;
  • The ECG and echocardiography of the heart are used for differential diagnosis of cardiac syndrome with cardiovascular diseases.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis

The complex of medical measures is formed taking into account the stage of the disease (acute, chronic), the degree of damage and the causes of the development of pathology.Use conservative treatment, surgical intervention, mixed approach.

Conservative effect

It is a gradual restoration or compensation for damage against the background of symptomatic treatment.Includes drug therapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and massage methods.

Drug treatment:

  • painkillers - mainly gels and ointments of local influence;in severe cases - common painkillers in the form of tablets;
  • anti -inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs, as well as corticosteroids (short course if necessary);
  • Medicines for improving microcirculation and blood circulation in general;
  • chondroprotectors - means for protecting and restoring cartilage fabric;
  • Musorelaxants - to eliminate muscle clamps and spasms;
  • Vitamin and microelene complexes are necessary for nutrition and support of fabrics by building elements.

As the acute symptoms are weakened, the methods of physiotherapy, exercise therapy and self -massage are connected.

Therapeutic gymnasticsImproves nutrition of cartilage and bone tissues by restoring blood supply in the damaged area.In order to avoid complications, it is recommended to use the method of isometric movements, when instead of real turns and tilts of the head that can damage, they use their imitation.

Attention!All actions should be performed only after diagnosis and consultation with a doctor.

The technique allows you to develop and strengthen atrophied short neck muscles and stabilize the position of the cervical spine.The sequence of basic exercises:

  1. The palm of the right hand is reduced to the side surface of the head-press your palm on your head within 10 seconds, while straining the muscles of the head and neck for resistance-the head should remain motionless.
  2. Lower your hand, relax the muscles of the head and neck as much as possible for 20 seconds.
  3. Repeat the exercise with the left hand.
  4. Get both hands with your palms in the forehead-press on the forehead for 10 seconds, as if trying to reject your head back, while straining the neck muscles to resist the movement.The head should remain motionless.
  5. Lower your hands, relaxing the muscles as similarly to the previous exercise.
  6. Put both palms in the area above the back of the head.By analogy, perform a pressing load on the muscles of the neck, trying to tilt your head forward - it should still be motionless.
  7. Lower your hands, relax your neck and head muscles.Repeat the set of exercises 4-10 times.

After strengthening the short neck muscles, you can begin to perform dynamic exercises.

Note!As a methodology for restoring the mobility of the cervical region, swimming and water gymnastics have proven themselves well.

Self -massageAllows you to reduce the intensity of local reactions and remove muscle clamps during static work.Rules for execution:

  • area of exposure - the back of the head, back and side surfaces of the neck;
  • carry out the procedure in a sitting position;
  • movements should be performed in the direction from the spine;
  • use only fingertips;
  • Avoid pressure on inflamed areas;
  • Perform movements smoothly - sharp pressure can harm.
Physiotherapy for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

PhysiotherapyCharacteristic for inpatient treatment and sanatorium-resort rehabilitation.Well proven themselves:

  • electrophoresis - hears the zone, improves microcirculation, is used for deeper penetration of local drugs;
  • magnetotherapy;
  • amplipulse;
  • UHF.

Surgical intervention is indicated with complicated extrusion, infringements of the spinal cord and unconscious pain syndromes.

Than cervical osteochondrosis is dangerous

The neck area concentrates the dense interweaving of the main blood vessels, nervous processes and the dynamic structures of the bone skeleton.In the absence of treatment, serious pathological changes can be observed:

  • The weakening of the fibrous ring provokes dislocations and subluxation in the area of the most mobile vertebrae;
  • The presence of osteophytes and spasming of muscles leads to infringement of nerve roots and blood vessels with the formation of compression syndromes;
  • The destruction of the cartilaginous discs and the rapprochement of the vertebrae leads to intervertebral hernias with infringement of nervous tissue.

Each this phenomenon follows a pronounced negative reaction from the whole organism.

Possible complications and consequences

The list of the most common complications of cervical osteochondrosis can be included:

  • vegetovascular dystonia;
  • hypertension;
  • oxygen starvation of the brain and its structures;
  • dystrophy of eye retina with visual impairment;
  • thyroid failure failure;
  • Disruption of the functions of the esophagus and trachea - difficulty swallowing and breathing cramps;
  • unconscious pain syndrome in the head, neck, chest, upper extremities;
  • convulsions and numbness of the face, hands;
  • Disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary system that pulls a failure of the entire hormonal activity of the body.

Preventive measures

The most effective treatment is the prevention of the disease.Prevention will help you with this.It is enough to follow several basic recommendations:

  • adjust your posture
  • create a convenient workplace;
  • During sedentary work, take breaks on the "physical education";
  • Include in your diet foods rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon - fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, dairy products, fresh vegetables, fruits;Limit the consumption of salt, sweet, flour and sharp dishes;
  • For sleep and rest, use orthopedic mattress and pillow;
  • Take care of a non -sided sport - it is better to give preference to swimming.

Even if you are not able to take into account all the requirements, moderate physical exertion, proper nutrition and attentive attitude to your posture can significantly reduce the risk of pathology.