Osteochondrosis is a dangerous and painful spinal disease associated with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the intervertebral disc and adjacent joints and bone tissue. Often the pathology develops right on the cervical spine. The disease is accompanied by discomfort and significantly reduces the quality of life. In this case, cervical osteochondrosis can occur at any age. Today, the disease is diagnosed even in school students and young people, which is associated with the occurrence of an inactive lifestyle.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
There are many factors that lead to pathological changes in the spine. Often the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is preceded by a combination of several causes that contribute to the displacement and destruction of disc pathology. This includes:
- various neck injuries, including birth;
- prolonged stay in one position (driving, computer);
- hereditary tendencies;
- metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis;
- excessive and improper load, resulting in rapid disk erasure;
- hormonal and autoimmune disorders;
- natural aging;
- less often - infectious diseases, hypothermia, stress, etc.
Characteristics and stages of disease development
The cervical area is the most mobile part of the spine. It comprises seven vertebrae (C1 - C7), which are connected by an elastic and resilient intervertebral disc. The latter consists of the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus. Due to various factors, the position of the discs and their tissue structure change, leading to the emergence of osteochondrosis.
The disease develops in several stages:
- As a result of injury or improper loading, the normal position of the intervertebral disc is disrupted.
- Deterioration of metabolism reduces the strength and elasticity of the annulus fibrosus, as a result of which the distance between the vertebrae decreases.
- Decreased disc elasticity leads to improper load distribution, which leads to core protrusion, hernia formation and curvature of the spinal line.
- Because of the decrease in intervertebral distance, nearby nerves and blood vessels are pinched, pain ensues, and the work of other organs is disrupted.
- As a result of vertebral friction, bone growth (osteophytes) arise. The ligaments of the cervical spine become almost immobile, and the symptoms of the disease become apparent.
Treatment initiated at any stage allows you to prevent irreversible structural changes 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 common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- pulling pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders or arms, aggravated by physical exercise, sneezing or coughing;
- cramps in the cervical spine when turning or tilting the head;
- numbness and tingling in the hands and feet;
- common dizziness and fainting;
- persistent tinnitus and hearing loss;
- dull pain between the shoulder blades and in the heart;
- feelings of general weakness and increased fatigue.
Diagnostics
If there is a suspicion of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important to undergo a thorough examination, which will help determine the condition of the spine and the stage of development of the disease. For an accurate diagnosis, physiological examination with palpation and percussion of the neck is traditionally used, as well as instrumental examination:
- radiography (lateral, direct);
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
To determine the cause of the onset of the disease, ultrasound of nearby organs, electrocardiogram of the heart, duplex scans of blood vessels, blood and urine tests may also be prescribed.
Methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Stop pathological changes and eliminate the manifestations of existing diseases is possible only with the help of complex therapies. In the early stages, you can get rid of cervical osteochondrosis without surgery - with the help of conservative treatment.
The specialist selects an individual course of therapy for each patient, taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism, age and lifestyle. Typically, this complex includes several types of treatment at once, the main purpose of which is to relieve symptoms, prevent the progression of the disease and restore normal function of the spine.
- Drug therapy.During periods of exacerbation, various means are used to help reduce pain and other disease manifestations. Patients can be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors, ointments with a warming effect, drugs to restore cartilage tissue, and others.
- Physiotherapy.Allows you to reduce pain and neutralize inflammation using ultrasound, laser or magnetic vibrations. Also, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrophoresis and other procedures aimed at normalizing metabolic processes in the affected area and relieving unpleasant symptoms can be included in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Sort.Has a strengthening and calming effect on the cervical spine. Eliminates excessive muscle tension, increases the intensity of metabolic processes. Therapeutic massage is performed using a variety of techniques: classical, acupressure, segmental reflex or vacuum. Good results are given by hardware methods of affecting the cervical spine, for example, hydro massage or vibration.
- Attraction.Performed once before starting treatment to release pinched blood vessels and nerve endings. During traction, the spine is stretched using special equipment and a simulator. It provides correction of the position of the intervertebral disc and even division of the vertebrae throughout the whole to normalize blood flow and proper load distribution.
- Exercise therapy.Therapeutic gymnastics is the basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. The implementation of special exercises on a regular basis allows you to restore the natural movement of the vertebrae and ensure normal nutrition of the intervertebral disc with useful substances. Therapeutic exercises usually involve bending, twisting, and other neck movements performed by the patient in the clinic or at home.
The course of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis requires one and a half months. Pain and other acute manifestations of the disease usually disappear by the end of the first week of complex therapy. In severe cases, when an intervertebral hernia or osteophyte (bone -like growth of the spine) is detected at diagnosis, the patient is assigned to undergo surgery.
Why are destructive changes in the neck dangerous?
Due to the structural features (tightness of the spine) and the location near the nerve and blood vessels that feed the brain, cervical osteochondrosis is considered a relatively dangerous disease. Pathological changes in this part of the spine without timely treatment can lead to serious consequences, for example:
- violation of cerebral circulation;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- hypertonic disease;
- spinal cord and brain ischemia;
- spinal stroke;
- breathing problems;
- loss of spinal mobility due to growth;
- radiculopathy (pinched nerve root);
- hearing, vision and coordination disorders;
- spinal cord compression;
- intervertebral hernia and so on.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To maintain a healthy spine and prevent recurrence of the disease after undergoing treatment, it is important to change your lifestyle. The following methods of prevention of cervical osteochondrosis have been shown to be effective:
- the use of orthopedic mattresses and low pillows for sleeping;
- maintain proper body posture while sitting at a table and walking;
- periodic neck warming during prolonged work at the computer;
- a diet rich in vitamins and drinking plenty of fluids;
- general physical activity throughout the day.
You can learn more about cervical osteochondrosis, how the disease is treated, and about prevention methods, by consulting a doctor.