Osteochondrosis is a dangerous and painful disease of the spine, which is related to structural degenerative dystrophy of the intervertebral disc and adjacent joints and bone tissues. The pathology usually develops precisely in 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. Nowadays, this disease is diagnosed even among elementary school students and young people, which is related to the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
There are many factors that cause pathological changes in the spine. The occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis is usually caused by a variety of reasons, which can lead to disc displacement and pathological damage. These include:
- Various neck injuries, including birth;
- Stay in one position for a long time (driving, computer);
- Genetic predisposition
- Metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiencies and vitamin deficiencies;
- Excessive and incorrect load, resulting in rapid disk erasure;
- Hormonal and autoimmune diseases;
- Natural aging
- Rarely-infectious diseases, hypothermia, stress, etc.
The characteristics and stages of the disease
The cervical spine area is the most mobile part of the spine. It consists of seven vertebrae (C1-C7), which are connected by elastic and elastic intervertebral discs. The latter is composed of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus. Due to various factors, the position of the intervertebral disc and the structure of its tissue have changed, leading to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
The disease develops in several stages:
- Due to injury or improper load, the normal position of the intervertebral disc will be destroyed.
- The deterioration of metabolism reduces the strength and elasticity of the annulus fibrosus, as a result of which the distance between the vertebrae is reduced.
- The reduced elasticity of the intervertebral disc leads to incorrect load distribution, leading to nuclear herniation, hernia formation, and crooked spine.
- As the distance between the vertebrae is reduced, nearby nerves and blood vessels are squeezed, causing pain, and the work of other organs is also disturbed.
- Due to the friction of the vertebrae, bone growth (osteophytes) occurs. The cervical ligaments are almost immobile, and the symptoms of the disease are obvious.
Treatment started at any stage can prevent irreversible changes in the structure of the spine and avoid dangerous interference with the work of other body systems.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The pathological changes in this part of the spine have very special manifestations. The most typical symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- Overwork, sneezing or coughing can aggravate the pain in the head, neck, shoulder or back of the arm;
- When turning or tilting the head, the cervical spine contracts;
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet;
- Frequent dizziness and fainting;
- Persistent tinnitus and hearing loss;
- Dull pain between the shoulder blades and the heart area;
- A feeling of general weakness and increased fatigue.
Diagnostic procedure
If cervical osteochondrosis is suspected, it is important to have a comprehensive examination, which will help determine the condition of the spine and the degree of disease progression. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, physical examination of palpation and tapping of the neck and instrumental examination are traditionally used:
- Radiography (transverse, direct);
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
In order to determine the cause of the disease, an ultrasound of nearby organs, an electrocardiogram of the heart, a double scan of blood vessels, and blood and urine tests can be additionally prescribed.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Only with complex treatments can it be possible to stop the pathological changes and eliminate the existing manifestations of the disease. In the early stages, you can get rid of cervical chondropathy without surgery-with the help of conservative treatment.
Experts will choose an individual treatment plan for each patient based on 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 disease progression and restore normal function of the spine.
- medical treatement.During the exacerbation, various methods are used to relieve pain and other manifestations of the disease. Patients can be prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectants, ointments with a warming effect, drugs to restore cartilage tissue, etc.
- physiotherapy.Using ultrasound, laser or electromagnetic vibration can relieve pain and eliminate inflammation. Similarly, manual therapies, acupuncture, electrophoresis and other procedures aimed at normalizing the metabolic process of the diseased area and alleviating the symptoms of discomfort can also be included in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
- massage.It has firming and relaxing effects on the cervical spine. Eliminate excessive muscle tension and enhance the intensity of metabolic processes. Therapeutic massage using various techniques: classic, shiatsu, segmented reflex or vacuum. Good results can be obtained through hardware methods that affect the cervical spine, such as hydromassage or vibration massage.
- Traction.It was done once before starting treatment to release pinched blood vessels and nerve endings. During traction, special equipment and simulators are used to stretch the spine. It can correct the position of the intervertebral discs and evenly distribute the vertebrae over 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 set of exercises can restore the natural mobility of the vertebral body and ensure the normal nutrition of the intervertebral discs by using useful substances. Therapeutic exercise usually involves bending, twisting, and other neck movements performed by the patient in the clinic or at home.
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis takes one and a half months. The pain and other acute manifestations of the disease usually disappear by the end of the first week of complex treatment. In severe cases, if an intervertebral hernia or osteophyte (spine-like bone growth) is detected during the diagnosis process, the patient will be assigned surgery.
Why are destructive changes in the neck dangerous?
Due to the structural characteristics (the tight fit of the vertebrae) and the close location of the nerves and blood channels for the brain, cervical osteochondrosis is considered a very dangerous disease. If not treated in time, pathological changes in this part of the spine may lead to serious consequences, such as:
- Violation of cerebral circulation;
- Nutritional vascular dystonia;
- Hyperosmolar disease
- Spinal cord and cerebral ischemia;
- Spinal stroke;
- Problems with the respiratory system;
- Loss of spinal mobility due to growth;
- Nerve radiculopathy (compression of nerve roots);
- Impaired hearing, vision and coordination;
- Spinal cord compression;
- Intervertebral disc hernia and so on.
Prevent cervical osteochondrosis
In order to maintain a healthy spine and avoid recurrence of the disease after treatment, it is important to change your lifestyle. The following methods to prevent cervical osteochondrosis have been proven effective:
- Sleep with orthopedic mattresses and low pillows;
- Maintain the correct posture when sitting at the table and walking;
- Regularly keep your neck warm on the computer that you work for a long time;
- Rich in vitamin nutrition and drink plenty of liquids;
- General physical exercise throughout the day.
You can consult a doctor to learn more about cervical osteochondrosis, how to treat the disease and how to prevent it.