Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease that affects the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. Degenerative changes usually occur in the most mobile part of the spine. Therefore, in the cervical spine, the nerve roots at the C5, C6, and C7 levels are most often affected due to the invasion of the vertebral structure.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is compression headache, often radiating to the temples.
The clinical manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into reflex and root.
Reflex symptoms
The patient is worried about the so-called low back pain-a severe pain that occurs in the cervical spine, which is exacerbated by exercise. It may be a crunching sound when you turn your head, and sometimes the patient will adopt a strong head posture due to severe pain.
People with cervical osteochondrosis often complain of headaches, which radiate to the temples and eyeballs. Sometimes vision drops, and the patient says that everything is floating in front of his eyes.
When the vertebral artery nerve plexus is stimulated, vertebral artery syndrome can occur, which is often misdiagnosed as cerebral circulatory disorder, and the patient has dizziness. They may occur during strenuous head movements, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
One of the clinical reflex syndromes in cervical osteochondrosis is angina pectoris, and the patient’s sensation is similar to an attack of angina pectoris. Usually, this phenomenon is combined with other signs of the disease, so the differential diagnosis with heart disease rarely causes difficulties.
Nerve root syndrome
Nerve root syndrome is caused by compression of the root of the spinal cord. The motor and sensory disturbances that occur in this situation depend on which nerve root is affected:
- C1-Violation of the sensitivity of the occipital region;
- C2-Pain in the area of the occiput and parietal lobe;
- C3-Decreased sensitivity and pain in the half of the neck where spinal nerves are invaded, which may infringe on the sensitivity of the tongue, and cause language disorders due to loss of control of the tongue;
- C4-Impaired sensitivity and pain in the scapular area, decreased head and neck muscle tone, possible breathing disorders, liver and heart pain;
- C5-Pain and sensitivity of the outer surface of the shoulder is impaired;
- C6-Pain extending from the neck to the scapula, forearm, outer surface of the shoulder, radial surface of the forearm to the thumb;
- C7-Pain in the II-IV fingers extending from the neck to the scapula, the back of the shoulder, the forearm to the hand, and the sensitivity of this area is impaired.
- C8-Pain and sensory disturbances spread from the neck to the shoulders, and from the forearms to the little fingers.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex disease that requires long-term, systematic and progressive treatment. The treatment aims to eliminate pain and combat the inflammatory process in the affected area.
The patient was prescribed analgesics. In recent years, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can effectively eliminate pain syndromes and help reduce the activity of inflammatory processes have become increasingly popular in the treatment of spinal degenerative dystrophy.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, chondroprotectants-drugs that slow the destruction of cartilage tissue are needed. Many doctors believe that the use of these drugs can also promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
The use of topical ointments and gels containing irritants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is ineffective. Due to the barriers of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle, the drugs that are part of it are unlikely to reach the affected area. However, it makes sense to use these topical agents because when they rub against the skin, they massage the neck.
In order to improve the regeneration and metabolism of the affected nerve roots, patients are prescribed group B vitamins. Usually, doctors recommend multivitamin preparations to patients for intramuscular administration.
Non-drug methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis include acupuncture, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, exercise therapy, massage, and manual therapy.
In severe cases, surgery may be required.
prevention
Routine exercises for the cervical spine can well prevent osteochondrosis.
It is not difficult to prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis. It is recommended to live an active lifestyle, participate in sports, or at least do morning exercises.
The correct organization of the workplace and the way of work and rest play an important role in preventing diseases. People who work for a long time need to do a few small warm-ups during the working day, and monitor their posture and head position while working.
It is also important to choose a good, comfortable mattress and pillow for sleeping. It is recommended that people with spine diseases use special orthopedic products.
Which doctor to contact
Patients with osteochondrosis of the spine are monitored by a neurologist. There are a large number of other professional doctors who can help patients suffering from this disease: physical therapists and massage specialists, osteopaths, manual and reflex therapists, physical therapists, etc.