Among all disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the second most common is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The symptoms and treatment of the disease are determined by the stage of its development, so it is very important not to ignore the signs of impending disease.
Osteochondrosis is called dystrophic changes in articular cartilage against the background of damage to the intervertebral discs. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the pathological destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the vertebrae that support the head.
Most of the time, the disease is diagnosed in people in their 30s and 40s. In developed countries, one or another degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in 80% of the population.
The neck is considered the most mobile part of the spine. At the same time, there are not enough muscles around the neck that can compensate for the load on the spine. Therefore, most of the load falls on the intervertebral discs, which act as a shock absorbing pad.
As a result, the discs wear out, dry out and flatten, osteochondrosis develops.
The reasons that contribute to the appearance of pathology lie not only in anatomy, but also in human behavior:
- sedentary and static work, sedentary: at the computer, driving a car, in the office;
- overweight;
- great physical activity;
- of smoking;
- improper nutrition;
- weak physical form;
- spinal injury.
Other factors that provoke the development of osteochondrosis are: flat feet, soft mattresses and pillows, the habit of carrying a bag on the shoulder, hypothermia and stress.
How does the illness emerge?
At the beginning of the disease, only the numbness of the neck can attest to its development, which is usually not paid attention to. As the pathology progresses, the number and intensity of the manifestations increases.
There are characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- pain in the back of the head, at the base of the neck, radiating to the extremities;
- creaking and pain when turning the head;
- numbness or tingling in the areas between the shoulder blades and at the base of the neck, burning, discomfort, and stiffness;
- headaches, migraines, dizziness;
- weakness, tiredness
Secondary symptoms include decreased vision, hearing, memory problems, sleep disturbances, inattention, distraction, sudden increases in pressure.
Doctors classify the signs of osteochondral processes as syndromes associated with a certain type of spinal injury.
Stenosis. It develops against the background of herniated intervertebral discs and is accompanied by impaired blood circulation and excessive growth of bone tissue. Manifested by numbness of the extremities.
Reflex-irritant syndrome is a consequence of compression of the vertebral artery in case of curvature of the neck and poor posture. It manifests itself in severe paroxysmal pain in the back of the head that gradually spreads to the areas around the forehead.
Root syndromeIt is observed when the spinal roots are flattened, the consequences of a hernia. At the same time, the sensitivity in the affected areas decreases and motor activity becomes limited. It can be accompanied by the development of speech defects, snoring, impaired sense of smell, decreased sensitivity of the muscles of the tongue.
The complexity of the course of the processes is determined by the state of the nucleus pulposus that fills the vertebral space.
Degenerative lesions of the cervical region are conventionally divided into three stages:
- first. The intervertebral disc is compacted. The hooked processes of the vertebrae are enlarged. Muscle stiffness appears, but its mobility does not change. There may be slight swelling and pain when turning the head;
- second. It develops against the background of the progress of the first stage of the disease, if the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine was absent or carried out incorrectly. The intervertebral foramen narrows, the height of the intervertebral discs is reduced due to their flattening. Nerve root pinching occurs. The patient feels a punctual pain;
- third. Cracks in the annulus fibrosus that surrounds the intervertebral disc cause its capsule to rupture and the muscle tissue to deform. The stability of the fixation of the nucleus pulposus within the intervertebral disc is affected. An intervertebral hernia develops. It is characterized by sharp pain in the neck, numbness of the tongue, edema, limited mobility, curvature of the spine.
The correct position of the cervical vertebrae determines the functionality of the optic and auditory nerves, nose, lips, mouth, throat ligaments, teeth, facial nerve, pituitary gland, brain, parasympathetic nervous system, muscles of the neck and forearms, thyroid gland , elbow and shoulder joints.
Diagnostic methods
An accurate determination of the cause of the development of osteochondrosis allows you to specifically attack the disease. The preliminary diagnosis is indicated after the initial examination by the doctor.
Patient complaints about the nature of pain syndromes are taken into account, as well as information obtained during examination of the spine in various positions. Examination of the cervical spine allows you to determine the presence of seals and deformities. In addition, attention is paid to the muscle tone and motor abilities of the patient.
Doctors receive comprehensive diagnostic information using studies such as:
- bone scan. The procedure allows you to assess the state of the vertebrae in two views: frontal and lateral. Result: identification of damages, salt deposits and compacted formations;
- MRI allows you to establish not only any pathology of the spine, but also the degree of severity. Using MRI, the doctor can assess the condition and level of damage to nerve endings, blood vessels, and intervertebral discs;
- computed tomography: digitization of information obtained by X-ray irradiation.
In the presence of dizziness, further examination of the structural changes in the vessels using Doppler, angiography, and duplex ultrasound may be necessary.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
After making an accurate diagnosis and finding out the causes of the development of the disease, the neurologist determines how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
Optimal results are obtained with complex therapy that involves the use of several methods. The protocols adopted by the WHO include medications, appliance procedures, exercise therapy and therapeutic massage.
Treatment with medication
In each case, the choice of drugs is made individually. It depends not only on the severity of the pathology, but also on the specific characteristics of the patient's body.
Fixed assets of drug treatment:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - pills that relieve pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotectors - drugs that activate the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- external agents - ointments and gels that relieve pain and inflammation;
- a complex of vitamins to support the body and stimulate its recovery.
At the first stage of the therapeutic effect, it is possible to increase the pain syndrome - this is the reaction of the muscular system. To reduce discomfort and improve the results of drug treatment, physiotherapy procedures are used.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy means the impact on the cause of the disease with the help of special equipment - electrophoresis, electrical stimulation of tissues. The use of low-frequency currents improves blood circulation in the affected areas, relieves swelling and pain, and at the same time increases the effectiveness of the medication.
The minimum course of hardware treatment is 10 sessions.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to influence affected areas in the home. With the help of massage, muscle spasms and pains are eliminated, blood circulation is improved, and nerve root compression is reduced.
Thanks to the massage, the metabolism improves and the tissues of the spine are restored.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
The best method of restoring the functionality of the organs of the musculoskeletal system and preventing relapse is physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Procedures are prescribed after complete relief from pain and inflammation.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- physiotherapy;
- walking dosed;
- simulator training;
- swimming.
In order for exercises for cervical osteochondrosis to produce the expected results, classes must be supervised by competent specialists.
Home remedies
Complete removal of cervical osteochondrosis using traditional medicine methods is impossible. On the other hand, the use of home remedies can improve the patient's condition, relieve inflammation, reduce pain, and strengthen the immune system.
On average, the treatment period for cervical osteochondrosis lasts up to three months. If conservative treatment has not yielded the expected results, surgical intervention is used.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Pathologies in the neck area pose a serious threat to human health. Since the neck connects the head to the body, all important biological communications are located in this section of the spine: arteries that feed the brain, the nerve canals.
Any change in the functionality of the cervical spine carries consequences in the form of:
- Circulatory and nutritional disorders of the brain. As a result, hypertension, pathologies of the respiratory and cardiovascular system, VSD, coordination problems, hearing, vision and speech problems develop;
- vertebral artery syndrome. Pathology develops against the background of compression of the vessel that feeds the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The development of cervical osteochondrosis can cause ischemia and stroke;
- radiculopathy - damage to the nerve roots, growth of bone tissue in the vertebrae, as a result of which there is a partial or complete loss of mobility.
Compression of the spinal cord, which is inside the spine, is more dangerous. Such a pathology leads to the rupture of the lining of the spinal cord and causes paralysis. In especially severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis is fatal.
Prophylaxis
Even after a full recovery, the disease can return again if the patient does not reconsider her lifestyle: work and rest, habits, nutrition.
As a preventive measure, neurologists recommend paying attention to the following points:
- mattress hardness. An orthopedic mattress and a low pillow are ideal;
- a visit to the sauna is necessary for complete relaxation and relieve muscle spasms;
- a daily hot shower is a good way to improve blood circulation in the neck;
- swimming, walking, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the muscles of the spine;
- Proper nutrition: rejection of foods that slow down metabolism: fatty, fried, sweet, smoked, flour and alcohol. Dishes with gelatin, dairy, nuts, vegetables, white meat, seafood are recommended.
In daily life, you should avoid strenuous physical activity, sharp head turns, sitting for a long time, or being in a static position. In addition, it is advisable to use chairs that provide support for the head and back.
An active lifestyle, healthy eating, and morning exercises are simple but effective ways to avoid most diseases and live a long life without pain and discomfort.