Among all disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the second most common is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Symptoms and treatment of the disease are determined by the stage of its development, so it is so important not to miss the signs of an impending disease.
Osteochondrosis is called dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage against the background of damage to the intervertebral discs. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the pathological destruction of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae that support the head.
Most often, the disease is diagnosed in people aged 30 to 40 years. 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 cushioning cushion.
As a result, the discs wear out, dry out and flatten, osteochondrosis develops.
The reasons contributing to the appearance of pathology lie not only in anatomy, but also in human behavior:
- sedentary and static, sedentary work - at the computer, driving a car, in the office;
- excess weight;
- great physical activity;
- to smoke;
- incorrect nutrition;
- weak physical form;
- spinal injury.
Additional provoking factors for 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 disease manifest itself?
At the onset of the disease, only numbness in the neck can testify to its development, which is usually not paid attention to. As the pathology progresses, the number and intensity of 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;
- headache, migraine, dizziness;
- weakness, fatigue.
Secondary symptoms include decreased vision, hearing, memory problems, sleep disturbances, inattention, distraction, pressure spikes.
Doctors classify the signs of osteochondric processes as syndromes associated with a certain type of spinal injury.
Stenosis. It develops against the background of the hernia of the intervertebral discs and is accompanied by impaired blood circulation and excessive growth of bone tissue. Manifested by numbness in the limbs.
Reflex-irritation syndrome is a consequence of vertebral artery compression in case of neck curvature and poor posture. It manifests itself in severe paroxysmal pain in the back of the head with a gradual spread to the areas around the forehead.
Radicular syndrome. It 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 smell, decreased sensitivity of the muscles of the tongue.
The complexity of the course of 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 phases:
- first. The intervertebral disc is compacted. The hook-shaped processes of the vertebrae are enlarged. Muscle stiffness appears, but their mobility does not change. There may be slight swelling and pain when turning the head;
- according to. 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 was carried out incorrectly. The intervertebral foramen narrows, the height of the intervertebral discs is reduced due to their flattening. Pinching of the nerve roots occurs. The patient feels pain of a punctual nature;
- Third. Cracks in the fibrous ring surrounding the intervertebral disc lead to the rupture of its capsule and deformation of the muscle tissue. The stability of the fixation of the nucleus pulposus within the intervertebral disc is compromised. An intervertebral hernia develops. It is characterized by acute 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, brain, parasympathetic nervous system, neck and forearm muscles, thyroid, elbow joints and shoulder.
Diagnostic methods
Accurate determination of the cause of the development of osteochondrosis allows you to target the disease in a targeted way. Preliminary diagnosis is indicated after the first medical examination.
The patient's complaints about the nature of pain syndromes are taken into account, as well as information obtained during the 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 patient's muscle tone and motor skills.
Doctors receive comprehensive diagnostic information using studies such as:
- radiography. The procedure allows you to assess the condition of the vertebrae in two projections - frontal and lateral. Result - identification of damage, salt deposits and compacted formations;
- MRI allows you to establish not only any pathology of the spine, but also the degree of their 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 structural changes in the vessels by Doppler, angiography, and duplex scanning may be necessary.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
Having made an accurate diagnosis and found out the causes of the development of the disease, the neurologist determines how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
The best results are obtained with a complex therapy that involves the use of multiple methods. The protocols adopted by the WHO include drugs, apparatus procedures, physical therapy and therapeutic massage.
Pharmacological treatment
In any case, the choice of drugs is carried out on an individual basis. It depends not only on the severity of the pathology, but also on the specific characteristics of the patient's body.
Immobilizations of drug treatment:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - pills that relieve pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotector - 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 drugs.
The minimum course of hardware treatment is 10 sessions.
Cervical osteochondrosis massage at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to affect affected areas at home. With the help of pinching massage, muscle spasms and pains are eliminated, blood circulation improves, compression of the nerve roots 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 to restore the functionality of the organs of the musculoskeletal system and prevent relapses are physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Procedures are prescribed after complete relief from pain and inflammation.
The main types of physical therapy:
- Physiotherapy;
- walking dosed;
- training on simulators;
- I swim.
In order for the exercises for cervical osteochondrosis to bring the expected results, classes should be supervised by competent specialists.
Folk remedies
Complete elimination of cervical osteochondrosis using the methods of traditional medicine is impossible. On the other hand, the use of folk 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 brought the expected results, surgical intervention is used.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Pathologies in the neck area pose a serious threat to all human health. Since the neck connects the head to the body, all important biological communications are found in this section of the spine: the arteries that feed the brain, the nerve channels.
Any changes in the functionality of the cervical spine lead to consequences in the form of:
- circulatory and nutritional disorders of the brain. As a result, hypertension develops, pathologies of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, VSD, impaired coordination, problems with hearing, vision and speech;
- vertebral artery syndrome. Pathology develops against the background of compression of the vessel feeding 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 on the vertebrae, as a result of which a partial or complete loss of mobility occurs.
Compression of the spinal cord, which is located inside the spine, is very dangerous. This pathology leads to the rupture of the lining of the spinal cord and causes paralysis. In particularly severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis is fatal.
Prophylaxis
Even after complete recovery, the disease can recur if the patient does not reconsider his lifestyle: work and rest, habits, nutrition.
As a preventive measure, neurologists recommend paying attention to the following points:
- hardness of the mattress. An orthopedic mattress and a low pillow are ideal;
- a visit to the sauna is required for complete relaxation and to relieve muscle spasms;
- a daily hot shower is a good way to improve blood circulation in the neck;
- swimming, walking, stimulating blood circulation, strengthening the muscles of the spine;
- proper nutrition - rejection of foods that slow down metabolism: fatty, fried, sweet, smoked, flour and alcohol. Dishes with jelly, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, seafood are recommended.
In everyday life, you should avoid strenuous physical activity, sudden turns of the head, prolonged sitting or 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.