Among all musculoskeletal disorders, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the second most common. Symptoms and treatment of the disease are determined by the stage of its development, so it is so important not to overlook the signs of an impending disease.
Osteochondrosis is called dystrophic changes in articular cartilage against the background of damage to the intervertebral discs. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pathological destruction of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae that support the head.
Most often, the disease is diagnosed in people between the ages of 30 and 40. In developed countries, 80% of the population is diagnosed with one degree or another of cervical osteochondrosis.
The neck is considered to be the most flexible part of the spine. At the same time, there are not enough muscles around the neck to compensate for the load on the spine. Therefore, most of the load falls on the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbing pads.
As a result, the intervertebral discs wear out, dry out and become flattened, and osteochondrosis develops.
The reasons that contribute to the appearance of the 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;
- Obesity;
- great physical activity;
- Smoking;
- wrong diet;
- weak physical condition;
- Spinal injury.
Other 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 express itself
At the onset of the disease, only numbness of the throat can testify to its development, which is usually ignored. 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;
- Crunching and pain when turning the head;
- Numbness or tingling in the areas between the shoulder blades and the base of the neck, burning, discomfort and stiffness;
- Headache, migraine, dizziness;
- Weakness, tiredness.
Secondary symptoms are decreased eyesight, hearing, impaired memory, insomnia, inattentiveness, absent-mindedness, pressure surges.
Doctors classify signs of osteochondrial processes as syndromes associated with a specific type of spinal lesion.
Stenosis. It develops against the background of herniated discs and is accompanied by impaired blood flow and overgrowth of bone tissue. Manifested by numbness of the limbs.
The reflex-irritative syndrome is a consequence of the compression of the vertebral artery in the case of a curvature of the neck and poor posture. It manifests itself in severe paroxysmal pain in the back of the head with a gradual spread to areas around the forehead.
Radicular Syndrome. It is observed when the roots of the spine are flattened - the consequences of a hernia. At the same time, the sensitivity in the affected areas decreases and motor activity is restricted. May be accompanied by the development of speech defects, snoring, impaired sense of smell, and 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 filling the vertebral space.
Degenerative lesions of the neck region are conventionally classified into three stages:
- First. The intervertebral disc is compacted. The hook-shaped extensions of the vertebrae are enlarged. Muscle stiffness occurs, but their range of motion does not change. Turning the head may cause slight swelling and pain;
- Second. It develops against the background of the progression of the first stage of the disease, when treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is absent or carried out incorrectly. The intervertebral foramen narrows and the height of the intervertebral discs is reduced due to their flattening. The nerve roots become trapped. The patient feels punctual pain;
- Third. Cracks in the annulus fibrosus that surrounds the intervertebral disc lead to capsular rupture and deformation of the muscle tissue. The fixation stability of the nucleus pulposus within the intervertebral disc is impaired. A disc herniation develops. It is characterized by acute pain in the neck, numbness of the tongue, edema, reduced mobility, curvature of the spine.
The correct position of the cervical vertebrae determines the functionality of the visual and auditory nerves, nose, lips, mouth, collars, teeth, facial nerves, pituitary gland, brain, parasympathetic, neck and forearm muscles, thyroid, elbow and shoulder joints.
Diagnostic methods
A precise determination of the cause of the development of osteochondrosis allows you to fight the disease in a targeted manner. The preliminary diagnosis is indicated by the doctor after the initial examination.
It takes into account the patient's complaints about the type of pain syndromes, as well as the information obtained during the examination of the spine in different positions. By examining the cervical spine, you can determine the presence of seals and deformities. In addition, attention is paid to the patient's muscle tone and motor skills.
Doctors can obtain complete diagnostic information from studies such as:
- Roentgen. The procedure allows you to assess the condition of the vertebrae in two projections - frontal and lateral. Result - detection of damage, salt deposits and compacted formations;
- Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to determine not only any pathology of the spine, but also its severity. The doctor can use an MRI to assess the condition and extent of damage to nerve endings, blood vessels, and intervertebral discs;
- Computed tomography - digitization of information obtained through x-ray irradiation.
In the event of dizziness, additional examination of the structural changes in the vessels using Doppler, angiography, and duplex scanning may be required.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis
After an accurate diagnosis and identification of the causes of the development of the disease, the neurologist determines how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
The optimal results are achieved with a complex therapy in which several methods are used. The protocols adopted by WHO include medication, device procedures, exercise therapy, and therapeutic massage.
Medication
In any 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.
Drug Treatment Fixed Assets:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - pills that relieve pain and inflammation;
- Chondroprotectors - drugs that activate the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- external means - ointments and gels that relieve pain and inflammation;
- a vitamin complex to support the body and stimulate its regeneration.
At the first stage of the therapeutic effect, it is possible to intensify the pain syndrome - this is the reaction of the muscles. Physiotherapy procedures are used to relieve discomfort and improve the results of drug treatment.
physical therapy
Physiotherapy means influencing the cause of the disease with the help of special devices - electrophoresis, electrical tissue stimulation. The application of low-frequency currents improves blood flow to the affected areas, relieves swelling and pain, while increasing the effectiveness of drugs.
The minimum duration of hardware treatment is 10 sessions.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to act on the affected areas at home. With the help of massage pinching, muscle spasms and pain are eliminated, blood circulation is improved, 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 way to restore the functioning of the musculoskeletal system and prevent relapse is to do physical therapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The procedures are prescribed after complete relief from pain and inflammation.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- Physical therapy;
- dosed walking;
- Training on simulators;
- Bathe.
In order for exercises on cervical osteochondrosis to bring the expected results, the courses should be supervised by competent specialists.
Home remedies
Complete elimination of cervical osteochondrosis using traditional medical methods is impossible. On the other hand, the use of folk remedies can improve the patient's condition, reduce inflammation, relieve pain and strengthen the immune system.
On average, the treatment time for cervical osteochondrosis lasts up to three months. If conservative treatment did not bring the expected results, surgical intervention is performed.
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 major biological communications are in this section of the spine - arteries that supply the brain, nerve canals.
Any change in the functionality of the cervical spine has consequences in the form of:
- Circulatory and nutritional disorders of the brain. As a result, hypertension develops, diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular system, VSD, incoordination, hearing, vision and speech problems;
- Vertebral artery syndrome. The pathology develops against the background of the compression of the vessel that supplies the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata. The development of cervical osteochondrosis can lead to ischemia and stroke;
- Radiculopathy - damage to the nerve roots, growth of bone tissue on the vertebrae, as a result of which mobility is partially or completely lost.
Compression of the spinal cord, which is inside the spine, is the most dangerous. Such a pathology leads to a rupture of the lining of the spinal cord and causes paralysis. In particularly severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis is fatal.
prophylaxis
Even after full recovery, the disease can recur if the patient does not rethink his or her lifestyle - work and rest, habits, diet.
As a preventive measure, neurologists recommend paying attention to the following points:
- Hardness of the mattress. An orthopedic mattress and low pillow are ideal;
- a visit to the sauna is necessary for complete relaxation and relief from muscle spasms;
- Taking a hot shower every day is a great way to improve blood flow to the neck;
- Swimming, walking, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the muscles of the spine;
- proper nutrition - rejection of foods that slow metabolism: fatty, fried, sweet, smoked, flour and alcohol. Dishes made with gelatin, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, seafood are recommended.
In everyday life, you should avoid strenuous physical activity, sharp turns of the head, long periods of sitting or a static position. In addition, it is advisable to use chairs that provide head and back support.
An active lifestyle, healthy diet, and morning exercises are simple but effective ways to avoid most illnesses and live a long life with no pain or discomfort.