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 important not to miss the signs of the impending disease.
Osteochondrosis is called dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage on the background of damage to the intervertebral discs. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pathological destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the vertebrae that supports the head.
The disease is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 30 and 40 years. In developed countries, one or the other degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in 80% of the population.
The neck is considered to be 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, and osteochondrosis develops.
The reasons that contribute 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;
- extra pounds;
- heavy physical activity;
- smoking;
- improper diet;
- poor physical shape;
- spinal cord 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 the disease manifests itself
At the beginning of the disease, only numbness of the neck, which is usually ignored, can testify to its development. As the pathology progresses, the number and intensity of manifestations increase.
There are characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- pain in the nape of the neck, at the base of the neck, spreading 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, tingling, discomfort and stiffness;
- headaches, migraines, dizziness;
- weakness, fatigue.
Secondary symptoms include decreased vision, hearing, memory problems, sleep disturbance, inattention, distraction, and pressure surges.
Doctors classify the signs of osteochondrial processes as syndromes associated with a particular type of spinal lesion.
Stenosis. It develops on the background of a herniated intervertebral disc and is accompanied by impaired blood circulation and excessive growth of bone tissue. It is manifested by numbness of the limbs.
Reflex-irritable syndrome is a consequence of compression of the vertebral artery in the case of curvature of the neck and poor posture. It is manifested by severe paroxysmal pain in the back of the head with a gradual spread to the areas around the forehead.
Radicular syndrome. It is noticed when the spinal roots are flattened - the consequences of a hernia. At the same time, sensitivity in the affected areas decreases and motor activity becomes limited. It can be accompanied by the development of speech defects, snoring, olfactory damage, decreased sensitivity of the tongue muscles.
The complexity of the course of the process 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 compressed. The hooked vertebral extensions are enlarged. Muscle stiffness occurs, but their mobility does not change. Mild swelling and pain may occur when turning the head;
- seconds. It develops against the background of the progression of the first stage of the disease, if the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is absent or carried out incorrectly. The intervertebral foramen is narrowed, the height of the intervertebral discs becomes smaller due to their flattening. Nerve root pinching occurs. The patient feels pain of a punctate nature;
- third. Cracks in the annulus fibrosus surrounding the intervertebral disc lead to rupture of its capsule and deformation of the muscle tissue. The stability of the fixation of the nucleus pulposus inside the intervertebral disc is disturbed. An intervertebral hernia develops. It is characterized by acute neck pain, 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, neck and forearm muscles, thyroid gland, elbow and shoulder joints.
Diagnostic methods
Accurately determining the cause of osteochondrosis allows you to target the disease. Preliminary diagnosis is made after the initial examination by a doctor.
Patients' complaints about the nature of painful syndromes are taken into account, as well as information obtained during the examination of the spine in different 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 abilities.
Physicians obtain complete 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;
- magnetic resonance imaging allows you to determine not only any pathology of the spine, but also the degree of their severity. With the help of magnetic resonance imaging, 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 radiation.
In the presence of vertigo, additional examination of structural changes in blood vessels by Doppler, angiography, and duplex scanning may be required.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervix?
After making an accurate diagnosis and discovering the cause of the disease, the neurologist determines the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Optimal results are achieved with complex therapy that involves the use of multiple methods. Protocols adopted by the WHO include medications, apparatus procedures, exercise therapy, and therapeutic massage.
Drug treatment
In any case, the choice of drugs is made 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.
Basic means 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 that support the body and encourage its recovery.
In the first phase of the therapeutic effect, it is possible to intensify the pain syndrome - it is a reaction of the muscular system. Physiotherapy procedures are used to reduce discomfort and improve drug treatment outcomes.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy involves acting on the cause of the disease with the help of special equipment - electrophoresis, electrical tissue stimulation. 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 medications.
The minimum course of hardware treatment is 10 sessions.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to affect the affected areas at home. With the help of massage pinching, cramps and muscle pains are removed, blood circulation is improved, and nerve root compression is reduced.
Thanks to the massage, the metabolism improves and the spinal tissues are renewed.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The best method of restoring the functionality of the organs of the musculoskeletal system and preventing recurrence are physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Procedures are prescribed after complete relief of pain and inflammation.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- physiotherapy;
- dosed walking;
- simulator training;
- swimming.
In order for exercises for cervical osteochondrosis to bring the expected results, teaching should be supervised by competent professionals.
Folk remedies
Complete elimination of cervical osteochondrosis by 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 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. Because the neck connects the head to the body, all important biological communications are located in this part of the spine - the arteries that feed the brain, the nerve channels.
Any change in the functionality of the cervical spine has consequences in the form of:
- circulatory and brain eating disorders. As a result, hypertension, pathologies of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, VSD, impaired coordination, problems with hearing, vision and speech develop;
- vertebral artery syndrome. The 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 nerve roots, growth of bone tissue on the vertebrae, which leads to partial or complete loss of mobility.
The most dangerous is the compression of the spinal cord, which is located inside the spine. Such pathology leads to rupture of the spinal cord mucosa and causes paralysis. In particularly severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis is fatal.
Prophylaxis
Even after complete recovery, the disease can return if the patient does not reconsider his lifestyle - work and rest, habits, diet.
As a preventative measure, neurologists recommend paying attention to the following points:
- mattress hardness. An orthopedic mattress and low pillow are ideal;
- a visit to the sauna is necessary for complete relaxation and alleviation of muscle cramps;
- 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. Gelatin dishes, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, seafood are recommended.
Heavy physical activity, sharp turns of the head, prolonged sitting or static position should be avoided in everyday life. In addition, it is recommended to use chairs that provide support for the head and back.
An active lifestyle, a healthy diet and morning exercises are simple but effective ways to avoid most illnesses and a long life without pain and discomfort.