Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a progressive process of dystrophy, disruption of the intervertebral discs.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are characterized by severe pain in the neck, head, shoulders and affect everyone, regardless of age.

DESCRIPTION OF OSTEOCHONDROSIS

Osteochondrosis of the neck is much younger. Young people suffer from it from adolescence. The neck is the weakest area of ​​the spine. The seven vertebrae join together quite closely, and the muscular skeleton is worse developed than the rest of the sections. The neck is subject to serious stress because it supports the skull and is in constant motion.

What is cervical osteochondrosis? The intervertebral discs are nourished by diffusion from adjacent tissues. Deterioration of blood supply to the tissues surrounding the vertebrae leads to a lack of nutrition and water. Disc nucleus starvation and annulus fibrosus lead to degenerative processes.

Overcrowded bone tissue near vertebrae, stuck intervertebral discs, and compressed nerves and ligaments first appear as signs of diminished performance. High-intensity pain initially focuses on the neck, head, shoulders, heart, arms, upper chest, moving to the lower extremities. Each of the seven beads sends signals to the other departments. Compressed nerve roots affect the condition of other body systems.

Osteochondrosis is especially dangerous for the brain. The vertebral artery running here performs the function of providing blood supply to the back of the brain. Its tightening leads to headaches, often developing into migraines, without undergoing pain relievers. Osteochondrosis of the neck can be accompanied by dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, nausea and vomiting. Later, symptoms of pharyngitis appear, sudden fainting due to lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Compression of the vertebral artery leads to ischemia of the spinal cord and brain. A deterioration of the process causes a backlash.

BASIC PROCESSES IN DISEASE

Neck osteochondrosis should be considered by the interaction of physiological and pathological factors:

• physiological process: aging of the spine cartilage occurs due to irreversible natural causes. The changes occur in the central part of the intervertebral disc. The process of age-related changes in the body leads to the replacement of the pulp with fibrous tissue;
• pathological process:there are degenerative changes in intervertebral structures, destruction of surrounding vessels and joints. Changes occur outside the cartilage itself, there is a compression of blood vessels, irritation of nerve endings. A person feels dysalgia, pain symptoms of a local and reflected nature.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine acquires a pathological form when physiological aging is replaced by a pathological process. In the beginning, the body’s compensatory and protective mechanisms are triggered, eliminating the disease. Therefore, osteochondrosis is able to pass or occur only sporadically. But this feature is not permanent.

Progression of the disease, expressed in the compression of vascular and nervous structures, is accompanied by the following processes:

• spondylolisthesis, in which the spinal disc slides. Even a slight shift leads to the development of paralysis. Severe displacement is fatal;
• The nucleus pulposus is impregnated with calcium salts. This leads to a malnutrition of the disc, provokes the formation of a hernia;
• an intervertebral hernia formed due to the elongation of the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae. Ignoring therapeutic measures leads to weak paralysis;
• appearance of microcracks in the ring fibrosus, exit development. The intervertebral disc extends beyond its boundaries;
• spondylosis, which means consumed beads. Osteophytes appear - growths of bone tissue in the form of hooks and thorns, located on the sides of the vertebral bodies. There is severe pain and, as a result, stiffness of movements.

REASONS FOR THERE EXPRESSION OF OSTECHONDROSIS Neck

An increase in load on the cervical spine leads to an attempt by the body to compensate for the condition. Thus begin muscle spasms, deterioration of blood circulation, deformities. The structure of the beads itself changes. The cause may also be progressive discosis resulting from prolonged physical exertion.

The main factors that provoke the occurrence of cervical osteochondrosis:

• hypodynamics;
• weakening of the immune system;
• excessive physical activity;
• presence of spinal cord injuries;
• nutritional deficiency of essential substances, overweight;
• behavioral problems (scoliosis, flat feet, rheumatism);
• hereditary factor;
• autoimmune diseases that cause cartilage degeneration;
• stress, prolonged nervous tension;
• climatic factor, cold and humidity;
• congenital anomalies of the spine.

The main causes of osteochondrosis are the disproportionate distribution of load on the spine, very weak muscular corsets. People over the age of thirty are at greater risk, especially if their day is spent sitting for a long time.

DEVELOPMENT PHASES

The progression of cervical spine osteochondrosis can be divided into several stages:

• first, preclinical.Characterized by slight deformities of the vertebrae, the softness of the cervical lordosis. The pain is felt with sudden movements of the head, fatigue occurs. The development of the disease can be prevented without medication. You need to balance your diet, choose exercises and take preventative measures;
• seconds.An unstable state is created between the beads. There are rotations of the vertebrae in relation to each other, rotation - rotation around the back. The pain that intensifies with the movement of the neck occasionally radiates to the shoulders and arms. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, which leads to the scratching of the nerves. Characterized by signs such as distraction, fatigue, headache;
• third phase.The height of the intervertebral disc is reduced by a quarter relative to the superior disc. Deformities begin to appear in the intervertebral joints. There is a narrowing of the lumen of the intervertebral foramen, the spinal canal. Strong pain is felt all the time. The arm muscles begin to grow numb due to the onset of herniated intervertebral discs. The cervical spine loses flexibility. The patient feels dizzy, weak.

The height of the intervertebral disc decreases significantly. The intervertebral discs are destroyed and replaced with connective tissue. Large osteophytes form in the back of the cervical spine. The spinal canal narrows too much, provoking the development of myelopathy. The patient's condition worsens, is accompanied by impaired coordination, dizziness, severe pain, tinnitus.

SYMPTOMS

The symptomatic appearance of the neck lesion differs from the disorders in the other parts. This is due to the denser arrangement of the beads in relation to each other. Due to the small height of the intervertebral discs, the clinic begins to appear even with mild pathologies. Signs of damage will vary depending on which of the eight nerve roots is affected. There is a nerve under each of the seven vertebrae, and its compression has its own symptoms.

Problems in the first two vertebrae affect the sensitivity of the neck. The pain is localized in the parietal, occipital region. Loss of third vertebral nerve ending is rare. Symptoms are manifested in numbness of the stuck area, tongue, speech problems. The fourth root signals a problem with pain and numbness in the clavicle bone, the shoulder. May cause difficulty breathing, heart pain. Fifth segment disease causes pain in the shoulders, reduces the sensitivity of the limbs.

Sixth and seventh vertebral lesions are the most common among patients. Neck, shoulders, forearms, lower back, back suffer. There is numbness in the hands and fingers. Pathological changes in the eight nerve root are characterized by the spread of pain in the lower extremities. There is a loss of skin sensitivity, little fingers on the hands and feet become numb. Impaired blood circulation causes blue feet and hands.

Common signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• pain that extends to the upper body and lower body;
• weakness, decreased sensitivity of the hands;
• difficulty moving, oppression;
• impaired coordination, accompanied by noise, tinnitus, feeling of disorientation, weakness, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• numbness of the tongue, fingers and toes, hearing, vision impairment.

DIAGNOSTICS OF OSTECHONDROZISEC Neck

To determine the damaged intervertebral discs and the degree of their disease, the doctor must perform a series of examinations: X-rays, MRI, CT (computed tomography), duplex ultrasound scan. The most accurate way to examine the health of the cervical spine is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of MRI is to identify pathological changes in spinal tissues, in particular, spinal cord and intervertebral hernias. After examining and questioning the patient, performing the examination, the participating neurologist makes a preliminary diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

TREATMENT

If you suspect osteochondrosis, you should consult a neurologist. The duration of the course of therapy depends on the age of the person, the severity of cervical osteochondrosis, the type of therapy and the patient's compliance with all the doctor's recommendations. A complete cure for serious forms of osteochondrosis is impossible. The purpose of complex treatment is to slow down the ongoing pathological process, to eliminate the symptoms. Therapy can be conservative, operative, or a combination of both. If the headaches become more frequent, then it is necessary to start therapy as soon as possible.

There are two main types of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis:

• medicines, performed while taking medicines;
• physiotherapy includes UHF courses, electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. They have a stimulating effect on blood flow, metabolism and relieve muscle spasms.

To weaken the compression of the peripheral areas of the central nervous system (CNS) and to level the pain syndrome at the time of disease exacerbation, drug therapy is used. After eliminating the acute manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis, therapy is not stopped. Physiotherapy is prescribed. It is necessary to regularly massage the neck area. Folk remedies are also used.

MEDICAL THERAPY OF OSTEOCHONDROSIS

Medication treatment will have a full effect only in conjunction with other methods, for example, with physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy), massage. Drugs are created to relieve pain, restore cartilage tissue regeneration, and activate blood circulation to the affected neck tissues.

Many doctors prescribe injections to be more effective at nerve endings. But vitamins are best taken in pill form, as injections are very painful. To ensure an anti-inflammatory effect, the doctor administers intramuscular injections.

Main types of therapy drugs:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They have an analgesic effect, remove the aseptic inflammatory process, root edema. With obvious signs of disease, injections are done twice a day with these drugs. Topically use a cream;
• Chondroprotectors.Activate metabolism, regenerate cartilage tissue. Eliminate intervertebral disc damage. There are injectable medications for the inside of the joints and muscles. The course of therapy lasts up to 4 months;
• group B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), E, ​​A, C, Dhelp improve tissue metabolism, catalyze their recovery;
• muscle relaxants.For relaxation of spasmodic muscles. The tablets are used within a month. In a severe form of the disease, an injectable variety of medications is used;
• medicines to activate blood flow to the brain,rheological properties of blood.

The following are used as adjunctive medicines to speed healing:

• angioprotectors- drug injection forms are designed to activate blood flow in the veins, to strengthen the tone of blood vessels;
• glucocorticosteroids- to reduce edema and inflammation in the form of injections;
• biogenic stimulants.Accelerate metabolic processes, help restore damaged tissue.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapeutic methods complement drug treatment, significantly increase the rate of recovery, prolong the remission phase, and reduce the frequency of exacerbations.

Physiotherapy methods:

• Exercise therapyis ​​one of the most effective methods of treating osteochondrosis. Regular exercise activates blood circulation, helps restore injuries;
• massageimproves nerve conduction, restores muscle tone;
• magnetic therapyrelieves tissue edema;
• laser therapyoperates with a focused beam of optical light. Initiates recovery processes in the body;
• reflexology- activation of certain points. Strengthens the immune system, relieves spasms and pain in the neck;
• ultrasoundgives an analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect;
• electrophoresis with medicinal plants.Electricity promotes the penetration of drug ions in a specific location.

To get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, manual therapies, thermotherapy, mud therapy are also used. All of these methods slow the progression of the disease.

It may not be possible to cure osteochondrosis with herbs, but they can help relieve the condition with basic therapy. Mix 2 teaspoons of bee honey with two zombie tablets. The mixture is heated, applied to a warm scarf, which is tied around the neck at night. The biostimulating properties of honey perfectly complement the treatment. For grinding, use a solution made from radish, vodka and honey in a ratio of 1. 5: 0. 5: 5: 1, measured in glasses. You can twist three large lemons using a meat grinder with four cloves of garlic. Pour boiling water over the mixture into a two-liter jar. After mixing the contents, drink half a glass on an empty stomach. The pain can also be relieved by warming with mustard plaster, pepper plaster.

JUMPING EXERCISES

During the recovery period, you can perform a range of therapeutic neck exercises. Exercise therapy is based on some dynamic exercises. You should not do aerobics while getting worse. When performing exercises, it is recommended to monitor the appearance of discomfort, it is unacceptable.

From a prone position, lift your upper body using your arms. Delay for 1-2 minutes. Sit in the starting position and repeat 2-3 times. Then you need to spread your arms along the body. The curves of the head are made to the right and left 6-7 times, trying to reach the floor with the ear. We Sit. Tilt the body forward during suction, head tilted towards the chest. On the breath, bend over, tilting your head back. 10-15 inclinations are enough. Now you need to place your palms on your forehead and apply mutual pressure for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. Rotate the head 10 times in each direction. If your head starts to rotate, the exercise should be stopped.

COMPLICATIONS

The cervical region is rich in blood vessels, the nerve endings that feed the brain. Their slightest squeezing damages the whole body, disrupting blood circulation to the brain and causing neurological disorders: migraine, heart dysfunction, respiratory system, vision, hearing, hypertension. A complication in the form of vertebral artery syndrome, cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke, arising from an advanced form of neck disease, is particularly dangerous. When radiculopathy occurs, mobility is lost. Spinal cord compression is fatal.

To avoid surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, medical attention should not be delayed at the first sign. It is necessary to use all available methods of therapy, as well as changes in lifestyle, nutrition.