Osteochondrosis is a dangerous and painful disease of the spine associated with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs and adjacent joints and bone tissue. Often the pathology develops in the cervical spine. The disease is accompanied by discomfort and significantly reduces the quality of life. In this case, cervical osteochondrosis can occur at any age. Today, this disease is diagnosed even in schoolchildren and young people, which is associated with the prevalence of inactive life.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
There are numerous factors that lead to pathological changes in the spine. Often, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is preceded by a combination of several reasons that contribute to the displacement and pathological destruction of the discs. These include:
- various neck injuries, including birth;
- extended stay in one position (driving, computer);
- hereditary predisposition;
- metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis;
- excessive and faulty loads, leading to rapid erasure of discs;
- hormonal and autoimmune disorders;
- natural aging;
- less often - infectious diseases, hypothermia, stress, etc.
Characteristics and stages of disease development
The cervical region is the most mobile part of the spine. It contains seven vertebrae (C1 - C7), which are connected by elastic and elastic intervertebral discs. The latter consist of a pulposus nucleus and an annular fiber. Due to various factors, the position of the discs and the structure of their tissues change, leading to the appearance of osteochondrosis.
The disease develops in several stages:
- As a result of injury or improper loading, the normal position of the intervertebral disc is disturbed.
- Deterioration of metabolism reduces the strength and elasticity of the annular fiber, resulting in a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae.
- The reduction in the elasticity of the disc leads to an incorrect distribution of the load, which leads to the protrusion of the nucleus, the formation of a hernia and the curvature of the spine line.
- Due to the reduction of the intervertebral distance, the nearby nerves and blood vessels constrict, pain occurs, and the work of other organs is disturbed.
- As a result of friction of the vertebrae, bone growths (osteophytes) are formed. The ligaments of the cervical spine become virtually immobile, and the symptoms of the disease become pronounced.
Treatment started at any stage allows you to prevent irreversible changes in the structure of the spine and avoid dangerous disorders in the work of other body systems.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Pathological changes in this part of the spine have very specific manifestations. The most typical symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- withdrawal pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulder or arm, intensified by physical exertion, sneezing or coughing;
- cracking of the cervical spine when turning or tilting the head;
- numbness and tingling in the arms and legs;
- regular dizziness and fainting;
- persistent tinnitus and hearing loss;
- dull pain between the shoulder blades and in the area of the heart;
- feelings of general weakness and increased fatigue.
Diagnosis
If cervical osteochondrosis is suspected, it is important to undergo a comprehensive examination that will help determine the condition of the spine and the degree of disease progression. For an accurate diagnosis, a physiological examination by palpation and beating of the neck is traditionally used, as well as an instrumental examination:
- radiography (lateral, direct);
- CT scanner;
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
In order to determine the cause of the disease, ultrasound of nearby organs, electrocardiogram of the heart, duplex scanning of blood vessels, blood and urine tests can be additionally prescribed.
Methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
It is possible to stop pathological changes and eliminate the existing manifestations of the disease only with the help of complex therapy. In the early stages of cervical osteochondrosis, you can get rid of it without surgery - with the help of conservative treatment.
Experts choose an individual course of therapy for each patient, taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism, age and lifestyle. Usually, the complex includes several types of treatment at once, the main purpose of which is to get rid of the symptoms, prevent the progression of the disease and restore the normal functioning of the spine.
- Drug therapy.During the period of worsening, various means are used to help reduce pain and other manifestations of the disease. The patient may be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors, ointments with a warming effect, drugs to restore cartilage and others.
- Physiotherapy.It allows you to reduce pain and neutralize inflammation with ultrasound, laser or magnetic vibration. Also, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrophoresis and other procedures aimed at normalizing metabolic processes in the affected area and alleviating unpleasant symptoms can be included in the course of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Massage.It has a firming and relaxing effect on the cervical spine. Removes excessive muscle tension, increases the intensity of metabolic processes. Therapeutic massages are performed with different techniques: classical, acupressure, segmental reflex or vacuum. Hard methods of influencing the cervical spine, for example, hydro- or vibration massage, give a good result.
- He pulls.It is performed once before starting treatment to relieve constricted blood vessels and nerve endings. During traction, the spine is stretched with the help of special equipment and simulators. It provides correction of the position of the intervertebral discs and an even distribution of the vertebrae along the entire length to normalize blood flow and correct the load distribution.
- Exercise therapy.Therapeutic gymnastics is the basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Regularly performing a special set of exercises allows you to restore the natural mobility of the spine and ensure the normal nutrition of intervertebral discs with beneficial substances. Therapeutic exercises usually include bending, twisting and other neck movements that the patient performs in the clinic or at home.
The course of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis lasts a month and a half. Pain and other acute manifestations of the disease usually disappear by the end of the first week of complex therapy. In severe cases, when an intervertebral hernia or osteophytes (spine-like bone growths) are detected during the diagnosis, the patient is given surgery.
Why are destructive changes in the neck dangerous?
Due to the structural characteristics (tight fit of the vertebrae) and the close location of the nerves and blood channels that feed the brain, cervical osteochondrosis is considered a rather dangerous disease. Pathological changes in this part of the spine without timely treatment can lead to serious consequences, for example:
- violation of cerebral circulation;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- hypertensive disease;
- spinal cord and brain ischemia;
- spinal stroke;
- respiratory problems;
- loss of spinal motility due to growths;
- radiculopathy (pinched nerve roots);
- impaired hearing, vision and coordination;
- spinal cord compression;
- intervertebral hernias and so on.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
In order to keep your spine healthy and avoid the recurrence of the disease after treatment, it is important to change your lifestyle. The following methods of prevention of cervical osteochondrosis have proven effective:
- use of an orthopedic mattress and a low sleeping pillow;
- maintaining proper posture while sitting at a table and walking;
- regular heating of the door during prolonged work at the computer;
- a diet rich in vitamins and drinking plenty of fluids;
- general physical activity during the day.
In consultation with your doctor, you can learn more about cervical osteochondrosis, how to treat this disease and methods of prevention.