Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease that affects the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. Degenerative changes usually develop in the most mobile parts of the spine, so in the neck, due to disorders in the structure of the vertebrae, nerve roots at the level of C5, C6 and C7 are most often damaged.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is a compressive, pressing headache, which often spreads to the temples.
Clinical manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into reflex and radicular.
Reflex symptoms
Patients are worried about the so-called lumbago - a sharp sharp pain that occurs in the cervical spine, and is aggravated by movement. Crunching may occur when turning the head, sometimes patients take a forced position of the head due to severe pain.
People suffering from cervical osteochondrosis often complain of headaches that press or squeeze, which can radiate to the temples and eyeballs. Sometimes visual acuity can be reduced, patients say that everything floats before their eyes.
When the nerve plexus of the vertebral artery is irritated, vertebral artery syndrome can occur, which is often misdiagnosed as a disorder of cerebral circulation, in which the patient experiences dizziness. They can occur with a sharp movement of the head, followed by nausea and vomiting.
One of the reflex syndromes in the clinic of cervical osteochondrosis is cardiac, in which the patient has feelings reminiscent of an attack of angina pectoris. Usually this phenomenon is combined with other signs of the disease, so it rarely causes difficulties in the differential diagnosis with heart disease.
Radicular syndromes
Radicular syndromes are the result of spinal root compression. The motor and sensory disorders that occur in this case depend on which nerve root is affected:
- C1 - violation of sensitivity in the occipital region;
- C2 - pain in the occipital and parietal region;
- C3 - decreased sensitivity and pain in the half of the neck where the spinal nerve is affected, possible impairment of the sensitivity of the tongue, speech impairment due to loss of control over the tongue;
- C4 - impaired sensitivity and pain in the area of the shoulders and shoulder blades, decreased muscle tone of the head and neck, possible respiratory disorders, pain in the liver and heart;
- C5 - pain and impaired sensitivity on the outer surface of the shoulder;
- C6 - pain extending from the neck to the shoulder blade, forearm, outer surface of the shoulder, radial surface of the forearm to the thumb;
- C7 - pain extending from the neck to the shoulder blade, back of the shoulder, forearm to the II - IV fingers of the hand, impaired sensitivity in this area.
- C8 - pain and sensory damage spread from the neck to the shoulders, forearms to the little finger.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex disease that requires long-term, systematic and gradual treatment. Therapy is aimed at removing pain and suppressing the inflammatory process in the affected area.
Patients are prescribed analgesics. Recently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have become increasingly popular in the treatment of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine, which effectively eliminate the pain syndrome and help reduce the activity of the inflammatory process.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the appointment of chondroprotectors is indicated - drugs that slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue. Many doctors believe that the use of these drugs also stimulates the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
The use of external ointments and gels containing irritants or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is ineffective. The medicinal substance that is part of their composition is unlikely to reach the affected area due to the barrier of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscles. However, it makes sense to use these external means, because when they are rubbed into the skin, a neck massage is done.
To improve the regenerative and metabolic processes in the affected nerve root, patients are prescribed B vitamins. Very often doctors recommend to patients a combined vitamin preparation that is given intramuscularly.
Non-medical methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis include acupuncture, hirudotherapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, manual therapy.
In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required.
Prophylaxis
Daily gymnastics for the cervical spine is a good prevention of osteochondrosis.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is not difficult. It is recommended to lead an active lifestyle, play sports or at least exercise in the morning.
Proper organization of the workplace and the way of work and rest play an important role in disease prevention. People with sedentary work must warm up a little several times during the working day, and monitor the posture and position of the head during work.
It is also important to choose a good, comfortable mattress and sleeping pillow. People with spinal diseases are advised to use special orthopedic products.
Which doctor to go to
Patients with osteochondrosis of the spine are monitored by a neurologist. There are a large number of doctors of other specialties who help patients with this disease: specialists in physiotherapy exercises and massage, osteopaths, manual and reflexologists, physiotherapists and others.