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 precisely 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 students and young people, which is associated with the spread of a sedentary lifestyle.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
There are many factors leading to pathological changes in the spine. Often, the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is preceded by a combination of several causes that contribute to the displacement and pathological destruction of the discs. They include:
- various neck injuries, including childbirth;
- prolonged stay in one position (driving, computer);
- hereditary predisposition;
- metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis;
- excessive and improper loads, leading to rapid erasure of disks;
- hormonal and autoimmune disorders;
- natural aging;
- less often - infectious diseases, hypothermia, stress, etc.
Features and stages of disease development
The cervical region is the most mobile part of the spine. It includes seven vertebrae (C1 - C7), which are connected by elastic and elastic intervertebral discs. The latter consist of the nucleus pulposus and annular fibrosis. Due to various factors, the position of the discs and the structure of their tissues change, which leads 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 annular fibrosis, as a result of which the distance between the vertebrae decreases.
- The reduction in the elasticity of the disc leads to an incorrect distribution of the load, which leads to protrusion of the nuclei, formation of a hernia and curvature of the spine.
- Due to the reduction of the intervertebral space, nearby nerves and blood vessels are pinched, pain occurs and the work of other organs is disrupted.
- As a result of the friction of the vertebrae, bone growths (osteophytes) appear. The ligaments of the cervical vertebrae become virtually immobile and the symptoms of the disease become pronounced.
The treatment started at each stage allows you to prevent irreversible changes in the structure of the spine and to avoid dangerous disturbances in the functioning 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:
- pulling pains in the nape, neck, shoulder or arm, aggravated by exercise, sneezing or coughing;
- crunch in the cervical spine when turning or tilting the head;
- tingling and numbness of the hands and feet;
- regular dizziness and fainting;
- constant tinnitus and hearing loss;
- dull pain between the shoulder blades and in the heart area;
- feeling 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 accurate diagnosis is traditionally used physiological examination by palpation and percussion of the neck, as well as instrumental examination:
- radiography (lateral, direct);
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance.
In order to determine the cause of the onset of the disease, ultrasound of nearby organs, electrocardiogram of the heart, duplex scanning of blood vessels, blood and urine tests may be additionally prescribed.
Methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Stopping the pathological changes and eliminating the existing manifestations of the disease is possible only with the help of complex therapy. In the early stages you can get rid of cervical osteochondrosis 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 exacerbation, various agents are used to help reduce pain and other manifestations of the disease. The patient may be prescribed non-steroidal 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 the help of ultrasound, laser or magnetic vibration. Also, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrophoresis and other procedures aimed at normalizing metabolic processes in the affected area and relieving unpleasant symptoms may be included in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Massage.It has an astringent and relaxing effect on the cervical spine. Eliminates excessive muscle tension, enhances the intensity of metabolic processes. Therapeutic massages are performed using various techniques: classical, acupressure, segmental reflex or vacuum. Hardware methods for affecting the cervical spine, such as hydro- or vibration massage, give good results.
- Traction.It is performed once before starting treatment to release 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 even distribution of the vertebrae along the entire length to normalize blood flow and adjust the load distribution.
- Exercise therapy.Therapeutic gymnastics is the basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. Regular performance of a special set of exercises allows you to restore the natural mobility of the vertebrae and ensure normal nutrition of the intervertebral discs with nutrients. Therapeutic exercises usually include bending, twisting and other neck movements that are performed by the patient in the clinic or at home.
The course of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis takes 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 intervertebral hernias or osteophytes (bone and spine growths) are found at the time of diagnosis, the patient is given surgery.
Why are destructive changes in the neck area dangerous?
Due to the structural features (tight fit of the vertebrae) and the close location of the nerve and blood channels that feed the brain, cervical osteochondrosis is considered a very dangerous disease. Pathological changes in this part of the spine without timely treatment can lead to serious consequences, for example:
- cerebral circulatory disorders;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- hypertensive disease;
- ischemia of the spinal cord and brain;
- spinal stroke;
- respiratory problems;
- loss of mobility of the spine due to growths;
- radiculopathy (compressed nerve roots);
- impaired hearing, vision and coordination;
- spinal cord compression;
- intervertebral hernias and so on.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
To keep your spine healthy and avoid recurrence of the disease after a course of treatment, it is important to change your lifestyle. The following methods for the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis have proven effective:
- use of an orthopedic mattress and a low sleeping pillow;
- maintaining proper posture while sitting at the table and walking;
- regular warming of the neck during prolonged work for the computer;
- vitamin-rich eating and drinking plenty of fluids;
- total physical activity throughout the day.
You can learn more about cervical osteochondrosis, how to treat this disease and methods of prevention, after consulting a doctor.