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, therefore in the cervical region, due to disorders in the structure of the vertebrae, most often suffer nerve roots at the level of C5, C6 and C7.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is a pressing, pressing headache, often radiating to the temples.
The 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, exacerbated by movement. Perhaps the appearance of crunch when turning the head, sometimes patients take a forced position of the head due to severe pain.
People with cervical osteochondrosis often complain of a squeezing or squeezing headache that can radiate to the temples and eyeballs. Sometimes visual acuity may decrease, 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 cerebrovascular accident in which the patient develops dizziness. They can occur with sudden movement of the head, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
One of the reflex syndromes in the clinic of cervical osteochondrosis is cardiac, in which the patient has sensations resembling an attack of angina pectoris. This phenomenon is usually combined with other signs of the disease, which is why it rarely causes difficulties in the differential diagnosis of heart disease.
Radicular syndromes
Radicular syndromes are the result of spinal cord compression. The motor and sensory disorders that occur in this case depend on which nerve root is affected:
- C1 - impaired sensitivity in the occipital region;
- C2 - pain in the occipital and parietal area;
- C3 - decreased sensitivity and pain in the half of the neck where the spinal nerve is affected, possible sensitivity of the tongue, impaired speech due to loss of control over the tongue;
- C4 - impaired sensitivity and pain in the shoulder-scapular area, decreased tone of the muscles of the head and neck, possible respiratory disorders, pain in the liver and heart;
- C5 - pain and impaired sensitivity in 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 spreading from the neck to the shoulder blade, back of the shoulder, forearm to II - IV fingers, impaired sensitivity in this area.
- C8 - pain and sensory damage spread from the neck to the shoulder, the forearm to the little finger.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex disease that requires long-term, systematic and gradual treatment. The therapy is aimed at eliminating pain and combating 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 is indicated the appointment of chondroprotectors - drugs that slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue. Many doctors believe that the use of these drugs also promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
The use of external ointments and gels containing irritants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is ineffective. The drug, which 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 rubbed into the skin, a neck massage is performed.
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 administered intramuscularly.
Non-drug methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis include acupuncture, hirudotherapy, physiotherapy, exercise, massage, chiropractic.
In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required.
Prevention
Daily gymnastics for the cervical spine is a good prevention of osteochondrosis.
Preventing the development of cervical osteochondrosis is not difficult. It is recommended to lead an active lifestyle, exercise or at least do morning exercises.
Proper organization of the workplace and the regime of work and rest play an important role in the prevention of the disease. People with sedentary work should do a little warm-up several times during the working day, and during work to monitor the posture and position of the head.
It is also important to choose a good, comfortable mattress and sleeping pillow. People with spinal diseases are recommended 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 from other specialties who help patients with this disease: specialists in physiotherapy and massage, osteopaths, manual and reflexologists, physiotherapists and others.