Among all musculoskeletal system disorders, the second most common is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The symptoms and treatment of illness are determined by the stage of its development, so it is very important not to miss the signs of impending illness.
Osteochondrosis is called dystrophic changes in articular cartilage in the context of damage to the intervertebral discs. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pathological destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the vertebrae that support the head.
Most of the time, the disease is diagnosed in people between 30 and 40 years old. In developed countries, one or another degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in 80% of the population.
The neck is considered the most mobile part of the spine. At the same time, there are not enough muscles around the neck to compensate for the load on the spine. Therefore, most of the load falls on the intervertebral discs, which act as a shock-absorbing pad.
As a result, the discs wear out, dry out, and flatten, developing osteochondrosis.
The reasons that contribute to the appearance of the pathology lie not only in anatomy, but also in human behavior:
- sedentary and static work, sedentary - on the computer, driving a car, in the office;
- overweight;
- great physical activity;
- smoke;
- inadequate nutrition;
- weak physical shape;
- spinal injury.
Other triggering factors for the development of osteochondrosis are: flat feet, soft mattresses and pillows, the habit of carrying a bag on the shoulder, hypothermia and stress.
How the disease manifests
At the onset of the disease, only numbness in the neck can attest to its development, which is usually overlooked. As the pathology progresses, the number and intensity of manifestations increase.
There are characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- pain in the back of the neck, at the base of the neck, radiating to the extremities;
- crunch and pain when turning the head;
- numbness or tingling in the areas between the shoulder blades and the base of the neck, burning, discomfort and stiffness;
- headaches, migraines, dizziness;
- weakness, tiredness.
Secondary symptoms include decreased vision, hearing, memory problems, sleep disturbances, inattention, distraction, pressure spikes.
Doctors classify the signs of osteochondral processes as syndromes associated with a particular type of spinal injury.
Stenosis. It develops in the context of herniated intervertebral discs and is accompanied by impaired blood circulation and overgrowth of bone tissue. Manifested by numbness of the limbs.
Reflex irritative syndrome is a consequence of vertebral artery compression in case of neck curvature and poor posture. It manifests as severe paroxysmal pain in the back of the head, with a gradual spread to areas around the forehead.
Root syndrome. It is seen when the spinal roots are flattened - the consequences of a hernia. At the same time, sensitivity in the affected areas decreases and motor activity becomes limited. It may be accompanied by the development of speech defects, snoring, impaired smell, decreased sensitivity of the tongue muscles.
The complexity of the course of processes is determined by the state of the nucleus pulposus that fills the vertebral space.
Degenerative lesions of the cervical region are conventionally divided into three stages:
- first. The intervertebral disc is compressed. The hook-shaped processes of the vertebrae are increased. Muscle stiffness appears, but its mobility does not change. There may be slight swelling and pain when turning the head;
- second. It develops in the context of the evolution of the first stage of the disease, if treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine was absent or incorrectly performed. The intervertebral foramen is narrow, the height of the intervertebral discs becomes smaller due to their flattening. Pinching of the nerve roots occurs. The patient feels punctual pain;
- third. Cracks in the fibrous ring around the intervertebral disc lead to rupture of its capsule and deformation of muscle tissue. The stability of the nucleus pulposus attachment within the intervertebral disc is impaired. An intervertebral hernia develops. It is characterized by acute pain in the neck, numbness of the tongue, edema, difficulty in walking, curvature of the spine.
The correct position of the cervical vertebrae determines the functionality of the optic and auditory nerves, nose, lips, mouth, throat ligaments, teeth, facial nerve, pituitary gland, brain, parasympathetic nervous system, neck and forearm muscles, thyroid gland, elbow and shoulder joints.
diagnostic methods
An accurate determination of the cause of osteochondrosis development allows you to target the disease in a targeted way. Preliminary diagnosis is indicated after the initial examination by the physician.
The patient's complaints about the nature of the pain syndromes are taken into account, as well as the information obtained during the examination of the spine in various positions. Examination of the cervical spine allows you to determine the presence of seals and deformities. In addition, attention is paid to the patient's muscle tone and motor skills.
Physicians receive complete diagnostic information using studies such as:
- radiography. The procedure allows evaluating the condition of the vertebrae in two projections - frontal and lateral. Result - identification of damage, salt deposits and compacted formations;
- Magnetic resonance imaging makes it possible to establish not only any spinal pathology, but also the degree of its severity. Using MRI, a doctor can assess the condition and level of damage to nerve endings, blood vessels, and intervertebral discs;
- computed tomography - digitization of information obtained by X-ray irradiation.
In the presence of dizziness, additional examination of structural vessel changes by Doppler, angiography, and duplex scanning may be necessary.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
After making an accurate diagnosis and discovering the causes of the disease's development, the neurologist determines how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
Optimal results are achieved with a complex therapy that involves the use of multiple methods. The protocols adopted by WHO include medications, device procedures, physiotherapy and therapeutic massage.
drug treatment
In each case, the choice of medications is made individually. It depends not only on the severity of the pathology, but also on the specific characteristics of the patient's body.
Fixed assets of drug treatment:
- anti-inflammatories - pills that relieve pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotectors - drugs that activate cartilage tissue regeneration;
- external agents - ointments and gels that relieve pain and inflammation;
- a complex of vitamins to support the body and stimulate its recovery.
In the first phase of the therapeutic effect, it is possible to increase the painful syndrome - it is the reaction of the muscular system. To reduce discomfort and improve the results of drug treatment, physical therapy procedures are used.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy means impacting the cause of the disease with the help of special equipment - electrophoresis, electrical tissue stimulation. The use of low frequency currents improves blood circulation in the affected areas, relieves swelling and pain, and at the same time increases the effectiveness of the medication.
The minimum course of hardware treatment is 10 sessions.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to influence affected areas at home. With the help of massage, muscle spasms and pain are eliminated, blood circulation is improved, and compression of the nerve roots is reduced.
Thanks to massage, metabolism improves and spinal tissues are restored.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The best method to restore the functionality of the organs of the musculoskeletal system and prevent relapses are physical therapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Procedures are prescribed after complete relief of pain and inflammation.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- physiotherapy;
- dosed walk;
- training in simulators;
- swimming.
In order for exercises for cervical osteochondrosis to bring the expected results, classes must be supervised by competent specialists.
folk remedies
Complete elimination of cervical osteochondrosis using traditional medicine methods is impossible. On the other hand, the use of folk remedies can improve the patient's condition, relieve inflammation, reduce pain, and strengthen the immune system.
On average, the treatment period for cervical osteochondrosis takes up to three months. If conservative treatment has not brought the expected results, surgical intervention is used.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Pathologies in the neck region pose a serious threat to human health. Since the neck connects the head to the body, all the important biological communications are located in this section of the spine - arteries that feed the brain, nerve channels.
Any changes in the functionality of the cervical spine have consequences in the form of:
- circulatory and nutritional disorders of the brain. As a result, it develops hypertension, pathologies of the respiratory system and cardiovascular system, VSD, impaired coordination, hearing, vision and speech problems;
- Vertebral artery syndrome. The pathology develops in the context of compression of the vessel that feeds the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The development of cervical osteochondrosis can cause ischemia and stroke;
- radiculopathy - damage to the nerve roots, growth of bone tissue in the vertebrae, as a result of partial or total loss of mobility.
Spinal cord compression, located within the spine, is the most dangerous. This pathology leads to disruption of the spinal cord lining and causes paralysis. In especially severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis is fatal.
Prophylaxis
Even after complete recovery, the disease can come back again if the patient doesn't reconsider their lifestyle - work and rest, habits, diet.
As a preventive measure, neurologists recommend paying attention to the following points:
- mattress hardness. An orthopedic mattress and a low pillow are ideal;
- a visit to the sauna is necessary for complete relaxation and relief from muscle spasms;
- a daily hot bath is a good way to improve blood circulation in the neck;
- swimming, walking, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens spinal muscles;
- Proper nutrition - rejection of foods that slow down the metabolism: fatty, fried, sweet, smoked, flour and alcohol. Dishes with gelatin, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, seafood are recommended.
In everyday life, you should avoid strenuous physical activity, turning your head sharply, sitting for a long time, or staying in a static position. In addition, it is advisable to use chairs that provide support for the head and back.
An active lifestyle, healthy eating, and morning exercise are simple but effective ways to avoid most illnesses and live a long life without pain and discomfort.