Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a progressive process of dystrophy, rupture of the intervertebral discs.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are characterized by severe pain in the neck, head and shoulders and affect everyone, regardless of age.

DESCRIPTION OF OSTEOCONDROSIS

Osteochondrosis of the neck has gotten much younger. Young people suffer from it since adolescence. The neck is the weakest part of the spine. Seven vertebrae are attached to each other quite strongly, and the skeleton of the muscles is less developed than the rest of the sections. The neck is under great stress, because it supports the skull and is in constant motion.

What is cervical osteochondrosis? The intervertebral discs are nourished by diffusion from the adjacent tissues. The deterioration of the blood supply to the tissues surrounding the vertebrae leads to a deficiency of nutrition and water. Starvation of the disc nucleus and annulus fibrosus leads to degenerative processes.

Excess bone tissue near the vertebrae, pinched intervertebral discs, and pinched nerves and ligaments first appear as signs of decreased performance. The high intensity pain is initially concentrated in the neck, head, shoulders, heart, arms, upper part of the chest and moves towards the lower extremities. Each of the seven vertebrae sends signals to other departments. Compressed nerve roots affect the state of other body systems.

Osteochondrosis is especially dangerous for the brain. The vertebral artery that runs here performs the function of supplying blood to the posterior parts of the brain. Squeezing it causes headaches, which often turn into migraines, not subject to pain relievers. Osteochondrosis of the neck can be accompanied by dizziness, visual and hearing impairment, nausea, and vomiting. Later pharyngeal symptoms appear, sudden fainting due to lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Compression of the vertebral artery leads to ischemia of the spinal cord and brain. The exacerbation of the process causes a stroke.

BASIC PROCESSES FOR THE DISEASE

Osteochondrosis of the neck should be considered from the side of the interaction of physiological and pathological factors:

• physiological process:the aging of the cartilage of the spine is due to irreversible natural causes. The changes occur in the central part of the intervertebral disc. The process of age-related changes in the body leads to the replacement of the pulp by fibrous tissue;
• pathological process:there are degenerative changes in the intervertebral structures, destruction of the surrounding vessels and ganglia. Changes occur outside the cartilage itself, there is a compression of the blood vessels, irritation of the nerve endings. A person feels dysalgia, pain symptoms of a local and reflected nature.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine acquires a pathological form when physiological aging is replaced by a pathological process. At first, the body's compensatory and protective mechanisms are activated, eliminating the disease. Therefore, osteochondrosis can pass or occur only sporadically. But this function is not permanent.

The progress of the disease, expressed in the compression of vascular and nervous structures, is accompanied by the following processes:

• spondylolisthesis, in which the spinal disc slides. Even a slight displacement leads to the development of paralysis. Severe displacement is fatal;
• the nucleus pulposus is impregnated with calcium salts. This leads to malnutrition of the disc, provokes the formation of a hernia;
• an intervertebral hernia formed due to the bulging of the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae. Ignoring therapeutic measures leads to flaccid paralysis;
• the appearance of microcracks in the fibrous ring, the development of bumps. The intervertebral disc protrudes beyond its limits;
• spondylosis, which means wear of the vertebrae. Osteophytes appear: growths of bone tissue in the form of hooks and spines, located on the sides of the vertebral bodies. There is severe pain and, as a result, stiffness of movements.

REASONS FOR THE APPEARANCE OF OSTECONDROSIS OF THE NECK

An increased load on the cervical spine causes the body to try to compensate for the condition. Thus begin muscle spasms, impaired blood circulation, deformities. The structure of the vertebrae themselves changes. The cause can also be a progressive discois resulting from prolonged physical exertion.

The main factors that cause the appearance of cervical osteochondrosis:

• hypodynamic;
• weakening of the immune system;
• excessive physical activity;
• presence of spinal lesions;
• nutritional deficiency of essential substances, obesity;
• posture problems (scoliosis, flat feet, rheumatism);
• hereditary factor;
• autoimmune diseases that cause cartilage degeneration;
• stress, prolonged nervous tension;
• climatic factor, cold and humidity;
• congenital anomalies of the spine.

The main causes of osteochondrosis are disproportionate load distribution on the spine, too weak muscle corset. People over thirty are at higher risk, especially if they spend a long time sitting all day.

STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

The progression of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be divided into several stages:

• first, preclinical. It is characterized by slight deformities of the vertebrae, smoothness of the cervical lordosis. Pain is felt with sudden movements of the head, fatigue occurs. The development of the disease can be prevented without medication. You need to balance your diet, choose exercises, and take preventive measures;
• second.An unstable state is established between the vertebrae. There are changes of the vertebrae to each other, torsion - rotation around the spine. Pain that intensifies with movement of the neck from time to time radiates to the shoulders and arms. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, causing pinching of the nerves. It is characterized by signs such as distraction, fatigue, headaches;
• third stage.The height of the intervertebral disc is reduced by a quarter relative to the superior disc. Deformities in the intervertebral joints begin to appear. There is a decrease in the lumen of the intervertebral foramen, the canal of the spine. Severe pain is felt all the time. The muscles of the arm begin to go numb due to the beginning of the formation of herniated intervertebral discs. The cervical spine loses flexibility. The patient feels dizzy, weak.

The height of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced. The intervertebral discs are destroyed and replaced by connective tissue. Large osteophytes form in the back of the cervical spine. The spinal canal becomes very narrow, causing the development of myelopathy. The patient's condition worsens, accompanied by impaired coordination, dizziness, severe pain, tinnitus.

SYMPTOMS

The symptom picture of neck injury differs from disorders elsewhere. This is due to the denser arrangement of the vertebrae relative to each other. Due to the low height of the intervertebral discs, the clinic begins to manifest itself even with mild pathologies. The signs of involvement will differ depending on which of the eight nerve roots is affected. There is a nerve under each of the seven vertebrae and its compression has its own symptoms.

Problems in the first two vertebrae affect the sensitivity of the occiput. The pain is localized in the occipital parietal region. The defeat of the nerve ending of the third vertebra is rare. Symptoms are manifested in numbness of the pinched area, tongue, speech problems. The fourth root indicates a problem of pain and numbness in the collarbone and shoulder. It can create shortness of breath, pain in the heart. Fifth segment disease causes pain in the shoulders, decreased sensation of the extremities.

Injuries to the sixth and seventh vertebrae are the most common among patients. The neck, shoulder blades, forearms, lower back, back suffer. There is numbness in the hands and fingers. Pathological changes in the eighth nerve root are characterized by the spread of pain in the lower extremities. There is a loss of sensation of the skin, the little fingers of the hands and the feet go numb. Impaired blood circulation causes blue hands and feet.

Common signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• pain spreading to upper and lower body;
• weakness, decreased sensitivity of the hands;
• difficulty in movement, creaking;
• impaired coordination, accompanied by ringing, tinnitus, feeling disoriented, weakness, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• numbness of the tongue, fingers and toes, hearing impairment, vision.

DIAGNOSIS OF OSTECONDROSIS OF THE NECK

To determine the damaged intervertebral discs and the degree of their disease, the doctor must perform a series of examinations: X-rays, MRI, computed tomography (computed tomography), duplex ultrasound. The most accurate way to examine the health of the cervical spine is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of MRI is to identify pathological changes in the tissues of the spine, in particular, the spinal cord and intervertebral hernias. After examination and questioning of the patient, examination, the attending neurologist makes a preliminary diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

TREATMENT

If you suspect osteochondrosis, you should see a neurologist. The duration of the course of therapy depends on the age of the person, the severity of cervical osteochondrosis, the type of therapy and the patient's compliance with all the recommendations of the doctor. A complete cure for severe forms of osteochondrosis is impossible. The purpose of complex treatment is to slow down the ongoing pathological process, eliminate symptoms. Therapy can be conservative, operative, or a combination of both. If the headaches become more frequent, it is necessary to start therapy as soon as possible.

There are two main types of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis:

• medication, which is carried out by taking medication;
• Physiotherapy includes courses in UHF, electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. They have a stimulating effect on blood flow, metabolism, and relieve muscle spasms.

To weaken the compression of the peripheral zones of the central nervous system (CNS) and level the pain syndrome at the time of exacerbation of the disease, drug therapy is used. After the removal of the acute manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis, the therapy does not stop. Physiotherapy is prescribed. It is necessary to regularly massage the neck area. Home remedies are also used.

MEDICATION THERAPY OF OSTEOCONDROSIS

Drug treatment will have a full effect only in combination with other methods, for example, with physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy), massage. The drugs are designed to relieve pain, restore the regeneration of cartilage tissue, and activate blood circulation in the affected neck tissues.

Many doctors prescribe injections to make them more effective at the nerve endings. But vitamins are best taken in pill form, since the injections are very painful. To provide an anti-inflammatory effect, the doctor administers intramuscular injections.

Main types of therapeutic drugs:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They have an analgesic effect, they eliminate the aseptic inflammatory process, root edema. With obvious signs of disease, injections are done twice a day with these drugs. Use a cream topically;
• chondroprotectors.Activates metabolism, regenerates cartilage tissue. Eliminates damage to intervertebral discs. Injectable medications are available for the inside of the joints and muscles. The course of therapy is carried out up to 4 months;
• vitamins of group B (B1, B2, B6), E, ​​A, C, Dhelp to improve metabolism in tissues, catalyze their recovery;
• muscle relaxants.To relax spasmodic muscles. The tablets are used within a month. In a severe form of the disease, a variety of injectable medications are used;
• drugs to activate blood flow in the brain,rheological properties of blood.

The following are used as additional medications to speed recovery:

• angioprotectors: injectable forms of drugs are designed to activate blood flow in the veins and strengthen vascular tone;
• glucocorticosteroids- to reduce edema and inflammation in the form of injections;
• biogenic stimulants.Accelerate metabolic processes, help restore destroyed tissues.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapeutic methods complement pharmacological treatment, significantly increase the recovery rate, prolong the remission phase and reduce the frequency of exacerbations.

Physiotherapy methods:

• Exercise therapyis ​​one of the most effective methods of treating osteochondrosis. Regular exercise activates blood circulation, helps restore damage;
• massageimproves nerve conduction, restores muscle tone;
• magnetotherapyrelieves tissue edema;
• laser therapyworks with a concentrated beam of optical light. Initiates recovery processes in the body;
• reflexology- activation of certain points. Strengthens the immune system, relieves spasms and neck pain;
• ultrasoundprovides an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect;
• electrophoresis with medicinal herbs.The electric current promotes the penetration of drug ions in a specific place.

To get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, manual therapy, thermotherapy, mud therapy are also used. All of these methods slow down the progress of the disease.

It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis with herbs, but, accompanying the main therapy, they help to alleviate the condition. Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with two mummy tablets. The mixture is heated, applied to a warm scarf, which is tied around the neck at night. The biostimulant properties of honey perfectly complement the treatment. To grind, use a tincture made from radish, vodka, and honey in a ratio of 1. 5: 0. 5, measured in glasses. You can twist three large lemons with a meat grinder with four garlic cloves. Pour boiling water over the mixture in a two-liter jar. After mixing the contents, drink half a glass on an empty stomach. Pain can also be relieved by warming with mustard plaster, pepper plaster.

HEALING EXERCISES

During the recovery period, you can perform a series of therapeutic neck exercises. Exercise therapy is based on various dynamic exercises. You should not perform gymnastics during an exacerbation. When performing exercises, it is recommended to monitor the appearance of discomfort, it is unacceptable.

From a prone position, lift your upper body with your arms. 1-2 minute delay. Lower yourself to the starting position and repeat 2-3 times. Then you need to stretch your arms along the body. Head turns are made to the right and left 6-7 times, trying to reach the ground with the ear. Sit down. Lean your body forward as you inhale, your head leans toward your chest. As you exhale, lean back, throwing your head back. 10 to 15 inclines is enough. Now you need to place your palms on your forehead and apply mutual pressure for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. Turn your head 10 times in each direction. If your head begins to spin, you must stop the exercise.

COMPLICATIONS

The cervical region is rich in blood vessels, nerve endings that feed the brain. The slightest squeeze of them damages the whole body, interrupts blood circulation in the brain and causes neurological disorders: migraine, malfunction of the heart, respiratory system, vision, hearing, hypertension. A complication in the form of vertebral artery syndrome, cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke, arising from an advanced form of neck disease, is especially dangerous. When radiculopathy occurs, mobility is lost. Compression of the spinal cord is fatal.

To avoid surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, seek medical attention at the first sign should not be delayed. It is necessary to use all available methods of therapy, as well as changes in lifestyle and nutrition.