Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Every second inhabitant of the Earth suffers from spine problems.Osteochondrosis of the neck is one of the most common diseases that requires special attention.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences.In particularly advanced cases, complications can be fatal.

Stadiums

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually in women and men and is associated with increased symptoms and remissions.Signs of the disease appear when the process of destruction of the vertebrae reaches a severe stage.

Cervical osteochondrosis has four degrees:

1. Initial stage.It is characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral discs.They become thinner due to moisture loss.Cracks appear on the fibrous rings.Often at this stage there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if the pathology can be identified, it is possible to completely restore the damaged intervertebral discs.The first stage of the development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for starting treatment.
2. Second stageThe disease is associated with worsening of the tissue condition of the intervertebral discs.Their size is significantly reduced.This causes laxity of the ligaments and ligaments of the spine.Instability of the cervical spine occurs and the mobility of the vertebrae increases.It is often at this stage that the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. In the third stagethe deformation of the spinal column becomes evident.Protrusions and hernias occur.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are pronounced.
4. Fourth stageaccompanied by the formation of osteophytes, ossification (ossification) of ligaments and other deformations.These signs of osteochondrosis indicate that the body is trying to stabilize the damaged segments of the spinal column in any way.

The peculiarity of the cervical spine is the small distance between the vertebrae.When structural disturbances occur in these segments, the vessels of the spinal cord, nerve endings, and circulatory system are pinched.

Manifestations

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may depend on the part of the spine where the affected object is located.We distinguish the following mechanisms of the negative impact of the pathology, as well as the associated symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain spreads from the neck region to the fingers.A tingling sensation and goosebumps occur in various parts of the upper limbs.
2. Vertebral artery syndromecauses circulatory disorders in the brain.It is accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision impairment, and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.It can cause sharp or throbbing headaches in the occipital, parietal, temporal and superciliary regions.
3. In case of cardiac syndromeSymptoms of osteochondrosis can be confused with angina pectoris.The pain can last for several hours and is accompanied by extrasystole or tachycardia.
4. Irritative-reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes acute attacks of pain in the back of the head or neck.Discomfort is transferred to the shoulder or chest.They appear when moving after a long period of rest.

It is unacceptable to ignore these signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women.

If such symptoms appear, you should contact a neurologist as soon as possible.

Types of diagnostics

Cervical osteochondrosis has symptoms similar to many other pathologies.Therefore, before making a specific diagnosis, the doctor must find out exactly what symptoms caused the patient's concern, and then conduct an examination.

Based on his observations, the specialist can make a preliminary diagnosis.But further research is needed to more precisely establish the causes of the pathology.The main methods of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. Radiography.The most accessible instrumental method.Almost all clinics have a minimal technical basis for conducting such an examination.X-rays provide information about the location and severity of the pathological process.It allows you to determine what consequences caused osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.In order to obtain a complete picture of the disease, X-rays are taken in different projections.
2. Computed tomography.It allows viewing all changes in the structure of spinal tissues, thanks to the possibility of layer-by-layer examination.Using this method, you can determine the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of protrusion and hernia.Computed tomography perfectly displays the condition of all components of the spinal region, except for the intervertebral discs.
3. MRI.The most accurate and informative method for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The obtained images allow the assessment of the spinal column segments, the condition of the nerves and blood vessels.This becomes possible because there are no images of other organs on the projection.Magnetic resonance imaging helps identify the location of damaged segments, detect tissue changes, narrowing of the spinal canal, and degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc, such as protrusion and herniation.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is associated with a degenerative disorder of the structure of the intervertebral discs, as well as the tissues and ligaments of the spinal column located next to them.Both women and men can suffer from the disease in all age groups.This is due to a number of unfavorable factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and poor diet.

The issue of proper treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very important.Therapy can be conservative (in advanced cases) or surgical (sequestered hernia).

If the patient has signs of osteochondrosis, the treatment regimen should be selected individually for each patient.The therapy program may depend on the following factors:

• stages of the disease;
• period of exacerbation or remission;
• individual characteristics of the patient.

The treatment of osteochondrosis must be prescribed by a doctor after a complete examination of the patient and an accurate diagnosis.

Conservative methods

The primary goal of the therapy of degenerative changes of the spine is to prevent the development of pathology and complications.It is not enough to use only one method to achieve favorable results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis;it is important to use an integrated approach.

In the first stage of therapy, the recommendations of doctors are aimed at eliminating pain and restoring circulatory function.In the next stage, you can move on to physiotherapy procedures, manual therapy and exercise therapy.

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Drug treatment.This method is characterized by the use of drugs with various effects: pain relievers, antispasmodics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, tranquilizers, vitamins, minerals.Drug treatment can be prescribed during the exacerbation of the disease, with significant pain and increased muscle tone.Cervical osteochondrosis can only be treated with ointments or gels in case of mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are ineffective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical factors (magnetic fields, ultrasound, low-frequency currents) can be used at any stage of the development of the pathology.Physiotherapy procedures help to reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, and also make it possible to reduce the dose of medicines.For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis, darson, ultrasound, laser therapy and magnetic therapy can be prescribed.Each of these types of physiotherapy procedures has its own contraindications.For this reason, the treatment method must be chosen by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The aim of the method is to normalize muscle tone, improve blood circulation and eliminate the deformation of the cervical spine.The therapeutic effect is achieved by applying physical action in the form of pressure, vibration and friction.In order to achieve a noticeable long-term effect, manual therapy should be combined with medication, physiotherapy and movement therapy.
4. Physiotherapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be alleviated by performing special exercises.This enables the development of muscles and significantly reduces the load on the damaged segments of the spine.Gymnastic exercises can only be selected by the attending physician, taking into account the patient's characteristics.It is recommended to start the lessons under the supervision of a specialist.It is not advisable to use physical therapy when pain occurs.

Surgical method

If cervical osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, then surgical intervention may be necessary.Most often this occurs with spinal cord compression or a herniated disc.

The aim of the surgical intervention is to eliminate the compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the cervical spine.In this case, the following methods are used:

• Discectomy– complete or partial removal of the intervertebral disc.The procedure is performed with microsurgical instruments.This reduces damage to the surrounding tissues.
• Laser disc reconstruction.During the operation, a needle is inserted into the affected area and a special cable is passed through it.The laser energy causes the intervertebral disc to heat up.This stimulates cell growth and fills the cavities caused by the disease within 3-6 months.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.
• Arthrodesis.All manipulations are performed through a small incision in the front or back of the neck.As a result of the operation, compression of the spinal cord and nerve endings is eliminated, and artificial implants or special metal structures are inserted.They correct the bending line of physiological lordosis.

Surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is possible only in the most severe cases of the disease.This carries a high risk of complications.Possible consequences of surgery include damage to nerve endings or the spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal due to scarring, the development of infections, and many other unpleasant consequences.

Prevention methods

Cervical osteochondrosis can develop in women and men at any age.Many factors contribute to this.The occurrence of the disease can be prevented by simple preventive measures.To do this, follow some basic rules:

1. Do not expose your spine to heavy loads.Avoid sudden movements and injuries, change your body position from time to time, distribute the load evenly when moving heavy objects, and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do regular calisthenics to strengthen your neck muscles.
3. Confirm it.
4. Maintain a balance in your food intake.
5. Give up bad habits.

It is important to note that the prevention of the development of pathology is much easier than its lengthy and expensive treatment later.Following simple measures to prevent the disease will allow you to never know what cervical osteochondrosis is.