Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that leads to the degeneration of the soft intervertebral pulp into ossified tissue.The pathogenesis also affects nerve roots and blood vessels.The pathology is difficult to diagnose because it disguises itself as various disorders.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
There are many reasons for the development of cervical osteochondrosis, but many of them are associated with changes in cartilage tissue due to the accumulation of salts in the blood and lymph.With proper nutrition and constant physical activity, salts are usually consumed, not accumulated.Otherwise, the cartilage tissue becomes less mobile and loses flexibility, and the vertebrae begin to shift, pinching arteries and nerve endings.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, degenerative changes occur in which osteophytes develop - bone growths in the cervical vertebrae, which cause irritation and muscle tension, further aggravating the patient's condition.
In most cases, changes and disorders of the cervical spine arise due to a sedentary lifestyle.Cervical osteochondrosis occurs primarily in office workers who have to sit for eight hours a day and do not exercise.
Previously, it was generally believed that osteochondrosis was a disease that affected people of mature age, but today the disease has become much younger.In young people, the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis sometimes appear at school or college, which is associated with a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture.
People who do physical work for a living also suffer from cervical osteochondrosis, as high loads on the back combined with uncomfortable posture and long-term back injuries affect the health of the neck and lead to overuse of this area.Experts also name other reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- obesity;
- heredity;
- improper diet;
- disruption of metabolic processes;
- constant stress;
- hypothermia;
- flat feet;
- lifting heavy objects with weak back muscles;
- Spinal injury.
Degree of development of neck osteochondrosis
Doctors determine the level of development of cervical osteochondrosis based on the patient's symptoms and complaints.
First degree
With minimal clinical manifestations, the patient may experience pain in the neck of low intensity, which increases when turning the head.During the examination, specialists sometimes detect a muscle strain.
Second degree
The patient experiences pain in the neck of greater intensity, which may radiate to the arm and shoulder.The cause of pain can be abrasions on the intervertebral disc and pinched nerves.The pain increases when you turn and tilt your head.A person's performance decreases, weakness appears, and headaches begin.
Third degree
At this stage, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis intensify and the pain becomes constant and radiates to the upper extremity and shoulder.There is weakness in the arms, which gradually becomes numb due to the formation of herniated discs.The patient is overwhelmed by dizziness and feelings of weakness, and during the medical examination, limited mobility of the cervical spine and pain when touching the neck are diagnosed.
Fourth degree
The intervertebral disc is completely destroyed and replaced by connective tissue.The dizziness becomes more severe, ringing in the ears occurs and coordination of movements deteriorates.This is due to the participation in the process of the vertebral artery, which is responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to the cerebellum and the occipital lobe of the brain.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
- The symptoms of the development of neck osteochondrosis differ from the manifestations of this disease in other parts of the spine.This is explained by the peculiarity of the structure of the human body: the vertebrae are located closer to each other and the height of the intervertebral discs is not very large, so symptoms appear even with minor pathologies.
Let's consider the main signs by which cervical osteochondrosis can be diagnosed:
- Pain.They can be located in different places (in the neck, back of the head, shoulder or arm).Arm and shoulder pain occurs when the nerve root that supplies the upper limbs becomes compressed.Pain in the back of the head is accompanied by spasms in the neck muscles attached to the back of the head bone.
- Weakness in the limbs.Weakness occurs in the arms due to damage to the root that contains the motor nerves that innervate the arm muscles.
- Decreased hand sensitivity.The symptom becomes noticeable when the root containing the sensory nerves that supply the skin of the hands is damaged.Sometimes numbness in the fingers or hands may occur due to cervical osteochondrosis along with loss of sensitivity.
- Limited mobility of the cervical spine and grinding.They occur due to the wear and tear of the intervertebral discs and the appearance of growths on the vertebrae, as well as when small joints between the cervical vertebrae are affected.
- Dizziness, weakness and poor coordination of movements.These symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur when the vertebral artery, which runs in a special channel through the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae, is involved in the process.Fibrous tissue is formed, the vertebrae are displaced, blood flow in the artery is disturbed - this leads to a deterioration in the blood supply to the back of the brain and the cerebellum.
- Deterioration of vision and hearing and numbness of the tongue.These are signs of a serious deterioration in the blood supply to the cerebellum and the occipital region of the brain with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
How to treat neck osteochondrosis?
Without timely treatment, cervical osteochondrosis develops actively and eliminating negative pathologies becomes much more difficult.This can only be achieved with the help of long-term complex treatment.Doctors prescribe different treatment methods to their patients:
- manual therapy;
- laser exposure;
- vacuum therapy;
- pharmacopuncture;
- dry traction;
- electrical stimulation etc.
Several sessions will help relieve pain, but the course of treatment should not be interrupted.
If conservative treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is unsuccessful, the patient may be referred for surgery.The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the vertebral damage and the techniques used.Success also depends on the age of the patient.
Conservative treatment methods include:
- physiotherapy;
- therapeutic exercises;
- massage for osteochondrosis;
- other methods (corsets, therapeutic baths, herbal medicine for osteochondrosis, etc.)
During exacerbations, doctors resort to drug treatment to quickly relieve pain and inflammation.With the help of intravenous and intramuscular injections, you can stimulate metabolic processes and blood circulation in the body.
Therapeutic gymnastics (physiotherapy) is a set of special exercises for osteochondrosis aimed at strengthening muscle tissue and correcting posture.Physical education makes the ligament-muscle system more flexible, normalizes the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, promotes the formation of a muscle corset and reduces the load on the vertebrae.
Physiotherapy includes procedures using lasers, ultrasound, magnetic fields and low-frequency currents.The use of these techniques helps speed up the patient's recovery and increase the effectiveness of other procedures.In contrast to drug treatment, physiotherapeutic methods have no side effects.
To treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a special cervical corset is sometimes used, which is also effective for prevention.A procedure called reflexology massage has proven to be successful, in which specialists act on selected areas of the human body.Spinal traction relieves pain in the neck and joints, contributes to the restoration of anatomical shape and increases the intervertebral distance.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
After undergoing treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, you must follow the advice of doctors to prevent the development of the disease in the future.First of all, you need to monitor the position of the body so that the spine is not overloaded.You can stretch your back muscles.
You cannot stand for a long time and turn and tilt your head sharply.Do not lift weights with your arms outstretched, but first sit down, take the load in your hand and only then rise with it.When carrying heavy bags or other items in your hands, change hands or distribute the load evenly.
Control your posture while working.Get into the habit of regular exercise by changing your posture.You should sleep on a medium-firm mattress with an orthopedic pillow.When standing up, lean on your hands to avoid straining your back.
Always drink a glass of water before exercising and wear comfortable shoes that support your feet.After sitting in an uncomfortable position with your body hunched over for a long time, stretch or hang on the bar.
Swimming strengthens the muscle corset well, and hardening and contrast showers also bring benefits.Eat a varied diet and avoid fatty and salty foods.It's better to rely on lean meats, grains, dairy products and vegetables.