Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a change in the cartilaginous and nearby musculoskeletal structures, resulting in the loss of their regenerative abilities. In the first stages of this process, the height of the intervertebral disc gradually decreases. Because of this, there is a violation of metabolic processes at its core and the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring.
Without timely treatment, osteophytes appear on the cartilage tissue and bones. As a result, the mobility of the cervical spine is significantly limited, which leads to the occurrence of a pronounced pain syndrome. According to studies conducted in many countries of the world, almost every person aged 30-35 has various signs of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of different stages of osteochondrosis
Depending on the stage and severity of the disease, the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can be:
- Headache;
- noise or ringing in the ears;
- severe nausea;
- lack of coordination;
- pain and grinding when turning the head;
- Deterioration of vision and hearing.
Do not forget that cervical osteochondrosis refers to chronic diseases in which the symptoms vary depending on a specific stage of the development of the disease. Because of this, the patient may experience some signs that indicate a certain stage of changes in the cervical spine:
- Tolerable neck pain that occurs with physical activity, as well as discomfort with normal head rotations, occurs at the initial stage of the disease, when the height of the intervertebral disc of the cervical spine decreases slightly.
- Sharp pain and a feeling of stiffness when turning the neck, as well as crunching and headaches, occur during the period of abnormal growth of cartilage tissue, with a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc and the appearance of tears in the fibrous ring.
- Acute pain in the neck that does not subside for a long time, numbness and partial loss of sensitivity of skin areas in the neck area are recorded when the fibrous ring is torn and intervertebral hernias are formed, as well as when the spine is deformed .
Loss of mobility of the neck and upper shoulder girdle with prolonged severe pain is one of the pronounced signs of cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree, when numerous osteophytes develop and the structures of the intervertebral disc are gradually replaced by scar tissue.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main cause of problems with the cervical spine is one-sided and excessive loading. Osteochondrosis usually develops as a result of age-related changes in the spine, injuries to the cervical spine, or metabolic disorders. In addition, the following factors contribute to the occurrence of this disease:
- genetic predisposition. A congenital weakness of the connective tissue can lead to functional disorders of the cervicothoracic spine.
- vertebral instability. Increased mobility of the upper spine very often leads to a deterioration in the wearing properties of the intervertebral discs.
- Musculoskeletal disorders. The mobility of the cervical spine is very often limited by anomalies in the development of the skeletal system, scoliosis, flat feet and rheumatic diseases.
- Little physical activity. A sedentary and sedentary lifestyle contributes to the deformation of the vertebrae and the breakdown of connective tissue.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
In order to identify the causes of the disease, it is imperative to conduct a survey and examination of the patient, determine the zones of pain and the degree of mobility of the spine, and assess the quality of the reflexes.
Various methods are used to diagnose this disease, including:
- Radiography and multislice computed tomography. These methods of instrumental diagnostics have proven themselves best in detecting changes in the cervical spine at later stages of the development of the disease, when lesions of the bones and cartilages of the spine become clearly visible.
- magnetic resonance imaging. Currently, this diagnostic method is most often used to determine the changes occurring on the cervical spine, since with its help the doctor can detect the disease at the earliest stage of its occurrence.
- Duplex scanning of the head and neck arteries. This type of instrumental examination is performed to assess the quality of blood flow and detect vasoconstriction. It is this method that is most often used by doctors to determine the causes of headaches and dizziness in patients.
In addition, an ultrasound scan of nearby organs, an ECG of the heart, blood and urine tests may be prescribed.
expert opinion
Although this disease cannot be completely cured, you should not fear it too much. If appropriate measures are taken in a timely manner, almost any manifestation of the disease can be minimized. For example, you need to learn to constantly monitor correct posture, as this can increase the load on the spine. In addition, we must not forget that some sports are dangerous for the cervical spine.
I strongly advise many of my patients to avoid competitive sports where there is a high risk of injury of all kinds. It is better to opt for hiking, skiing and swimming. Such physical activity has a beneficial effect on all parts of the spine.
Conservative methods of treating osteochondrosis
If the disease of the cervical spine was detected early, then conservative methods of treatment are used. They allow you to prevent the further development of the disease, relieve unpleasant symptoms and restore mobility in the upper spine.
The conservative method of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis includes:
- Medical treatment.In this case, doctors prescribe a number of drugs that make it possible to effectively relieve pain and stop the inflammatory process. In addition, modern means help to restore blood circulation. Most often, hormonal drugs, analgesics, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants and other drugs in the form of tablets and injections are used for these purposes.
- Physiotherapeutic treatment.Physiotherapy is usually prescribed to accompany drug therapy. This can be therapeutic massage, acupuncture, laser exposure, magnetic therapy, UHF therapy and other procedures that help relax the neck muscles, eliminate spasms and normalize blood circulation.
- Physical therapy.This is a very important part of cervical spine treatment. The fact is that special physical exercises not only help to strengthen the muscular frame and straighten the posture, but also improve blood circulation in the upper spine. First, the doctor selects a set of 6-8 exercises, and then adds new ones, gradually increasing physical activity.
Surgical methods of treating osteochondrosis
In the absence of the effect of conservative methods of treatment or in advanced cases of the disease, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine must be treated with surgical methods. The main task of the surgeons is to remove pressure on the nerve roots, arteries, spinal cord and other structures in the area concerned.
To solve this problem, the following types of operations on the cervical spine are used:
- Microsurgical discectomyduring which the doctor, under the control of a microscope, performs excision of the herniated disc with incomplete or complete removal of the disc;
- laminectomy, which provides for partial or complete resection of the vertebral arch, spinous processes, facet joints, and ligaments to reduce stress on the spinal root;
- endoscopic surgerywhen removing hernias, tumors and degenerative-dystrophic changes through a miniature access with an endoscope;
- Laser Nucleoplastywith a puncture puncture, through which a laser light guide is inserted, which is necessary to remove a small fragment of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Many patients mistakenly believe that cervical osteochondrosis will go away immediately after conservative therapy or surgery. But all treatment methods can only stop or slow down the progression of the disease. That is why, after undergoing treatment, a person must observe the following measures for the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis:
- lead a healthy and active lifestyle;
- avoid heavy lifting;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
- visit the swimming pool regularly;
- perform a set of sports exercises;
- be careful when turning your head;
- pay attention to a balanced diet.
rehabilitation
The rehabilitation plan is made in accordance with the stage of the disease, the patient's state of health, age, weight and general well-being. The program may include medical massage, exercise therapy and physical therapy. This will help improve health, prevent complications and relapse.
questions and answers
Which doctor should I contact if I have problems with my cervical spine?
Diagnosis and treatment of these problems are carried out by a neurologist and a traumatologist-orthopedist.
What drugs can be used to relieve pain in the cervical spine?
The appointment of painkillers should be carried out after an examination and a thorough diagnosis by an experienced doctor.
What is the likelihood of spinal problems if I don't exercise at all?
Unfortunately, almost everyone will experience spinal problems at some point. In order to avoid serious complications, it is necessary to exercise regularly and take prophylactic chondroprotectors and multivitamins.