Cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

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

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are characterized by severe pain in the neck, head, shoulders and bothers everyone, regardless of age.

Description of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the neck is much younger. Young people experience it from adolescence. The neck is the weakest point of the spine. The seven vertebrae are quite close together and the muscular skeleton develops worse than the other sections. The neck experiences severe stress because it supports the skull and is in constant motion.

What is cervical osteochondrosis? The intervertebral discs are fed by diffusion from adjacent tissues. Deterioration of blood supply to the tissues surrounding the spine leads to nutritional and water deficits. The starvation of the disc nucleus and annulus fibrosis leads to degenerative processes.

Excess bone tissue near the spine, intervertebral discs, and crushed nerves and yokes are primarily signs of decreased performance. High-intensity pain is initially concentrated in the neck, head, shoulders, heart, arms, upper chest, moving to the lower extremities. Each of the seven vertebrae sends signals to other departments. Compressed nerve roots affect the condition of other systems in the body.

Osteochondrosis is especially dangerous for the brain. The vertebral artery that moves here completes the blood supply to the back of the brain. Its shaking causes headaches, often develops migraines, not subject to analgesics. Osteochondrosis of the neck may be accompanied by dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, nausea and vomiting. Later, pharyngeal symptoms appear, suddenly causing a lack of oxygen in the mind. Compression of the vertebral artery causes spinal and cerebral ischemia. Aggravation of the process leads to spinal stroke.

Basic disease processes

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

Physiological process:

• Aging of spinal cartilage occurs due to natural irreversible causes. 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 with fibrous tissue;
Abnormal process: degenerative changes in interstitial structures, destruction of surrounding vessels and nodes. Changes occur outside the cartilage itself, compression of blood vessels, irritation of nerve endings. The person feels dysalgia, local and reflected pain symptoms.

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

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

• Spondylolisthesis in which the spinal disc slides. Even small movements lead to the development of paralysis. Heavy movement is fatal;
• The pulp of the nucleus is impregnated with calcium salts. This leads to improper feeding of the disc, causing a hernia to form;
• An intervertebral hernia that arises between the backs of the intervertebral discs. Neglecting therapeutic measures leads to mild paralysis;
• Appearance of microcracks on anabolic fibrosis, development of protrusion. The intervertebral disc extends beyond its borders;
• spondylosis, which means faded spines. Osteophytes appear - growths of bone tissue in the form of hooks and spines, localized on the sides of the vertebral bodies. Strong pain and, as a result, stiffness of movement are noted.

Causes of neck osteoarthritis

Increased cervical spine load causes the body to try to compensate for the condition. Thus begins muscle spasms, deterioration of blood circulation, deformities. The structure of the spine changes. The cause may also be progressive discosis caused by prolonged physical exertion.

Key factors in the development of cervical osteochondrosis:

• Hypodynamics;
• weakening of the immune system;
• Excessive physical activity;
• Presence of spinal cord injuries;
• Deficiency of essential nutrients, 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 spinal column.

The main causes of osteochondrosis are disproportionate distribution of spinal load, very weak muscle corset. People over the age of thirty have the greatest risk, especially if their day is sitting long.

Development Stages

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

• First, preclinical.It is characterized by small deformities of the spine, smoothness of the cervical lordosis. The pain is felt with its sudden movements, fatigue occurs. The development of the disease can be prevented without medication. You need to balance your diet, choose exercises and take preventive measures;
• seconds.An unstable condition is established among vertebrates. Spinal movements occur relative to each other, rotation - rotation around the spine. Occasionally there is a residual rash on the shoulders and arms. The height of the intervertebral discs decreases, causing nerve entrapment. It is characterized by signs such as destruction, fatigue, headache;
• The third stage.The height of the intervertebral disc will be reduced by a quarter relative to the upper disc. Deformities begin in the intervertebral joints. The lumen of the spinal canal, the intervertebral foramen, is lowered. Acute pain is constantly felt. The arm muscles begin to numb due to the onset of hernia formation in the 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 with connective tissue. Large osteophytes form on the back of the cervical spine. The spinal canal is very narrow, which provokes the development of myelopathy. The patient's condition worsens, accompanied by impaired coordination, dizziness, severe pain, tinnitus.

Symptoms

The symptomatic picture of neck injury differs from other parts of the disorder. This is due to the dense layout of the spine relative to each other. Due to the small height of the intervertebral discs, the clinic begins to manifest itself even in mild pathologies. Signs of damage vary depending on which nerve root is affected. There is a nerve under each nerve of the seven vertebrae and its contraction has its own symptoms.

Problems with the first two vertebrae affect the sensitivity of the occiput. The pain is localized in the parietal, occipital region. Defeat of the nerve endings of the third spine is rare. Symptoms are manifested in the area of ​​pain, language, speech problems. The fourth root is a signal of pain and unpleasant sensations in the back, on the shoulder. Can create shortness of breath, pain in the heart. Fifth segment disease causes pain in the shoulders, decreased sensitivity of the limbs.

Sixth and seventh spinal injuries are the most common among patients. Neck, shoulder blades, forearms, lower back, back suffer. There is numbness in the hands and fingers. Abnormal changes in the eighth nerve root are characterized by the spread of pain in the lower extremities. There is a loss of skin sensitivity, small fingers and toes are numb. Circulatory disorders cause blue feet and hands.

Common signs of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• Pain that extends to the upper and lower body;
• weakness, decreased sensitivity of the hands;
• difficulty in movement, convulsions;
• Disorder of coordination, accompanied by ringing, tinnitus, feeling of disorientation, weakness, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• Numbness of the tongue, fingers and toes, hearing impairment, vision.

Diagnosis of neck osteochondrosis

To determine the degree of damaged intervertebral discs and their disease, the doctor must perform a number of examinations: X-ray, MRI, CT (computed tomography), ultrasound duplex scan. The most accurate way to check the health of the cervical spine is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of MRI is to identify abnormal changes in the tissues of the spinal column, namely spinal cord and intervertebral hernias. After examining and questioning the patient, after conducting the examination, the attending neurologist makes a preliminary diagnosis and determines the treatment.

Treatment

If you suspect osteochondrosis, you should consult 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 compliance with all the recommendations of the patient's doctor. Complete forms of severe osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. The purpose of complex treatment is to slow down the current pathological process, to eliminate the symptoms. Therapy can be conservative, operative, or a combination of both. If the headache has become more frequent, then it is necessary to start therapy as soon as possible.

There are two main types of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis:

• Medication administered by medication;
• Physiotherapy includes courses in UHF, electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. They have a stimulating effect on blood circulation, metabolism and relieve muscle spasms.

Medication therapy is used to relieve compression of the peripheral zones of the central nervous system (CNS) and to relieve pain syndrome during exacerbations of the disease. After elimination of the acute manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis, therapy is not discontinued. Physiotherapy is prescribed. Regular massage of the neck area is essential. Folk remedies are also used.

Osteochondrosis treatment therapy

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

Many doctors prescribe injections to make nerve endings more effective. But vitamins are best in pill form because injections are very painful. To ensure the anti-inflammatory effect, the doctor performs injections into the muscles.

Basic types of medications for therapy:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).They have analgesic action, remove aseptic inflammatory process, swelling of the roots. With obvious signs of illness, injections are given twice a day with these medications. Apply the cream topically;
• Chondroprotectors.Activates metabolism, cartilage tissue regeneration. Elimination of intervertebral disc damage. There are injectable medications inside the joints and muscles. The course of therapy lasts up to 4 months;
• B group vitamins (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 for one month. In severe forms of the disease, a variety of injectable medications are used;
• Drugs to activate blood circulation to the brain,Rheological properties of blood.

The following medications are used to speed up recovery:

• Angioprotectors- Injectable forms of medicines designed to activate blood circulation in the veins, to enhance vascular tone;
• Glucocorticosteroids- injections to reduce swelling and inflammation;
• Biogenic stimulants.Accelerate metabolic processes, help restore damaged tissues.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic methods complement medical treatment, significantly increase the speed of recovery, prolong the remission stage 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 to repair damage;
• Massageimproves nerve conduction, restores muscle tone;
• Magnetotherapyrelieves tissue swelling;
• 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 pain in the neck;
• Ultrasoundprovides analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect;
• Electrophoresis with medicinal plants.Electricity facilitates the penetration of drug ions into a specific location.

Manual therapy, thermotherapy, mud treatment are also used to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis. All these methods slow down the course of the disease.

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

Healing Exercises

You can perform a set of neck healing exercises during the recovery period. Exercise therapy is based on several dynamic exercises. You should not do gymnastics during aggravation. It is recommended to monitor the appearance of discomfort while performing the exercises, it is not allowed.

Lift your upper body from a prone position using your arms. Delay for 1-2 minutes. Lower to the starting position and repeat 2-3 times. Then you should stretch your arms along the body. Turn your head to the right and left 6-7 times, trying to reach the floor to the ear. Sit down. During inhalation, lean your body forward, tilting your head towards your chest. As you exhale, lean back, throwing your head back. 10-15 inclinations are enough. Now you need to put your hands 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 starts spinning, the exercise should stop.

Complications

The cervical region is rich in blood vessels, nerve endings that feed the brain. Their slight stretching damages the whole body, disrupts blood circulation in the brain and causes neurological disorders: migraine, heart, respiratory system, vision, hearing, hypertension. Particularly dangerous complications in the form of spinal artery syndrome, cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke, which arise in the advanced form of neck disease. Loss of mobility occurs during radiculopathy. Spinal cord compression is fatal.

To avoid surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, you should not delay seeking medical attention at the first sign. It is necessary to use all available methods of therapy, as well as lifestyle changes, diet.