Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a chronic, slowly progressive lesion of the vertebrae of the cervical spine (from the first to the seventh), which begins with the destruction of the intervertebral discs and ends with their "subsidence", protruding (hernia), a change in the shape and displacement of the vertebrae (degenerative-dystrophic process).
Subsequently, neurological (compression, inflammation of the nerves and their consequences) and vascular complications (compression of the vertebral artery and the consequences of blood circulation disorders) join the clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis. With cervical osteochondrosis, these are headaches, dizziness, loss of orientation, nausea, sharp pressure drops that are difficult to normalize. Osteochondrosis is a common pathology, the symptoms of which by the age of 45 appear in 90 % of people (regardless of gender), before others - for office workers leading a sedentary lifestyle. The lesion of the cervical region is diagnosed as often as lumbar osteochondrosis. This is due to excessive mobility of the neck and weakness of the muscles surrounding the spine in this area.
The essence of the pathology that happens with it
The intervertebral disk (abbreviated MPD) is a watery pulp nucleus in the center and the elastic, strongest fibrous shell that surrounds it. The bodies of neighboring vertebrae are adjacent to it and below. The receipt (and excretion) of substances and water into the intervertebral disc occurs due to diffusion (direct and reverse filtration, the penetration of molecules into the disk and back) from the bone tissue of the vertebrae. The gradual aging of the fabrics of the intervertebral disc leads to the fact that the receipt of the necessary substances slows down, and under the influence of provoking factors (pressure, load), it ceases completely. The dense fabric of the fibrous membrane is covered with cracks, loses its elasticity, the pulp nucleus in the center drys out (loses water). This leads to the fact that cervical osteochondrosis progresses:
- MPD loses height;
- The bodies of the vertebrae are shifted, the nerve roots are squeezed and begin to grow with bone spikes, trying to evenly distribute increasing pressure (spondylosis).
Over time, ligaments are involved in the process of ossification, they are impregnated with calcium at the place of attachment to the vertebrae and become the cause of stiffness, constraint of the neck. Since people continue to load the spine - they are actively moving, sit in an uncomfortable position:
- The bodies of neighboring vertebrae are more and more compressed by the MPD;
- This leads to the fact that the pulpoose nucleus (rather what remains of it) is pushed forward or backward (more often towards the anterior longitudinal ligament, since it is quite thin in the cervical region).
Such a protrusion is called protrusion (the shell of the disk has not yet exploded, but only changed its shape), it presses on adjacent tissues, which leads to the occurrence of muscle tension, pain and other, pronounced symptoms with which cervical osteochondrosis proceeds. Over time, the fibrous shell of the disk is nevertheless torn, and part of the pulpic nucleus is squeezed into the fabric (this breakthrough is called a hernia). At this stage (these are 4 stages), all acute symptoms of the disease can subside (a small part of the nucleus is absorbed or covered with calcium and ceases to irritate the surrounding tissues), or, conversely, will lead to the development of the ischemic stroke of the brain (oxygen starvation, the death of a starving area) and disability.
Causes provoking factors
Considering the causes of osteochondrosis, it is worth noting that the basis of violations is the natural aging of the fabrics of the intervertebral disc. The process can accelerate different provoking factors:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Congenital defects in the development of the cervical spine (deformation of the body of the first cervical vertebra).
- Damage and surgical interventions.
- Excessive mobility of the cervical region (for example, in sports training).
- Lack of physical activity (sedentary work).
- Violation of posture (stoop).
- Age.
- Nervous stress.
- Hypothermia.
Four stages (degree) and symptoms
With osteochondrosis in the cervical spine, all manifestations intensify from stage to stage, the more changes occur in the intervertebral disk - the stronger the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. At the initial stage of a person, muscle tension in the neck and shoulders can be disturbed, because of which they quickly get tired. Then the main sign of pathology appears - the pain that gives to the back of the head, shoulders, arms, chest, can be disguised as tooth pain. A person begins to dizzy, the concentration of attention weakens, vision and hearing falls, this worsens the quality of life and does not affect his ability to work well. Gradually, the symptoms increase and intensify - a person wakes up with a feeling of stiffness in the spine, during periods of exacerbations any sharp movement (for example, sneezing or a heel on the floor) causes a cutting pain in the neck and along the affected nerves, it becomes difficult to raise the hand or hold the object in the fingers. At night, the heartbeat may intensify or the appearance of a feeling of lack of air may be concerned-the patient cannot breathe deeply, because of the pain, a person is not able to move, turn his neck or raise his hand. In symptoms, osteochondrosis in men is almost no different from osteochondrosis in women (they are more often concerned about headaches.
1st stage (degree)
The intervertebral disc lost its elasticity and sagged.
At this stage, with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, tension appears, fatigue, muscle fatigue and neck pain.
The first symptoms:
- muscle tension, which leads to their rapid fatigue, fatigue;
- pain, discomfort in the neck;
- A headache appears periodically.
Stage 2
The MPD cracks, exfoliates, sags even more, protrusion is formed (protrusion of the fibrous membrane), bone growths occur along the edges of the vertebrae.
- A person has a crunch, headache, sensitivity disorders, pain in the neck, which intensifies with elementary loads, gives to other parts of the body.
- Pain sensations in the neck are enhanced by loads, given to the shoulders, chest, and occipital part of the head.
- The person is regularly worried about severe headaches.
- Cryst when turning the neck.
- Difficulties in swallowing.
- Swanks of blood pressure.
- Dizziness.
- Numbness of the skin and fingers, weakening of the muscles of the limb.
Stage 3
At this stage, the protrusion breaks out (hernia), bone spikes increase in size, the spine ligaments are ossified in the attachment sites to the vertebral body. Symptoms for cervical osteochondrosis at 3 stages:
- The symptoms of the first two stages of the disease are attached to a violation of the blood supply to the brain (due to compression of the vertebral artery) in the form of visual imperfections, hearing, orientation, sensitivity and others.
- The pain can intensify with the most elementary movements (tilting the head), shoots in the ear, in the jaw, in the shoulder and forearm.
- The patient is looking for a convenient pose, trying to find a tilt of the head that will relieve symptoms.
- His attention is scattered, memory, vision, hearing, coordination of movements are deteriorating, sleep disorders, nausea appear, stable hypertension is formed.
- A pronounced stiffness of the spine, paresis, paralysis of the limbs (immobility, impaired sensitivity), muscles lose strength and volume (atrophy) are joined.
- The smooth bend of the spine is observed.
4th stage
A feature of the 4th stage - symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine weaken, stiffness remains.
- Acute manifestations of the disease subside due to the fact that soft tissues are subjected to ossification (ossify).
- In 5 % of cases, 4 stages of osteochondrosis can be complicated by necrosis of adjacent tissues, an ischemic stroke of the brain.
- Manifestations cause ischemic stroke (oxygen starvation and withering away of a part of cells) and disability.
Possible complication of cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree:
- the ischemic stroke of the brain, which can lead to disability of the patient;
- Due to circulatory disorders of the adjacent tissues, the patient may have trophic ulcers (cell death due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen).
Diagnostic methods
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is diagnosed using various instrumental studies:
- X -ray (characteristic diagnostic features in the form of spikes along the edge of the vertebra or a decrease in the height of MPD appear at 2 stages).
- CT, MRI of the spine (allows you to diagnose changes in the MPD in the initial stages).
- Discography (a study with the introduction of a contrast medium allows you to establish the deepest damage to the intervertebral disc).
- Electronography (with its help determines the obstacle, inflammation during the nervous end).
- Dopplerography of the vessels of the brain (allows you to determine the condition of blood vessels and blood flow rate in them).
In case of damage to the nerve endings, numerous neurological manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis occur, detects symptoms and oversees the treatment of a neurologist (helps to establish a diagnosis, advises, prescribes drugs).
Methods of treatment
Osteochondrosis of the neck is an incurable disease (like osteochondrosis of any other localization), changes that occur in the tissues of the intervertebral disc, irreversible. In the early stages (1 and 2), it can be suspended by conservative therapy, at 3 stages conservative treatment is prescribed to relieve acute symptoms. Sometimes with stable cervical radiculitis (with inflammation of the spinal core of the spinal nerve), surgical removal of the intervertebral discs is performed.
First aid
First aid for cervical osteochondrosis is needed if the patient feels acute pain in the neck, cannot turn his head, is not able to make any other movements (raise his hands). In this case, a 2%solution of anesthetics or another drug with combined properties is introduced into the muscles along the vertebrae. The blockade quickly relieves pain and improves the patient's condition. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the recovery period is carried out by warming agents that can improve blood circulation in the cervical vertebrae and neck mobility.
Other methods of treatment:
Experts can recommend various orthopedic devices:
- The tire of Shantsz, which is a kind of corset, bandage or neck holder. With its help, the head is fixed in one position and thus relax the muscles, unload and anesthetize the cervical spine.
- An orthopedic pillow that allows you to sleep in the most convenient and physiological pose for the cervical region, without provoking muscle tension, pain and stiffness in the spine.
Surgical surgery
Surgical treatment may be required if:
- Intervertebral hernia (or hernia) squeezes nerve roots more and more compressed;
- Other treatment methods do not alleviate the patient's condition;
- There is a threat of disability.
Surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis significantly improve the patient's condition, but there is always the likelihood of developing various complications (loss of sensitivity, mobility of the spine).
Home treatment
Home treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of products that will help:
- Strengthen the blood circulation of tissues.
- Improve metabolism in them.
- Finally get rid of pain, inflammation and muscle tension.
They are used in the recovery period, when acute symptoms of the disease are left behind:
- Heating compress with campaire alcohol. Take 50 ml of vodka, camparal alcohol, as much fresh aloe juice, 50 g of mustard powder and 100 ml of honey. Mix, add 3 whipped egg protein to the mixture, leave for a day. By readiness, the mixture is applied to the affected area, along the ridge (for 2-3 hours), covered with plastic film on top. The course of treatment is 12 procedures, after a week it can be repeated.
- Ginger ointment. Grind 3 medium garlic teeth and 50 g of fresh ginger root in a blender, add 50 g softened to the room temperature of butter, beat again. With this tool, the area of damage is smeared 1 time per day (for 2-3 hours), covered with a film on top. The course of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is 21 days, after a break of 2 weeks it can be repeated.
Any non -traditional methods of therapy should first be discussed with the attending physician.
Prevention
Measures for the prevention of osteochondrosis are:
- moderate physical activity and exercise for the neck;
- a diet rich in vitamins and useful for cartilage;
- orthopedic pillow and mattress for sleeping;
- Convenient workplace.
You need to pay attention to the habit of carrying heaviness in one hand or bag on one shoulder and getting rid of it. Such a one -sided load is a provoking factor in the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
Forecast
Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies that after 45 years appears in 90 % of people (regardless of gender). More often diagnosed:
- cervical or cervical-chested (due to the weakness of the cervical muscles and mobility of the neck);
- lumbar osteochondrosis (due to the load on this spine);
- Less commonly - thoracic (this department is less mobile, the load on it is small).
Violations due to which the disease appears is irreversible, so it is impossible to cure the pathology. Conservative methods can be suspended by cervical osteochondrosis at 1 and 2 stages. Getting rid of acute symptoms will need from 2 to 3 weeks, until the complete restoration of osteochondrosis will have to be treated up to 6 months. At 3 and 4 stages, the most effective method is surgical correction (removal of hernias and disks, strengthening the vertebrae). A prerequisite for all people after 30 years is the regular performance of special exercises for the cervical spine, because such measures solve the problem of progression of the disease.