Cervical osteochondrosis confidently occupies the first place in prevalence among spinal diseases.There is hardly a person who has not heard about this disease, but few people know that osteochondrosis is not a disease, but a condition that includes a whole complex of diseases that arise when the spine tries to adapt to unfavorable conditions.And treatment of cervical or other types of osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.
Definition of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs caused by a decrease in the water content in them.
What we used to call osteochondrosis naturally results from a decrease in the water content in the intervertebral disc.
Mechanics of the disease.Stages of osteochondrosis
In the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies.The intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus - special cartilage and water, and the fibrous ring, which is a denser cartilage.The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If there is insufficient amount of fluid in the core, the disc cannot properly perform this function, and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine occurs.
When describing the stages of cervical or other types of osteochondrosis, it is customary to use the classification of neurosurgeon A.I.The base proposed in 1971.
Stage 1 osteochondrosis
Losing water, the intervertebral disc becomes less elastic and elastic, but it is still forced to take on the same loads as before.As a result, the height of the disc decreases, the disc flattens, and protrusions appear.
Stage 2 osteochondrosis
With continued pathological exposure, cracks may appear in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.Due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, instability of the entire segment occurs.
Stage 3 osteochondrosis
A complete rupture of the fibrous ring occurs, through which the more liquid core partially flows out (herniated intervertebral disc).
Most often, such changes lead to symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The thoracic region is least susceptible to the formation of hernias, where even with pathology of the intervertebral discs, part of the load is assumed by the sternum and ribs.
A bulging or herniated disc can affect the spinal nerve roots, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and disruption of nerve fiber conduction.
Stage 4 osteochondrosis
Without experiencing resistance from the damaged intervertebral disc, the bodies of adjacent vertebrae come closer together.Disorders occur in the intervertebral joints (spondyloarthrosis), and the vertebrae can twist or move relative to each other (spondylolisthesis).
At this stage, the body's compensatory forces come into play.To relieve the load from the damaged disc, the vertebra itself flattens, grows in width, increasing its area.In addition, the destroyed tissue of the fibrous ring can be partially replaced by bone.
In some cases, these processes can reduce pain, but often the growths of the vertebrae further narrow the spinal foramen and compress the nerve.
Symptoms of the disease.Degrees of osteochondrosis
The classification that doctors are accustomed to using includes not stages, but degrees of osteochondrosis.It more fully describes the symptoms of osteochondrosis and begins from the moment when the patient experiences pain.
1 degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Occurs when an intervertebral disc ruptures, caused by sudden movement or overexertion.It manifests itself as sudden pain, a feeling of electric current passing in the spine, and the muscles are reflexively tense.
2nd degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
The second stage of cervical osteochondrosis can manifest itself in the form of symptoms of intervertebral protrusion and spinal instability.Chronic pain that worsens with exercise.Intervals of remission and exacerbation alternate.The cervical spine is characterized by neck pain that worsens after a long stay in one position, headaches, arm pain, shoulder pain, periodic discomfort or numbness in the fingers.For the lumbar region - pain in the lower back, pain in the gluteal region, periodic pain in the sacrum, frequent fatigue in the legs.
3rd degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of symptoms of a herniated disc (pain along the affected nerve, numbness in the arms or legs, changes in gait, headaches) or distant symptoms of an intervertebral disc herniation (in the cervical region: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, decreased vision, hearing, muscle strength in the arms; in the thoracic region: irregular heart rhythm, difficulty breathing; in the lumbar regiondepartment: kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, sexual dysfunction, numbness or weakness in the legs).
Grade 4 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It is generally accepted that the fourth degree of osteochondrosis begins from the moment when the hernia no longer manifests itself, the manifestations of the disease may decrease, but the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as instability of the spine, slipping or twisting of the vertebrae, or their complete fixation relative to each other still remain.They may be joined by manifestations of vertebral growths, which can also compress the spinal nerves, leading to their atrophy, or block the spinal canal (secondary spinal canal stenosis) and compress the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).In addition, the fourth degree includes the consequences of surgical intervention if the hernia was removed promptly (various types of innervation disorders, paresis, inflammation).
Prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which every person is at risk.Don’t think that he will bypass you.If you have not yet discovered symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it’s time to think about prevention.
- In people leading a sedentary lifestyle, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs is often disrupted, which leads to dehydration - therefore, move more.
- People who have bad habits are more likely to suffer from spinal diseases and the reason for this is dehydration of the body - drink more water and, if possible, switch to a healthy lifestyle.
- Push-ups, pull-ups, dumbbells and fitness once a week is not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.To give your spine a beneficial load, you need to do special gymnastics for the spine.Daily.
- People who do not know how to properly hold their body in space often experience curvature of the spine, which also has a detrimental effect on the intervertebral discs.– Watch how you stand in line or sit in a meeting...
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is as complex a process as osteochondrosis itself.Unfortunately, two basic principles do not apply to it: “It will go away on its own” and “It still can’t be treated.”This disease will not go away on its own, and in the absence of treatment it will turn the spine of its lucky owner into ruins.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the very beginning of the disease, when everything is still fixable and you can get by with “little blood”.About half of very young people become closely acquainted with the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and by the age of 40, almost everyone already knows about them first-hand.