Among all disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the second most common is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The symptoms and treatment of the disease are determined by its stage of development, so it is very important not to miss the signs of the disease to come.
Osteochondrosis is called dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage against the background of damage to the intervertebral disc. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pathological destruction of the vertebral cartilage tissue that supports the head.
Most often, the disease is diagnosed in people between the ages of 30 and 40 years. In developed countries, one or another degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in 80% of the population.
The neck is considered the most mobile part of the spine. At the same time, there are not enough muscles around the neck that can balance the load on the spine. Thus, most of the load falls on the intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock -absorbing pad.
As a result, the disc wears, dry and flat, osteochondrosis develops.
The reasons that contribute to the appearance of pathology lie not only in anatomy, but also in human behavior:
- sedentary and static work, sedentary - at the computer, driving a car, in the office;
- overweight;
- great physical activity;
- smoking;
- improper nutrition;
- poor physical form;
- spinal cord injury.
Additional provoking factors for the development of osteochondrosis are: flat feet, soft mattresses and pillows, the habit of carrying bags on the shoulders, hypothermia and stress.
How the disease is real
At the onset of the disease, only numbness of the neck can testify to its development, which is usually ignored. As the pathology progresses, the number and intensity of manifestations increase.
There are characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- pain in the back of the head, at the base of the neck, radiating to the tip;
- dryness and stinging when turning the head;
- numbness or tingling in the area between the shoulder blades and at the base of the neck, burning, discomfort and stiffness;
- headache, migraine, dizziness;
- weakness, fatigue.
Secondary symptoms include decreased vision, hearing, memory problems, sleep disturbances, inattention, loss of consciousness, stress surges.
Doctors classify the symptoms of osteochondric processes as syndromes associated with certain types of spinal lesions.
Stenosis. It develops on the background of a herniated intervertebral disc and is accompanied by impaired blood circulation and excessive growth of bone tissue. Manifested by numbness of the limbs.
Reflex-irritation syndrome is a consequence of compression of the vertebral arteries in case of neck curvature and poor posture. It manifests itself in severe paroxysmal pain in the back of the head with a gradual spread to the area around the forehead.
Radicular Syndrome. It is observed when the roots of the spine are flattened - as a result of a hernia. At the same time, sensitivity in the affected area decreases, and motor activity becomes limited. May be accompanied by the development of speech defects, snoring, impaired sense of smell, decreased sensitivity of the tongue muscles.
The complexity of the process journey is determined by the state of the nucleus pulposus that fills the vertebral space.
Degenerative lesions of the cervical region are conventionally divided into three stages:
- first. The intervertebral disc is compacted. The vertebral hook -shaped process is enlarged. Muscle stiffness appears, but their mobility does not change. There may be slight swelling and pain when turning the head;
- second. It develops against the background of the progression of the first stage of the disease, if the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not present or performed incorrectly. The intervertebral foramen is narrow, the height of the intervertebral disc becomes smaller as it is evenly distributed. Pinching of nerve roots occurs. The patient feels pain of a point nature;
- third. Cracks in the fibrous annulus surrounding the intervertebral disc lead to rupture of its capsule and deformation of muscle tissue. The stability of the fixation of the nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc is impaired. An intervertebral hernia develops. It is characterized by acute pain in the neck, numbness of the tongue, edema, limited mobility, curvature of the spine.
Proper positioning of the cervical vertebrae determines the functionality of the optic and auditory nerves, nose, lips, mouth, throat ligaments, teeth, facial nerves, pituitary gland, brain, parasympathetic nervous system, neck and forearm muscles, thyroid gland, elbow and shoulder joints.
Diagnostic methods
Accurate determination of the cause of the development of osteochondrosis allows you to target the disease in a targeted way. The initial diagnosis is indicated after an initial examination by a physician.
Patient complaints about the nature of the pain syndrome were taken into account, as well as information obtained during the examination of the spine in various positions. Examination of the cervical spine allows you to determine the presence of seals and deformities. In addition, attention is given to the patient’s muscle tone and motor ability.
Physicians receive complete diagnostic information using studies such as:
- radiography. This procedure allows you to assess the condition of the vertebrae in two projections - frontal and lateral. Results - identification of damage, salt deposits and solid formation;
- magnetic resonance imaging allows you to establish not only any pathology of the spine, but also their severity. Using MRI, doctors can assess the condition and degree of damage to nerve endings, blood vessels and intervertebral discs;
- computed tomography - the digitization of information obtained through X -ray irradiation.
In the presence of dizziness, additional examination of structural changes in the vessel by Doppler, angiography and duplex scanning may be required.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
After making an accurate diagnosis and knowing the cause of the development of the disease, the neurologist determines how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
Optimal results are obtained with complex therapies that involve the use of several methods. Protocols adopted by the WHO include medications, apparatus procedures, exercise therapy and therapeutic massage.
Drug treatment
In each case, the choice of medication is made individually. It depends not only on the severity of the pathology, but also on the specific characteristics of the patient's body.
Fixed assets of drug treatment:
- anti -inflammatory drugs - pills that relieve pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotectors - drugs that activate the regrowth of cartilage tissue;
- external agents - ointments and gels that relieve pain and inflammation;
- vitamin complexes to support the body and stimulate its recovery.
In the first stage of therapeutic effect, it is possible to increase the pain syndrome - this is a response of the muscular system. To reduce discomfort and improve the outcome of drug treatment, physiotherapy procedures are used.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy means the effect on the cause of the disease with the help of special equipment - electrophoresis, electrical tissue stimulation. The use of low -frequency currents improves blood circulation in the affected area, relieves swelling and pain, and at the same time, increases the effectiveness of the drug.
The minimum course of hardware treatment is 10 sessions.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to affect the affected areas at home. With the help of massage pinching, muscle cramps and pain are eliminated, blood circulation is improved, nerve root compression is reduced.
Thanks to the massage, metabolism is improved and spinal tissue is restored.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The best method to restore the function of the organs of the musculoskeletal system and prevent recurrence is physiotherapy training for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. This procedure is prescribed after complete relief of pain and inflammation.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- physiotherapy;
- walking dosage;
- training on simulators;
- swim.
In order for training for cervical osteochondrosis to bring the expected results, the class should be supervised by a competent specialist.
Restoration of the people
Complete elimination of cervical osteochondrosis using traditional medical methods is impossible. On the other hand, the use of folk remedies can improve the patient's condition, relieve inflammation, reduce pain and strengthen the immune system.
On average, the treatment period for cervical osteochondrosis takes up to three months. If conservative treatment does not bring the expected results, surgical intervention is used.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Pathology in the neck area poses a serious threat to all human health. Because the neck connects the head to the body, all important biological communications are located in this part of the spine - the arteries that feed the brain, the nerve channels.
Any change in the function of the cervical spine requires consequences in the form of:
- circulatory disorders and brain nutrition. As a result, hypertension develops, pathology of the respiratory system and cardiovascular system, VSD, coordination disorders, problems with hearing, vision and speech;
- vertebral artery syndrome. The pathology develops against the background of compression of the vessels feeding the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The development of cervical osteochondrosis can lead to ischemia and stroke;
- radiculopathy - damage to nerve roots, growth of bone tissue on the vertebrae, as a result of which there is partial or complete loss of movement.
Compression of the spinal cord, which is located in the spine, is most dangerous. Such pathology leads to rupture of the lining of the spinal cord and causes paralysis. In severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis is fatal.
Prophylaxis
Even after complete recovery, the disease can return if the patient does not reconsider his lifestyle - work and rest, habits, diet.
As a preventative measure, neurologists recommend paying attention to the following:
- mattress hardness. Orthopedic mattresses and low pillows are appropriate;
- a visit to the sauna is necessary for complete relaxation and relief of muscle spasms;
- daily hot showers are a good way to improve blood circulation in the neck;
- swimming, walking, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the muscles of the spine;
- proper nutrition - rejection of foods that slow down metabolism: fatty, fried, sweet, smoked, flour and alcohol. Dishes with gelatin, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, seafood are recommended.
In daily life, you should avoid strenuous physical activity, sharp dizziness, long sitting or being in a static position. In addition, it is advisable to use a chair that provides head and back support.
An active lifestyle, healthy eating and morning exercise are simple but effective ways to avoid most diseases and live a long life without pain and discomfort.