Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathological condition in which degenerative changes occur in bone and cartilage tissue.
Dystrophy of the intervertebral discs can develop after the age of 30, while by the age of 40-45 they become dry and hardened.
The vertebral column contains 7 cervical vertebrae, consisting of a body, processes and bony arch;In the center of the vertebra is a hole in which the spinal cord is located.The individual elements of the spine are connected to each other with the help of intervertebral discs, formed by a nucleus, a fibrous ring and a layer - a hyaline plate (cartilage).The cervical vertebrae with the smallest thickness of the discs fit tightly to each other;the muscles in the neck area are rather poorly developed, as a result of which, with regular exercise, a displacement of the disc can occur, which presses on the blood vessels and nerve trunks.
The disease goes through several stages in its development, during which the spine undergoes pathological changes:
1 degree of osteochondrosis
It is characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs.Cracks form in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the disc are impaired, its height decreases, due to which the nerve roots are pressed.A characteristic aching pain appears.Sometimes at stage 1 (preclinical) such pain may be absent and osteochondrosis proceeds with moderate discomfort in the neck area.
Osteochondrosis 2 degree
If osteochondrosis of the 1st degree was not treated or the treatment was not effective, a chronic condition occurs, which is osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree.The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compaction of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to slight dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.With cervical osteochondrosis, a falling head syndrome may develop at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain and the person is forced to keep his head in a fixed position to reduce the pain.
Osteochondrosis 3rd degree
The fibrous ring is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis - protrusion (impact) of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.At stage 3 of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease, because the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc simply no longer exists and therefore there is no source of pain, but the pinching of the nerve roots remains, so the pain does not disappear completely.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
With age, the core of the intervertebral disc loses its moisture reserves and also becomes less elastic.Since the metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, regeneration processes in discs with poor blood supply stop.At a young age, lack of physical activity plays a major role in the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - a passive lifestyle, lack of properly organized physical activity.
Factors contributing to poor circulation in the cervical vertebrae and intervertebral space are:
- driving a car for a long time;
- working at a computer, sitting for long periods of time in any position;
- lifting weights regularly;
- working conditions that include sudden movements and turns of the neck;
- bad posture;
- neck and head injuries;
- disc displacement as a result of sports training;
- overweight, which leads to a high load on the intervertebral discs and disruption of the functioning of the cervico-thoracic spine;
- alcohol abuse, smoking, unhealthy diet (due to the harmful effect on metabolic processes);stress;
- hypothermia of the neck (for example, in the absence of a scarf during the cold period);
- sleeping on high or too soft pillows;
- heredity (family history of spinal diseases).
Common symptoms of neck osteochondrosis may include:
- dizziness, migraine-like pain in the head (acute), as well as a dull, pressing pain in the neck (cervicalgia) that may worsen with head movement;
- lumbago (sharp pain spreading to the back or arm);
- burning in the back, heart;
- stiffness of the neck, arms (especially hands);
- reduced mobility and numbness of the neck in the morning;
- sensation of pulsation in the back of the head;
- temporary darkening of the eyes, noise in the ear canal, sometimes fainting;
- thickening of the skin in the spine due to proliferation of connective tissue.
Diagnosis
Most often, the doctor's diagnosis sounds like "cervical osteochondrosis 2nd degree".Why immediately the second?The fact is that the first degree cannot be diagnosed because the symptoms are too weak.During a preliminary examination, the doctor determines the degree of damage to the spine.For this, the patient is examined in different positions: horizontal, sitting, standing, inclined.By counting the vertebrae, the specialist focuses on the anatomical norms and determines the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae.The examination is not limited to a visual examination - the deformation of the vertebrae can be easily felt by hand.Palpation allows to determine the localization of pain and the strength of tension in the paravertebral muscles.But still, in order for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to bring positive results, it is necessary to undergo a hardware examination.Computed tomography, X-ray, nuclear magnetic resonance - all these methods make the diagnosis perfectly accurate and allow you to choose the optimal method of treatment.
Treatment
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae?This is the wrong way to ask the question;more correctly, how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, since it is completely impossible to cure osteochondrosis.But it is quite possible to stop the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and intervertebral discs and get rid of pain and discomfort.But this is possible only if the treatment is started at an early stage of the disease.That is why it is so important to consult a doctor in time.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae should be comprehensive.
The treatment regimen can be presented as follows:
- drugs from the group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve inflammation;
- antispasmodics - to relieve spasms;
- pain relievers;
- B vitamins;
- reflexology;
- physical therapy (physical therapy) - removes pain and inflammation;
- therapeutic massage - restores blood supply, relieves tension;
- acupuncture and acupressure.
But the most important method of treating cervical osteochondrosis is dosed physical activity.
Disease prevention
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended:
- when working sedentary, remember to take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid neck strain,
- don't make sudden head movements, watch your posture,
- avoid hypothermia,
- exercise, swim, eat right,
- sleep should be on a hard mattress and a low pillow: the neck bending angle should not be more than 15 degrees,
- after 25 years, avoid shock loads on the spine (jumping, running).