Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease in which the intervertebral discs become thinner, which changes the anatomy of the cervical spine and disrupts nerve endings and nearby vessels. As the degenerative process progresses, it also covers the surrounding structures. The disease is characterized by a number of symptoms, such as neck pain, dizziness, nausea, limited mobility of the spine, and significantly impairs the quality of life of the patient.
What is cervical osteochondrosis
The cervical region is the most mobile part of the spine. It consists of 7 vertebrae, between which are intervertebral discs. The latter ensure the integrity of this zone and perform the function of depreciation. The discs have a complex structure: inside there is pulp surrounded by a dense fibrous ring.
With age and under the influence of increased load, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases. Metabolism is disrupted in the nucleus, the fibrous ring gets cracked. As the disease progresses, the discs protrude, bulges and hernias appear. Osteophytes appear - bone growths that limit the mobility of the spine and cause pain.
Pathological changes occur near the spinal cord and nerve roots. In the case of their compression, there is a reflex muscle spasm. In this case, the person has pronounced symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Causes of disease
Osteochondrosis develops under the influence of a number of reasons. There are several theories that explain the nature of this disease:
- involutional - the cause of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is wear of the intervertebral discs;
- physical - the disease develops due to excessive impact on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs;
- autoimmune - a person's own immunity destroys intervertebral discs over time;
- vascular - impaired nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue, which is associated with pathological changes in blood vessels;
- hereditary predisposition - the disease occurs in people with a predisposition to degenerative diseases of the spine.
Bitan! None of the theories more likely explains the cause of cervical osteochondrosis.
Disease stimulation can be a combination of several factors:
- improper posture, flat feet;
- sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle;
- excess weight;
- injuries and congenital pathologies of the spine;
- excessive physical activity;
- hormonal changes;
- bad habits;
- vascular diseases;
- genetic predisposition.
The more such factors are combined, the greater the likelihood of developing the disease and the faster the dystrophic processes progress.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis do not appear immediately. For a long time, the patient may be unaware of the onset of the disease and pay attention to the state of health only after the onset of pain.
In the first stage of the disease, when the thickness of the discs is slightly reduced, you may feel a slight discomfort in the neck if you are in an uncomfortable position for a long time. In the second stage, protrusions appear that are felt by stiffness of movement in the cervical region.
Further development of the disease leads to constant pain and worsening of well-being. There are additional signs of cervical osteochondrosis, which significantly worsen the quality of life:
- persistent pain in the cervical region and collar area;
- severe stiffness of the neck muscles;
- pain during movement and at rest;
- limited mobility in the neck;
- numbness of the fingers;
- headache and dizziness may join.
In addition to the usual signs, there are several syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Vertebral. Due to the damage to the cartilage and bones of the spine, its mobility is limited, pain occurs.
- Vertebral artery syndrome. Due to the spasm of the blood vessels responsible for the flow of blood to the brain, tinnitus, headache, fainting and blurred vision occur.
- Root. Symptoms are associated with pinching of the nerve roots, which causes the patient to feel pain in the shoulder area, numbness of the back of the head, fingers and pain in the shoulder blades.
What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis
Patients often consider osteochondrosis of the cervical spine a disease that does not carry serious consequences. But this is a misconception. Pathology causes disorders in the work of vital structures - nerves and blood vessels. If timely treatment is not taken, the disease can result in cerebral circulation disorders, muscle weakness and atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs and systems.
Also, osteochondrosis leads to limited spinal mobility and loss of arm sensitivity. Such significant changes are a serious reason to seek medical help and complex treatment.
Diagnosis
A neurologist diagnoses cervical osteochondrosis. At the first examination, he evaluates the mobility of the spine, the quality of the reflex and determines the pain zones. If during the collection of anamnesis it turns out that the patient is worried about a whole range of symptoms, you may need to consult other specialists:
- therapist;
- cardiologist;
- orthopedist;
- gastroenterologist;
- Laura;
- endocrinologist and others.
A comprehensive examination is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. Among the diagnostic diagnostic methods used are radiography, computed tomography and MR. MRI, due to the high degree of visualization, enables diagnosis even in the early phase of pathology. Duplex scanning of the arteries in the neck and head area is recommended if the patient complains of headache and dizziness. The examination allows you to assess blood flow and the condition of blood vessels.
In addition to the listed diagnostic methods, the following are prescribed:
- ECG;
- Ultrasound of internal organs, heart;
- chest x-ray;
- laboratory research.
They make it possible to distinguish osteochondrosis from other pathologies with similar symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine requires an integrated approach and includes medication, physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy, manual therapy, carboxytherapy and other modern techniques.
Treatment
The main goal of drug exposure is to relieve pain, relieve dizziness, normalize the work of nerve roots, as well as stop or slow down degenerative changes in cartilage tissue. Depending on the diagnosis, the following are awarded:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of drops, injections, tablets, ointments - to relieve inflammation and pain;
- hormonal drugs - to stop the inflammatory process in case of ineffectiveness of the previous ones;
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relieve cramps and thus improve blood circulation;
- B vitamins in the form of tablets and injections - to improve the conduction of nerve impulses and nutrition of nervous tissue;
- sedatives - for chronic or severe pain, sleep disorders;
- chondroprotectors - drugs aimed at improving metabolic processes in cartilage tissue.
Depending on the symptoms, drugs to improve microcirculation in the brain, decongestants, metabolic and others can be prescribed.
Drug-free methods
In addition to the use of drugs, traditional physiotherapeutic methods such as laser and magnetotherapy, electrical stimulation, phono- and electrophoresis are used to treat cervical osteochondrosis in the acute phase.
Bitan! Good effect is provided by massage, manual therapy, osteopathy and reflexology. They are aimed at removing restrictions in the work of the spine, relieving pain and regulating the work of internal organs.
In addition to traditional medical procedures, innovative methods are used. How to treat cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is determined by the doctor. The following methods are assigned:
- Carboxytherapy. The treatment is carried out with the help of subcutaneous injections of carbon dioxide, which triggers a series of biochemical reactions. As a result, microcirculation improves, swelling and pain are reduced, and local protective processes are activated. The procedure is absolutely safe. It is often used in patients in whom drug therapy is contraindicated. The number of injections depends on the problem and varies from 5 to 10.
- Ozone therapy. The procedure relieves pain and inflammation, and the effect lasts a long time. Ozone intake in the immediate vicinity of the spine improves tissue nutrition and waste outflow, and also reduces the activity of enzymes that cause degenerative changes in cartilage.
- PRP - therapy (plasma therapy). Platelet plasma is injected into the muscles that are located in the immediate vicinity of the spine. The procedure has a pronounced stimulating effect on regenerative processes in all structures of the spine, slows down the process of destruction of cartilage tissue, relieves muscle cramps, pain, improves local blood circulation.
- Shock wave therapy. It allows you to quickly remove muscle spasm, increase blood circulation and eliminate tissue congestion.
- Kinesio taping. Kinesio taping helps to relax muscles and at the same time has a supportive effect on the spine. The method helps to alleviate inflammation and swelling, restores joint mobility.
Non-pharmacological methods include kinesiotherapy (exercise therapy), leech therapy, musculoskeletal therapy and local cryotherapy. The choice of method for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis remains with the physician, who focuses on the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient's body.
A plan for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is made taking into account the stage of pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Prevention
If you pay attention to preventive measures, you can prevent or slow down the development of osteochondrosis:
- Lead an active lifestyle, but avoid excessive physical activity.
- Subject to preventive treatment 2p / year.
- Avoid or minimize lifting heavy loads.
- Use an orthopedic mattress and pillow to sleep.
- When working at a computer, warm up every 1 hour.
- Balance your diet by eliminating junk food.
- You are regularly engaged in physical therapy.
Bitan! Swimming is recommended for osteochondrosis. Water relieves the spinal column, and the movements form a strong muscular corset.
To protect and relieve the spine, if necessary, it is recommended to wear orthopedic aids. To improve the metabolic processes in the cartilage and slow down its destruction, do not forget to take chondroprotectors.
Clinical treatment
The clinic offers comprehensive diagnostics and modern effective methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine: carboxytherapy, interstitial electrostimulation, general magnetotherapy, shock wave therapy, osteopathy, ozone therapy, local cryotherapy and others.
At the service of visitors:
- comfortable offices;
- modern equipment;
- qualified doctors;
- reception by arrangement;
- friendly staff.
When choosing a method of treatment, clinic physicians take into account the diagnosis, the characteristics of the patient's body and lifestyle. They give recommendations for the prevention and prevention of further relapses of the disease.
In addition to treating cervical osteochondrosis in our country, the clinic offers prevention courses, including reflexology, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
If you are worried about pain in the cervical spine, make an appointment with a specialist. They will help you eliminate the manifestations of the disease, give recommendations on prevention, diet and lifestyle.