Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Every second inhabitant of the earth faces problems with the spine.Osteochondrosis of the neck is one of the most common diseases that requires special attention.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences.In particularly advanced cases, complications can provoke a fatal outcome.

stages

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men develops gradually and there are periods of increased symptoms and remissions.Signs of the disease appear when the process of destruction of the vertebrae reaches a serious stage.

There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Initial stage.It is characterized by disorders in the structure of the intervertebral discs.Due to the loss of moisture, they become thinner.Cracks appear in the fibrous rings.Often at this stage there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if the pathology can be identified, it is possible to completely restore the damaged intervertebral discs.The first stage of the development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for starting treatment.
2. The second stageThe disease is accompanied by deterioration of the tissue condition of the intervertebral discs.They are significantly reduced in size.This causes sagging of the muscular belt and spinal ligaments.Instability of the cervical spine occurs and the mobility of the vertebrae increases.Often at this stage the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. In the third stagespinal deformity becomes apparent.Prolapses and hernias occur.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become pronounced.
4. The fourth stageaccompanied by the formation of osteophytes, ossification (ossification) of ligaments and other deformations.These signs of osteochondrosis are evidence that the body is trying by all means to stabilize the damaged segments of the spine.

The peculiarity of the cervical spine is the small distance between the vertebrae.When structural disturbances of these segments occur, compression of the spinal cord, nerve endings and vessels of the circulatory system occurs.

EVENTS

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may depend on the part of the spine in which the affected object is located.The following mechanisms of the negative impact of the pathology are distinguished, as well as the associated symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain is transmitted from the cervical spine to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation in various parts of the upper limbs and a goosebump effect.
2. Vertebral artery syndromeprovokes blood circulation disorders in the brain.It is accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision impairments and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.It can cause sharp or throbbing headaches in the occipital, parietal, temporal and superciliary regions.
3. For cardiac syndromesymptoms of osteochondrosis can be confused with angina pectoris.Pain attacks can last for several hours and are accompanied by extrasystole or tachycardia.
4. Irritative-reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes acute attacks of pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations are transmitted to the shoulder or chest region.They appear when moving after a long period of rest.

It is unacceptable to ignore these signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women.

If such symptoms appear, you should contact a neurologist as soon as possible.

Types of diagnostics

Cervical osteochondrosis has symptoms similar to many other pathologies.Therefore, before making a specific diagnosis, the doctor must find out exactly which symptoms caused the patient's discomfort and then conduct an examination.

Based on his observations, the specialist can make a preliminary diagnosis.But to determine more precisely the causes of the pathology, additional research is needed.The main methods for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. X-rays.The most accessible instrumental method.Almost every clinic has a minimal technical basis to conduct such a study.An X-ray provides information about the location and severity of the pathological process.It allows you to determine what consequences caused osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.To get a complete picture of the disease, x-rays are taken in different projections.
2. Computed tomography.It allows you to see all the changes in the tissue structure of the spine, thanks to the possibility of examination layer by layer.Using this method, you can determine the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of protrusion and hernia.Computed tomography perfectly visualizes the condition of all components of the spine region, with the exception of the intervertebral discs.
3. MRI.The most accurate and informative method for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The resulting images allow you to assess the condition of spinal segments, nerves and blood vessels.This becomes possible due to the lack of images of other organs in the projection.Magnetic resonance imaging helps to identify the location of damaged segments, the establishment of tissue changes, narrowing of the spinal canal, as well as degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc such as protrusion and hernia.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is associated with a degenerative disorder of the structure of the intervertebral discs, as well as the tissues and ligaments of the spine located next to them.Both women and men of all age groups can suffer from the disease.This is due to a large number of unfavorable factors, among them a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and poor nutrition.

The issue of proper treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very important.Therapy can be either conservative (in non-advanced cases) or surgical (sequestered hernias).

If a patient has signs of osteochondrosis, the treatment regimen must be selected individually for the individual patient.The therapeutic program may depend on the following factors:

• disease stages;
• period of exacerbation or remission;
• individual characteristics of the patient.

Treatment of osteochondrosis should be prescribed by a doctor after a thorough examination of the patient and an accurate diagnosis.

Conservative methods

The main goal of therapy for degenerative changes in the spine is to prevent the development of pathology and complications.To achieve a favorable result in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is not enough to use any method;it is important to use an integrated approach.

In the first stages of therapy, the doctors' recommendations are aimed at eliminating pain and restoring blood circulation function.In the next phase, you can switch to physiotherapeutic procedures, manual therapy and exercise therapy.

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Treatment with medications.This method is characterized by the use of drugs with different effects: analgesic, antispasmodic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, tranquilizers, vitamins, minerals.Drug treatment can be prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease with significant pain and increased muscle tone.Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated with ointments or gels only for mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are not effective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical factors (magnetic field, ultrasound, low-frequency current) can be applied at any stage of the development of the pathology.Physiotherapy procedures help reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism, and also allow you to reduce drug doses.To cure cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis with the administration of drugs, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy and magnetic therapy can be prescribed.Each of these types of physiotherapeutic procedures has its own contraindications.For this reason, the method of treatment must be chosen by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The objectives of this method include normalizing muscle tone, improving blood circulation and eliminating cervical spine deformities.The therapeutic effect is achieved by exerting physical influence in the form of pressure, vibration and friction.To achieve a visible long-term effect, manual therapy should be combined with medications, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
4. Physical therapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be eased by performing a course of special exercises.This allows you to develop muscles and significantly reduce the load on damaged segments of the spine.A group of gymnastic exercises can be selected only by the attending physician, taking into account the characteristics of the patient.It is recommended to start classes under the supervision of a specialist.It is not advisable to engage in physical therapy when pain occurs.

Surgical method

If cervical osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, there may be a need for surgical intervention.Most often this happens with compression of the spinal cord or herniated discs.

The purpose of the surgical operation is to eliminate compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the cervical spine.In this case, the following methods are used:

• Discectomy– complete or partial elimination of the intervertebral disc.The procedure is performed using microsurgical instruments.This reduces damage to the surrounding tissue.
• Laser disc reconstruction.During the operation, a needle is inserted into the affected area and a special cable is passed through it.Under the influence of laser energy, the intervertebral disc is heated.This stimulates the growth of cells and within 3-6 months they fill all the voids formed as a result of the disease.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.
• Arthrodesis.All manipulations are performed through a small incision in the front or back of the neck.As a result of the operation, the compression of the spinal cord and nerve endings is removed and artificial implants or special metal structures are placed.They correct the bending line of physiological lordosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated surgically only in the most difficult cases of the disease.This is associated with a high risk of complications.Possible consequences of the operation include damage to the nerve endings or spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal due to teeth, the development of infections and many other unpleasant consequences.

Prevention methods

Osteochondrosis of the neck can develop in both women and men at any age.Many factors contribute to this.The appearance of the disease can be prevented with simple preventive measures.To do this, just follow some basic rules:

1. Do not expose the spine to heavy loads.Avoid sudden movements and injuries, periodically change the position of the body, evenly distribute the load when moving heavy objects and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do gymnastics exercises regularly to strengthen the neck muscles.
3. Strengthen it.
4. Maintain balance in food intake.
5. Give up bad habits.

It is important to remember that preventing the development of pathology is much easier than its long and expensive treatment later.Following simple measures to prevent the disease will allow you to never know what cervical osteochondrosis is.