Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Every second inhabitant of the earth faces problems with the spine.Osteochondrosis of the neck is a common disease that requires special attention.Lack of timely treatment can result in serious consequences.In advanced cases, complications can cause death.

Stages

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men develops gradually and has periods of increasing symptoms and remission.Signs of the disease occur when the process of spinal destruction reaches a serious stage.

There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Early stage.Characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral discs.Due to loss of moisture, they become thinner.Cracks appear on the fibrous ring.Often at this stage, there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if the pathology can be identified, the damaged intervertebral disc can be completely restored.The first stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered especially favorable for starting treatment.
2. Second stageThis disease is associated with worsening of the condition of the intervertebral disc tissue.The size is reduced significantly.This causes loosening of the muscle corset and ligaments of the spine.Instability of the cervical spine occurs, and spinal mobility increases.It is often at this stage that the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. In the third stagespinal deformation becomes apparent.Bulges and hernias occur.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become obvious.
4. Fourth stageaccompanied by the formation of osteophytes, hardening (ossification) of ligaments and other deformations.These signs of osteochondrosis are evidence that the body is trying to stabilize the damaged spinal segment by any means.

The peculiarity of the cervical spine is the small distance between the vertebrae.When structural disorders in this segment occur, the spinal cord, nerve endings, and blood vessels in the circulatory system are pinched.

Manifestation

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

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain spreads from the cervical spine to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation in various parts of the upper extremities and the effect of goosebumps.
2. Vertebral artery syndromeprovokes circulatory disorders in the brain.Accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision problems, as well as disorders of the vestibular apparatus.May cause sharp or throbbing headaches in the occipital, parietal, temporal and superciliary areas.
3. For cardiac syndromeSymptoms of osteochondrosis can be confused with angina pectoris.Pain attacks can last for several hours and be accompanied by extrasystoles or tachycardia.
4. Irritable reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes attacks of acute pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations are transmitted to the shoulder or chest area.They appear when moving after a long rest.

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

If such symptoms occur, it is best to contact a neurologist as soon as possible.

Diagnostic type

Cervical osteochondrosis has symptoms similar to many other pathologies.Therefore, before making a specific diagnosis, the doctor must find out exactly what symptoms are causing concern for the patient, then carry out an examination.

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

1. Radiography.The most accessible instrumental method.Almost all clinics have a minimum technical base for conducting such research.X-ray provides information about the location and severity of the pathological process.Allows you to determine what consequences osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes.To get a complete picture of the disease, x-rays are taken in different projections.
2. Computed tomography.Allows you to see all changes in the structure of spinal tissues, thanks to the possibility of layer-by-layer examination.Using this method, you can determine the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of protrusions and hernias.Computed tomography perfectly visualizes the condition of all components of the spinal region except the intervertebral discs.
3. MRI.The most accurate and informative method for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The resulting image allows you to assess the condition of the spinal segments, nerves and blood vessels.This is possible because there are no images of other organs in the projection.Magnetic resonance imaging helps identify the location of the damaged segment, determine tissue changes, narrowing of the spinal canal, as well as degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs such as bulges and hernias.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is associated with degenerative disorders 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 this disease.This is caused by many unfavorable factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and poor nutrition.

The problem of appropriate treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant.Therapy can be conservative (in less advanced cases) or surgical (resected hernia).

If the patient has signs of osteochondrosis, the treatment regimen should be selected individually for each patient.The therapy program may depend on the following factors:

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

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

Conservative method

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

In the first stage of therapy, the doctor's recommendations are aimed at eliminating pain and restoring circulatory function.At a later stage, you can proceed to physiotherapy procedures, manual therapy and exercise therapy.

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Treatment with drugs.This method is characterized by the use of drugs with a wide range of effects: analgesics, antispasmodics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondoprotectors, sedatives, vitamins, minerals.Treatment with drugs can be prescribed during exacerbations of the disease with significant pain and increased muscle tone.Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated with ointments or gels for only mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are ineffective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical factors (magnetic fields, ultrasound, low-frequency currents) can be applied at any stage of pathology development.Physiotherapy procedures help reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism, and also allow you to reduce the dose of drugs.To cure cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis with drug administration, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy and magnetic therapy can be prescribed.Each of these types of physiotherapy procedures has its own contraindications.Therefore, the treatment method must be selected by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The goals of this method include normalizing muscle tone, improving blood circulation, and eliminating deformation of the cervical spine.The therapeutic effect is achieved by applying physical influences in the form of pressure, vibration and friction.To achieve a real long-term effect, manual therapy must be combined with medication, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
4. Physical therapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be overcome by performing a series of special exercises.This allows you to develop muscles and significantly reduce the load on the damaged spinal segment.The set of gymnastic exercises can only be selected 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 recommended to do physical therapy when pain occurs.

Surgical method

If cervical osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, surgical intervention may be necessary.Most often this occurs with spinal cord compression or disc herniation.

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

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

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

Prevention methods

Osteochondrosis of the neck can occur in women and men at any age.Many factors cause this.The occurrence of this disease can be prevented with simple preventive measures.To do this, just follow a few basic rules:

1. Don't expose your spine to heavy loads.Avoid sudden movements and injuries, change body position periodically, distribute the load evenly when moving heavy objects, and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do regular exercise to strengthen your neck muscles.
3. Be strong.
4. Keep your food intake balanced.
5. Stop bad habits.

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