According to medical statistics, almost all people over the age of 25 to 30 currently complain of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. The disease affects this part of the spine more often than others. The pathology is a progressive degenerative process that affects the intervertebral discs and vertebrae in the neck. The disease is equally common in men and women.
This is a dangerous and complex form of osteochondrosis because of the large blood vessels in the throat that supply the brain and a large number of nerve endings. Disturbances in innervation and blood flow lead to a deterioration in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Signs of illness
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are more pronounced than in other parts of the spine, even with minor injuries. This is due to the fact that the vertebrae in the neck are close to each other, and the intervertebral discs are low in height. This anatomical feature contributes to the fact that in osteochondrosis, the nerve endings, spinal cord, and blood vessels are compressed more frequently.
General symptoms:
- pain syndrome;
- weakness and decreased sensitivity in the upper limbs;
- restriction of neck mobility;
- impaired the coordination of movements;
- frequent dizziness;
- general weakness;
- Deterioration in the function of the organs of perception (hearing, seeing, touching, tasting).
Pain is often localized in the neck and radiates to the back of the head, shoulders and arms. The upper limbs hurt when the nerve root responsible for their innervation is pinched by the damaged vertebra. Pain in the back of the head is caused by spastic contractions of the neck muscles attached to the occiput and impaired blood flow in the area.
In patients, weakness of the arms is observed when a nerve root is involved in the pathological process, as a result of which the muscular structures of the upper extremities are innervated.
Limited mobility and a characteristic crunch when rotating or tilting the neck occur when bone growth occurs on the cervical vertebrae, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases, and the joints between the vertebrae are affected.
The vertebrae in the neck have transverse processes that form a canal that houses an artery that supplies the brain. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the vertebrae are displaced, connective tissue grows on them. This leads to compression of the cervical artery, a deterioration in the blood supply to the cerebellum and the back of the brain. As a result, a person has frequent dizziness, impaired motor coordination, and general weakness. In advanced cases, if the artery is involved in a pathological process or is severely pinched, the blood supply to the cerebellum, occiput and brain stem deteriorates significantly. In this case, the functionality of the hearing organs, eyesight, numbness of the tongue and fingers are observed.
The symptoms of the disease also depend on which of the eight vertebrae is affected by a degenerative or inflammatory process. Disorders of sensitivity and movement are caused by damage to the roots of the spine, which is affected by certain vertebrae. Depending on this, the following manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are observed:
- first vertebra - the neck and occiput of the head become numb, their sensitivity decreases;
- second - there is pain in the area of the crown and the back of the head;
- thirdly - pain is felt and sensitivity decreases in the part of the neck where the compressed spinal root is located, the intensity of taste sensations decreases, speech disorders are present;
- fourth - painful sensations radiate on the shoulder, scapula, the patient is concerned about heart pain, respiratory diseases, the tone of the neck muscles decreases;
- fifth - pain is noted in the neck, which occurs on the outer surface of the shoulder;
- Sixth - pain in the neck, radiating to the shoulder blade and felt in the forearm and thumb;
- Seventh - The shoulder blade, back of the shoulder, forearm and fingers (from the second to the fourth) are painful.
- eighth - pain spreads from the neck to the shoulders, forearms and little fingers.
There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis, depending on the extent of the lesion. These are not the stages of the disease, but the severity of symptoms, since the pathological process is widespread and which vertebrae are affected by it.
- In the first grade, clinical symptoms are absent or minimal. Patients complain of slight pain that is aggravated by head movements. Treatment initiated at this stage of the disease is effective. However, people often ignore or fail to feel the alarming symptoms so they do not see a doctor.
- Worsening of the pathological process increases symptoms. In the second phase, the pain becomes stronger, is given to the upper limbs, shoulder blades. At this stage of the development of the degenerative process, the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, as a result of which the nerve fiber is pinched. This becomes the cause of increasing pain. Headache, deterioration in health and decreased performance are characteristic of the second degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
- The third degree of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the formation of an inguinal hernia of the affected intervertebral disc. Neck mobility is limited and the patient feels severe pain when palpating. With such a spread of the pathological process, the pain becomes constant and radiates to the upper limbs. There is a sense of tension in the muscles attached to the occipital bone. Patients complain of frequent dizziness, general weakness, and numbness of the hands.
- The fourth degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed when the intervertebral disc is completely destroyed by the degenerative process. It is replaced by fibrous tissue, which leads to a significant reduction in mobility. The spinal cord and blood vessels in the neck are affected. Such changes are characterized by a significant deterioration in the blood supply to the cerebellum and the occipital part of the brain. Oxygen deficiency leads to impaired movement coordination, impairment of hearing, eyesight, numbness of the tongue and speech disorders.
Treatment methods
A timely visit to the doctor when the first alarming symptoms, discomfort in the neck and reactions of the nervous system appear, prevents the progression of degenerative changes. The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis consists of a number of therapeutic measures. Among them:
- taking medication;
- massage;
- physical therapy exercises;
- physiotherapeutic procedures.
The treatment is carried out at home and on an outpatient basis under the supervision of a doctor. In some cases, more radical methods may be required, then the patient is hospitalized.
Drug therapy
The following drug groups are used to treat cervical osteochondrosis:
- anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- drugs that improve the rheological parameters of blood;
- B vitamins
Doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the intensity of pain, inflammation, and swelling of the nerve root. Chondroprotectors restore damaged cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc. Muscle relaxants relax the neck muscles, relieve cramps. Medicines to improve blood circulation help restore the disturbed blood supply to the brain. B vitamins activate the metabolism in nerve tissue. If the pain is severe, the doctor may prescribe analgesics. If the patient has severe pain syndrome, analgesics are given parenterally, after the pain subsides, they switch to pills.
In addition to drugs in the pharmacy, the patient can use traditional methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis. Before using them, it is necessary to consult a doctor so that there is no conflict between medicines and non-traditional means. Decoctions and infusions of dill seeds, hop cones, and purple flowers help stop the inflammatory process and relieve pain.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an effective means of combating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It is imperative to treat this disease with such techniques, which will produce the following results:
- Pain intensity decreases;
- Activation of the restoration of the affected bone, cartilage and muscle tissue;
- relieves cramps and tension in the muscles;
- the inflammatory process is stopped;
- improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area and the brain.
The following types of procedures are considered to be the most effective in treating osteochondrosis:
- drug electrophoresis (an electric current is applied to the affected area, which, in addition to activating blood flow and restoring tissues, improves the delivery of the active ingredient of the drug to the tissues affected by the degenerative process);
- ultrasound therapy (metabolic processes in the diseased area are activated, pain is reduced, inflammation is stopped);
- magnetotherapy (relieves swelling in the affected area, which reduces the intensity of the pain);
- Laser therapy (improves blood circulation in the area of the pathological process, has an anti-inflammatory effect).
The doctor can also recommend acupuncture and balneological procedures.
Physiotherapy exercises
exercises are prescribed during the period when acute manifestations of the disease are stopped. There should be no discomfort or pain during gymnastics.
The complex should be carried out when stable remission is reached in order to prevent relapse.
- Lie on your stomach, lift your head and body and support yourself on your hands. The back is straight and the breathing is deep and even. Hold in place for a minute or two, then slowly return to the starting position. The number of repetitions is 3.
- position - lying on your stomach, arms along your body. Slowly turn your head and try to touch the floor with your ear. Repeat 6 times on each side.
- Sit or stand, tilt your head as you inhale and try to reach your chest with your chin. As you exhale, gently pull your head back and look up at the ceiling. The number of repetitions is 10-15.
- A good exercise for strengthening your neck muscles is to press your forehead onto your hands. To get the effect, you need to press your forehead with your palms and your forehead on your palms for 30 seconds. Repeat three times.
- Turn your head in a circle. The exercise should be done slowly and smoothly. In each direction - 10 turns. The occurrence of dizziness when performing movements is unacceptable. If so, you should stop immediately.
All exercises must be performed smoothly and without sudden movements. In the event of deterioration in health, nausea, dizziness, stop immediately.
Massage
The course is prescribed by the doctor without acute pain and can only be carried out by a specialist doctor with medical training. With such a disease, it is not recommended to turn to lay people.
Healing effect of the neck massage:
- improves blood and lymph flow in the affected area;
- muscles relax, spasm relieves;
- the intensity of painful sensations decreases.
Specialists use the entire arsenal of massage movements: stroking, rubbing, kneading, pressing and vibrating.
surgery
Surgery is indicated if conservative therapy does not produce results within six months, the patient is in severe pain, signs of nerve fiber damage and myelopathy are observed. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine progresses with complications, there is a risk of stroke, there is severe compression of the spinal cord, and surgery is required.
Depending on the indications, the following types of surgical interventions are used:
- endoscopic discectomy - removal of part or all of the intervertebral disc;
- Laminotomy - removal of bone ligaments and overgrown bone tissue particles (often combined with laminoplasty - installation of artificial plates to widen the spinal canal);
- Laser evaporation of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc - splitting of the nucleus of the disc with a laser beam simultaneously with the destruction of its destroyed fragments;
- Cold plasma nucleoplasty - instead of an endoscope, a long and thin hollow needle is used that is inserted into the intervertebral disc, through which an electrode is delivered to the lesion site, which has a cold plasma effect.
The neck is a complex organ with large blood vessels, the spinal cord. They are easy to damage, so no more than 5% of the time they resort to surgical intervention. Often, surgical treatment is accompanied by the development of complications. Among them:
- inflammatory process in the tissues or membranes of the spinal cord;
- osteomyelitis;
- Scars that narrow the arterial and spinal canals.
An operation on the cervical spine is difficult and requires a long period of rehabilitation. A patient's recovery from surgery takes six months or more.
Prevention
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, the following is required:
- monitors the position of the spine and neck;
- lead an active lifestyle, move more;
- Exercise caution and observe correct performance, as even minor injuries can impair the condition of the musculoskeletal system
- Pay attention to the correct posture while sleeping, buy an orthopedic or anatomical mattress.
- properly equips a workplace where a person spends a lot of time;
- regularly takes part in physical education classes;
- Monitor your diet and make sure that there are all of the beneficial minerals necessary for strong bones, especially magnesium and calcium.
- is constantly examined in the pharmacy in order to detect osteochondrosis in good time.
Prevention prevents degenerative changes in the cervical spine, protects against painful sensations, dizziness, numbness of the limbs and other unpleasant symptoms.