Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease in which the intervertebral discs become thinner, which changes the anatomy of the cervical spine and disrupts nearby nerve endings and vessels. As the degenerative process progresses, it encompasses the surrounding structures. The disease is characterized by a whole range 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 the intervertebral discs. The latter ensure the integrity of this area and perform a shock-absorbing function. 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 acquires cracks. As the disease progresses, the discs protrude, protrusions 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. When they are compressed, reflex muscle spasm occurs. In this case, the person has pronounced symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
Osteochondrosis develops under the influence of a number of causes. There are several theories explaining the nature of this disease:
- involutional - the cause of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is wear and tear 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 the intervertebral discs over time;
- vascular - the nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue is impaired, 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.
Important! None of the theories is more likely to explain the cause of cervical osteochondrosis.
The impulse for the disease can be a combination of several factors:
- improper posture, flat feet;
- sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle;
- Overweight;
- 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.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis do not appear immediately. For a long time, the patient may not be aware 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 stay in an awkward position for a long time. In the second stage, protrusions appear, which are felt by stiffness of movements in the cervical region.
Further development of the disease leads to constant pain and deterioration of well-being. There are additional signs of cervical osteochondrosis, significantly deteriorating the quality of life:
- constant pain in the cervical area and collar area;
- severe stiffness in the muscles of the neck;
- pain while moving and at rest;
- limited mobility of the neck;
- numbness of the fingers;
- headache and dizziness may join.
In addition to the common symptoms, there are several syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Vertebrate. Due to damage to cartilage and bones of the spine, its mobility is limited, pain occurs.
- Vertebral artery syndrome. Due to spasm of the vessels responsible for the blood supply to the brain, there is tinnitus, headache, fainting and blurred vision.
- root. The symptoms are associated with pinching of the nerve roots, as a result of which the patient feels pain in the shoulders, tingling in 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 to be a disease that does not have serious consequences. But this is a misconception. The pathology causes disorders in the functioning of vital structures - nerves and blood vessels. If timely treatment is not taken, the consequence of the disease can be a violation of cerebral circulation, muscle weakness and atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs and systems.
Also, osteochondrosis leads to limited mobility of the spine and loss of sensitivity of the hands. Such significant changes are a serious reason to seek medical help and undergo comprehensive treatment.
Diagnosis
A neurologist diagnoses cervical osteochondrosis. At the first meeting, he assesses the mobility of the spine, the quality of reflexes and determines the areas of pain. If during the collection of the 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. X-rays, computed tomography and MRI are used as radiation diagnostic methods. MRI, due to the high degree of imaging, makes it possible to diagnose even in the early stages of pathology. Duplex scanning of the arteries in the neck and head is recommended if the patient complains of headache and dizziness. The test 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 researches.
They allow to distinguish osteochondrosis from other pathologies with similar symptoms.
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine requires an integrated approach and includes medication, physiotherapy, massage, physical therapy, manual therapy, carboxytherapy and other modern techniques.
Medical treatment
The main purpose of drug exposure is to relieve pain, eliminate dizziness, normalize the functioning of nerve roots, and stop or slow down degenerative changes in cartilage tissue. Depending on the diagnosis, the following are appointed:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of droppers, 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 spasms and thus improve blood circulation;
- B vitamins in the form of tablets and injections - to improve the conduction of nerve impulses and nutrition of nerve tissue;
- sedatives - for chronic or severe pain, sleep disturbance;
- 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 may be prescribed.
Non-drug methods
Along with the use of drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in the acute stage, traditional physiotherapeutic methods are used, such as laser and magnetic therapy, electrical stimulation, phono- and electrophoresis.
Important! Good effect is provided by massage, manual therapy, osteopathy and reflexology. They are aimed at removing restrictions on the work of the spine, relieving pain and regulating the functioning of internal organs.
Innovative methods are used alongside traditional medical procedures. How to treat cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is determined by the attending physician. The following methods are assigned:
- Carboxytherapy. The treatment is performed with the help of subcutaneous injections of carbon dioxide, which causes a series of biochemical reactions. As a result, microcirculation is improved, swelling and pain are reduced, and local defense processes are activated. The procedure is absolutely safe. It is often used in patients for 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 for a long time. The introduction of ozone in the immediate vicinity of the spine improves tissue nutrition and leakage of waste products, and also reduces the activity of enzymes that provoke degenerative changes in cartilage.
- PRP - therapy (plasma therapy). Platelet plasma is injected into the muscles adjacent to the spine. The procedure has a pronounced stimulating effect on the regenerative processes in all structures of the spine, slows down the process of destruction of cartilage, relieves muscle spasms, pain, improves local blood circulation.
- Shock wave therapy. Allows you to quickly eliminate muscle spasm, increase blood circulation and remove congestion in the tissues.
- Kinesio taping. Kinesio taping helps to relax muscles and at the same time has a supportive effect on the spine. The method helps to relieve inflammation and swelling, restores joint mobility.
Non-pharmacological methods also include kinesiotherapy (exercise therapy), leech therapy, musculoskeletal therapy and local cryotherapy. The choice of method of 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 prepared, taking into account the stage of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Prevention
If you pay attention to preventive measures, you can prevent or delay the development of osteochondrosis:
- Lead an active lifestyle, but avoid excessive physical activity.
- Undergo preventive treatment 2p / year.
- Avoid or minimize weight lifting.
- Use an orthopedic mattress and pillow to sleep.
- When working on a computer, warm up every 1 hour.
- Balance your diet by eliminating unhealthy foods.
- Practice physiotherapy regularly.
Important! Swimming is recommended for osteochondrosis. The water unloads the spine, and the movements form a strong muscular corset.
To protect and unload the spine, if necessary, it is recommended to wear orthopedic devices. To improve the metabolic processes in cartilage and slow down its destruction, do not forget to take chondroprotectors.
Treatment in the clinic
The clinic offers complex diagnostics and modern effective methods for treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine: carboxytherapy, interstitial electrical stimulation, general magnetic therapy, shock wave therapy, osteopathy, ozone therapy, local cryotherapy and others.
At the service of visitors:
- comfortable offices;
- modern equipment;
- qualified doctors;
- reception by prior arrangement;
- friendly staff.
When choosing methods of treatment, the doctors of the clinic take into account the diagnosis, the characteristics of the body and the lifestyle of the patient. They give recommendations for the prevention and prevention of further recurrences of the disease.
In addition to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in our country, the clinic offers prevention courses, including reflexology, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
If you are concerned about pain in the cervical spine, make an appointment with professionals. They will help you eliminate the manifestations of the disease, give recommendations for prevention, nutrition and lifestyle.