Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease in which the intervertebral discs become thinner, resulting in changes in the anatomy of the cervical vertebrae and damage to nearby nerve endings and blood vessels. As the degenerative process progresses, so do the surrounding structures. The disease is characterized by all the symptoms, such as neck pain, dizziness, nausea, limited mobility of the spine, and significantly worsens the patient's quality of life.
What is cervical osteochondrosis
The cervical region is the most mobile part of the spine. It consists of 7 vertebrae with intervertebral discs between them. The latter ensures the integrity of this zone and performs the function of shock absorption. The discs have a complex structure: they contain pulp surrounded by a dense fibrous ring.
Under the influence of age and increasing load, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases. Metabolism in the nucleus is disrupted, the fibrous ring gets cracks. As the disease progresses, discs appear, protrusions and tears 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 spasms of the muscles occur. In this condition, a person pronounces the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Causes of the 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 the erosion of the intervertebral discs;
- physical - the disease develops as a result of excessive exposure to 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 the vessels;
- Hereditary predisposition - the disease occurs in people prone to degenerative diseases of the spine.
It is important! None of the theories further explain the cause of cervical osteochondrosis.
The trigger for the disease can be a combination of several factors:
- wrong posture, straight legs;
- sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle;
- excess weight;
- spinal injuries and congenital pathologies;
- excessive physical activity;
- hormonal changes;
- bad habits;
- vascular diseases;
- genetic predisposition.
The more such factors are combined, the more likely the disease is to develop and the faster the dystrophic processes.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not immediately apparent. 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 early stages of the disease, when the thickness of the discs decreases slightly, you may feel a slight discomfort in the neck if you remain restless for a long time. In the second stage, protrusions appear, which are felt by the stiffness of the movements in the cervical region.
Further development of the disease leads to constant pain and deterioration of well-being. There are additional symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis that significantly worsen the quality of life:
- persistent pain in the cervical region and neck area;
- severe stiffness in the neck muscles;
- pain during movement and at rest;
- limited mobility in the neck;
- numbness of fingers;
- may be accompanied by headache and dizziness.
In addition to the general symptoms, there are several syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- vertebrateDamage to the cartilage and bones of the spine limits its mobility and causes pain.
- Vertebral artery syndrome. There are tinnitus, headaches, fainting and blurred vision due to spasm of the blood vessels responsible for the blood supply to the brain.
- Root. Symptoms are associated with compressed nerve roots, resulting in pain in the shoulder area, back of the head, numbness of the 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 cause serious consequences. But this is a misconception. Causes abnormalities in the functioning of pathological vital structures - nerves and blood vessels. If not treated in time, the disease can result in circulatory disorders, muscle weakness and atrophy, dysfunction of internal organs and systems.
Osteochondrosis also causes 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.
Diagnostics
A neurologist diagnoses cervical osteochondrosis. At the first meeting, he assesses the mobility of the spine, the quality of reflexes and identifies areas of pain. If during the collection of the anamnesis it turns out that the patient is worried about all the symptoms, you should consult other specialists:
- therapist;
- cardiologist;
- orthopedist;
- gastroenterologist;
- Laura;
- endocrinologist, etc.
A comprehensive examination is used to diagnose osteochondrosis. Radiation methods of diagnosis use X-ray, computed tomography and MRI. MRI, due to the high degree of visualization, allows to make such a diagnosis at an early stage of the pathology. If the patient complains of headache and dizziness, duplex examination of the arteries in the neck and head is recommended. The examination allows you to assess blood flow and vascular condition.
In addition to the listed diagnostic methods, the following are determined:
- ECG;
- ultrasound of internal organs, heart;
- chest radiography;
- laboratory research.
They allow to distinguish osteochondrosis from other pathologies with similar symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine requires a comprehensive approach and includes drug therapy, physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy, manual therapy, carboxytherapy and other modern techniques.
Treatment
The main purpose of exposure to the drug is to relieve pain, eliminate dizziness, normalize the function of nerve roots, as well as stop or slow down degenerative changes in cartilage tissue. Depending on the diagnosis:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of drops, injections, tablets, ointments - to relieve inflammation and pain;
- hormonal drugs - to stop the inflammatory process in the case of ineffectiveness of the former;
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relieve spasms and thus improve blood circulation;
- B vitamins in tablet and injectable form - to improve the conduction of nerve impulses and nourishment of nerve tissue;
- sedatives - for chronic or severe pain, sleep disorders;
- Chondroprotectors - drugs aimed at improving metabolic processes in cartilage tissue.
Depending on the symptoms, medications may be prescribed to improve microcirculation in the brain, decongestants, metabolic and others.
Non-medicinal 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 acute cervical osteochondrosis.
It is important! A good effect is provided by massage, manual therapy, osteopathy and reflexology. They are aimed at overcoming the limitations 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 attending physician. The following methods are defined:
- Carboxytherapy. Treatment is performed by subcutaneous injection of carbon dioxide, which causes a number of biochemical reactions. As a result, microcirculation improves, swelling and pain are reduced, local protective processes are activated. The procedure is completely safe. It is often used in patients where drug treatment is contraindicated. The number of injections depends on the problem and varies from 5 to 10.
- Ozone therapy. The procedure eliminates pain and inflammation, and the effect lasts a long time. Application of ozone in the immediate vicinity of the spine improves tissue nutrition and the outflow of waste, as well as reduces the activity of enzymes that cause degenerative changes in cartilage.
- PRP - therapy (plasma therapy). Platelet plasma is injected into muscles near the spine. The procedure has a clear stimulating effect on regenerative processes in all structures of the spine, slows down the process of destruction of cartilage tissue, relieves muscle spasms, pain and improves local blood circulation.
- Shock wave therapy. Allows you to quickly relieve muscle spasms, increase blood circulation and eliminate tissue blockage.
- Kinesio filming. Kinesio taping helps to relax the muscles and at the same time has a supportive effect on the spine. The method helps to eliminate inflammation and swelling, restores joint mobility.
Non-pharmacological methods also include kinesiotherapy (exercise therapy), leprosy therapy, musculoskeletal therapy and local cryotherapy. The choice of a method for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis remains with the doctor, who pays attention to the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient's body.
A plan for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is developed 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 slow the development of osteochondrosis:
- Live an active lifestyle, but avoid excessive physical activity.
- Undergo 2p / year prophylactic treatment.
- Avoid or minimize heavy loads.
- Use an orthopedic mattress and pillow for sleeping.
- Warm up every 1 hour while working on the computer.
- Balance your diet by eliminating unhealthy foods.
- Get regular physical therapy.
It is important! Swimming is recommended with osteochondrosis. Water relaxes the spine and the movements form a strong muscular corset.
It is recommended to wear orthopedic devices if necessary to protect and loosen the spine. Remember to take chondroprotectors to improve metabolic processes in cartilage and slow down its destruction.
Treatment in the clinic
The clinic offers a comprehensive diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine and modern effective treatments: carboxytherapy, interstitial electrical stimulation, general magnetotherapy, shock wave therapy, osteopathy, ozone therapy, local cryotherapy, etc.
At the service of visitors:
- comfortable offices;
- modern equipment;
- qualified doctors;
- acceptance by appointment;
- polite staff.
When choosing a treatment method, the doctors of the clinic take into account the diagnosis, the characteristics of the patient's body and lifestyle. They provide recommendations for the prevention and treatment of subsequent relapses of the disease.
In addition to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in our country, the clinic conducts preventive courses, including reflexology, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
If you are worried about cervical spine pain, make an appointment with a professional. They will help to eliminate the manifestations of the disease, give advice on prevention, nutrition and lifestyle.