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Cervical osteochondrosis: treatment and symptoms

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself with pain

Neck pain is a warning sign.Maybe it's just overexertion and just relax and unwind.But what if the pain is related to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?It is important to pay close attention to symptoms and treatment, because complications can affect the most important organ - the brain.

What is cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative disease of the osteochondral system of the body.It leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, and the formation of growths on their surfaces.

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which articulates with the skull.The spinal motion segment is the anatomical and functional unit of the spine.It is a joint complex thanks to which the spinal column moves.The complex consists of two vertebrae, an intervertebral disc, the articular surfaces of the vertebrae (fascia), nerves, ligaments and muscles.

Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to disruption of the biomechanics of the spine as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, intervertebral disc herniation and compression of nerve roots and blood vessels may develop.

Pathological processes of the intervertebral disc go through four stages: malnutrition, weakening of the ligaments, damage to the disc and compression of nerves.

  • Section 1

    The nutritional and metabolic conditions of the intervertebral disc are disrupted.Due to their construction, the discs only receive electricity during movement.If there is none, degenerative changes begin in the tissue: the disc starves and dries out.The loss of water leads to the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot perform shock-absorbing functions.The load on the fibrous ring increases, cracks and tears appear in it.At this point, minor pain may occur.

  • Section 2

    In the second stage, the ligament apparatus of the spinal movement segment weakens.The relationship will be pathologically mobile.The pathological process in the disc worsens, a hernia (prolapse) begins - leakage of the nucleus pulposus through a crack in the fibrous ring.The pain becomes intermittent.

  • Section 3

    Then the intervertebral disc is permanently damaged.The nucleus pulposus of the disc extends beyond the annulus fibrosus.The resulting hernia can affect the nerve roots.An inflammatory process develops.This is manifested by worsening pain, the so-called radicular syndrome.

  • Section 4

    In the fourth stage, the lesion affects nearby tissues.Compression of the radicular artery is possible, which leads to insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, part of the spine can become completely immobile.

First signs and main symptoms

At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, discomfort, limited movement and pain appear in the neck area.This is often not given importance.

Over time, the pain intensifies, becomes aching, burning, headache, neck, shoulder blades, shoulders hurt - perhaps this is the development of vertebral artery syndrome.The artery becomes pinched or spasmed and blood flow is disrupted.

Cervical osteochondrosis 1-2.ophthalmological problems associated with spasm of blood vessels often occur during theDarkening in the eyes, blinking, the appearance of "floaters", colored spots in front of the eyes - all these are symptoms of osteochondrosis.

The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Migraine, dizziness, nausea and cough;
  • Hearing loss, pain in the ear, face;
  • Motor disorders in the arms and legs.The sensitivity of the scalp may disappear;
  • Pain in the hand.If a nerve root is pinched, the entire area to which it sends impulses can be damaged or "dropped out."

In addition to the above symptoms, three main pain syndromes can be distinguished:accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.A syndrome is a set of symptoms.Determining the leading pain syndrome is important because the entire treatment regimen is based on pain relief.But it is impossible to eliminate it without knowing its origin.

  1. Myofascial syndrome- pain in skeletal muscles and adjacent fascia.The disorder involves overload, which causes cramping, hypertension, and painful nodes inside the muscle (trigger points).
  2. Radicular syndrome- pain caused by prolonged compression of spinal nerve roots.In osteochondrosis of the spine, the process of hernia formation leads to pinching of nerve fibers and the subsequent inflammatory reaction.The pain spreads along the nerve.
  3. Facet syndrome- pain in the vertebral joints.The second cervical vertebrae have articular processes that are connected to each other by facet joints.In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases, and this leads to the fact that the joint capsules of the facet joints are in constant tension.It causes pain.In addition, the pain increases towards the end of the day, especially in a prolonged forced situation.

Causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine

One of the main causes of osteochondrosis is the evolutionary inadequacy of the spinal column for high vertical loads.Human ancestors, like other mammals, walked on four legs.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis, since the intradiscal pressure in the horizontal position of the body is two times lower than in the vertical position.By the standards of evolution, the transition to an upright posture happened not so long ago, and the spine simply did not have time to adapt to the high vertical load.So, in addition to walking straight, people also acquired diseases of the locomotor system.

The structure of the human neck makes it even more vulnerable.The human cervical region consists of seven small, movable vertebrae that articulate with each other like a child's pyramid.This structure can hardly be called stable outside of the resting state.In addition, the musculature in this area is weak, and the loads can be high - all this makes the neck vulnerable.Every injury has consequences.Even if the damage was in another part of the spine, the redistribution of the load can be the cause of osteochondrosis.

Another factor is aging.The formation of skeletal and cartilage tissue is completed by the age of 21, after which the irreversible process of aging (degeneration) begins.Cartilage tissue is nourished only by diffusion, and if the intervertebral disc does not receive enough nutrients, it gradually begins to deteriorate.

In addition, the development of cervical osteochondrosis is promoted by:

  1. Autoimmune diseases.They involve the body's own cells in the pathological process of cartilage tissue destruction.
  2. Infections, hormonal imbalance, slow metabolism - all these circulatory disorders can also serve as factors for the development of osteochondrosis.
  3. Sedentary lifestyles and working conditions in which a person spends most of his time in a static forced position.
  4. High loads leading to injury can lead to compression.
  5. Genetic defects associated with weakness of the locomotor system and inferior cartilage tissue.

The spinal canal in the cervical spine is very narrow, so heavy loads, any abnormalities or injuries can lead to compression of the spinal cord.And this is very dangerous.

In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass through this area.If blood stops flowing in the right amount to the brain, a stroke can occur.

Diagnostics

During the initial diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor collects the patient's medical history.It finds out what and how, with what intensity, during exercise or at rest, at what time of day it hurts more, and whether there has been an injury to the cervical spine.

During the examination of the neck, the doctor palpates the cervical vertebrae and muscles, the lymph nodes;assess the range of motion, rule out or confirm radicular syndrome.

Afterwards, laboratory diagnostics are prescribed to rule out autoimmune diseases: general blood count, ESR, rheumatoid factor, HLA B27 antigen.

Radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play the main role in establishing the diagnosis.

  • Radiographyhelps assess the state of bone structures;soft tissues and cartilage are not shown in the images.Contrast material is injected to visualize these structures: angiography, discography, myelography.
  • computed tomography (CT).This method also uses the principle of radiography, but with the help of computer processing it is possible to create image sequences of longitudinal and cross sections that show bone and cartilage tissue.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).It is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissues.MRI provides insight not only into the structure of organs and tissues, but also into their functioning.A common complication of osteochondrosis is herniation of the spine.MRI makes it possible to diagnose the process of hernia formation at an early stage.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with conservative methods.First, the pain syndrome is alleviated, and then various procedures are prescribed.But in the most extreme cases, when the pain does not go away for more than three months and the drugs do not help, surgery is the only option.

Non-surgical treatment methods

Osteochondrosis has affected the osteochondrosis system for many years, so treatment takes time.You have to be patient.The goals of conservative treatment:

  1. Remove the pain.
  2. Reduce inflammation.
  3. Restoring the functions of the spinal roots.
  4. Strengthen the fascia and ligaments.

Conservative treatment includes medication and physical therapy.Medicines help relieve pain during exacerbations, and physiotherapy starts the body's self-healing processes.

In case of severe pain associated with radicular syndrome, so-called "blockades" are performed: the drug is administered in the immediate vicinity of the inflamed spinal nerve root.

Physiotherapy treatment is based on natural and artificially produced physical factors: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser and others.To recreate them, special tools, devices and manual techniques are used.

  • Laser therapy— biological activation of intervertebral disc regeneration processes.The body begins to heal itself.
  • Plasma therapy (PRP therapy)- injections of plasma isolated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors and hormones.After injections, local immunity increases and regeneration processes begin.
  • Acupuncture- stimulation of nerve endings with special needles.It improves metabolism in the affected areas and relieves pain.
  • Shock wave therapy- exposure to high frequency waves.It enables natural recovery processes to start.
  • Kinesitherapy- exercise therapy.It can be active (physical therapy) and passive (massage, traction).Exercise therapy strengthens the back muscles, traction relieves tension and pain.It must be selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
  • Manual therapy and massage- effect on soft tissues and joints in order to restore the body's balance and synchronize processes.Restoring mobility and eliminating pain.
  • Taping- gluing special patches to the skin in places where it is necessary to influence muscle tension and compression receptors.It relaxes and enhances tone at the same time.

During the period of acute pain, the patient is recommended to wear a special bandage and collar to relieve the load on the spine.

The positive effect of conservative treatment can be achieved within 2-3 months.If there is no result, the patient recommends surgery.

Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis

Surgery in the case of cervical osteochondrosis is an extraordinary measure that requires special indications.Surgery is recommended if:

  1. The pain cannot be alleviated with therapeutic treatment lasting longer than 3 months.
  2. I have a herniated disc.
  3. Loss of sensation in the limb.

Rehabilitation after surgery also takes time and may include therapeutic treatment.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.It cannot be left untreated.Such serious disorders of the locomotor system can lead to disability.Neck pain can become chronic, and osteochondrosis can spread to several parts of the spine.Timely prevention can prevent the development of the disease.

Prevention

Daily physical activity is necessary to maintain the health of the cervical spine.The nutrition of the intervertebral discs occurs during movement, so it is extremely necessary.It is important that the loads are optimal and regular.

If the work is in a constant static position, periodic warm-up is necessary.And at home, after a day at work, you can lie on your back for a while on a smooth surface, placing a pillow under your neck.This method helps to restore the cervical curvature of the spine and remove muscle tension.

Correct posture during sleep is important in the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.If a person wakes up in the morning with neck pain, it means that the muscles have not had time to rest and recover.An orthopedic pillow, which is selected individually for 3-5 years, will help here.