Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Every second inhabitant of the earth faces problems with the spine.Osteochondrosis of the neck is one of the most common diseases that require special attention.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences.In particularly advanced cases, complications can lead to a fatal outcome.

Stages

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men develops gradually and has periods of increased symptoms and remissions.Signs of the disease appear when the process of destruction of the vertebrae reaches a serious stage.

There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Initial phase.Characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral discs.Due to loss of moisture, they become thinner.Cracks appear on the fibrous rings.Often at this stage there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if pathology can be identified, it is possible to completely restore damaged intervertebral discs.The first stage of the development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for starting treatment.
2. Second phaseThe disease is associated with deterioration of the tissue condition of the intervertebral discs.They are significantly reduced in size.This causes sagging of the muscle corset and spinal ligaments.Instability of the cervical spine occurs and the mobility of the vertebrae increases.Often at this stage the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. On the third phasedeformation of the spine becomes evident.Protrusions and hernias occur.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are pronounced.
4. Fourth stageaccompanied by the formation of osteophytes, ossification (ossification) of ligaments and other deformations.These signs of osteochondrosis are evidence that the body is somehow trying to stabilize the damaged segments of the spine.

The special feature of the cervical spine is the small distance between the vertebrae.When structural disturbances of these segments occur, compression of the spinal cord, nerve endings and vessels in the circulatory system occurs.

Manifestations

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

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain is transferred from the cervical spine to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation in various parts of the upper limbs and a goosebump effect.
2. Vertebral artery syndromeprovokes circulatory disturbances in the brain.Accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision impairment and disturbances in the vestibular apparatus.May cause sharp or throbbing headache in the occipital, parietal, temporal and superciliary regions.
3. For heart syndromesymptoms of osteochondrosis can be confused with angina pectoris.Pain attacks can last for several hours and are accompanied by extrasystole or tachycardia.
4. Irritative-reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes acute attacks of pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations are transferred to the shoulder or thoracic region.They appear when they move after a long period of rest.

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

If such symptoms occur, you should contact a neurologist as soon as possible.

Types of diagnostics

Cervical osteochondrosis has symptoms similar to many other pathologies.Therefore, before making a specific diagnosis, the doctor must find out exactly what symptoms caused the patient's concern, and then conduct an examination.

Based on his observations, the specialist can make a provisional diagnosis.However, to more precisely determine the causes of the pathology, further research is necessary.The main methods of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. Radiography.The most available instrumental method.Almost every clinic has a minimum technical basis to perform such an examination.An X-ray provides information about the location and severity of the pathological process.Allows you to determine what consequences caused osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.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 the 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, with the exception of the intervertebral discs.
3. MR.The most accurate and informative method of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The resulting images allow you to assess the condition of the spinal segments, nerves and blood vessels.This becomes possible due to the absence of images of other organs on the projection.Magnetic resonance imaging helps to identify the location of damaged segments, establish changes in tissue, narrowing of the spinal canal, as well as degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc such as protrusions and hernias.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is associated with a degenerative disorder in the structure of the intervertebral discs, as well as tissues and ligaments of the spine located next to them.Both women and men of all age groups can suffer from the disease.This is due to a number of unfavorable factors, among them a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and poor nutrition.

The question of correct treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant.Therapy can be either conservative (in unadvanced cases) or surgical (sequestered hernias).

If a patient has signs of osteochondrosis, the treatment regimen must be selected individually for the individual patient.The therapeutic program may depend on the following factors:

• stages of the disease;
• period 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 methods

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

In the first stages of therapy, the doctors' recommendations are aimed at eliminating pain and restoring circulatory function.At the next stage, you can move on to physiotherapy procedures, manual therapy and exercise therapy.

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Treatment with medication.This method is characterized by the use of drugs with different effects: analgesics, antispasmodics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondoprotectors, tranquilizers, vitamins, minerals.Treatment with drugs can be prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease with significant pain and increased muscle tone.Cervical osteochondrosis can only be treated with ointments or gels for mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are not effective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical factors (magnetic fields, ultrasound, low-frequency currents) can be used at any stage of pathological development.Physiotherapy procedures help reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism and also allow you to reduce doses of medication.To cure cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis with the administration of drugs, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy and magnetic therapy can be prescribed.Each of these types of physiotherapy procedures has its own contraindications.For this reason, the method of treatment should be chosen by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The goals of this method include normalization of muscle tone, improvement of blood circulation and elimination of deformation of the cervical spine.The therapeutic effect is achieved by using physical influence in the form of pressure, vibrations and friction.In order to achieve a noticeable long-term effect, manual therapy must be combined with medication, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
4. Physiotherapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be alleviated by carrying out a course of special exercises.This allows you to develop muscles and significantly reduce the load on damaged parts of the spine.A 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 advisable to participate in physical therapy when pain occurs.

Surgical method

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

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

• Discectomy– complete or partial elimination of the intervertebral disc.The 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 cable is passed through it.Under the influence of laser energy, the intervertebral disc is heated.This stimulates cell growth, and within 3-6 months they fill all the cavities formed as a result of the disease.The operation is performed under local anaesthetic.
• Arthrodesis.All manipulations are performed through a small incision 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 bending line 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 nerve endings or the spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal due to scarring, development of infections and many other unpleasant consequences.

Prevention methods

Osteochondrosis of the neck can develop in both women and men of any age.Many factors contribute to this.The occurrence of the disease can be prevented by simple preventive measures.To do this, you just need to follow some basic rules:

1. Do not subject your spine to heavy loads.Avoid sudden movements and injuries, periodically change your body position, distribute the load evenly when moving heavy objects, and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do gymnastic exercises regularly to strengthen your neck muscles.
3. Harden up.
4. Maintain balance in your food intake.
5. Give up bad habits.

It is important to remember that preventing the development of pathology is much easier than dealing with its long-term and expensive treatment later.By following simple measures to prevent the disease, you will never know what cervical osteochondrosis is.