Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Every second inhabitant of the Earth faces spine problems.Osteochondrosis of the neck is one of the most common diseases that requires special attention.Not getting timely treatment can have serious consequences.Especially in advanced cases, complications can provoke a fatal outcome.

stages

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men develops slowly and is characterized by periodic exacerbations and remissions of symptoms.Symptoms of the disease appear when the process of destruction of the vertebrae reaches a serious stage.

There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. early stages.It is characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral disc.Due to lack of moisture they become thin.Cracks appear on the fibrous rings.Often there are practically no symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at this stage.However, if the pathology can be identified, it is possible to completely restore the damaged intervertebral disc.The first stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for starting treatment.
2. second phaseThe disease is associated with the deterioration of the condition of the intervertebral disc tissue.Their size has reduced considerably.This causes relaxation of the muscle corset and spinal ligaments.Instability occurs in the cervical spine and increased mobility of the vertebrae occurs.Often the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear at this stage.
3. in the third phaseDeformity of the spine becomes apparent.Bulges and hernias occur.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become apparent.
4. fourth stepWith the formation of osteophytes, ossification (ossification) of ligaments and other deformities.These symptoms of osteochondrosis are evidence that the body is trying to somehow stabilize the damaged segments of the spine.

The peculiarity of the cervical spine is the short distance between the vertebrae.When structural disturbances of these segments occur, pinching of the spinal cord, nerve endings, and vessels of the circulatory system occurs.

expressions

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

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain spreads from the cervical spine to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation and goosebumps in various parts of the upper limbs.
2. vertebral artery syndromeProvokes circulatory disorders in the brain.Accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision impairment, and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.A sharp or throbbing headache may occur in the occipital, parietal, temporal and upper regions.
3. for cardiac syndromeSymptoms of osteochondrosis can be mistaken for angina pectoris.Pain attacks can last for several hours and are accompanied by extrasystoles or tachycardia.
4. Irritative-reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes intense attacks of pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations spread to the shoulder or thoracic region.They appear while walking after a long period of rest.

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

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

types of diagnosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are similar to many other pathologies.Therefore, before making a specific diagnosis, the doctor must find out which symptoms caused the patient's concern, and then conduct an examination.

Based on his observations, the specialist can make a preliminary diagnosis.But additional research is necessary to more accurately establish the causes of pathology.The main methods of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. radiograph,The most accessible instrumental method.Almost any clinic has a minimum technical base to conduct such a study.X-rays provide information about the location and severity of the disease process.Allows you to determine what consequences of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurred.To get a complete picture of the disease, X-rays are taken in different projections.
2. computed tomography,Due to the possibility of layer-by-layer examination, it allows you to see all changes in the structure of the spinal cord tissue.Using this method, you can determine the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of protrusion and hernia.Computed tomography fully reflects the condition of all components of the spinal cord region with the exception of the intervertebral discs.
3. MRI.The most accurate and informative method for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The resulting images allow you to assess the condition of spinal cord segments, nerves and blood vessels.This is 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 tissues, narrowing of the spinal canal, as well as degenerative changes such as protrusion and hernia in the intervertebral discs.

Treatment

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

The issue of proper treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant.Therapy can be either conservative (in unresectable cases) or surgical (sequestrated hernias).

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

• Stages of disease;
• duration of exacerbation or remission;
• Individual characteristics of the patient.

Treatment of osteochondrosis should be prescribed by the doctor after a complete examination of the patient and accurate diagnosis.

conservative methods

The primary goal of therapy for degenerative changes in the spinal cord is to prevent the development of pathology and complications.It is not enough to use any one method to achieve favorable results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis;It is important to use an integrated approach.

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

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. drug treatment,This method is characterized by the use of drugs of various effects: analgesics, antispasmodics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, sedatives, vitamins, minerals.Treatment with medications may be prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease with significant pain and increased muscle tone.Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated with ointments or gels for only mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are not effective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical factors (magnetic fields, ultrasound, low-frequency currents) can be applied at any stage of pathology development.Physiotherapeutic procedures help to reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism and also allow you to reduce the dosage of medications.To cure cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy and magnetic therapy can be prescribed along with the administration of medications.Each type of physiotherapeutic procedure has its own contraindications.For this reason, the treatment method should be selected by a doctor.
3. manual therapy,The objectives of this method include normalizing muscle tone, improving blood circulation, and eliminating deformities in the cervical spine.The therapeutic effect is achieved by applying physical impact in the form of pressure, vibration and friction.To achieve a noticeable long-term effect, manual therapy must be combined with medications, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
4. physical therapy,The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be alleviated by taking 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 be selected only by the attending physician, taking into account the characteristics of the patient.It is recommended to start classes under the supervision of an expert.Physical therapy is not advised when there is pain.

surgical method

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

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.This procedure is performed using microsurgical instruments.This reduces the damage to the surrounding tissues.
• 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 heats up.This stimulates cell growth, and within 3-6 months they fill all the voids formed as a result of the disease.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.
• 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 bend line of physiological lordosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated surgically only in the most severe cases of the disease.It is associated with a higher risk of complications.Possible consequences of surgery include damage to nerve endings or the spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal as a result of the lesion, development of infection and many other unpleasant consequences.

prevention methods

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

1. Do not expose your spine to heavy loads.Avoid sudden movements and injury, change your body position from time to time, distribute the load evenly when moving heavy objects, and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do gymnastics exercises regularly to strengthen your neck muscles.
3. toughen up.
4. Maintain balance in your eating habits.
5. Leave bad habits.

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