Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code – 10 – M42) is second in frequency of cases after injury to the intervertebral discs of the lumbar area.High daily load or, conversely, low physical activity cause negative changes in the spinal structures.
What signs are characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis?How dangerous is the compression and destruction of intervertebral discs?What are the symptoms and treatment, prevention methods and consequences of an untreated disease?
Causes
The deformation of the vertebral structures of the cervical spine is a consequence of the action of negative factors and pathological processes:
- poor posture;
- disturbances in metabolic processes due to poor nutrition;
- spinal cord injury;
- wear of the vertebral discs during the natural aging of structures in old age;
- genetic predisposition to orthopedic diseases;
- physical inactivity, prolonged computer use, which causes tension in the neck muscles;
- development of an infectious-inflammatory process due to hypothermia, exposure to drafts;
- Defects in the development of vertebral structures in the cervical area.
Factors that cause damage to the vertebrae, cartilage tissue and discs:
- obesity;
- too intense training;
- the head is thrown back for a long time or lowered to the chest during work;
- flat feet;
- incorrect body position when working sitting;
- Frequent microtrauma of the cervical spine due to too intense training.
First signs and symptoms.
At the initial stage of the disease, the patient rarely associates frequent headaches, shoulder discomfort, neck numbness when standing for a long time in a stationary position with damage to the spinal structures.In most cases, there is no effective treatment and the pathology progresses.
In the second to fourth stage of osteochondrosis, negative manifestations in the cervical area are more pronounced.In advanced cases, negative signs spread to other parts of the body: hearing aids, eyes, upper extremities.
Doctors identify several types of characteristic symptoms:
- rootPain syndrome in the parietal, occipital area, neck, discomfort in the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle.An important point is the loss of shoulder muscle reflexes.Radicular syndrome is most often observed in the third or fourth stage of pathology, a significant deterioration in the condition of the vertebrae and discs and a noticeable decrease in the height of the bone structure;
- muscle tonic.Painful sensations appear in the chest and heart area.Acute symptoms usually appear in the muscles on the inside of the arm;
- neurovascular.When the capillaries and vertebral artery are compressed, the patient complains of headaches and dizziness.
Development stages:
- first.Under the influence of negative factors, small cracks appear in the intervertebral discs, the integrity of the nucleus pulposus is disturbed, fluid gradually leaks, a decrease in elasticity is observed, and the disc contracts.A slight crunch of the vertebrae is heard when moving the head, pain and numbness in the cervical area are disturbing when the body is in one position;
- second.The pathology progresses, violations of integrity, ruptures and a decrease in the density and thickness of the annulus fibrosus appear.The result of negative processes: squeezing the core into the resulting cracks and breaks.The patient's condition worsens and performance decreases.The intensity of headaches increases, stiffness appears in the cervical spine, the face, neck and arms become numb;
- third.Bulging of the disc, active compression of the structure, loss of elasticity lead to protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.Neurological disorders appear, a rupture of the annulus fibrosus occurs, the clinical picture is clearly expressed: the reflex and radicular syndrome is worrying.Many patients complain of weakness in the hands, fingers, decreased hearing acuity and vision;
- four.In advanced cases, the discs flatten, images show the growth of osteophytes, and compensatory phenomena develop to keep the spine in its usual position.The pain syndrome weakens somewhat, but the stiffness of the cervical spine remains.
Diagnosis
The appearance of pain in the cervical area, frequent dizziness, decreased mobility and sensitivity of the fingers, the development of other signs of spondylosis deformans is a reason to visit a vertebrologist, neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist.The doctor discovers the clinical picture, lifestyle, diet, history of spinal injuries and chronic diseases.It is important to understand the causes of osteochondrosis and identify the factors that cause degenerative changes in the discs between the vertebrae.
Next, the specialist prescribes an examination:
- tomography: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging;
- Dopplerography of blood vessels is performed in advanced stages, the presence of pronounced neurological disorders, frequent fainting, numbness of the shoulder area, hands and fingers;
- X-ray of the cervical spine (in the early stages of pathology, the method is not very informative).
Effective treatments
In the early stages of the development of spondylosis deformans in the cervical area, special exercises and external agents with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are sufficient.The patient must control his posture.You shouldn't stay in one position for too long, make sure you warm up every hour and do neck exercises daily.
As the pathology progresses, local remedies and gymnastics are not enough to eliminate the complex of negative symptoms.The degenerative-dystrophic nature of the changes affects the mobility of the cervical area, the pain syndrome intensifies, bulges and herniated discs appear, doctors identify all kinds of root symptoms and reflexes of spondylosis deformans.
Important!Only an integrated approach to therapy in combination with stopping smoking, drinking alcohol and changing the diet can partially or completely correct the situation.It is important to eat well, include foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, fresh vegetables, cheeses and drink enough fluids.In the absence of timely and competent therapy, there is a risk of patient disability.
Medications
The doctor selects medications to eliminate negative manifestations of various types:
- fight against pain syndrome.Names with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are effective.The best option is NSAIDs in the form of tablets, injections, gels and ointments.Additionally, you can take pain relievers as prescribed by your doctor;
- elimination of swelling.Fluid retention in the tissues is eliminated with diuretics, dehydrating compounds and hormonal drugs.Take medications in this group strictly as prescribed by your doctor: strong diuretics can cause serious problems with the heart and blood pressure;
- chondroprotectors to restore cartilage quality.When the elastic tissue is damaged, friction between adjacent vertebrae increases, the density of the layer decreases, and possible bulging of the disc and rupture of the annulus fibrosus due to compression of the vertebrae.Doctors prescribe drugs with a combined effect.The formulations contain not only glucosamine and chondroitin, but also anti-inflammatory ingredients.Several multicomponent products give a good effect;
- increased blood circulation in problematic spinal structures.The doctor selects medications that thin the blood and compounds that dilate blood vessels;
- Fight against muscle spasms.Against the background of weakened bone structures and ruined cartilage tissue, the muscles try to maintain the correct position of the spine;Excessive exertion causes pronounced pain.To relax the tissues, muscle relaxants are prescribed;
- activation of metabolism, increase in local immunity.The patient takes vitamin and mineral complexes, dietary supplements with calcium, biostimulants and antioxidants.
Physiotherapeutic procedures.
Increasing the impact on problem areas, activating blood circulation, delivering pharmacological components to the affected area, nutrition, reducing inflammation - this is not a complete list of the beneficial properties of physiotherapy sessions.The doctor prescribes a series of procedures in addition to taking medications and therapeutic exercises.
Effective types of influence:
- laser therapy;
- darsonval;
- drug electrophoresis;
- diadynamic currents;
- infrared radiation;
- Electrical stimulation of the affected muscles.
therapeutic gymnastics
In osteochondrosis, it is important to maintain the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and strengthen the muscles and ligaments.After examining and clarifying the condition of the affected structures, the doctor prescribes special exercises for the cervical spine.Simple actions maintain the elasticity and flexibility of the structures.
Therapeutic exercises for neck muscles:
- turn your head to the left and then to the right;
- tilt the head with a gradual increase in amplitude, forward and backward;
- circular movements.At first, the amplitude is minimal, gradually increasing the “circle”, but without a pronounced crunch of the cervical vertebrae appearing.
Perform all movements gently, pulling is prohibited.During exercise, you should not allow your vertebrae to crack too much or cause sharp pain.The amplitude should be increased gradually;Otherwise, cervical spine injuries may occur.Simple but effective exercises should be performed not only during therapy, but also to prevent osteochondrosis.The frequency of classes is two to three times a day, the duration of gymnastics does not exceed five to seven minutes.Doctors recommend mandatory daily implementation of the complex for people who have a "sedentary" job.
manual therapy
Doctors are cautious about realigning the cervical vertebrae.Most experts do not recommend manual therapy for osteochondrosis of this area.The slightest deviations during the procedure, the most abrupt movements, incorrect application of the technique, and the session can end in paralysis or fracture of the cervical vertebrae with serious consequences, including death.
Osteochondrosis becomes "younger" every year.To avoid damage to bones and elastic structures, it is necessary to pay daily attention to an important part of the spine, perform simple exercises, change the position of the body more often during the work process, do not smoke and eat right.If characteristic signs of spondylosis deformans appear, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebrologist.