Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code - 10 - M42) is second in frequency after damage to the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region.Heavy daily load or, conversely, low physical activity cause negative changes in spinal structures.
What signs are characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis?How dangerous is compression and rupture of intervertebral discs?What are the symptoms and treatment, methods of prevention, consequences of the untreated disease?
reasons
The deformation of the spinal structures of the cervical spine is a consequence of the action of negative factors and pathological processes:
- bad posture;
- disturbances in metabolic processes due to improper nutrition;
- spinal cord injury;
- wear of the spinal discs during natural aging of the structures in old age;
- genetic predisposition to orthopedic diseases;
- lack of physical activity, prolonged work with a computer, causing tension in the neck muscles;
- development of an infectious-inflammatory process due to hypothermia, exposure to drafts;
- defects in the development of spinal structures in the cervical region.
Factors that provoke damage to the vertebrae, cartilage tissue and discs:
- obesity;
- too intensive training;
- the head is thrown back for a long time or descends to the chest during work;
- flat feet;
- incorrect body position when working in a sitting position;
- frequent microtraumas of the cervical spine due to too intensive training.
First signs and symptoms
In the initial stage of the disease, the patient rarely associates frequent headaches, discomfort in the shoulders, numbness in the neck when standing still for a long time with damage to the spinal structures.Most often, there is no effective treatment and the pathology progresses.
In the second to fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the negative manifestations in the cervical region are more pronounced.In advanced cases, the negative signs spread to other parts of the body: hearing aid, eyes, upper limbs.
Doctors identify several types of characteristic symptoms:
- radicular.Pain syndrome in the parietal, occipital, cervical region, discomfort in the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle.An important point is the loss of shoulder muscle reflexes.Radicular syndrome is observed more often in the third or fourth stage of the pathology, significant damage to 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 area of the chest and heart.Acute symptoms often appear in the muscles of the inner side of the arm;
- neurovascular.When the capillaries and vertebral artery are compressed, the patient complains of headache and dizziness.
Stages of development:
- 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 out, a decrease in elasticity is observed, the disc shrinks.When moving the head, a slight crunching of the vertebrae is heard, pain and numbness in the cervical region are disturbing when the body is in one position;
- secondly.The pathology progresses, there is a violation of the integrity, tears and a decrease in the density and thickness of the fibrous ring.The result of negative processes: squeezing of the core in the resulting cracks and fractures.The patient's condition worsens and efficiency decreases.The strength of the headache increases, stiffness appears in the cervical vertebrae, the face, neck and hands become numb;
- third.Bulging of the disc, active compression of the structure, loss of elasticity leads to protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.Neurological disorders appear, rupture of the fibrous ring occurs, the clinical picture is clearly expressed: the reflex and radicular syndrome is alarming.Many patients complain of weakness in the hands, fingers, reduced hearing and vision;
- fourth.In advanced cases, discs are flattened, images show osteophyte growth, and compensatory phenomena develop to maintain the spine in its usual position.The pain syndrome slightly subsides, but the stiffness of the cervical vertebrae remains.
Diagnosis
The appearance of pain in the cervical region, frequent dizziness, reduced mobility and sensitivity of the fingers, the development of other signs of deforming spondylosis is a reason to visit a vertebrologist, neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist.The doctor establishes the clinical picture, lifestyle, diet, history of spinal injuries, chronic diseases.It is important to understand the causes of osteochondrosis and to identify the factors that cause degenerative changes in the discs between the vertebrae.
The specialist then prescribes an examination:
- tomography - computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance;
- Doppler imaging of blood vessels is performed at an advanced stage, the presence of pronounced neurological disorders, frequent seizures, numbness of the shoulder area, hands and fingers;
- X-ray examination of the cervical vertebrae (in the early stages of the pathology, the method is not very informative).
Effective treatments
In the first stages of the development of deforming spondylosis in the cervical region, special gymnastics and external agents with an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect are sufficient.The patient should monitor his posture.You should not stand in one position for a long time, do not forget to 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 region, the pain syndrome intensifies, protrusions and disc herniations appear, doctors identify all kinds of radicular and reflex symptoms of deforming spondylosis.
important!Only an integrated approach to therapy in combination with quitting smoking, alcohol and changing the diet can partially or completely correct the situation.It is important to eat properly, 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 damage to the patient.
medicines
The doctor chooses drugs to eliminate various negative manifestations:
- fight against the 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.In addition, you can take analgesics as prescribed by your doctor;
- remove swelling.Fluid retention in tissues is eliminated by diuretics, dehydrating compounds and hormonal drugs.Take drugs from this group strictly according to your doctor's prescriptions: powerful diuretics can cause serious problems with the heart and blood pressure;
- chondroprotectors to restore cartilage quality.When the elastic tissue is damaged, the friction between adjacent vertebrae increases, the density of the layer decreases, and disc protrusion and rupture of the annulus fibrosus are possible due to compression of the vertebrae.Doctors prescribe drugs with a combined effect.The compositions contain not only glucosamine and chondroitin, but also anti-inflammatory ingredients.A good effect is given by various multi-component products;
- increased blood circulation in problematic spinal structures.The doctor chooses drugs that thin the blood and compounds that dilate blood vessels;
- fight muscle spasms.Against the background of weakened bone structures and destroyed cartilage tissue, the muscles try to maintain the correct position of the spine;excessive overexertion provokes pronounced pain.Muscle relaxants are prescribed to relax the tissues;
- activation of metabolism, increase of local immunity.The patient takes vitamin and mineral complexes, dietary supplements with calcium, biostimulants and antioxidants.
Physiotherapy procedures
Increasing the effect on problem areas, activating blood circulation, delivering medicinal 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 set of procedures in addition to medication and therapeutic exercises.
Effective types of impact:
- laser therapy;
- darsonval;
- drug electrophoresis;
- diadynamic currents;
- infrared radiation;
- electrical stimulation of the affected muscles.
Therapeutic gymnastics
With 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 vertebrae.Simple actions maintain the elasticity and flexibility of structures.
Therapeutic exercises for neck muscles:
- turn your head to the left, then to the right;
- tilting the head with a gradual increase in amplitude, forward and backward;
- circular movements.Initially, the amplitude is minimal, the "circle" gradually increases, but without the appearance of pronounced crunching of the cervical vertebrae.
Perform all movements smoothly, pulling is prohibited.During exercise, you should not allow your vertebrae to crunch too much or cause sharp pain.The amplitude must be increased gradually, otherwise injuries to the cervical vertebrae are possible.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 is no more than five to seven minutes.Doctors recommend mandatory daily application of the complex for people who have a "sedentary" job.
Manual therapy
Doctors are cautious about moving cervical vertebrae.Most experts do not recommend manual therapy for osteochondrosis of this area.The slightest deviations during the procedure, sharper 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 prevent damage to bones and elastic structures, you should pay daily attention to an important part of the spine, perform simple exercises, change your body position more often during work, do not smoke and eat properly.If characteristic signs of deforming spondylosis appear, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebrologist.