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 requires special attention.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences.In particularly advanced cases, complications can cause a fatal outcome.

Stages

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

There are four grades of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Initial stage.It is characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral discs.Due to the loss of moisture they become thinner.Cracks appear in the fibrous rings.Often at this stage there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if pathology can be identified, complete restoration of damaged intervertebral discs is possible.The first stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for starting treatment.
2. Second stageThe disease is associated with deterioration of the tissue of the intervertebral discs.They are significantly reduced in size.This causes the muscle corset and spinal ligaments to relax.Cervical spine instability occurs and vertebral mobility increases.Often at this stage the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. In the third stagespinal deformity becomes apparent.Protrusions and hernias appear.The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become intense.
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 trying by all means to stabilize the damaged parts of the spine.

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

Events

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

1. Radical syndrome.The pain is transmitted from the cervical spine to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation in various parts of the upper limbs and goosebumps.
2. Vertebral artery syndromecauses circulatory disorders in the brain.It is accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision disorders and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.It can cause sharp or throbbing headaches in the occipital, parietal, temporal and supraorbital regions.
3. For cardiac syndromesymptoms of osteochondrosis may be mistaken for angina pectoris.Pain attacks can last several hours and are accompanied by extrasystole or tachycardia.
4. Irritable-reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes acute attacks of pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations are transmitted to the shoulder or chest area.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 appear, 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 preliminary diagnosis.But to more accurately establish the causes of the pathology, additional research is required.The main methods for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. X-ray.The most affordable organic method.Almost every clinic has a minimal technical basis for conducting such a study.X-ray provides information about the location and severity of the pathological process.It 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 views.
2. CT scan.It allows you to see all the changes in the structure of the spinal tissues, thanks to the ability to examine layer by layer.Using this method, you can determine the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of protrusion and hernia.Computed tomography perfectly depicts the condition of all components of the spinal 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 parts of the spine, nerves and blood vessels.This is made possible by the absence of images of other instruments in the view.Magnetic resonance imaging helps to identify the location of damaged segments, tissue changes, spinal canal narrowing, as well as degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc, such as protrusion and herniation.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is associated with a degenerative disorder of the structure of the intervertebral discs, as well as the 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 large number of adverse factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and poor diet.

The issue of proper treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant.Treatment can be either conservative (in non-advanced cases) or surgical (isolated hernias).

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

• stages of the disease;
• boom or bust period;
• individual characteristics of the patient.

The treatment of osteochondrosis must be prescribed by a doctor after a complete examination of the patient and an accurate diagnosis.

Conservative methods

The primary goal of treatment 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 any method.it is important to use an integrated approach.

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

Types of conservative treatment 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, tranquilizers, vitamins, minerals.Drug therapy 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 only for mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are not effective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical agents (magnetic fields, ultrasound, low-frequency currents) can be applied at any stage of development of the pathology.Physiotherapy procedures help to reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism and also allow you to reduce the doses of drugs.For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis with the administration of drugs, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy and magnetic therapy may be prescribed.Each of these types of physical therapy 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 normalizing muscle tone, improving blood circulation, and eliminating cervical spine deformity.The therapeutic effect is achieved by applying physical influence in the form of pressure, vibration and friction.To achieve a noticeable long-term result, manual therapy must be combined with drugs, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
4. Physiotherapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be alleviated by performing a series 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 a specialist.Physical therapy is not recommended when pain occurs.

Surgical method

If cervical osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary.Most often this happens with spinal cord compression or herniated discs.

The purpose of the surgery is to eliminate the 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 obliteration of the intervertebral disc.The procedure is performed using microsurgical instruments.This reduces damage to the 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 all the gaps formed as a result of the disease are filled.The operation is performed with 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, the compression of the spinal cord and nerve endings is removed and artificial implants or special metal structures are placed.They correct the bending line of normal lordosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated surgically only 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 as a result of scarring, the development of infections 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 injuries, periodically change the position of your body, distribute the load evenly when moving heavy objects and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do regular exercises 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 later its long-term and expensive treatment.Following simple measures to prevent the disease will allow you to never know what cervical osteochondrosis is.