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 cause serious consequences.In more advanced cases, complications can trigger fatal outcomes.

Rank

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men develops gradually and has a period of symptom improvement and remission.Signs of the disease occur when the process of destruction of the vertebrae reaches a serious level.

There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Early stages.Characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral disc.Because of the loss of moisture they become thinner.Cracks appear on the fibrous ring.Often at this stage there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if the pathology can be identified, it is possible to restore the damaged intervertebral disc.The first stage of the development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very good for starting treatment.
2. Second stageThis disease is associated with the deterioration of the intervertebral disc tissue.They are significantly reduced.This causes sagging of the muscular corset and ligaments of the spine.Cervical spine instability occurs, and vertebral mobility increases.Often at this stage the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. In the third stageDeformation of the spinal column becomes obvious.Protrusions and hernias occur.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become clear.
4. Fourth stageaccompanied by the formation of osteophytes, ossification (ossification) ligaments and other deformations.These signs of osteochondrosis are evidence that the body is trying in any way to stabilize the damaged segment of the spinal column.

The peculiarity of the cervical spine is the small distance between the vertebrae.When structural disruption of this segment occurs, pinching of the spinal cord, nerve endings and vessels of the circulatory system occurs.

Manifestation

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may depend on the part of the spine where the affected object is located.The following mechanisms of pathological negative effects, as well as symptoms associated with cervical osteochondrosis, are distinguished:

1. Radicular syndrome.Pain is transmitted from the cervical spine to the fingers.There are tingling sensations in different parts of the upper limbs and the effect of goosebumps.
2. Vertebral artery syndromecauses blood circulation disorders in the brain.Accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision disorders, and vestibular apparatus disorders.May cause a sharp or throbbing headache in the occipital, parietal, temporal and superciliary regions.
3. For heart syndromeSymptoms of osteochondrosis can be mistaken for angina pectoris.Pain attacks can last for several hours and are accompanied by extrasystole or tachycardia.
4. Irritative Reflex Syndrome.This phenomenon causes an acute attack of pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations are sent to the shoulder or thoracic region.They appear when moving after a long period of time.

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

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

Diagnostic type

Cervical osteochondrosis has symptoms similar to many other pathologies.Therefore, before making a specific diagnosis, the doctor must know exactly what symptoms are causing the patient's anxiety, and then perform an examination.

Based on his observations, the specialist can make an early diagnosis.But to more precisely establish the cause of the pathology, additional research is needed.The main methods for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. Radiography.The most accessible instrumental method.Almost any clinic has the minimum technical basis to conduct such a study.X-rays provide information about the location and severity of the pathological process.Allows you to determine what consequences cause 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 the changes in the structure of the spinal tissue, thanks to the possibility of layer-by-layer examination.Using this method, you can determine the degree of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of protrusions and hernias.Computed tomography perfectly describes 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 the spinal column 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 the damaged segment, creating changes in the 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 degenerative disorders of the intervertebral disc structure, as well as the tissues and ligaments of the spinal column located next to it.Both women and men of all age groups can suffer from this disease.This is due to a large number of unfavorable factors, among them a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, and poor nutrition.

The issue of correct treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant.Therapy can be either conservative (in accidental cases) or surgical (hernia isolated).

If the 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:

• disease stage;
• periods 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 method

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

In the first stage of therapy, the doctor's recommendations are aimed at eliminating pain and restoring blood circulation.At the next stage, you can move on to physiotherapy procedures, manual therapy and exercise therapy.

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Treatment with drugs.This method is characterized by the use of drugs of various effects: analgesics, antispasmodics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondoprotectors, sedatives, vitamins, minerals.Treatment with drugs can be prescribed during the hunt for the disease with significant pain and increased muscle tone.Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated with ointment or gel only for mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are not effective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical factors (magnetic field, ultrasound, low-frequency current) can be used at any stage of pathological development.Physiotherapy procedures help reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism, and also allow you to reduce the dose of medication.To cure cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis with drug administration, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy, and magnetic therapy can be prescribed.Each type of physiotherapy procedure has its own contraindications.For this reason, the treatment method should be chosen by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The objectives of this method include normalizing muscle tone, improving blood circulation, and eliminating deformation of the cervical spine.The therapeutic effect is achieved by using physical influences in the form of pressure, vibration, and friction.To achieve significant long-term effects, manual therapy must be combined with medications, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
4. Physical Therapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be reduced by doing a special training course.This allows you to develop muscles and reduce the load on the damaged segment 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 an expert.It is not recommended to engage in physical therapy when pain occurs.

Surgical Methods

If cervical osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, there may be a need for surgical intervention.Often this occurs with spinal cord compression or a herniated disc.

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

• Discectomy- Complete or partial removal of the intervertebral disc.This 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.Under the influence of laser energy, the intervertebral disc heats up.This stimulates the growth of cells, and within 3-6 months they fill all the voids formed as a result of this 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, spinal cord compression and nerve endings are removed, and artificial implants or special metal structures are installed.They correct the physiological bending line.

Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated surgically only in the most difficult cases of this disease.This is associated with a high risk of complications.The possible consequences of surgery include damage to the nerve endings or spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal due to scarring, the development of infection and many unpleasant consequences.

Preventive 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, follow some basic rules:

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

It is important to remember that preventing the development of pathology is easier than dealing with long and expensive treatment.Following simple steps to prevent this disease will allow you to never know what cervical osteochondrosis is.