Osteochondrosis is a complex of dystrophic and degenerative disorders of the intervertebral discs.The disease can develop in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.Osteochondrosis is associated with pain and disorders of the vascular and nervous systems.
This type of disease is the most common and occurs even in young people.Cervical osteochondrosis is the most dangerous, due to the pinching of the nerve root protruding from the spinal cord and the deterioration of intracranial circulation due to the pressure of the deformed intervertebral discs acting on the blood vessels.
The vertebral artery, the largest blood vessel supplying the brain, passes through the openings of the cervical vertebrae.Pressure on this artery can lead to dangerous complications such as coronary artery disease and even stroke.
The tight fit of the cervical vertebrae leads to the fact that their slightest movement leads to compression of nerves and blood vessels.This leads to reduced skin sensitivity, partial hearing and vision loss, and other neurological disorders.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is caused by internal (endogenous) and external (exogenous) causes.
The internal causes are:
- Genetic (hereditary) factors;
- Disorders of intrauterine development of the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine;
- Age-related factors that affect cartilage tissue changes;
- Metabolic disorders.
The external causes are more diverse:
- Excessive pressure on the vertebrae due to improper loading;
- Various injuries and injuries to the spine and back (bruises, falls, sprains, fractures);
- Infectious diseases;
- Dystrophy of spinal muscles;
- Bad posture in the form of curvature and S-shaped curvature of the spine;
- Work performed in an awkward position;
- pulling heavy objects;
- Flat feet;
- Overweight;
- Intoxication;
- Hypothermia;
- Uncomfortable pillows for sleeping;
- Adverse environmental conditions;
- Lack of vitamins or trace elements (calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, vitamin D);
- Physical inactivity (lack of physical activity).
Cervical osteochondrosis is more likely to develop in people who lead a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and engage in mental activity, but sometimes it occurs in athletes, loaders or people whose work involves frequent bending and sudden movements.
Symptoms
The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are quite diverse.These are:
- Pain in the neck, which spreads to the back of the head, the area of the eyes and ears, the shoulder girdle;
- Pain in the upper limbs that worsens with the slightest effort;
- muscle tension and limited mobility of the neck, especially in the morning;
- Pain when bending and turning the head;
- feeling of numbness in the cervical spine after sleep;
- Difficulty moving the arms, reduced range of motion;
- Burning, numbness and tingling in the upper limbs;
- Headache, which is mainly localized in the back of the head, but can also spread to the temples and parietal area;
- Tinnitus;
- deterioration of vision and hearing (temporary and permanent);
- Numbness of the tongue;
- Pain in the chest or between the shoulder blades, which is not relieved by nitroglycerin and depends on the position of the body;
- Excessive growth of connective tissue in the neck region;
- Constant fatigue and exhaustion;
- Drowsiness;
- Nausea;
- Diplopia (double vision);
- Crackling in the vertebrae.
The course of the disease and its possible complications
Even a slight load on the upper part can lead to the development of cervical osteochondrosis - this area of the spine is very vulnerable.Degenerative changes that lead to the formation of osteophytes (growths on bone tissue) contribute to the irritation and tension of nearby muscles, which put even more pressure on the cartilage and joints due to the impact.This leads to the progression of the disease - compression of arteries and nerves.
If the disease is not treated, protrusions and hernias develop in the intervertebral discs, which leads to a significant decrease in the mobility of the spine and may require surgical intervention.
With severe degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue and the lack of treatment, the so-called "radicular syndrome" can develop - damage to the cervical nerves.This leads to an intensification and progression of all of the above symptoms and can cause speech, breathing, and even the rare phenomenon of constant hiccups.
The inflamed root can gradually occupy the entire area of the spinal canal, which causes increased pain syndromes and severe disturbances in the nerve control of the limbs and facial muscles.Impaired cerebral circulation can lead to a weakening of intellectual abilities, memory, attention and can lead to a stroke.
Osteochondrosis occurs with periods of exacerbation, when all symptoms appear especially sharply, and periods of remission.The duration of remission depends on the patient's lifestyle and preventive measures.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is established on the basis of characteristic symptoms, and the following are used:
- x-rays.The method is ineffective, especially in the last stages of the development of osteochondrosis.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the cervical spine.A method that allows you to see the bone structures, the disc herniation, their size and direction of development.
- Computed tomography.It is a less effective solution than MRI, as the presence and size of hernias are difficult to determine.
- Doppler ultrasound (to identify pathologies of the carotid vessels).This method is used in cases where a blood flow disorder in the arteries is suspected.The scan can determine the speed of blood flow and whether there is an obstruction.
Treatment
It is more expedient to treat osteochondrosis in the initial stages of the pathology, but in practice doctors are consulted when the disease progresses to more dangerous stages.Self-medication of osteochondrosis is unacceptable and can cause deterioration of the general condition.
The therapeutic effect in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis brings positive results with an integrated approach - a combination of drug methods and physiotherapy.
Drug treatment
Medicines effectively relieve (eliminate) the symptoms of pain, but do not affect the cause of the pathology, so it is not wise to treat it only with medicines.
Medicines from the NSAID group relieve pain and inflammation well - the most appropriate remedy is prescribed by the attending physician.
Medicines that improve cerebral circulation and affect the relaxation of the neck muscles are also used.Therapeutic doses of vitamins (especially group B and nicotinic acid) and microelements (calcium, phosphorus and magnesium preparations) help.
Treatment with chondroprotectors (dietary supplements) is used to restore the intervertebral tissues, but some doctors consider these drugs to be ineffective or even useless in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Ointments and gels intended for external use have certain therapeutic effects.
Physiotherapy and alternative treatment
Physiotherapy rather than medical methods are preferred in specialist clinics dealing with orthopedic and locomotor diseases.Based on a detailed examination of the anamnesis and an expanded diagnosis, doctors develop special individual therapy programs, which include:
- Electrophoresis (administration of medicinal substances through the skin using electrodes);
- Magnetotherapy (exposure to magnetic fields);
- Amplipulse therapy (treatment with modulated currents);
- Reflexology;
- Orthopedic gymnastics;
- Classes on special simulators;
- Massage;
- Methods of manual influence;
- Ultrasound therapy;
- Laser therapy.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with non-traditional methods is popular - acupuncture, hirudotherapy (leech treatment), osteopathy.
In advanced cases and in the presence of complications, doctors resort to surgery.
Prevention
Since the most common cause of cervical osteochondrosis is lack of movement and incorrect posture, the best preventive measure is therapeutic exercises that can be performed at work - sitting or standing.
In order to prevent the disease, it is necessary to visit an orthopedic doctor at a very early stage and correct postural abnormalities in time.
It prevents the development of osteochondrosis and proper nutrition, which supplies the body with essential microelements.At the same time, overeating should not be allowed, since excess weight is one of the causes of excessive load on the spinal discs.
Be careful when transporting heavy objects and distribute the load properly.
The place to sleep, the mattress and the pillow play a big role - they should be comfortable and not cause tension in the back and neck muscles.
And most importantly, avoid stress, nervous tension and negative emotions.
Forecast
With timely and skilled treatment, the prognosis is favorable, but a lot depends on the stage of the disease, the severity of the manifestations, the age of the patient and compliance with medical recommendations related to lifestyle, proper nutrition and elimination of bad habits.