Of all the disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the second most common is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Symptoms and treatment of the disease are determined by the stage of its development, so it is important not to miss the signs of an impending disease.
Osteochondrosis is called dystrophic changes in the articular cartilage against the background of damage to the intervertebral discs. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by pathological destruction of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae that support the head.
Most often, the disease is diagnosed in people aged 30-40 years. In developed countries, one or another degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed in 80% of the population.
The neck is considered the most mobile part of the spine. At the same time, there are not enough muscles around the neck to compensate for the load on the spine. Therefore, most of the load falls on the intervertebral discs, which act as a shock absorbing cushion.
As a result, the discs wear out, dry out and flatten out, osteochondrosis develops.
The reasons contributing to the appearance of pathology lie not only in anatomy, but also in human behavior:
- sedentary and static work, sedentary - at the computer, driving a car, in the office;
- overweight;
- great physical activity;
- smoking;
- bad nutrition;
- poor physical condition;
- Injury of the spine.
Other factors provoking the development of osteochondrosis are: flat feet, soft mattresses and pillows, the habit of carrying a bag on the shoulder, hypothermia and stress.
How the disease manifests
At the onset of the disease, only numbness in the neck can testify to its development, which is usually not paid attention. As the pathology progresses, the number and intensity of manifestations increase.
There are characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- pain in the back of the head, at the base of the neck, radiating to the extremities;
- cracking and pain when turning the head;
- numbness or tingling in the areas between the shoulder blades and at the base of the neck, a burning sensation, discomfort and stiffness;
- headache, migraines, dizziness;
- weakness, fatigue.
Secondary symptoms include decreased vision, hearing, memory problems, trouble sleeping, inattention, distraction, spikes in pressure.
Doctors classify signs of osteochondrial processes as syndromes associated with a certain type of spinal injury.
Stenosis. It develops against the background of herniated intervertebral discs and is accompanied by impaired blood circulation and proliferation of bone tissue. Manifested by numbness of the limbs.
Reflex-irritative syndrome is a consequence of compression of the vertebral artery in case of curvature of the neck and poor posture. It manifests as severe paroxysmal pain in the back of the head with gradual spread to areas around the forehead.
Radicular syndrome. It is observed when the spinal roots are flattened - the consequences of a hernia. At the same time, the sensitivity of the affected areas decreases, and motor activity becomes limited. May be accompanied by the development of speech disorders, snoring, impaired smell, decreased sensitivity of the muscles of the tongue.
The complexity of the course of the processes is determined by the state of the nucleus pulposus filling the vertebral space.
Degenerative lesions of the cervical region are classically divided into three stages:
- first. The intervertebral disc is compacted. The hook-shaped processes of the vertebrae are enlarged. Muscle stiffness appears, but their mobility does not change. There may be slight swelling and pain when turning your head;
- second. It develops against the background of the progression of the first stage of the disease, if the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine was absent or poorly carried out. The intervertebral foramen is narrow, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases due to their flattening. Pinching of the nerve roots occurs. The patient feels a point pain;
- third. Cracks in the fibrous ring surrounding the intervertebral disc lead to the rupture of its capsule and the deformation of muscle tissue. The fixation stability of the nucleus pulposus inside the intervertebral disc is impaired. An intervertebral hernia develops. It is characterized by sharp pain in the neck, numbness of the tongue, edema, limited mobility, curvature of the spine.
The correct position of the cervical vertebrae determines the functionality of the optic and auditory nerves, nose, lips, mouth, throat ligaments, teeth, facial nerve, pituitary gland, brain, parasympathetic nervous system, neck and forearm muscles, thyroid gland, elbow and shoulder joints.
Diagnostic methods
Accurate determination of the cause of the development of osteochondrosis allows you to target the disease in a targeted manner. The preliminary diagnosis is indicated after the initial examination by the doctor.
Complaints of the patient about the nature of pain syndromes are taken into account, as well as the information obtained when examining the spine in various positions. Examination of the cervical spine allows you to determine the presence of seals and deformities. In addition, special attention is paid to the muscle tone and motor skills of the patient.
Doctors receive comprehensive diagnostic information from studies such as:
- x-ray. The procedure allows you to assess the condition of the vertebrae in two projections - frontal and lateral. Result - identification of damage, salt deposits and compacted formations;
- magnetic resonance imaging allows you to establish not only any pathology of the spine, but also the degree of their severity. Using MRI, the doctor can assess the condition and level of damage to nerve endings, blood vessels and intervertebral discs;
- computed tomography - digitization of information obtained by X-ray irradiation.
In the presence of dizziness, additional examination of structural changes in the vessels by Doppler, angiography and ultrasound Doppler may be necessary.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
After making an accurate diagnosis and finding out the causes of the development of the disease, the neurologist determines how to treat cervical osteochondrosis.
Optimal results are obtained with complex therapy involving the use of several methods. Protocols adopted by WHO include medication, appliance procedures, exercise therapy and massage therapy.
Medical treatment
In each case, the choice of drugs is made on an individual basis. It depends not only on the severity of the pathology, but also on the specific characteristics of the patient's body.
Immobilizations of drug treatment:
- anti-inflammatory drugs - pills that relieve pain and inflammation;
- chondroprotectors - drugs that activate the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- external agents - ointments and gels that relieve pain and inflammation;
- a vitamin complex to support the body and stimulate its recovery.
At the first stage of the therapeutic effect, it is possible to increase the pain syndrome - this is the reaction of the muscular system. To reduce discomfort and improve the results of drug therapy, physiotherapy procedures are used.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy means the impact on the cause of the disease with the help of special equipment - electrophoresis, electrical stimulation of tissues. The use of low-frequency currents improves blood circulation in the affected areas, relieves swelling and pain, and at the same time increases the effectiveness of drugs.
The minimum course of material processing is 10 sessions.
Massage for cervical osteochondrosis at home
Manual therapy is a productive way to influence affected areas in the home. With the help of massage pinches, muscle spasms and pain are eliminated, blood circulation improves, compression of the nerve roots is reduced.
Thanks to the massage, the metabolism improves and the tissues of the spine are restored.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The best method of restoring the functionality of the organs of the musculoskeletal system and preventing relapses is through physiotherapy exercises for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The procedures are prescribed after complete relief from pain and inflammation.
The main types of exercise therapy:
- physiotherapy;
- measured walking;
- training on simulators;
- to swim.
In order for exercises for cervical osteochondrosis to bring the desired results, classes should be supervised by competent specialists.
Folk remedies
Complete elimination of cervical osteochondrosis using methods of folk medicine is impossible. On the other hand, the use of folk remedies can improve the patient's condition, relieve inflammation, reduce pain, and strengthen the immune system.
On average, the treatment period for cervical osteochondrosis lasts up to three months. If conservative treatment did not bring the expected results, surgical intervention is used.
Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?
Pathologies of the neck area pose a serious threat to human health. Since the neck connects the head to the body, all important biological communications are located in this section of the spine - the arteries that supply the brain, the nerve channels.
Any change in the functionality of the cervical spine leads to consequences in the form of:
- circulatory and nutritional disorders of the brain. As a result, hypertension develops, pathologies of the respiratory system and cardiovascular system, VSD, impaired coordination, problems with hearing, vision and speech;
- vertebral artery syndrome. Pathology develops against the background of compression of the vessel that supplies the cerebellum and the elongated medulla. The development of cervical osteochondrosis can cause ischemia and stroke;
- radiculopathy - damage to the nerve roots, growth of bone tissue on the vertebrae, resulting in partial or complete loss of mobility.
Compression of the spinal cord, located inside the spine, is the most dangerous. Such a pathology leads to the rupture of the mucous membrane of the spinal cord and causes paralysis. In particularly severe cases, cervical osteochondrosis is fatal.
Prophylaxis
Even after a complete recovery, the disease can reappear if the patient does not reconsider his lifestyle - work and rest, habits, nutrition.
As a preventive measure, neurologists recommend paying attention to the following points:
- hardness of the mattress. An orthopedic mattress and a low pillow are ideal;
- a visit to the sauna is necessary for complete relaxation and relieve muscle spasms;
- a daily hot shower is a good way to improve blood circulation in the neck;
- swimming, walking, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the muscles of the spine;
- good nutrition - rejection of foods that slow down the metabolism: fatty, fried, sweet, smoked, flour and alcohol. Dishes with gelatin, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, white meat, seafood are recommended.
In everyday life, you should avoid strenuous physical activity, sharp turns of the head, prolonged sitting or a static position. In addition, it is advisable to use chairs that support the head and back.
An active lifestyle, a healthy diet, and morning exercise are simple but effective ways to avoid most illnesses and live a long life without pain or discomfort.