cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a complex of dystrophic and degenerative diseases of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc.The disease can occur in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.Osteochondrosis is associated with pain and destruction of blood vessels and nervous system.

This type of disease is the most common and occurs even in young people.Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the most dangerous because it compresses the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord and causes impairment of intracranial circulation due to the pressure of the deformed discs on blood vessels.

The vertebral artery is the largest blood vessel supplying the brain and passes through an opening in the cervical spine.Pressure on this artery can lead to dangerous complications, such as coronary artery disease and even stroke.

The tight fit between cervical vertebrae causes the slightest displacement of them to cause compression of nerves and blood vessels.This can lead to decreased skin sensitivity, partial loss of hearing and vision, and other neurological disorders.

reason

The causes of cervical osteochondrosis include internal and external causes.

Internal reasons include:

• genetic (genetic) factors;
• In utero developmental disorders of spinal cartilage and bone tissue;
• Age-related factors affecting changes in cartilage tissue;
• Metabolic disorders.

External reasons are more diverse:

• Excessive stress on the vertebrae due to improper loading;
• Various injuries and injuries to the spine and back (bruises, falls, sprains, fractures);
• infectious disease;
• spinal muscular dystrophy;
• Poor posture, manifested by hunched back and S-shaped curvature of the spine;
• working in awkward positions;
• Drag heavy objects;
• flatfoot;
• being overweight;
• poisoning;
• low temperature;
• The pillow you sleep on is uncomfortable;
• 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 occur in people with sedentary and sedentary lifestyles and those engaged in mental activities, but it sometimes occurs in athletes, loaders, or workers who frequently bend and make sudden movements.

symptom

The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are diverse.These include:

• Neck pain that spreads to the back of the head, eye and ear areas, and shoulder girdle;
• Upper limb pain, aggravated by slight exertion;
• Neck muscle tightness and limited movement, especially in the morning;
• Pain when bending and turning the head;
• Numbness in the cervical spine after sleeping;
• Difficulty moving the arms and reduced range of motion;
• Burning, numbness, and tingling in the upper limbs;
• Headache is concentrated in the back of the head but may also spread to the temples and parietal lobes;
• tinnitus;
• Deterioration of vision and hearing (cyclical and persistent);
• numbness of tongue;
• Pain in the chest area or between the shoulder blades that cannot be eliminated by nitroglycerin and depends on the position of the body;
• Overgrowth of connective tissue in the neck;
• persistent fatigue and fatigue;
• drowsiness;
• nausea;
• Diplopia (double vision);
• The spine creaked.

Course and possible complications

Even slight loading of the upper part can lead to the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - this area of the spine is very fragile.Degenerative changes cause osteophytes (growths on bone tissue) to form, causing irritation and tension in nearby muscles, putting more stress on cartilage and joints.This leads to the progression of the disease - compression of arteries and nerves.

If the disease is left untreated, the discs can herniate and herniate, causing a significant loss of spinal mobility and possibly requiring surgical intervention.

Due to severe degenerative changes in cartilage tissue and lack of treatment, so-called "radiculopathy syndrome"—cervical nerve damage—may occur.This can lead to intensification and progression of all of the above symptoms, as well as rare phenomena such as speech, breathing, and even persistent hiccups.

The inflamed roots gradually take over the entire area of the spinal canal, causing increased pain symptoms and severely disrupting the neuroregulation of the limbs and facial muscles.Impaired cerebral circulation can lead to reduced intelligence, memory, concentration, and lead to stroke.

Osteochondrosis has an exacerbation phase (when all symptoms are particularly noticeable) and a remission phase.The duration of relief depends on the patient's lifestyle and preventive measures taken.

diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on characteristic symptoms and using:

• X-rays.This approach is ineffective, especially in the final stages of osteochondrosis development.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the cervical spine.A method that allows you to see the bone structure, the herniated disc, its size and direction of development.
• Computed tomography.This is a less effective solution than an MRI because it is difficult to determine the presence and size of the hernia.
• Doppler ultrasound (identifies lesions in cervical blood vessels).This method is used when arterial blood flow disturbance is suspected.The scan allows you to determine how fast the blood is flowing and whether there are any obstructions.

treat

Treatment is more recommended in the initial stages of osteochondrosis pathology, but in fact, when the disease progresses to more dangerous stages, a doctor is consulted.Self-treatment of osteochondrosis is unacceptable and may lead to worsening of the systemic condition.

A comprehensive treatment method that combines drug therapy with physical therapy has achieved positive results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

drug treatment

Medications can effectively relieve (eliminate) pain symptoms but do not affect the pathological cause, so it is unwise to treat it with medication alone.

Medications from the NSAID group work well to relieve pain and inflammation - the most appropriate medication is prescribed by your treating physician.

Medications that improve cerebral circulation and that affect neck muscle relaxation are also used.Therapeutic doses of vitamins (especially B complex and niacin) and trace elements (calcium, phosphorus and magnesium preparations) can help.

Treatment with chondroprotectants (dietary supplements) can restore intervertebral tissue, but some doctors believe these drugs are ineffective or even useless in the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Topical ointments and gels have certain therapeutic effects.

Physiotherapy and alternative treatments

In specialized clinics involved in the treatment of diseases of the orthopedic and musculoskeletal systems, priority is given to physical therapy over pharmaceutical methods.Based on a detailed study of the medical history (past history) and an expanded diagnosis, the doctor develops a special individual treatment plan, which may include:

• electrophoresis (using electrodes to administer drugs through the skin);
• magnet therapy (exposure to magnetic fields);
• Amplified pulse therapy (modulated current therapy);
• Reflexology;
• orthopedic gymnastics;
• Special simulator courses;
• massage;
• Manual influencing methods;
• Ultrasound therapy;
• Laser treatment.

The use of non-traditional methods to treat osteochondrosis is popular - acupuncture, leech therapy (leech therapy), osteopathy.

In advanced cases and if there are complications, doctors resort to surgery.

prevention

Since the most common causes of cervical osteochondrosis are lack of exercise and incorrect body posture, the best preventive measure is therapeutic exercises, which can be performed in the workplace in a seated or standing position.

In order to prevent this disease, you also need to see an orthopedic doctor from an early age to correct postural disorders in time.

Prevention of osteochondrosis and proper nutrition to provide the body with essential trace elements.At the same time, you should not overeat, because being overweight is one of the reasons for overloading the intervertebral discs.

When moving heavy items, be careful and distribute the load correctly.

The sleeping place, mattress and pillows play an important role - they should be comfortable and not cause tension in the back and neck muscles.

Most importantly, avoid stress, nerves and negative emotions.

predict

With timely and qualified treatment, the prognosis is good, but much depends on the stage of the disease, the severity of its manifestations, the age of the patient and his compliance with medical recommendations such as lifestyle, proper nutrition and elimination of bad habits.