Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease in which the intervertebral discs become thinner, as a result of which the anatomy of the cervical vertebrae changes, and the nerve endings and vessels located nearby are infringed. As the degenerative process progresses, it also covers the surrounding structures. The disease is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, such as neck pain, dizziness, nausea, limited mobility of the spine, and significantly worsens the patient's quality of life.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
The cervical region is the most mobile part of the spine. It consists of 7 vertebrae, between which are the intervertebral discs. The latter ensure the integrity of this area and perform a buffer function. The discs have a complex structure: inside there is a pulp surrounded by a dense fibrous ring.
With age and under the influence of increased load, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases. The metabolism is disturbed in the core, the fibrous ring acquires cracks. As the disease progresses, the discs bulge, bulge, and herniate. Osteophytes appear - bony growths that limit the mobility of the spine and cause pain.
Pathological changes occur near the spinal cord and nerve roots. In case of their compression, a reflex spasm of the muscles occurs. In this case, a person has pronounced symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
Osteochondrosis develops under the influence of a number of reasons. There are several theories that explain the nature of this disease:
- involutional - the cause of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is wear of the intervertebral discs;
- physical - the disease develops due to excessive impact on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs;
- autoimmune - a person's own immunity destroys the intervertebral discs over time;
- vascular - the nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue is disturbed, which is associated with pathological changes in the vessels;
- hereditary predisposition - the disease occurs in people with a predisposition to degenerative diseases of the spine.
Important! Neither theory explains the most likely cause of cervical osteochondrosis.
The drive of the disease can be a combination of several factors:
- incorrect posture, flat feet;
- sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle;
- overweight;
- injuries and congenital pathologies of the spine;
- excessive physical activity;
- hormonal changes;
- bad habits;
- vascular diseases;
- genetic predisposition.
The more factors are combined, the greater the probability of developing the disease, and the faster the dystrophic processes will proceed.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis do not appear immediately. For a long time, the patient may not be aware of the onset of the disease and pay attention to the state of health only after the onset of pain.
In the first stage of the disease, when the thickness of the discs is slightly reduced, you may feel slight discomfort in your neck if you remain in an uncomfortable position for a long time. In the second stage, bumps appear, which make themselves felt by the stiffness of movements in the cervical region.
Further development of the disease leads to constant pain and deterioration of well-being. There are additional signs of cervical osteochondrosis, which significantly worsen the quality of life:
- persistent pain in the cervical region and neck area;
- severe stiffness in the neck muscles;
- pain during movement and at rest;
- limited mobility in the neck;
- numbness of the fingers;
- Headaches and dizziness can join.
In addition to the common signs, there are several syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- spinal. Due to damage to the cartilage and bones of the spine, their mobility is limited, pain occurs.
- Vertebral artery syndrome. Due to the spasm of the vessels responsible for the blood supply to the brain, there are tinnitus, headaches, fainting, blurred vision.
- Root. Symptoms are associated with pinched nerve roots, as a result of which the patient feels pain in the shoulder area, numbness of the back of the head, fingers, and pain in the shoulder blades.
What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often considered by patients as a disease that does not have serious consequences. But this is an erroneous opinion. Pathology causes disturbances in the functioning of vital structures: nerves and blood vessels. If timely treatment is not taken, the consequence of the disease can be a violation of cerebral circulation, muscle weakness and atrophy, a violation of the functions of internal organs and systems.
Also, osteochondrosis leads to limited mobility of the spine and loss of sensitivity of the hands. Such significant changes are a serious reason to seek medical help and undergo complex treatment.
Diagnosis
A neurologist deals with the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis. On the first appointment she assesses the mobility of the spine, the quality of the reflexes and determines the areas of pain. If during the collection of anamnesis it turns out that the patient is worried about a wide range of symptoms, he may need to consult other specialists:
- therapist;
- cardiologist;
- orthopedist;
- gastroenterologist;
- Laura;
- endocrinologist and others.
For the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, a comprehensive examination is used. Of the diagnostic radiation methods, radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are used. MRI, due to the high degree of visualization, makes it possible to make a diagnosis even at an early stage of the pathology. Duplex scanning of the arteries in the neck and head area is recommended if the patient complains of headaches and dizziness. The examination allows you to assess the blood flow and the condition of the vessels.
In addition to the listed diagnostic methods, the following are prescribed:
- electrocardiogram;
- Ultrasound of internal organs, heart;
- chest x-ray;
- laboratory research
They allow osteochondrosis to be differentiated from other pathologies with similar symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine requires an integrated approach and includes medication, physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy, manual therapy, carboxytherapy and other modern techniques.
Medical treatment
The main purpose of drug exposure is to relieve pain, eliminate dizziness, normalize the functioning of the nerve roots, and also stop or slow down degenerative changes in cartilage tissue. Depending on the diagnosis are assigned:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of droppers, injections, tablets, ointments, to relieve inflammation and pain;
- hormonal drugs - to stop the inflammatory process in case of ineffectiveness of the above;
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relieve spasms and thereby improve blood circulation;
- B vitamins in the form of tablets and injections - to improve the conduction of nerve impulses and the nutrition of nerve tissue;
- sedatives: for chronic or severe pain, sleep disorders;
- chondroprotectors - drugs aimed at improving metabolic processes in cartilage tissue.
Depending on the symptoms, drugs to improve microcirculation in the brain, decongestants, metabolic and others may be prescribed.
Non-pharmacological methods
Along with the use of drugs, for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in the acute stage, traditional physiotherapeutic methods are used, such as laser and magnetotherapy, electrical stimulation, phono and electrophoresis.
Important! Massage, manual therapy, osteopathy and reflexology provide a good effect. Its goal is to eliminate restrictions in the work of the spine, relieve pain and regulate the functioning of internal organs.
Along with traditional medical procedures, innovative methods are used. How to treat cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is determined by the attending physician. The following methods are assigned:
- Carboxytherapy. The treatment is carried out with the help of subcutaneous injections of carbon dioxide, which triggers a series of biochemical reactions. As a result, microcirculation improves, swelling and pain decrease, and local protective processes are activated. The procedure is absolutely safe. It is often applied to patients for whom drug therapy is contraindicated. The number of injections depends on the problem and varies from 5 to 10.
- Ozone therapy. The procedure relieves pain and inflammation, and the effect persists for a long period. The introduction of ozone in the immediate vicinity of the spinal column improves tissue nutrition and the outflow of waste products, and also reduces the activity of enzymes that cause degenerative changes in cartilage.
- PRP - therapy (plasma therapy). Platelet plasma is injected into the muscles located very close to the spine. The procedure has a pronounced stimulating effect on regenerative processes in all structures of the spinal column, slows down the process of destruction of cartilage tissue, relieves muscle spasms, pain, and improves local blood circulation.
- Shock wave therapy. It allows you to quickly eliminate muscle spasm, increase blood circulation and eliminate congestion in the tissues.
- Kinesio taping. Kinesio tape helps to relax the muscles and at the same time has a supportive effect on the spine. The method helps relieve inflammation and swelling, restores mobility of the joints.
Non-pharmacological methods also include kinesiotherapy (exercise therapy), leech therapy, musculoskeletal therapy, and local cryotherapy. The choice of a method of treating cervical osteochondrosis is left to the doctor, who focuses on the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient's body.
A plan is drawn up on how to cure cervical osteochondrosis taking into account the stage of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Prevention
If you pay attention to preventive measures, you can prevent or slow down the development of osteochondrosis:
- Lead an active lifestyle, but avoid excessive physical activity.
- Undergo preventive treatment 2p/year.
- Avoid or minimize heavy lifting.
- To sleep, use an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
- When working on a computer, warm up every 1 hour.
- Balance your diet by eliminating unhealthy foods.
- Regularly participate in physical therapy.
Important! With osteochondrosis, swimming is recommended. The water unloads the spinal column and the movements form a strong muscular corset.
To protect and unload the spine, if necessary, it is recommended to use orthopedic devices. To improve metabolic processes in cartilage and slow down its destruction, do not forget to take chondroprotectors.
Treatment in the clinic
The clinic offers comprehensive diagnostics and modern and effective methods of treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis: carboxytherapy, interstitial electrical stimulation, general magnetotherapy, shock wave therapy, osteopathy, ozone therapy, local cryotherapy and others.
At the service of visitors:
- comfortable offices;
- modern equipment;
- qualified doctors;
- reception by appointment;
- polite staff.
When choosing treatment methods, the doctors of the clinic take into account the diagnosis, the characteristics of the body and the lifestyle of the patient. They give recommendations for the prevention and prevention of new relapses of the disease.
In addition to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in our country, the clinic offers prevention courses, including reflexology, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
If you are concerned about pain in the cervical spine, make an appointment with professionals. They will help you eliminate the manifestations of the disease, give recommendations on prevention, nutrition and lifestyle.