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Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis in a man

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic distribution disease in which the discs are thinner located between the vertebrae, followed by their bone tissue.As the degenerative process progresses, the surrounding structures are involved.This becomes the reason for the development of a complex of symptoms that completely subjugate the patient's life.

General Information

Intervertebral discs consist of a gel -shaped nucleus and a dense fibrous ring that surrounds it, covered with a layer of cartilage at the top.They perform an absorbent shock function, avoiding vertebral damage during the race, walking and jumping, and also contribute to the mobility and flexibility of the entire spine.

In the natural aging process, as well as in conditions of greater load, there is a gradual decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc.The metabolism in its nucleus is disturbed, the cracks appear in the surrounding fibrous ring.DISCS PUPHES - PROTUBERANCE AND HERNIAS appear.As the disease progresses, cartilaginous tissue and bones are involved in it, osteophytes, bone growths that cause limiting mobility and pronounced pain syndrome are produced.

Since pathological changes take place in the vicinity of the spinal cord and its roots, this leads to its compression and inflammation, as well as the reflection of muscle spasm.As a result, a person experiences characteristic symptoms by which the disease can be suspected.

Reasons

The osteochondrosis of the cervical column refers to multifactorial diseases.It arises at the bottom of a whole complex of factors, each of which exacerbates the flow of pathology.The list of reasons includes:

  • excess body weight;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • Sedentary work;
  • incorrect posture;
  • Chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet) that contribute to the unequal distribution of load in the column;
  • congenital pathologies of the development of the spine, as well as injuries;
  • excessive and repeated loads in the column;
  • Hereditary predisposition.

Symptoms and syndromes

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis do not appear immediately and, often, disguise other diseases.

The most common signs include:

  • Crush: as a rule, with osteochondrosis, it is systemic, that is, it seems to a person that the surrounding objects revolve before their eyes;
  • The pain in the neck, the neck and the necklace area: its intensity depends on the degree of development of the disease;Light and episodic at an early stage, extends to the whole head and acquires a constant character;The attacks periodically become unbearable, as a result of which a person cannot even move their heads;
  • noise or buzz in the ears: it arises when a position changes after a long period of immobility, often accompanied by dizziness;
  • a sense of lack of air, the inability to breathe deeply;In severe cases, a severe lack of severe breath develops;
  • Nausea and vomiting: they are associated with circulatory disorders in certain areas of the brain, they intensify when trying to turn their heads;
  • Reducing vision, flickering flies or fog in front of the eyes: indicate an insufficient supply of brain blood;They arise with the advanced stages of the disease;
  • fluctuations in blood pressure, little susceptible to drug correction;
  • Sudden challenge caused by the spasm of the blood vessels;
  • The feeling of a lump in the throat, pain, dryness, problems with swallowing: they are often one of the first signs of pathology;
  • shoulder joint pain;
  • Fingertips of fingers.

In addition to the general signs of cervical osteochondrosis, several characteristic syndromes of this disease are distinguished.

Vertebral syndrome

The symptoms complex is associated with damage to the bones and cartilage of the spine.Includes:

  • violation of mobility in the cervical region;
  • pain in turning the head;
  • X -Ray damage to the vertebrae and space between them.

Vail artery syndrome

The symptoms are caused by narrowing or spasm of the vertebral arteries that partially responsible for the supply of blood to the brain.It is manifested by the following signs:

  • noise in the ears;
  • dizziness;
  • jumps under blood pressure;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • headaches;
  • visual disability;
  • decrease in performance;
  • drowsiness;
  • Fainting.

Cardial syndrome

It resembles a condition with damage to heart muscle and includes:

  • pain or stense of ardor behind the sternum;
  • weakness and fatigue;
  • Fast pulse.

Syndrome

The condition is associated with the damage (compression or pinch) of the nerve roots that emerge from the spine in the cervical region.Depending on the level of defeat, a person may feel:

  • numbness or pain on the back of the head;
  • language numbness;
  • Pain in the clavicle, difficulties of swallowing, hypo;
  • discomfort in the shoulder area that intensifies with the movements of the hands;
  • pain in the area of the blades and forearms;
  • index numbness and middle fingers;
  • Numbing of the ring finger and little finger.

Very often, several nerve roots are involved in the pathological process at the same time, as a result of which several characteristic symptoms are observed at the same time.

Stages

In the development process, cervical osteochondrosis passes four consecutive stages (degrees), which determine the severity of the symptoms and the general condition of the patient.

  • First stage.The thickness of the intervertebral discs is reduced slightly.The symptoms are practically absent, sometimes there is a slight discomfort in the neck, for example, with a long stay in an uncomfortable position.
  • Stage 2. The height of the disc becomes even smaller, the pathological growth of the cartilage tissue begins, the protrusion occurs (protrusion).The pain becomes stronger, the rigidity in the cervical region binds to it.
  • Stage 3. The fibrous ring surrounding the disc nucleus is torn, an intervertebral hernia is formed.The spine is remarkably deformed, increases the risk of dislocations and subluxation of the vertebrae.The pain becomes constant in nature, other symptoms of osteochondrosis bind.
  • 4th stage.In the spine, irreversible changes occur: bone growths appear, the intervertebral disc is replaced by a scar tissue and loses the ability to amortize the load.The symptoms are pronounced and have a significant effect on the patient's lifestyle and his good.The quality of life is reduced.

Diagnosis

In search of the causes of pain or dizziness, the patient can contact doctors of several specialties: therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist.To diagnose osteochondrosis, a comprehensive exam is required, which includes:

  • X -Ray and computerized tomography are effective only in the last stages of the development of the disease, when the changes become clearly visible;
  • Magnetic resonance tomography: due to a high degree of visualization, it even allows you to see even initial changes;Currently, it is the main diagnostic method;
  • Duplex scan of the arteries of the head and neck: it allows you to evaluate the quality of the blood flow, identify the vessels that narrow;Used to determine the causes of headaches and dizziness.

The survey and the mandatory examination of the patient, the determination of the areas of pain and the degree of mobility of the spine is evaluated, the quality of the reflexes is carried out.For differential diagnosis with other diseases with similar symptoms, it can be prescribed:

  • ECG, ultrasound of the heart;
  • Diario de ECG and blood pressure monitoring;
  • X -Rayos of the chest organs;
  • Consultations of narrow specialists: cardiologist, Laura.

Treatment

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach and includes:

  • medical effects;
  • physiotherapy;
  • Physiotherapy Physical Education;
  • massage;
  • Surgical treatment

Drug treatment

The main objective of drug treatment: relieve pain and dizziness, restore the normal functioning of nerve roots, and also, if possible, stop or slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue.Depending on the situation, they are prescribed:

  • Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medications: aimed at relieving pain and inflammation;They are used in the form of tablets, injections, ointments, plasters;
  • Steroid drugs: They are also used to relieve inflammation with the inefficiency of NSAIDs;
  • Musorelaxantes: drugs that eliminate reflex muscle cramps, because pain decreases and blood circulation improves;
  • B Vitamins in injection or tablet medications: Contribute to the improvement of nerve impulses;
  • sedatives with severe pain syndrome to improve sleep and reduce the emotional component of pain;
  • anti -reduction agents when they pinch the nerve roots;
  • Cacondroprotectors: medications that contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue.

Depending on the symptoms, medicines can also be prescribed to improve microcirculation in the brain vessels, medications that block nausea and dizziness, etc.

Non -flog treatment

Non -fragments treatment methods are used outside exacerbation.Depending on the clinical situation, they are used:

  • physiotherapy:
    • laser therapy;
    • Magnetotherapy;
    • UHF therapy;
    • phonoforesis and electrophoresis;
  • massage;
  • Physiotherapy Physical Education;
  • acupuncture;
  • manual therapy;
  • Underwater traction.

Non -fragment treatment helps reduce the severity of symptoms and reduces frequency and exacerbation.Acts indirectly:

  • Improves blood supply to the affected area, metabolism and regeneration processes;
  • improves the effect of drugs;
  • Promotes to strengthen the muscle frame and stabilize the spine;
  • reduces load in vertebrates;
  • Eliminates cramps and muscle blocks.

Surgical treatment

Physiotherapy method to treat cervical osteochondrosis

The surgeon's help is necessary in advanced cases of the disease, when pharmacological methods are already ineffective.Various operations are currently used:

  • Surgical elimination of an album hernia (microdisctomy, endoscopic surgery or transform);
  • Laminectomy: Elimination of thorny processes or arches of the vertebra, because the load in the spinal cord column is reduced;
  • Nucleoplasty: Elimination of hernia eliminating part of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.

It is important to remember that only a doctor can decide how to treat the osteochondrosis of the cervical column.The scheme is compiled individually, taking into account the stage of the disease, the pathologies that accompany and the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Complications

Osteochondrosis causes a violation of the most important structures: blood vessels and nerves.Without treatment, the disease can lead to the following complications:

  • Ischemic stroke;
  • loss of sensitivity or motor function of the hand;
  • difficulties of swallowing;
  • violation of the thyroid gland;
  • Significant loss or decrease in visual acuity.

In addition, the defeat of the intervertebral discs and the joints leads to a significant limitation of neck mobility.

Prevention

If you pay attention to the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, even with existing changes, your progression will be significantly reduced.Doctors recommend:

  • conduct an active lifestyle, prevent hypodinamia;
  • minimize or exclude gravity;
  • sleep in an orthopedic and pillow mattress;
  • Regularly heated if necessary for long -term work on the computer.

The perfect sport for osteochondrosis is swimming.Water discharges the spine, and active movements contribute to the formation of the muscle frame.