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 violated. As the degenerative process progresses, it also covers surrounding structures. The disease is characterized by a whole series of symptoms, such as neck pain, dizziness, nausea, limited mobility of the spine, and considerably impairs 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 there are intervertebral discs. The latter ensure the integrity of this zone and perform a damping function. 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 protrude, protrusions and hernias appear. 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 compression, a reflex spasm of the muscles occurs. In this case, a person has pronounced symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Causes of disease
Osteochondrosis develops under the influence of a number of reasons. There are several theories explaining the nature of this disease:
- involutive - 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 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! None of the theories more likely explains the cause of cervical osteochondrosis.
The impulse of the disease can be a combination of several factors:
- incorrect posture, flat feet;
- sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle;
- overweight;
- congenital injuries and pathologies of the spine;
- excessive physical activity;
- hormonal changes;
- bad habits;
- vascular diseases;
- genetic predisposition.
The more these factors are combined, the greater the likelihood of developing the disease, and the faster the dystrophic processes proceed.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis do not appear immediately. For a long time, the patient can ignore the onset of the disease and pay attention to the state of health only after the onset of pain.
At the first stage of the disease, when the thickness of the discs is slightly reduced, you may experience slight discomfort in the neck area if you stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time. At the second stage, protrusions appear, which are 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, significantly worsening the quality of life:
- persistent pain in the cervical region and collar area;
- severe stiffness in the neck muscles;
- pain during movement and at rest;
- limited mobility in the neck;
- finger numbness;
- headaches and dizziness may join.
In addition to common signs, there are several syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Vertebral. Due to damage to the cartilage and bones of the spine, its mobility is limited, pain occurs.
- Vertebral artery syndrome. Due to the spasm of the vessels responsible for the blood supply to the brain, there is tinnitus, headaches, fainting and blurred vision.
- Root. Symptoms are associated with pinched nerve roots, as a result of which the patient feels pain in the shoulder area, numbness in the back of the head, fingers and pain in the shoulder blades.
What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis
Patients often consider osteochondrosis of the cervical spine a disease without 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 followed, 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.
In addition, osteochondrosis leads to limited mobility of the spine and loss of sensitivity in the hand. Such significant changes are a serious reason to seek medical help and undergo complex treatment.
Diagnostic
A neurologist deals with the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis. At the first appointment, he assesses the mobility of the spine, the quality of the reflexes and determines the painful areas. If during the collection of the anamnesis it turns out that the patient is worried about a whole range of symptoms, you may need to consult other specialists:
- therapist;
- cardiologist;
- orthopaedist;
- gastroenterologist;
- Laura;
- endocrinologist and others.
For the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, a comprehensive examination is used. Among the radiation diagnostic methods, radiography, computed tomography and MRI 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 ultrasound of the arteries in the neck and head region is recommended if the patient complains of headaches and dizziness. The examination makes it possible to evaluate the blood flow and the state of the vessels.
In addition to the listed diagnostic methods, the following are prescribed:
- ECG;
- Ultrasound of internal organs, heart;
- pulmonary radiography;
- laboratory research.
They make it possible to differentiate osteochondrosis 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 nerve roots, and also to 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 previous ones;
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relieve spasms and thereby improve blood circulation;
- B vitamins in the form of tablets and injections - to improve nerve impulse conduction and nutrition of nerve tissue;
- sedatives - for chronic or severe pain, sleep disturbances;
- chondroprotectors - drugs aimed at improving metabolic processes in cartilage tissue.
Depending on the symptoms, drugs can be prescribed to improve microcirculation in the brain, decongestants, metabolic and others.
Non-drug 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! A good effect is provided by massage, manual therapy, osteopathy and reflexology. They are aimed at eliminating restrictions in the work of the spine, relieving pain and regulating the functioning of internal organs.
Along with traditional medical procedures, innovative methods are used. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is determined by the attending physician. The following methods are assigned:
- Carboxytherapy. The treatment is carried out using 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 time. The introduction of ozone in close proximity to the spine improves tissue nutrition and waste disposal, and also reduces the activity of enzymes that cause degenerative changes in cartilage.
- PRP - therapy (plasma therapy). Platelet plasma is injected into the muscles near the spine. The procedure has a pronounced stimulating effect on regenerative processes in all structures of the spine, slows down the process of destruction of cartilage tissue, relieves muscle spasms, pain and improves local blood circulation.
- Shock wave therapy. Allows you to quickly eliminate muscle spasms, increase blood circulation and eliminate congestion in the tissues.
- Kinesio tape. Kinesio taping helps to relax the muscles and at the same time has a supporting effect on the spine. The method helps relieve inflammation and swelling, restores joint mobility.
Non-pharmacological methods also include physiotherapy (exercise therapy), leech therapy, musculoskeletal therapy and local cryotherapy. The choice of a method of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis belongs to the doctor, who focuses on the diagnosis and the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
A treatment plan for cervical osteochondrosis is developed 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.
- Follow preventive treatment 2p/year.
- Avoid or minimize the carrying of heavy loads.
- For sleeping, use an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
- When working in front of a computer, do a warm-up every 1 hour.
- Balance your diet by eliminating unhealthy foods.
- Participate in physical therapy regularly.
Important! With osteochondrosis, swimming is recommended. The water relieves the spine and the movements form a strong muscular corset.
To protect and unload the spine, if necessary, it is recommended to wear braces. To improve metabolic processes in cartilage and slow down its destruction, do not forget to take chondroprotectors.
In-clinic treatment
The clinic offers comprehensive diagnostics and modern and effective methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine: 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, doctors in the clinic take into account the diagnosis, characteristics of the patient's body and lifestyle. They give recommendations for the prevention and prevention of further relapses of the disease.
In addition to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in our country, the clinic offers preventive 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 manifestations of the disease, give you recommendations on prevention, nutrition and lifestyle.