Cervical osteochondrosis

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

general information

The intervertebral discs consist of a gel -shaped nucleus and a dense fibrous ring that surrounds it, covered with a layer of cartilage on the top.They fulfill an absorbing function, preventing vertebral damage during the race, walking and jump, and also contribute to the mobility and flexibility of the whole spine.

In the natural aging process, as well as in increased load conditions, 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.Disk frogs - The projection and hernies appear.As the disease progresses, the cartilaginous tissues and the bones are involved, osteophytes occur - bone growth that causes limiting mobility and pronounced pain syndrome.

Since pathological changes take place in the immediate vicinity of the spinal cord and its roots, this leads to their compression and their inflammation, as well as to the reflex development of muscle spasm.Consequently, a person has characteristic symptoms by which the disease can be suspected.

Reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical column refers to multifactorial diseases.It arises in the context of an entire complex of factors, each exacerbating 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) which contribute to the uneven distribution of the load on the spine;
• Congenital pathologies for the development of the spine, as well as injuries;
• excessive and repeated loads on the spine;
• Hereditary predisposition.

Symptoms and syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondosis do not appear immediately and often are disguised as other diseases.

The most common signs include:

• Dizzuins: As a rule, with osteochondrosis, it is systemic, that is to say that it seems to a person that the surrounding objects turn before his eyes;
• Pain in the neck, neck, collar area: its intensity depends on the degree of development of the disease;Light and episodic at an early stage, it spreads to the whole head and acquires a constant character;The periodically become unbearable attacks, as a result of which a person cannot even move their heads;
• noise or ringing in the ears: occur when a position changes after a long period of immobility, often accompanied by dizziness;
• A feeling of lack of air, the inability to breathe deeply;In serious cases, severe shortness of breath develops;
• Nausea and vomiting: are associated with circulatory disorders in certain areas of the brain, intensify when trying to turn your head;
• Reduce vision, flies or sparkling fog before the eyes: indicate an insufficient supply of brain blood;occur with advanced stages of the disease;
• blood pressure fluctuations, badly ready for correction with drugs;
• Sudden fainting caused by blood vessels spasms;
• The feeling of a bump in the throat, pain, dryness, swallowing problems: are often one of the first signs of pathology;
• pain in the shoulder joint;
• Fingers numbness.

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

Vertebral syndrome

The symptom complex is associated with bone damage and cartilage of the spine.He understands:

• Mobility violation in the cervical region;
• pain to turn your head;
• Signs of damage to the vertebrae and space between them.

Vail artery syndrome

Symptoms are caused by narrowing or spasm of the vertebral arteries which are partially responsible for blood supply to the brain.It manifests itself in the following signs:

• noise in the ears;
• dizziness;
• jumps into blood pressure;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache;
• visual impairment;
• decrease in performance;
• drowsiness;
• Fainting.

Cardial syndrome

Looks like a condition with damage to heart muscle and includes:

• pain or burning sensation behind the sternum;
• weakness and fatigue;
• Quick pulse.

Rook syndrome

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

• numbness or pain at the back of the head;
• numbness of the language;
• Pain in the collarbone, swallowing difficulties, hiccups;
• The discomfort in the shoulder area intensifies with the movements of the hand;
• Pain in the blades and forearm zone;
• numbness of the index and fingers in the middle;
• Numbness of the ring finger and the little finger.

Most often, several nerve roots are involved in the pathological process at the same time, following which several characteristic symptoms are observed at the same time.

Steps

In the development process, cervical osteochondosis spends four consecutive stages (degrees), which determine the severity of the symptoms and the patient's general condition.

• 1st step.The thickness of the intervertebral discs is slightly reduced.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 fabric begins, the protrusion (protruding) occurs.The pain becomes stronger, stiffness in the cervical region joins it.
• STEP 3. The fibrous ring surrounding the core of the disc is torn, an intervertebral hernia forms.The spine is significantly distorted, the risk of dislocations and subluxation of the vertebrae increases.The pain becomes of a constant nature, other symptoms of osteochondosis join it.
• 4th step.In the spine, irreversible changes occur: bone growths appear, the intervertebral disc is replaced by a scar tissue and loses the capacity to amortize the load.Symptoms are pronounced and have a significant effect on the patient's lifestyle and his well.The quality of life is reduced.

Diagnosis

In search of causes of pain or dizziness, the patient can contact doctors of various specialties: therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist.To diagnose osteochondrosis, a complete examination is necessary, which includes:

• Computed tomography X and calculated are only effective in the late stages of the development of the disease, when changes become clearly visible;
• Magnetic resonance tomography: due to a high degree of visualization, even allows you to see even initial changes;Currently, this is the main diagnostic method;
• Duplex analysis of the arteries of the head and neck: allows you to assess the quality of the blood flow, to identify the narrowing vessels;Used to determine the causes of headaches and dizziness.

Mandatory survey and patient examination, determining the pain zones 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 may be prescribed:

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

Treatment

Treatment of cervical osteochondosis requires an integrated approach and includes:

• medical effects;
• physiotherapy;
• Physiotherapy physiotherapy;
• massage;
• Surgical treatment.

Drugs

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

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: aimed at relieving pain and inflammation;They are used in the form of tablets, injections, ointments, plaster;
• Steroid drugs: are also used to relieve inflammation with the ineffectiveness of NSAIDs;
• Musorelaxing: drugs that eliminate reflex muscle cramps, due to which pain decreases and blood circulation improves;
• Vitamins B in the form of injection or tablets: contribute to the improvement of nerve pulses;
• Sedatives with intense pain syndrome to improve sleep and reduce the emotional component of pain;
• Anti-reductive agents when they have pinched the nerve roots;
• Chondroprotectors: Medicines that contribute to the restoration of the cartilage fabric.

According to symptoms, drugs can also be prescribed to improve microcirculation in brain vessels, drugs that block nausea and dizziness, etc.

Non -medicinal treatment

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

• physiotherapy:
  • Laser therapy;
  • magnetotherapy;
  • UHF-therapy;
  • phonophoresis and electrophoresis;
• massage;
• Physiotherapy physiotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• Manual therapy;
• Underwater traction.

Non -drug treatment helps reduce the severity of symptoms and reduce frequency and exacerbation.It 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 the load on vertebrates;
• Eliminates cramps and muscle blocks.

Surgical treatment

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

• Surgical elimination of a disc hernia (microdiscectomy, endoscopic surgery or transfaset);
• Laminectomy: elimination of thorny processes or arches of the vertebra, because of which the load on the spine of the spinal cord is reduced;
• Nucleoplasty: elimination of hernia by removing part of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.

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

Complications

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

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

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

Prevention

If you pay attention to the prevention of cervical osteochondosis, even with existing changes, their progression will slow down considerably.Doctors recommend:

• Conduct an active lifestyle, prevent hypodynamia;
• minimize or exclude severity;
• Sleep on a mattress and an orthopedic pillow;
• Reheat regularly if necessary for long -term work on the computer.

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