Osteochondrosis of the cervical column: treatment, symptoms

Today, the disease has been very "younger" and, more often, people are subject to 25 and over, although more recently, the age of 30 to 35 has been considered risky.The pathologies of the cervical part are more common, so you should be able to quickly recognize the symptoms of the disease in order to start treatment.

And so what is osteochondrosis in the cervical region?This term is characterized by a degenerative-dystrophic process in the intervertebral disc, acting as a sort of absocient amortator between the segments of the spine.This situation leads to changes in its structure and anatomy, its segments and its joint elements of the cervical region.The osteochondrosis of the neck is characterized by net symptoms of pain requiring a timely treatment.

The causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical region

Where does cervical osteochondosis come from?A little lower, we list the factors, whose chronic or net effect leads to an increase in loads in the neck.Consequently, the muscles of the body compensate for increased loads, however, due to the constant tension, spasms with a difficulty in blood circulation.Acting together, these factors lead to degenerative changes in the spine, a change in its structure, problems of blood nutrition and metabolism.Then there is a queue of changes in the intervertebral joints, the growth of the bone tissue of the vertebral segments appears.

We list the factors contributing to the development of the disease:

• Scoliosis and violation of the right posture.
• Excess weight.
• A long stay in evil and the poses against nature.
• Regular over of the back and the cervical column, for example, due to the characteristics of the work.
• Small mobility, Hypodynamia seated.
• Traumming the spine in the past.
• Metabolism problems.
• Excessive physical activity.
• Stress occurs, prolonged depression.
• Inheritance factor.
• Incorrect vertebral development.

The degree of cervical osteochondrosis

It is necessary to be able to distinguish between the concepts of "scene" and "degree" characterizing osteochondosis of the cervical column.We will consider the steps a little later, we are now talking about diplomas that depend on the general clinical condition and the patient's complaints, have various symptoms and require different treatment respectively.

The first degree is 1.Cervical osteochondosis is characterized by insignificant manifestations of the disease, the main symptoms are pain in the neck area, which are not common, is intensifying if you turn your head.They can be accompanied by slightly tense muscles.

The second degree is 2.The severity of pain and symptoms is much stronger and they are able to give in to the shoulder area.This is due to the fact that the intervertebral disc has become lower in height, which led to nerve clips.Pain syndrome tends to improve during movements, a feeling of weakness and headache lead to a reduction in performance.

The third degree is 3.This development of osteochondrosis in the cervical region is characterized by the formation of hernias in the intervertebral space.The differences compared to the previous degrees in the symptoms which are even more pronounced and painful - give more intensively to the shoulder and by hand, there can be a feeling of numbness and weakness.The disease is accompanied by the same headache, the weakness, the mobility of the neck is limited, with a sensation, a distinct pain syndrome is fixed.

The fourth degree - 4.This degree is characterized by the complete destruction of tissues of the intervertebral disc.Blood nutrition problems are likely to be blood, in particular, by means of the vertebral artery, which provides blood to the cerebellar and the back of the head.In the context of this, there are coordination difficulties, the head is stunned, there is a bell in the ears.

Symptoms of cervical column osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondosis has some differences from osteochondosis in other areas.They occur due to the location closer to the segments compared to each other, a more complex structure of the first two segments-Atlanta and the axis.In addition, the shock absorbers between the elements of the spine are less here and, consequently, they wear out and destroy more quickly.In addition, it is cervical osteochondosis which often leads to the compression of the nerves of the spinal cord.

Cervical osteochondosis - The most common symptoms:

• Pain.They are characterized by a different location - at the back of the head, the shoulder and the cervical region.The occurrence of pain in the shoulder joint indicates pressure on the nerve, responsible for the transfer of pain pulses to this location.Polden pains reflect the presence of neck muscles due to blood flow difficulties in this area.Perhaps a feeling of pain in the vertebra, the presence of crunch.
• Weakness in the hand.It manifests itself due to damage to the nerve responsible for the motor activity of the upper members.
• Bad sensitivity in the hand.The nerve is damaged, innervating the skin on the arm.
• Limited movements, crunch.This is a consequence of the small height of the intervertebral disc, bone growth in the segments of the spine, the presence of small affected compositions.
• Coordination problems, feeling of weakness and dizziness.Given the progress of pathology, the fibrous tissue is formed.It partly led to the elimination of the vertebral artery having its own channel in the elements of the spine.This reduces the light of the ship, creating a blood deficiency at the back of the head and the cerebellum.
• Problems with hearing, vision, speech.They are the subsequent development of a ship which feeds the cerebellar and occipital zone.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made in the presence of characteristic symptoms and a person's complaints.Osteochondrosis in the cervical region is diagnosed with various methods, mainly aimed at visualizing the state of the damaged part.Most commonly used:

• X -Ray.It is not informed, shows that the presence of differences, adapted mainly to early diagnosis.
• Computer tomography.Compared to radiography, the reflection of the pathologies of the segments of the cervical part of the spine is improved, but it does not precisely determine the presence of a hernia that it is of size.In addition, this procedure is impossible to determine the "praise" of the canal with the spinal cord.
• Magnetic resonance tomography.These diagnoses are the most modern, characterized by an increase in information content, allows in detail to assess the defects of the bone structure, the state of intervertebral discs, the existence of hernias, their size and the direction of growth.
• If there are suspicions of current deterioration in the vertebral arteries, an additional diagnosis is made by means of the procedureExploration of ultrasonic duplex.Such a study exactly determines the presence of obstacles that reduce the blood flow rate.

Based on the data obtained in the diagnosis, we can talk about different stages:

• 1st step.It is characterized by minor violations of the anatomy of the vertebrae.
• STEP 2.Probably non-compliance with the position of the vertebrae with each other, the displacement, the rotation in relation to the axis of the spine, the intervertebral disc can have a slightly reduced height.
• STEP 3.The disc is reduced by a quarter height, the joints are modified, there are growth of bone tissue, the tightening of the intervertebral holes and the vertebral canal.
• 4th step.It is even more aggravated compared to the previous one.The disc is considerably reduced in height, in the presence of deep joint pathologies and vast bone growth from behind, the vertebral canal and the passages under the dorsal brain are highly pressed.

Treatment of cervical column osteochondrosis

The main methods of such treatment are: medicine therapy, physiotherapy, the use of affected area massage, therapeutic exercises.Consider certain methods in more detail.

Treatment with drugs

Only a competent specialist has to face the objective of any medication.

• Preparations against inflammation of non -steroidal origin.Their action is the effective elimination of pain syndrome, the inflammatory and edematous process of the tight nervous end, examples can serve as examples and others.
• To improve metabolic processes in vertebrae and nerves, vitamin B.
• Drugs that increase blood fluidity.
• They are used to supply modified nerve endings and improve blood supply to the brain.
• The chondroprotectors used to restore cartilage tissues and intervertebral discs.
• Musorelaxing, funds against spasms.

Physiotherapy

• Electrophoresis.Delivery of drug ions to the desired part of the pathology using the electric field.Before the procedure, novocaine anesthesia is carried out, also the aminophyllin which improves blood circulation is used.
• Ultrasound.Relins inflammation, pain, contributes to metabolism instead of application.
• Magnetotherapy.It has an analgesic effect, relieves edema.
• Laser therapy.Treatment is carried out by exposure of light frequency light waves.It relieves inflammation and promotes blood circulation.

Medical physical education

Media physical education is only authorized in the absence of exacerbations of the disease.The methods will be effective in the absence of pain and discomfort in performance, moreover, they are very effective as a means of prevention.We list several basic exercises:

1. Lie on the stomach and rest with hands folded on the ground.To make elevators of the head and body for 60 to 90 seconds, holding the right back, after which it returns gently to its original position.Make 2-3 repetitions.
2. Lie on your stomach, extending your hands to the side of the body.Turn your head to the left, right, in turn, trying to reach the floor with an ear.Perform 5-7 repetitions on each side.
3. In a sitting position, inhaling to lean forward, trying to reach the chest with his head.Then, on the expiration, on the contrary, to tilt back, throwing his head back.Make 12 repetitions.
4. In a sitting position, put your palms on the forehead.Put the mutual pressure of the forehead in the palm of your hand and vice versa.Continue up to half a minute, repeating 3 times.
5. A neat and neat rotation of the heads on the sides, 5-7 rotations.If your head is a survive, reduce the number of rehearsals or reduce the speed.

Cervical service osteochondrosis: question - answer

1. Has it happened that osteochondrosis of the cervical column is treated by surgery?

   This happens, but in these rare cases where conservative treatment does not give a half-year effect after its start.In such situations, chronic pain and compression of nerve endings are generally present.

2. For what period can non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs be taken?

   Most of these drugs are reflected in the state of the gastric mucosa, so their frequent and regular use is not recommended.The exact duration of the drugs is determined by the attending physician with information what is the patient's osteochondosis and if concomitant pathologies are present.

3. Are chondroprotectors who restore the fabric of damaged intervertebral discs effective?

   Confirmation of the effect of taking such drugs has not been proven, as a result of which doctors rarely recommend.

4. What to do at home when there is no increased state to avoid exacerbations in the future?

   For preventive purposes, the best will be to use therapeutic physical education, the massage of the cervical zone and the rejection of a significant physical activity.