Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis — a degenerative-degenerative process in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, accompanied by the substitution of the cartilage and bone tissues and immobilization of the vertebrae. According to statistics, these helena other degenerative-degenerative changes in the cervical spine are present in about half of all persons in the working age from 25 to 45 years.

Causes and risk factors

The anatomical features of the cervical spine creates the preconditions for the early development of degenerative-degenerative changes. The vertebrae of the cervical segment to vary the maximum mobility and orientation, they perform all sorts of motion in full range and therefore prone to early wear.

On the prevention of cervical degenerative disc disease should think even in childhood.

To the development of cervical degenerative disc disease has a sedentary way of life, and especially the habit of sitting, and stretched his neck forward, intensifying the pressure on the intervertebral discs, which leads to deformities and dehydration polosnyj cores. The deterioration of the cartilage aggravate disorders of the trophic due to compression of blood vessels spasserovannye muscles. Progressive current cervical degenerative disc disease contribute to the following factors:

• congenital anomalies of the structure of the vertebrae;
• endocrine disorders;
• autoimmune connective tissue disorders (rheumatism and systemic lupus erythematosus);
• torticollis newborn;
• dislocation of the head of the hip joint;
• flat feet;
• disorders of the possession of your body and the curvature of the spine;
• injury and microtrauma to the cervical vertebrae;
• smoking and alcohol abuse;
• long-lasting emotional distress;
• a hereditary predisposition.

The development of cervical degenerative disc disease also contributes to long-term intoxication of the organism while staying in environmentally disadvantaged areas, regular contact with harmful substances and the presence of chronic foci of infection in the body.

Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease

In the early stages of degenerative-degenerative process of the disease occurs almost without symptoms. Discomfort in the neck arise only during vigorous movements, for longer preservation of the hard seating posture of your body, and the oblique position of the head, helena, in response to the excessive physical burden. The development of myositis accompanied by a feeling of stiffness and a clear localization of the pain points to spasms in the muscles of the neck.

Decompensated cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by persistent discomfort in the neck, known under the tension of the muscles and limitation of motion of the cervical segment; the forced position of the head, partially smooths out the discomfort. When cornering and slopes of the head is often to hear the crunch of vertebrae. Subluxation of the joints of the intervertebral accompanied by acute burning pain, which is popularly referred to on the shot, and vegetative disorders: abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, darkening in the eyes, heart, outages, etc. Spontaneously reduced subluxation brings quick relief.

In the case of education osteophytes and protrusion on the rear surface of the vertebrae to the overall manifestations of cervical degenerative disc disease later added to the root symptoms:

• headache, localized in the back of the head and the parietal area;
• reduce skin sensitivity on one side of the neck;
• disturbance of speech and numbness of the tongue;
• discomfort on the outer surface of the shoulder;
• the respiratory disorders.

When the loss of osteochondrosis of the third cervical vertebra has it ever occurred to the reflective kardialgichesky syndrome – a severe pain behind the sternum with radiating blade and shoulder, which cause the association of heart attack, especially if painful sensations are accompanied by palpitations, blackouts. In case of defeat of the three lower vertebrae painful sensations and paresthesia spread from the neck to the blade, forearm, brush and fingers. Patients complain of numbness of the upper extremities, burning sensation, pricking helena "chills" in the course of the nerves.

To the development of cervical degenerative disc disease has a sedentary way of life, and especially the habit of sitting, and stretched his neck forward.

Osteophytes, which are located on the lateral surfaces of the vertebrae, squeezing the vertebrae blood vessels, which causes complex disorders of blood circulation, which is called the syndrome of the vertebral artery. This pathology is manifested by frequent attacks of oppressive headache, which spreads from the neck to the crown and whiskey, which in the eyeball. In some cases, instead of a headache celebrates the constant feeling of heaviness in the head. At the same time there has been vegetative symptoms:

• changes in blood pressure;
• seizures heart rate and arrhythmia;
• migrenepodobna unilateral pulsing headaches, accompanied by photophobia, nausea and vomiting;
• disorders of thermoregulation (chills, sweating, cold limbs);
• bouts of dizziness, fainting and drop-attack;
• disorders of coordination of movements;
• the noise and the stuffiness in the ears;
• reduction in visual acuity and auditory disorders: darkening of the and double vision in the eyes, blurred perspective, lightning bolts and multi-colored flies before the eyes;
• sleep disorders;
• increased fatigue and emotional lability.

Diagnosis

Due to the low specificity of symptoms and a large amount of manifestations, the diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease is performed in several stages. You should start with a consultation with a specialist – surgeon, orthopedist, neurologist helena vertebrologist. The likely diagnosis becomes based on the patient's complaints, anamnestic data and results of physical examination. During examination of the patient, the doctor pays attention to the mobility of the neck, the sensitivity of the skin and the painful zone in the segment of the cervical and shoulder girdle strength and muscle tone, the severity of the tendon reflexes.

To determine the phase of the faulty process and the identification of complications of the patient shall be directed towards the MRI of the cervical spine. Thanks to high-quality visualization of the hard and soft tissues on the tomographic visible all the symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease – a reduction in the height of the intervertebral disc, osteophytes, protrusion, extrusion, damage to nerves and blood vessels, calcification of ligaments, a hotbed of resorption of bone tissue, myositis, and stagnant phenomena in the muscles.

Catching an economic matter, cannot long stand on the tips of helena hold hands raised above the head; it is better to use a ladder helen stand on a stool.

In case of unavailability of MRI is performed radiography helena CT scan of the cervical segment to the identification of osteophytes, osteoarthritis and reduced bone density. Changes in the soft tissues shown by ULTRASOUND; for warehouse hemodynamics and assessment of the degree of damage to the blood vessels in the neglected cervical osteochondrosis prescribe a Doppler of the carotid vessels, and for suspected violations of the spinal cord – contrast myelography.

Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine requires a comprehensive treatment. During exacerbations of the main task of the therapy is reduced to alleviate the pain, the relief of the inflammatory process and restore the capillary blood circulation in the affected areas. Patients prescribe analgesics helena non-steroidal anti-inflammatory means, some of which are preferential inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-1 on the basis of diclofenac and nimesulide. When the expression of muscle spasms are advised to wear an orthopedic collar, if necessary, prescribe antispasmodics and muscle relaxants.

When root syndromes with a weak response to treatment treatment resort to x-rays controlled the blockade of disadvantaged roots and steroid injection. For improving metabolism in the intervertebral discs and damaged nerve structures shows year-round intake of vitamins of group In. Complicated extrusion, pinching the spinal cord and refractory painful serves as a testimony to surgical intervention.

A complete restoration of the intervertebral discs in osteochondrosis unlikely, but the help of timely and adequate therapeutic measures can stop helena to slow down the progression of the degenerative-degenerative process.

According to the degree of control of acute symptoms begin a course of physiotherapy, focusing on activating the blood circulation in the damaged parts and the recycling of the products of inflammation. Well they have proven themselves electrophoresis and phonophoresis, magnetotherapy, amplipuls-therapy, shock-wave therapy, UHF and diadynamic.

The rapid recovery of mobility of the cervical support teaching in the groups of exercise therapy, swimming and Aqua fit. You can practice even at home: the most effective exercises with cervical osteochondrosis do not require special equipment and simulators. Day rehabilitation program is designed for 15-20 minutes and includes five simple exercises. Each exercise is repeated 5 times in a slow smooth pace, gradually increasing the number of repetitions to 10-12 times.

1. Twisting and turning the head to the right and to the left at an unchanged position of the head and shoulders.
2. Alternative pressure to the forehead and backset palm with a small muscle tension in the neck area.
3. The tilt of the head, turned back at the cervical of the skull aside. When tilted to the right have to touch right ear to right shoulder, and left ear – to the left shoulder.
4. The pressure of the left temple on the palm of the left hand, then in right temple on the right side.
5. The slope of the chin to the neck with his head first right, then left.

To the means of alternative medicine should be treated with great caution and to coordinate their use with the treating physician. In the absence of contraindications, you can take a course of reflexology, osteopathy and hirudotherapy; manual therapy is strictly contraindicated. Normal therapeutic massage with cervical osteochondrosis gives more than encouraging results, without the patient to unnecessary risk.

Possible complications and consequences

In the area of the neck there is a large amount of vegetative nerve plexus and blood vessels, including the vertebral arteries and the spinal nerve. Joints that connect each speakers to the front edge of the vertebrae, prone to sprains and podpodvrtnutí, and the triangular form of the intervertebral holes in the three lower cervical vertebrae increases the likelihood of retention of the nerve roots of the bone glands and spasserovannye muscles. In consequence, there is the risk of compression syndromes in cervical osteochondrosis higher than in the defeat of the other divisions of the spine.

In the early stages of the disease, complications mostly related to the myositis and muscle spasms. Syndrome front ladder muscle develops during prolonged squeezing of the shoulder nerve plexus and subclavian artery spazmirovannah front ladder muscle. Reflex irritation of the vegetative nerve fibres and a lack of blood supply to muscle tissue is manifested by pain of the forearm and hand, which is amplified in the sloping position of the head and lead hands. When the displacement of the large vessels celebrating the cold weather, and swelling of the limbs.

The emergence of a protrusion and osteophytes visit root syndromes, which, in turn, may be complicated violations of the spinal cord. Compression of the spinal cord often becomes the cause of paralysis of the upper limbs and in the most serious cases has resulted in death due to the severe oppression of the respiratory function. Heavy syndrome of the vertebral artery, which is flowing on the background of pronounced ataxia and decompensated neurocirculatory dysfunction, threatens to turn disabilities and increases the risk of ischemic stroke, ischemia of the spinal cord.

Weather

A complete restoration of the intervertebral discs in osteochondrosis unlikely, but the help of timely and adequate therapeutic measures can stop helena to slow down the progression of the degenerative-degenerative process, prevent complications and maximize the conservation of momentum of the cervical. When neglected osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, elaborate more on the extrusions and compression syndromes, the forecast is more cautious.

Prevention

On the prevention of cervical degenerative disc disease should think even in childhood. The formation of correct posture of your body, a consistent strengthening of the muscle corset back and complete nutrition will help you maintain the health of the spine in adulthood. In the identification of the child's violation of the possession of your body, flat feet and sequelae birth injuries, such as torticollis helena dislocation of the head of the hip joint, should not be neglected rehabilitation mobile: the many pathology of the musculoskeletal system, related to osteochondrosis, successfully made to the ossification of the skeleton.

If the profession of the patient includes a sedentary way of life, it is necessary to pick up ergonomic office chair with the support of the neck, and in the libor friends bedding include a mattress and low hard pillow. Sleep on soft couches and beds of the armored mesh, it is not advisable; it is better to choose a model with a slightly rigid and flat surface. During operation, every 45-60 minutes, it is advisable to perform exercises for the neck, and in his spare time to engage in physical training and more walks. Good effect give swimming lessons and water aerobics, yoga, qi gong and pilates; strength and restrictive measures in the field of traumatic sports it is better to exclude. During exercise it is necessary to avoid sudden movements and keep your back exactly. Catching an economic matter, cannot long stand on the tips of helena hold hands raised above the head; it is better to use a ladder helen stand on a stool. Two-three times a year, does not hurt to go through a course of therapeutic and preventive massage of the neck-collar area.

In the diet should be sufficient amount of protein, vitamins and minerals, on the ability it is necessary to include in the menu, jellies, filler fish and seafood – source of natural collagen. Refusal of bad habits contributes to the maintenance of an active blood circulation in the intervertebral disks.