Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Every second person on earth faces spinal problems.Osteochondrosis of the neck is one of the most common diseases requiring special attention.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences.In particularly advanced cases, complications can be fatal.

Steps

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men develops gradually and has periods of increased symptoms and remissions.Signs of the disease appear when the process of destruction of the vertebrae reaches a serious stage.

There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Initial stage.Characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral discs.Due to moisture loss, they become thinner.Cracks appear on the fibrous rings.Often at this stage there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if pathology can be identified, it is possible to completely restore damaged intervertebral discs.The first stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for the start of treatment.
2. Second stepThe disease is associated with a worsening of the condition of the tissues of the intervertebral discs.Their size is considerably reduced.This causes the muscular corset and ligaments of the spine to sag.Instability of the cervical spine occurs and the mobility of the vertebrae increases.Often at this stage the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. At the third stageSpinal deformity becomes evident.Protrusions and hernias appear.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become pronounced.
4. Step fouraccompanied by the formation of osteophytes, ossification (ossification) of ligaments and other deformations.These signs of osteochondrosis indicate that the body is trying by all means to stabilize the damaged segments of the spine.

The particularity of the cervical spine is the small distance between the vertebrae.When structural disruptions of these segments occur, pinching of the spinal cord, nerve endings and vessels of the circulatory system occurs.

Demonstrations

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may depend on which part of the spine the affected object is located.The following mechanisms of the negative impact of pathology are distinguished, as well as associated symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain is transmitted from the cervical region to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation in different parts of the upper limbs and a goosebumps effect.
2. Vertebral artery syndromecauses circulatory disorders in the brain.Accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and visual impairment, and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.May cause sharp or throbbing headaches in the occipital, parietal, temporal and superciliary regions.
3. For cardiac syndromesymptoms of osteochondrosis can be confused with angina.Pain attacks can last several hours and are accompanied by extrasystole or tachycardia.
4. Irritant reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes acute attacks of pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations are transmitted to the shoulder or thoracic region.They appear when moving after a long period of rest.

It is unacceptable to ignore these signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women.

If such symptoms appear, you should contact a neurologist as soon as possible.

Types of diagnostics

Cervical osteochondrosis has symptoms similar to many other pathologies.Therefore, before making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must determine exactly which symptoms caused the patient's concern, and then conduct an examination.

Based on his observations, the specialist can make a preliminary diagnosis.But to more precisely establish the causes of the pathology, additional research is needed.The main methods of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. X-ray.The most accessible instrumental method.Almost all clinics have a minimum technical base for conducting such a study.An x-ray provides information about the location and severity of the pathological process.Allows you to determine what consequences caused osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.To get a complete picture of the disease, x-rays are taken in different projections.
2. CT scan.Allows you to see all the changes in the structure of the spinal tissues, thanks to the possibility of layer-by-layer examination.Using this method, you can determine the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of a protrusion and hernia.CT scan perfectly visualizes the condition of all components of the spinal region with the exception of the intervertebral discs.
3. MRI.The most accurate and informative method for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The images obtained allow you to assess the condition of the spinal segments, nerves and blood vessels.This becomes possible thanks to the absence of images of other organs on the projection.Magnetic resonance imaging helps to identify the location of damaged segments, establish changes in tissues, narrowing of the spinal canal, as well as degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc such as protrusion and herniation.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is associated with a degenerative disorder of the structure of the intervertebral discs, as well as the tissues and ligaments of the spine located next to them.Women and men of all ages can suffer from the disease.This is due to a large number of adverse factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and poor diet.

The question of proper treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant.Treatment can be either conservative (in non-advanced cases) or surgical (sequestered hernias).

If a patient has signs of osteochondrosis, the treatment regimen should be chosen individually for each patient.The therapeutic program may depend on the following factors:

• stages of the disease;
• period of exacerbation or remission;
• individual characteristics of the patient.

Treatment of osteochondrosis should be prescribed by a doctor after a comprehensive examination of the patient and an accurate diagnosis.

Conservative methods

The main goal of treatment of degenerative changes in the spine is to prevent the development of pathologies and complications.To achieve a favorable result in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is not enough to use just one method;it is important to use an integrated approach.

In the initial stages of treatment, doctors' recommendations are aimed at eliminating pain and restoring circulatory function.At the next stage, you can move on to physiotherapeutic procedures, manual therapy and exercise therapy.

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Treatment with medications.This method is characterized by the use of drugs with various effects: analgesics, antispasmodics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondoprotectors, sedatives, vitamins, minerals.Drug treatment may be prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease with significant pain and increased muscle tone.Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated with ointments or gels only with mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are not effective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical factors (magnetic fields, ultrasound, low-frequency currents) can be applied at any stage of the development of pathology.Physiotherapeutic procedures help reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism, and also allow you to reduce medication doses.To cure cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis with drug administration, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy and magnetic therapy can be prescribed.Each of these types of physiotherapeutic procedures has its own contraindications.For this reason, the treatment method should be chosen by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The goals of this method include normalization of muscle tone, improvement of blood circulation and elimination of deformities of the cervical spine.The therapeutic effect is achieved by applying physical influence in the form of pressure, vibration and friction.To achieve a noticeable long-term effect, manual therapy should be combined with medication, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
4. Physiotherapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be alleviated by performing a set of special exercises.This allows you to build muscle and significantly reduce the load on damaged segments of the spine.A set of gymnastic exercises can only be selected by the attending physician, taking into account the characteristics of the patient.It is recommended to start classes under the supervision of a specialist.It is not advisable to undergo physical therapy for pain.

Surgical method

If cervical osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, surgical intervention may be necessary.Most often, this occurs during spinal cord compression or a herniated disc.

The goal of the surgical operation is to eliminate compression of nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the cervical spine.In this case, the following methods are used:

• Discectomy– complete or partial elimination of the intervertebral disc.The procedure is performed using microsurgical instruments.This reduces damage to surrounding tissues.
• Laser disc reconstruction.During the operation, a needle is inserted into the affected area and a special cable is passed through it.Under the influence of laser energy, the intervertebral disc heats up.This stimulates cell growth, and within 3 to 6 months they fill in all the gaps formed as a result of the disease.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.
• Arthrodesis.All manipulations are carried out through a small incision in the front or back of the neck.As a result of the operation, compression of the spinal cord and nerve endings is removed and artificial implants or special metal structures are installed.They correct the line of curvature of physiological lordosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated surgically only in the most difficult cases of the disease.This is associated with a high risk of complications.Possible consequences of surgical intervention include damage to nerve endings or spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal due to scarring, development of infections and many other unpleasant consequences.

Prevention methods

Osteochondrosis of the neck can develop in both women and men at any age.Many factors contribute to this.The onset of the disease can be avoided by simple preventive measures.To do this, just follow a few basic rules:

1. Do not expose your spine to heavy loads.Avoid sudden movements and injuries, periodically change your body position, evenly distribute the load when moving heavy objects, and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do gymnastic exercises regularly to strengthen your neck muscles.
3. Harden yourself.
4. Maintain balance in your diet.
5. Give up bad habits.

It is important to remember that it is much easier to prevent the development of pathology than to deal with its long and expensive treatment later.Following simple measures to prevent the disease will allow you to never know what cervical osteochondrosis is.