Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis is a complex of dystrophic and degenerative disorders in the cartilage tissue of the vertebral discs.The disease can develop in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.Osteochondrosis is accompanied by pain and disruption of the vascular and nervous system.

This type of disease is the most common and occurs even in young people.Cervical osteochondrosis is the most dangerous, because it is accompanied by pinching of the nerve root coming out of the spinal cord and disturbed intracranial circulation as a result of the pressure of the deformed intervertebral discs on the blood vessels.

The vertebral artery, the largest blood vessel supplying the brain, passes through openings in the cervical vertebrae.Pressure on this artery can lead to dangerous complications such as coronary artery disease and even stroke.

The tight adhesion of the cervical vertebrae to each other leads to the fact that their slightest movement leads to compression of nerves and blood vessels.This leads to a decrease in skin sensitivity, partial loss of hearing and vision and other nervous disorders.

Reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is caused by internal (endogenous) causes and external (exogenous) causes.

Internal reasons include:

• Genetic (hereditary) factors;
• Disorders of intrauterine development of cartilage and bone tissue of the spine;
• Age-related factors affecting changes in cartilage tissue;
• Metabolic disorders.

External reasons are more diverse:

• Excessive pressure on the vertebrae due to improper loading;
• Various injuries and damage to the spine and back (bruises, falls, sprains, fractures);
• Infectious diseases;
• Spinal muscular dystrophy;
• Poor posture in the form of slouching and S-shaped curvature of the spine;
• Working in an awkward position;
• Pulling heavy objects;
• Flat feet;
• Excess weight;
• intoxication;
• hypothermia;
• Uncomfortable sleeping pillows;
• Adverse environmental conditions;
• Lack of vitamins or trace elements (calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, vitamin D);
• Physical inactivity (lack of physical activity).

Cervical osteochondrosis develops more often in people who lead a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and are engaged in mental activity, but sometimes it also occurs in athletes, loaders or people whose work involves frequent bending and sudden movements.

Symptoms

Manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are quite diverse.This includes:

• Pain in the neck, which spreads to the back of the head, the area around the ears, the shoulder girdle;
• Pain in the upper extremities, which worsens with the slightest exertion;
• Muscle tension and limited mobility of the neck, especially in the morning;
• Pain when bending and turning the head;
• Numbness in cervical spine after sleep;
• Difficulty in moving the hands, reduced range of motion;
• Burning, numbness and tingling in the upper extremities;
• Headaches that are localized primarily in the back of the head, but can also spread to the temples and parietal area;
• tinnitus;
• Deterioration of sight and hearing (occasional and permanent);
• Numbness of the tongue;
• Pain in the area of the chest or between the shoulder blades, which is not eliminated by nitroglycerin and depends on the position of the body;
• Excessive growth of connective tissue in the cervical region;
• Constant tiredness and fatigue;
• Drowsiness;
• Nausea;
• Diplopia (double vision);
• Cracking in the vertebrae.

Course of the disease and possible complications

Even a slight load on the upper part can lead to the development of cervical osteochondrosis - this area of the spine is very vulnerable.Degenerative changes that lead to the formation of osteophytes (growths on bone tissue) contribute to the irritation and tension of the nearby muscles, which in response to the impact create even more pressure on the cartilage and joints.This leads to disease progression - compression of arteries and nerves.

If the disease is not treated, protrusions and hernias appear in the intervertebral discs, which leads to a significant decrease in the mobility of the spine and may require surgical intervention.

With serious degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue and lack of treatment, the so-called "radicular syndrome" - damage to the cervical nerves - can develop.This leads to the intensification and progression of all the above-mentioned symptoms, and can also cause speech, breathing, and even such a rare phenomenon as constant hiccups.

The inflamed root can gradually occupy the entire area of the spinal canal, which causes increased pain syndromes and serious disorders in the nervous regulation of the limbs and facial muscles.A disorder of cerebral circulation can cause a weakening of intellectual abilities, memory, attention and lead to a stroke.

Osteochondrosis occurs with periods of exacerbations, when all symptoms appear particularly sharply, and periods of remission.The duration of remission depends on the patient's lifestyle and the preventive measures he takes.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made on the basis of characteristic symptoms, as well as using:

• X-rays.The method is ineffective, especially in the last stages of the development of osteochondrosis.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the cervical spine.A method that allows you to see bone structures, herniated intervertebral discs, their size and direction of development.
• Computed tomography.A less effective solution than MRI, because the presence and size of the hernia is difficult to determine.
• Doppler ultrasound (to identify pathologies of cervical vessels).This method is used in cases where a disorder of blood flow in the arteries is suspected.Using the scan, you can determine the speed of blood flow and whether there are any obstacles to it.

Treatment

It is more recommended to treat osteochondrosis in the initial stages of the pathology, however, in practice, doctors are advised when the disease develops into more dangerous stages.Self-treatment of osteochondrosis is unacceptable and can cause deterioration of the general condition.

The therapeutic effect in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis brings positive results with an integrated approach - a combination of medical methods and physiotherapy.

Drug treatment

Medicines effectively alleviate (eliminate) the symptoms of pain, but do not affect the cause of the pathology, so it is unreasonable to treat it only with medicines.

Medicines from the NSAID group relieve pain and inflammation well - the most appropriate medicine is prescribed by a doctor.

Medicines to improve cerebral circulation and medicines that affect the relaxation of the neck muscles are also used.Vitamins in therapeutic doses (especially group B and nicotinic acid) and microelements (preparations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) help.

Treatment with chondroprotectors (nutritional supplements) that restore intervertebral tissues is practiced, but some doctors believe that these drugs are ineffective or even useless for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Ointments and gels for external use have a certain therapeutic effect.

Physiotherapy and alternative treatment

In specialized clinics that deal with orthopedics and the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, preference is given to physiotherapy rather than medical methods.Based on a detailed study of the anamnesis (anamnesis) and extended diagnosis, doctors create special individual therapeutic programs, which include:

• Electrophoresis (administration of medicinal substances through the skin using electrodes);
• Magnetotherapy (exposure to magnetic fields);
• Amplipuls therapy (treatment with modulated currents);
• Reflexology;
• Orthopedic gymnastics;
• Teaching on special simulators;
• Massage;
• Methods of manual influence;
• Ultrasound therapy;
• Laser therapy.

Treatment of osteochondrosis with non-traditional methods is popular - acupuncture, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), osteopathy.

In advanced cases and in the presence of complications, doctors resort to surgery.

Prevention

Since the most common cause of cervical osteochondrosis is lack of movement and improper body position, the best preventive measure would be therapeutic exercises that can be performed at the workplace - in a sitting or standing position.

To prevent the disease, it is necessary to visit an orthopedist from an early age and correct postural disorders in a timely manner.

It also prevents osteochondrosis with proper nutrition, which provides the body with the necessary microelements.At the same time, overeating should not be allowed, because excess weight is one of the reasons for excessive load on the spinal discs.

When carrying heavy objects, be careful and distribute the load properly.

The sleeping place, mattress and pillow play a big role - they should be comfortable and not create tension in the muscles of the back and neck.

And most importantly, avoid stress, nervous tension and negative emotions.

Forecast

With timely and qualified treatment, the prognosis is favorable, but much depends on the stage of the disease, the severity of the manifestations, the age of the patient and his compliance with medical recommendations regarding lifestyle, proper nutrition and elimination of bad habits.