Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

Every second inhabitant of the earth faces problems with the spine.Osteochondrosis of the neck is one of the most common diseases that require special attention.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences.In particularly advanced cases, complications can provoke a fatal outcome.

Stages

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men develops gradually and there are periods of exacerbation of 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.It is characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral discs.Due to loss of moisture, they become thinner.Cracks appear on the fibrous rings.Often at this stage there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if the pathology can be identified, it is possible to completely restore the damaged intervertebral discs.The first stage of the development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for starting treatment.
2. Second stageThe disease is associated with deterioration of the tissue condition of the intervertebral discs.They are significantly reduced in size.This causes the muscular corset and spinal ligaments to sag.Instability of the cervical spine appears and the mobility of the vertebrae increases.Often, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear at this stage.
3. In the third stagespinal deformity becomes apparent.Protrusions and hernias appear.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become pronounced.
4. Fourth stageaccompanied by the formation of osteophytes, ossification (ossification) of ligaments and other deformations.These signs of osteochondrosis are evidence that the body is trying in every way to stabilize the damaged segments of the spine.

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

Manifestations

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

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain is transmitted from the cervical spine to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation in various parts of the upper limbs and a goosebump effect.
2. Vertebral artery syndromeprovokes disorders of blood circulation in the brain.Accompanied by weakness, nausea, impairment of hearing and vision and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.It can cause a sharp or throbbing headache in the occipital, parietal, temporal and superciliary regions.
3. For heart syndromesymptoms of osteochondrosis can be mistaken for angina pectoris.Attacks of pain can last several hours and are accompanied by extrasystole or tachycardia.
4. Irritative-reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes sharp attacks of pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations are transmitted to the shoulder or chest area.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 a specific diagnosis, the doctor must find out exactly what symptoms caused the patient's anxiety and then conduct an examination.

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

1. Radiography.The most accessible instrumental method.Almost every clinic has a minimal technical base for conducting such research.X-ray provides information about the localization and severity of the pathological process.It allows you to determine what consequences osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae caused.In order to get a complete picture of the disease, X-rays are taken in different projections.
2. Computed tomography.It 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 protrusion and hernia.Computed tomography perfectly visualizes the condition of all components of the spinal region except for the intervertebral discs.
3. MRI.The most accurate and informative method for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The resulting images allow you to assess the condition of the spinal segments, nerves and blood vessels.This becomes possible due to the lack of images of other organs in the projection.Magnetic resonance imaging helps to identify the location of damaged segments, detect tissue changes, 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.Both women and men of all age groups can suffer from the disease.This is due to a large number of adverse factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and improper nutrition.

The issue of proper treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very important.Therapy can be conservative (in non-advanced cases) or surgical (sequestered hernia).

If the patient has signs of osteochondrosis, the treatment regimen should be selected 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 must be prescribed by a doctor after a complete 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 pathology and complications.To achieve a favorable result in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is not enough to use one method;it is important to use an integrated approach.

In the first stages of therapy, the doctors' recommendations are aimed at eliminating pain and restoring blood circulation.At the next stage, you can move on to physiotherapy procedures, manual therapy and exercise therapy.

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Drug treatment.This method is characterized by the use of drugs with different effects: analgesics, antispasmodics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, sedatives, vitamins, minerals.Drug treatment can 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 in case of 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 the pathology.Physiotherapy procedures help to reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism and also allow you to reduce the doses of drugs.For the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis with the use of drugs, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy and magnetic therapy can be prescribed.Each of these types of physiotherapy procedures has its own contraindications.For this reason, the method of treatment must be chosen by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The goals of this method include normalizing muscle tone, improving blood circulation, and eliminating deformity in the cervical vertebrae.The therapeutic effect is achieved by applying physical impact in the form of pressure, vibration and friction.In order to achieve a noticeable long-term effect, manual therapy should be combined with drugs, physical therapy and exercise therapy.
4. Physical therapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be alleviated by conducting a course of special exercises.This allows you to develop the muscles and significantly reduce the load on the damaged segments of the spine.The complex of gymnastic exercises can be selected only 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 engage in physical therapy when pain occurs.

Surgical method

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

The purpose of the surgical intervention is to eliminate compression of the 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 removal of the intervertebral disc.The procedure is performed using microsurgical instruments.This reduces damage to the surrounding tissue.
• Laser disc reconstruction.During the operation, a needle is inserted into the affected area through which a special cable is passed.Under the influence of laser energy, the intervertebral disc is heated.This stimulates the growth of cells and within 3-6 months they fill all the cavities formed as a result of the disease.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.
• Arthrodesis.All manipulations are performed through a small incision in the front or back of the neck.As a result of the operation, the compression of the spinal cord and nerve endings is removed and artificial implants or special metal structures are installed.They correct the bending line 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 the operation include damage to nerve endings or the spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal as a result of scars, the development of infections and many other unpleasant consequences.

Prevention methods

Osteochondrosis of the neck can develop in both women and men of any age.Many factors contribute to this.The occurrence of the disease can be prevented by simple preventive measures.To do this, just follow some 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. Regularly do gymnastic exercises to strengthen the neck muscles.
3. Get tough.
4. Maintain a balance in your food intake.
5. Give up bad habits.

It is important to remember that preventing the development of pathology is much easier than dealing with its long and expensive treatment later.Observing simple measures to prevent the disease will allow you to never find out what cervical osteochondrosis is.