Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathological condition in which degenerative changes occur in bone and cartilage tissue.

Dystrophy of the intervertebral discs can develop after the age of 30, while at the age of 40-45 they become dry and hardened.

The spinal column contains 7 cervical vertebrae, which consist of the body, appendages and bony arch;In the center of the vertebra there is a hole in which the spinal cord is located.The individual elements of the spine are connected to each other by means of intervertebral discs formed by a core, a fibrous ring and a layer - a hyaline plate (cartilage).The cervical vertebrae, which have the smallest thickness of discs, fit tightly together;the muscles in the neck area are rather poorly developed, which is why, with regular exercise, a displacement of the disc can occur, which compresses blood vessels and nerve trees.

The disease goes through several stages in its development, during which the spine undergoes pathological changes:

1st degree osteochondrosis

It is characterized by the beginning of destruction of the intervertebral discs.Cracks appear in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the disc is impaired, its height decreases, due to which the nerve roots are compressed.A characteristic aching pain appears.Sometimes in stage 1 (preclinical) such pain may be absent, and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck area.

Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree

If osteochondrosis of the 1st degree was not treated or the treatment was not effective, a chronic condition occurs, which is osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree.The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compaction of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to slight dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.In cervical osteochondrosis, head drop syndrome may develop at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain, and the person is forced to support the head in a fixed position to reduce the pain.

Osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree

The fibrous ring is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis - protrusion (impingement) of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.In stage 3 of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain can decrease, because the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc simply no longer exists, and therefore there is no source of pain, however, pinching of the nerve roots remains, so the pain does not disappear completely.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

With aging, the core of the intervertebral disc loses moisture reserves and becomes less elastic.Since the metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, the processes of regeneration of discs with poor blood supply stop.At a young age, the main role in the development of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is played by physical inactivity - passive lifestyle, lack of properly organized physical activity.

Factors that contribute to poor circulation in the cervical vertebrae and intervertebral space are:

• driving a car for a long time;
• working at the computer, sitting for a long time in any position;
• regular weight lifting;
• working conditions involving sudden movements and door turns;
• bad posture;
• neck and head injuries;
• disc displacement as a result of sports training;
• excess weight, which leads to a high load on the intervertebral discs and dysfunction of the cervicothoracic spine;
• alcohol abuse, smoking, unhealthy diet (due to harmful effects on metabolic processes);stress;
• neck hypothermia (for example, in the absence of scarves during the cold period);
• sleeping on high or too soft pillows;
• heredity (family history of spinal diseases).

Common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include:

• dizziness, migraine-like pain in the head (acute), as well as dull, pressing pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which may increase when moving the head;
• lumbago (sharp pain that spreads to the back or arm);
• burning in the back, heart;
• stiffness of the neck, arms (especially hands);
• reduced mobility and numbness of the neck in the morning;
• a throbbing sensation in the back of the head;
• temporary darkness in the eyes, noise in the ear canal, sometimes fainting;
• thickening of the skin in the spine due to the proliferation of connective tissue.

Diagnostics

Most often, the medical diagnosis sounds like "cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree".Why second immediately?The fact is that the first degree cannot be diagnosed because the symptoms are too weak.During the preliminary examination, the doctor determines how damaged the spinal column is.For this, the patient is examined in different positions: horizontal, sitting, standing, inclined.By counting the vertebrae, the specialist focuses on anatomical norms and determines the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The examination is not limited to a visual examination - the deformity of the vertebrae can easily be felt by hand.Palpation makes it possible to determine the location of pain and the strength of tension in the paravertebral muscles.But still, in order for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to bring positive results, it is necessary to undergo a hardware examination.Computed tomography, X-ray, magnetic resonance - all these methods make the diagnosis perfectly accurate and allow you to choose the optimal method of treatment.

Treatment

How to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?This is the wrong way to ask the question;more precisely, how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, because osteochondrosis is completely impossible to cure.But it is quite possible to stop the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and intervertebral discs, and get rid of pain and discomfort.But this is possible only if the treatment is started at an early stage of the disease.That is why it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be comprehensive.

The treatment regimen can be presented as follows:

• drugs from the NSAID group (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve inflammation;
• antispasmodics - to relieve spasms;
• pain relievers;
• B vitamins;
• reflexology;
• physical therapy (physical therapy) - removes pain and inflammation;
• therapeutic massage - restores blood supply, relieves tension;
• acupuncture and acupressure.

But the most important method of treating cervical osteochondrosis is dosed physical activity.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to:

1. when you work sitting, be sure to take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid stress on your neck,
2. do not make sudden head movements, watch your posture,
3. avoid hypothermia,
4. exercise, swim, eat right,
5. sleep on a firm mattress and on a low pillow: the bending angle of the neck should not exceed 15 degrees,
6. after 25 years, avoid impact loads on the spine (jumping, running).