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Cervical osteochondrosis: treatment and symptoms

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine signals itself with pain

Neck pain is a warning sign.Maybe it's just over-exertion and you just need to relax and unwind.But what if the pain is related to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?It is important to pay close attention to symptoms and treatment, because complications can affect the most important organ - the brain.

What is cervical osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative disease of the body's osteochondral system.It leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of the bone tissue of the vertebrae and the formation of growths on their surfaces.

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which articulates with the skull.The anatomical and functional unit of the spine is the movement part of the spine.This is a joint complex due to which the spine moves.The complex consists of two vertebrae, an intervertebral disc, the articular surfaces of the vertebrae (facets), nerves, ligaments and muscles.

Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to a disruption of the biomechanics of the spine as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, intervertebral disc herniation and compression of nerve roots and blood vessels can form.

Pathological processes in the intervertebral disc go through four stages: malnutrition, weakening of the ligaments, disc damage and nerve compression.

  • Stage 1

    The nutritional and metabolic conditions of the intervertebral disc are disturbed.Due to their structure, the discs are powered only while in motion.If it is not there, degenerative changes in the tissue begin: the disc is starved and dehydrated.The loss of water leads to the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot perform shock-absorbing functions.The load on the fibrous ring increases, cracks and tears appear in it.At this point, a little pain may occur.

  • Stage 2

    In the second stage, the ligamentous apparatus of the movement part of the spine weakens.The connection becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process in the disc worsens, herniation (prolapse) begins - leakage of the pulp core through cracks in the annulus fibrosus.The pain becomes periodic.

  • Stage 3

    The intervertebral disc is then permanently damaged.The nucleus pulposus of the disc extends beyond the annulus fibrosus.The resulting hernia may impinge on nerve roots.An inflammatory process develops.This is manifested by an exacerbation of pain, the so-called root syndrome.

  • Stage 4

    In the fourth stage, the damage affects nearby tissues.It is possible to compress the root artery, which leads to insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, a part of the spine can become completely immobilized.

First signs and main symptoms

At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, discomfort, limitation of movement and pain in the neck area appear.This is often overlooked.

Over time, the pain intensifies, becomes aching, burning, headache, neck, shoulder blades, shoulders hurt - maybe this is the vertebral artery syndrome.The artery is squeezed or ruptured and blood flow is interrupted.

In stages 1-2 of cervical osteochondrosis, ophthalmological problems associated with spasm in the vessels often appear.Darkness in the eyes, flickering, the appearance of "floaters", colored spots in front of the eyes - all these are symptoms of osteochondrosis.

The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Migraines, dizziness, nausea and cough.
  • Hearing loss, pain in ear, face.
  • Movement disorders in the hands and feet.The sensitivity of the skin on the head may disappear.
  • Pain in the arm.If a nerve root is pinched, then the entire area to which it sends impulses can hurt or "fall out."

In addition to the above symptoms, three main pain syndromes can be distinguished:accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.A syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms.Determining the main pain syndrome is important, since the entire treatment regimen is based on the elimination of pain.But it is impossible to eliminate it without knowing its origin.

  1. Myofascial syndrome- pain in the skeletal muscles and adjacent fascia.The disorder is related to overload, which causes spasm, hypertonicity and painful knots within the muscle (trigger points).
  2. Radical syndrome- pain caused by prolonged compression of the spinal nerve roots.The process of herniation in osteochondrosis of the spine leads to pinching of nerve fibers and subsequent inflammatory reaction.The pain spreads along the nerve.
  3. Facet syndrome- pain in the vertebral joints.The vertebrae from the second cervical have articular processes that are connected to each other by facet joints.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases, and this leads to the fact that the articular capsules of the facet joints are in constant tension.It causes pain.In addition, the pain increases towards the end of the day, especially with prolonged forced standing.

Causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine

One of the main causes of osteochondrosis is the evolutionary maladaptation of the spine to high vertical loads.Human ancestors walked on four legs, as did other mammals.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis, since in a horizontal position of the body the intradiscal pressure is twice lower than in a vertical position.By the standards of evolution, the transition to standing occurred not so long ago, and the spine simply did not have time to adapt to the high vertical load.So, along with walking upright, a person also acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The structure of the human neck makes it even more vulnerable.The human cervical region consists of seven small movable vertebrae, which are articulated together like a child's pyramid.This structure can hardly be called stable outside the resting state.In addition, the muscular framework in this area is weak and the loads can be high - all this makes the neck vulnerable.Any injury is fraught with consequences.Even if the damage was in another part of the spine, redistribution of the load can be the cause of osteochondrosis.

Another factor is aging.The formation of the skeleton and cartilaginous tissue is completed by the age of 21, after which the irreversible process of aging (degeneration) begins.Cartilage tissue is nourished only through diffusion, and if the intervertebral disc does not receive enough nutrients, it gradually begins to wear out.

In addition, the development of cervical osteochondrosis is promoted by:

  1. Autoimmune diseases.They involve the body's own cells in the pathological process of cartilage tissue destruction.
  2. Infections, hormonal imbalance, slow metabolism - all these circulatory disorders can also serve as factors for the development of osteochondrosis.
  3. A sedentary lifestyle, working conditions in which a person spends most of his time in a forced static position.
  4. High loads that lead to injury can lead to compression.
  5. Genetic defects associated with weakness of the musculoskeletal system and inferiority of cartilage tissue.

The spinal canal in the cervical spine is very narrow, so high loads, any disorder or injury can lead to compression of the spinal cord.And this is very dangerous.

In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass through this area.If blood stops flowing to the brain in the right volume, a stroke can occur.

Diagnostics

During the initial diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor collects the patient's medical history.He finds out what hurts and how, with what intensity, during exercise or at rest, what time of day it hurts the most, if there have been injuries to the cervical spine.

During a neck examination, the doctor feels the cervical vertebrae and muscles, lymph nodes.assess range of motion, rule out or confirm radicular syndrome.

After that, to rule out autoimmune diseases, laboratory diagnostics are prescribed: general blood test, ESR, rheumatoid factor, HLA B27 antigen.

Radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play a major role in diagnosis.

  • X-rayhelps to assess the condition of bone structures.Soft tissues and cartilage are not shown in the images.To visualize these structures, a contrast agent is injected: angiography, discography, myelography.
  • computed tomography (CT).This method also uses the principle of radiography, but with the help of computer processing it is possible to obtain a series of images of longitudinal and cross sections in which bone and cartilage tissue can be seen.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).It is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissues.MRI provides information not only about the structure of organs and tissues, but also about their function.In the case of osteochondrosis, a frequent complication is spinal hernia.MRI allows you to diagnose the process of hernia formation in the initial stages.

Treatment

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine results in conservative methods.Initially, the pain syndrome is relieved, and then various procedures are prescribed.But in the most extreme cases, when the pain does not go away for more than three months and drugs do not help, surgery is the only option.

Non-surgical methods of treatment

Osteochondrosis has affected the osteochondrosis system for many years, so healing will take time.You must have patience.Goals of conservative treatment:

  1. Eliminate pain.
  2. Relieve inflammation.
  3. Restore the functions of the spinal roots.
  4. Strengthening of the muscle corset and ligaments.

Conservative treatment includes drug therapy and physical therapy.Medicines help relieve pain during a flare-up and physiotherapy helps start the body's self-healing processes.

During severe pain with root syndrome, so-called "blocks" are performed: the drug is administered in the immediate vicinity of the inflamed spinal nerve root.

Physiotherapy treatment is based on natural and artificially recreated natural factors: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser and others.To recreate them, special devices, devices and manual techniques are used.

  • Laser treatment— biological activation of intervertebral disc regeneration processes.The body begins to heal itself.
  • Plasma therapy (PRP therapy)- injections of plasma isolated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors and hormones.After injections, local immunity increases and regeneration processes begin.
  • Acupuncture- stimulation of nerve endings with special needles.Improves metabolism in the affected areas, relieves pain.
  • Shock wave therapy- exposure to high frequency waves.Allows you to start physical recovery processes.
  • Physiotherapy- kinetic therapy.It can be active (physical therapy) and passive (massage, traction).Gymnastics strengthens the back muscles, traction relieves tension and pain.It is selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
  • Manual therapy and massage- impact on soft tissues and joints in order to restore balance in the body and synchronize processes.Restore mobility and eliminate pain.
  • Taping- gluing special patches to the skin in places where it is necessary to affect the stretch and compression receptors of the muscles.It can relax and tone up.

In periods of acute pain, the patient is advised to wear special bandages and collars around the neck to relieve the load on the spine.

The positive effect of conservative treatment is achieved within 2-3 months.If there is no result, the patient is advised to undergo surgery.

Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis

Surgery in the case of cervical osteochondrosis is an extreme measure that requires special indications.Surgery is recommended if:

  1. Pain cannot be relieved by treatment for more than 3 months.
  2. There is a herniated disc.
  3. Loss of sensation in the extremity.

Post-operative recovery also takes time and may include medical treatment.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.It cannot be left without treatment.Such severe disorders of the musculoskeletal system can lead to disability.Neck pain can become chronic and osteochondrosis can spread to many parts of the spine.Early prevention can prevent the development of this disease.

Prevention

To keep your cervical spine healthy, daily physical activity is essential.Nutrition of the intervertebral discs occurs during movement, so it is extremely necessary.It is important that loads are optimal and regular.

If the work involves constant standing in a static position, periodic warm-up is necessary.And at home after a working day, you can lie on your back for a while on a flat surface, placing a pillow under your neck.This method will help restore the cervical curve of the spine and remove muscle tension.

In the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, the correct posture during sleep is important.If a person gets up in the morning with neck pain, it means that the muscles did not have time to rest and recover.An orthopedic pillow will help here, which is selected individually for 3-5 years.