Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Every second inhabitant of the earth faces spinal problems.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 result in a fatal outcome.

Phases

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

There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Initial phase.Characterized by disorders 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 the pathology can be identified, it is possible to completely restore the damaged intervertebral discs.The first stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for starting treatment.
2. Second phaseThe disease is associated with a worsening of the condition of the tissues of the intervertebral discs.They are considerably small in size.This causes the muscular corset and spinal ligaments to fail.Instability of the cervical spine occurs and the mobility of the vertebrae increases.Often at this stage the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. To the third phasethe deformation of the spine becomes evident.Protrusions and hernias occur.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become pronounced.
4. Fourth phaseaccompanied 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.

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 the pathology are distinguished, as well as the associated symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain transmits from the cervical region to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation in different parts of the upper limbs and a goosebump effect.
2. Vertebral artery syndromecauses circulatory disorders in the brain.Accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision disorders and disorders of the vestibular system.It can cause sharp or stabbing headaches in the occipital, parietal, temporal, and superciliary regions.
3. For cardiac syndromeThe symptoms of osteochondrosis can be confused with angina pectoris.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 you experience such symptoms, 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 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, further research is needed.The main methods of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. X-ray.The most accessible instrumental method.Almost every clinic has a minimum technical basis for conducting such a study.An x-ray provides information about the location and severity of the disease process.It allows you to determine what consequences caused osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.To obtain a complete picture of the disease, x-rays are taken in several 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, it is possible to determine the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of protrusion and hernia.Computed tomography perfectly visualizes the state of all components of the spinal region with the exception of the intervertebral discs.
3. magnetic resonance imaging.The most accurate and informative method of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The resulting images allow you to evaluate the condition of the spinal segments, nerves and blood vessels.This is possible due to the absence of images of other organs on the projection.MRI helps to identify the location of damaged segments, establish 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 disease 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 ages can suffer from the disease.This is due to a large number of unfavorable factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and poor nutrition.

The question of the correct treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant.Therapy can be conservative (in non-advanced cases) or surgical (seized hernias).

If a patient has signs of osteochondrosis, the treatment regimen should be selected individually for the individual 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 therapy for 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 any method;it is important to use an integrated approach.

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

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Treatment with drugs.This method is characterized by the use of drugs of various effects: analgesics, antispasmodics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, condoprotectors, 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 reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism, and also allow you to reduce doses of medications.To treat 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 selected by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The goals of this method include normalizing muscle tone, improving blood circulation and eliminating deformation 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 must be combined with medications, physiotherapy and physical therapy.
4. Physical therapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be alleviated by performing a course of special exercises.This allows you to develop muscles and significantly reduce the load on the damaged segments of the spine.A set 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 recommended to engage in physical therapy when pain occurs.

Surgical method

If cervical osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be required.Most often this occurs with spinal cord compression or herniated disc.

The purpose of surgery is to eliminate compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as 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 disk reconstruction.During the operation, a needle is inserted into the affected area and a special wire is passed through it.Under the influence of laser energy, the intervertebral disc heats up.This stimulates cell growth and within 3-6 months they fill all the gaps formed due to 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, compression of the spinal cord and nerve endings is removed and artificial implants or special metal structures are installed.They correct the fold 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 surgery include damage to the nerve endings or spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal due to scarring, development of infections and many other unpleasant consequences.

Prevention methods

Neck osteochondrosis can develop in both women and men at any age.Many factors contribute to this.The onset of the disease can be prevented with 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, distribute the load evenly when moving heavy objects and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do gymnastic exercises regularly to strengthen your neck muscles.
3. Strengthen yourself.
4. Maintain balance in your food intake.
5. Give up bad habits.

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