Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

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

Intervertebral disc dystrophy can develop from the age of 30, and between the ages of 40 and 45 the intervertebral discs become dry and hardened.

The spine contains 7 cervical vertebrae, consisting of a body, processes and a bony arch;In the middle 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 intervertebral discs, which consist of a core, a fibrous ring and a layer - a hyaline plate (cartilage).The cervical vertebrae with the least thickness of the intervertebral discs lie close together;The muscles in the neck area are quite poorly developed, which means that regular strain can lead to disc displacement, which compresses blood vessels and nerve trunks.

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

Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree

Characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs.Cracks form in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the intervertebral disc is impaired, its height decreases, as a result of which the nerve roots are compressed.A characteristic aching pain occurs.Sometimes such pain is absent in stage 1 (preclinical) and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck area.

Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree

If grade 1 osteochondrosis has not been treated or the treatment has not been effective, this is a chronic disease that is grade 2 osteochondrosis.The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compaction of the intervertebral disc continues, leading to slight dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.With cervical osteochondrosis, falling head syndrome can develop at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain and the person is forced to support their head in a fixed position to relieve the pain.

Grade 3 osteochondrosis

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 may decrease because the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc is simply no longer present and therefore there is no source of pain, but the nerve roots remain pinched and the pain does not completely disappear.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

As we age, the core of the intervertebral disc loses moisture reserves and also becomes less elastic.Since metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, regeneration processes come to a standstill in intervertebral discs with poor blood circulation.At a young age, physical inactivity plays the main role in the occurrence of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine - a passive lifestyle, lack of properly organized physical activity.

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

• long driving;
• Working at the computer, sitting for long periods in any position;
• lifting weights regularly;
• Working conditions requiring sudden movements and rotations of the neck;
• bad posture;
• neck and head injuries;
• Disc displacement as a result of sporting activity;
• Obesity, which leads to high stress on the intervertebral discs and dysfunction of the cervical spine;
• Alcohol abuse, smoking, unhealthy diet (due to the harmful effects on metabolic processes);Stress;
• Hypothermia of the throat (for example, without a scarf during the cold season);
• sleeping on high or too soft pillows;
• Heredity (family history of spinal diseases).

Common symptoms of neck osteochondrosis may include:

• Dizziness, migraine-like pain in the head (acute) and dull, pressing pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which can worsen when you move your head;
• lumbago (stinging pain that spreads to the back or arm);
• burning in the back, in the heart;
• stiffness of the neck, arms (especially hands);
• decreased mobility and numbness in the neck in the morning;
• Sensation of pulsation in the back of the head;
• temporary darkness in the eyes, noise in the ear canal, sometimes fainting;
• Thickening of the skin on the spine due to overgrowth of connective tissue.

diagnosis

Most often, the doctor's diagnosis sounds like “cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree”.Why the second one?The fact is that the first degree cannot be diagnosed because the symptoms are too mild.During a preliminary examination, the doctor determines how badly the spine is damaged.The patient is examined in different positions: horizontal, sitting, standing, inclined.By counting the vertebrae, the specialist is guided by anatomical norms and determines the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The examination is not limited to a visual examination - the vertebral deformity can be easily felt by hand.By palpation it is possible to determine the location of the pain and the strength of the tension in the paravertebral muscles.However, in order for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to bring positive results, a hardware examination is necessary.Computed tomography, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging - all these methods allow an absolutely accurate diagnosis and make it possible to choose the optimal method of treatment.

Treatment

How to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?That's the wrong way to ask the question;More specifically, how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, since it is completely impossible to cure osteochondrosis.However, it is quite possible to stop the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and intervertebral discs and eliminate pain and discomfort.However, this is only possible if treatment is started at an early stage of the disease.That is why it is so important to see 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 group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve inflammation;
• antispasmodics – used to relieve spasms;
• painkillers;
• B vitamins;
• reflexology;
• Physiotherapy (Physiotherapy) – eliminates pain and inflammation;
• therapeutic massage – restores blood supply, relieves tension;
• Acupuncture and acupressure.

However, the main method of treating cervical osteochondrosis is dosed physical activity.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis it is recommended:

1. When sitting, take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid neck strain,
2. Do not make sudden head movements, pay attention to your posture,
3. Avoid hypothermia,
4. exercise, swim, eat right,
5. Sleep should be on a firm mattress and a low pillow: the angle of flexion of the neck should be no more than 15 degrees.
6. After 25 years, avoid impact loads on the spine (jumping, running).