Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a change in the cartilaginous and nearby muscular-ligamentous structures, causing the loss of their regenerative capabilities. In the first stages of this process, there is a gradual decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc. Because of this, there is a violation of metabolic processes in its core and the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring.
In the absence of timely treatment, osteophytes appear on the cartilaginous tissue and bones. Because of this, the mobility of the cervical spine is significantly reduced, leading to the appearance of a pronounced pain syndrome. According to studies conducted in many countries of the world, almost every person by the age of 30-35 has various signs of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of various stages of osteochondrosis
Depending on the stage and severity of the disease, the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can be:
- headache;
- noise or ringing in the ears;
- severe nausea;
- lack of coordination;
- pain and crunching when turning the head;
- deterioration of vision and hearing.
Do not forget that cervical osteochondrosis refers to chronic diseases in which the symptoms vary depending on a certain stage of the development of the disease. Because of this, the patient may experience some signs that indicate a specific stage of changes in the cervical spine:
- Tolerable pain in the neck that occurs during physical activity, as well as discomfort during normal head turns, appear at the initial stage of the disease, when there is a slight decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc of the cervical spine.
- Sharp pain and a feeling of stiffness when turning the neck, as well as crunching and headaches appear during the period of abnormal growth of cartilage tissue, with a decrease in the height of the spinal disc and the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring.
- Acute pain in the neck that does not go away for a long time, numbness and partial loss of sensitivity of skin areas in the cervical region are recorded when the fibrous ring is ruptured and intervertebral hernias form, as well as when the spinal column is deformed.
Loss of mobility of the neck and upper shoulder girdle with severe pain lasting for a long time is one of the pronounced signs of cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree, when numerous osteophytes develop and the structures of the intervertebral disc are gradually replaced by scar tissue.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main cause of problems with the cervical spine is an unbalanced and excessive load. As a rule, osteochondrosis occurs due to age-related changes in the spinal column, injuries to the cervical spine or metabolic disorders. In addition, the following factors contribute to the appearance of this disease:
- genetic predisposition. If a person has a congenital weakness of the connective tissue, he may experience impaired functioning of the cervicothoracic spine.
- Vertebral instability. Increased mobility of the upper part of the spine very often leads to a deterioration in the depreciation properties of the intervertebral discs.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The mobility of the cervical spine is very often reduced due to anomalies in the development of the skeletal system, scoliosis, flat feet and rheumatic diseases.
- Low physical activity. A sedentary and sedentary lifestyle contributes to the deformation of the vertebrae and degradation of the connective tissue.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
To identify the causes of the disease, it is mandatory to conduct a survey and examination of the patient, determine the zones of pain and the degree of mobility of the spinal column, and evaluate the quality of the reflexes.
Various methods are used to diagnose this disease, including:
- Radiography and multislice computed tomography. These methods of instrumental diagnostics have proven themselves best for determining changes in the cervical spine in the later stages of the development of the disease, when lesions of the bones and cartilage of the spinal column become clearly visible.
- magnetic resonance imaging. Currently, to determine the changes occurring in the cervical spine, this diagnostic method is most often used, since with its help the doctor can detect the disease at the earliest stage of its occurrence.
- Duplex scanning of the arteries of the head and neck. This type of instrumental examination is carried out to assess the quality of blood flow and identify vasoconstriction. It is this method that is most often used by doctors to determine the causes of headaches and dizziness in patients.
Additionally, ultrasound examination of nearby organs, ECG of the heart, blood and urine tests may be prescribed.
Expert opinion
Despite the fact that this disease cannot be completely cured, you should not be too afraid of it. If adequate measures are taken in a timely manner, then almost any manifestation of the disease can be minimized. For example, you need to learn how to constantly monitor the correct position of the body, as this can increase the load on the spine. In addition, we must not forget that some sports are dangerous for the cervical spine.
I strongly advise many of my patients to avoid competitive sports where there is a high risk of injury of all kinds. It is better to make a choice in favor of hiking, skiing and swimming. Such physical activity will positively affect all parts of the spine.
Conservative methods of treatment of osteochondrosis
If the disease of the cervical spine was detected at an early stage, then conservative methods are used to treat it. They allow you to prevent further development of the disease, relieve unpleasant symptoms and restore mobility of the upper spine.
The conservative method of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis includes:
- Medical treatment.In this case, doctors prescribe a number of medications that make it possible to effectively relieve pain and stop the inflammatory process. In addition, modern means contribute to the restoration of blood circulation. Most often, hormonal drugs, analgesics, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants and other drugs in the form of tablets and injections are used for these purposes.
- Physiotherapy treatment.As a rule, physiotherapy is prescribed as an adjunct to drug therapy. This can be therapeutic massage, acupuncture, laser exposure, magnetotherapy, UHF therapy and other procedures that help relax the neck muscles, eliminate spasm and normalize blood circulation.
- Physiotherapy.This is a very important part of the treatment of the cervical spine. The fact is that special physical exercises help not only strengthen the muscular frame and straighten your posture, but also improve the blood supply to the upper part of the spinal column. First, the doctor selects a set of 6-8 exercises, and then adds new ones, gradually increasing physical activity.
Surgical methods of treatment of osteochondrosis
In the absence of the effect of conservative methods of treatment or in advanced cases of the disease, it is necessary to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine using surgical methods. The main task of surgeons is to eliminate pressure on the nerve roots, arteries, spinal cord and other structures in the corresponding area.
To solve this problem, the following types of operations on the cervical spine are used:
- microsurgical discectomyduring which the doctor, under the control of a microscope, performs excision of the intervertebral hernia with incomplete or total removal of the intervertebral disc;
- laminectomy, which provides for partial or complete resection of the vertebral arch, spinous processes, facet joints and ligaments to reduce the load on the spinal cord root;
- endoscopic surgerywith the removal of hernia, tumors and degenerative-dystrophic changes through a miniature access using an endoscope;
- laser nucleoplastywith a puncture puncture through which a laser light guide is inserted, which is necessary to remove a small fragment of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Many patients mistakenly think that cervical osteochondrosis disappears immediately after conservative therapy or surgery. But any treatment methods can only stop or slow down the progression of the disease. That is why, after a course of treatment, a person will have to observe the following measures for the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis:
- lead a healthy and active lifestyle;
- avoid heavy lifting;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
- regularly visit the swimming pool;
- perform a set of sports exercises;
- be careful when turning your head;
- maintain a balanced diet.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation plan is drawn up in accordance with the stage of pathology, the patient's state of health, as well as his age, weight and general well-being. The program may include medical massage, exercise therapy and physiotherapy. This will help improve health, avoid complications and relapses.
Questions and answers
Which doctor should I contact with problems of the cervical spine?
Diagnosis and treatment of these problems are carried out by a neurologist and a traumatologist-orthopedist.
What drugs can be used to relieve pain in the cervical spine?
The appointment of painkillers should be performed by an experienced doctor after an examination and a thorough diagnosis.
What is the likelihood of problems with the spine if I do not play sports at all?
Unfortunately, problems with the spine eventually appear in almost all people. To avoid serious complications, it is necessary to exercise regularly, as well as to take prophylactic chondroprotectors and multivitamins.