Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease in which the intervertebral discs become thinner as a result of changing the anatomy of the cervical vertebrae and the nerve endings and vessels located nearby. As the degenerative process progresses, it also covers the surrounding structures. The disease is characterized by a whole range of symptoms, such as neck pain, dizziness, nausea, limited spinal mobility, and significantly impairs the patient's quality of life.
What is cervical osteochondrosis
The cervical region is the most mobile part of the spine. It consists of 7 vertebrae, between which are the intervertebral discs. The latter guarantees the integrity of this zone and performs a shock-absorbing function. Discs have a complex structure: inside there is a pulp surrounded by a dense fibrous ring.
With age and under the influence of increasing load, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases. Metabolism is disturbed in the nucleus, the annulus fibrosus acquires cracks. As the disease progresses, the discs protrude, bulges and hernias appear. Osteophytes appear - bony growths that limit the mobility of the spine and cause pain.
Pathological changes occur near the spinal cord and nerve roots. In the case of its compression, a reflex spasm of the muscles occurs. In this case, a person had pronounced symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Causes of disease
Osteochondrosis develops under the influence of various reasons. There are several theories that explain the nature of this disease:
- involutional - the cause of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is wear of the intervertebral discs;
- physical - the disease develops due to excessive impact on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs;
- autoimmune - a person's own immunity destroys the intervertebral discs over time;
- vascular - the nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue is disturbed, which is associated with pathological changes in the vessels;
- hereditary predisposition - the disease occurs in people with a predisposition to degenerative diseases of the spine.
Important! Neither theory explains the most likely cause of cervical osteochondrosis.
The impetus for the disease can be a combination of several factors:
- incorrect posture, flat feet;
- sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle;
- overweight;
- injuries and congenital pathologies of the spine;
- excessive physical activity;
- hormonal changes;
- bad habits;
- vascular diseases;
- genetic predisposition.
The more these factors are combined, the greater the likelihood of developing the disease and the faster the dystrophic processes proceed.
Symptoms of Cervical Osteochondrosis
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis do not appear immediately. For a long time, the patient may be unaware of the onset of the disease and pay attention to the state of health only after the onset of pain.
In the first stage of the disease, when the thickness of the discs is slightly reduced, you may feel slight discomfort in your neck if you stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time. In the second phase, bumps appear, which are felt by the stiffness of movements in the cervical region.
Further development of the disease leads to constant pain and deterioration of well-being. There are additional signs of cervical osteochondrosis, significantly worsening quality of life:
- persistent pain in the cervical region and collar area;
- severe stiffness in the neck muscles;
- pain during movement and at rest;
- limited neck mobility;
- finger numbness;
- headaches and dizziness can add up.
In addition to the common signs, there are several syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Vertebral. Due to damage to the cartilage and bones of the spine, their mobility is limited, pain occurs.
- Vertebral artery syndrome. Due to the spasm of the vessels responsible for supplying blood to the brain, there is tinnitus, headaches, fainting and blurred vision.
- Source. Symptoms are associated with pinched nerve roots, as a result of which the patient feels pain in the shoulder area, numbness in the back of the head, fingers, and pain in the shoulder blades.
What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis
Patients generally consider osteochondrosis of the cervical spine as a disease that does not have serious consequences. But this is an erroneous opinion. The pathology causes disturbances in the functioning of vital structures - nerves and blood vessels. If timely treatment is not carried out, the consequence of the disease can be a violation of cerebral circulation, muscle weakness and atrophy, a violation of the functions of internal organs and systems.
In addition, osteochondrosis leads to limited mobility of the spine and loss of sensation in the hands. Such significant changes are a serious reason to seek medical help and undergo complex treatment.
Diagnosis
A neurologist deals with the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis. At the first consultation, she assesses spinal mobility, the quality of reflexes and determines the pain zones. If during the history taking you discover that the patient is preoccupied with a whole range of symptoms, you may need to consult other specialists:
- therapist;
- cardiologist;
- orthopedist;
- gastroenterologist;
- Laura;
- endocrinologist and others.
For the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, a comprehensive examination is used. Radiation diagnosis methods include radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging, due to the high degree of visualization, allows diagnosis even at an early stage of the pathology. Duplex scanning of the arteries in the neck and head area is recommended if the patient complains of headaches and dizziness. The exam allows you to assess blood flow and the condition of the vessels.
In addition to the listed diagnostic methods, the following are prescribed:
- ECG;
- Ultrasound of internal organs, heart;
- Chest X-ray;
- laboratory research.
They make it possible to differentiate osteochondrosis from other pathologies with similar symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine requires an integrated approach and includes medication, physical therapy, massage, exercise therapy, manual therapy, carboxytherapy, and other modern techniques.
Medical treatment
The main purpose of drug exposure is to relieve pain, eliminate dizziness, normalize the functioning of nerve roots, and also stop or delay degenerative changes in cartilage tissue. Depending on the diagnosis are assigned:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of drops, injections, tablets, ointments - to relieve inflammation and pain;
- hormonal drugs - to stop the inflammatory process in case of ineffectiveness of the previous ones;
- muscle relaxants - drugs that relieve spasms and thus improve blood circulation;
- B vitamins in the form of tablets and injections - to improve the conduction of nerve impulses and the nutrition of nerve tissue;
- sedatives - for chronic or severe pain, sleep disturbances;
- chondroprotectors - drugs intended to improve metabolic processes in cartilage tissue.
Depending on the symptoms, drugs to improve microcirculation in the brain, decongestants, metabolic and others may be prescribed.
non-drug methods
Along with the use of drugs, for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in the acute phase, traditional physiotherapeutic methods are used, such as laser and magnetotherapy, electrical stimulation, phono and electrophoresis.
Important! A good effect is provided by massage, manual therapy, osteopathy and reflexology. They aim to eliminate restrictions in the work of the spine, relieve pain and regulate the functioning of internal organs.
Along with traditional medical procedures, innovative methods are used. How to treat cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is determined by the attending physician. The following methods are assigned:
- Carboxytherapy. Treatment is carried out with the help of subcutaneous injections of carbon dioxide, which trigger a series of biochemical reactions. As a result, microcirculation improves, swelling and pain are reduced, and local protective processes are activated. The procedure is absolutely safe. It is often applied to patients for whom drug therapy is contraindicated. The number of injections depends on the problem and varies from 5 to 10.
- Ozone therapy. The procedure relieves pain and inflammation, and the effect lasts for a long time. The introduction of ozone in the vicinity of the spine improves tissue nutrition and waste output, in addition to reducing the activity of enzymes that cause degenerative changes in cartilage.
- PRP - therapy (plasma therapy). Platelet plasma is injected into muscles located in the vicinity of the spine. The procedure has a pronounced stimulating effect on the regenerative processes in all structures of the spine, slows down the process of destruction of cartilage tissue, relieves muscle spasms, pain and improves local blood circulation.
- Shockwave Therapy. It allows you to quickly eliminate muscle spasm, increase blood circulation and eliminate congestion in the tissues.
- Kinesio Recording. Kinesio taping helps relax the muscles and at the same time has a supportive effect on the spine. The method helps relieve inflammation and swelling, restores joint mobility.
Non-pharmacological methods also include kinesiotherapy (exercise therapy), leech therapy, musculoskeletal therapy, and local cryotherapy. The choice of a method for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis remains with the doctor, who focuses on the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient's body.
A plan on how to cure cervical osteochondrosis is drawn up taking into account the stage of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Prevention
If you pay attention to preventive measures, you can prevent or delay the development of osteochondrosis:
- Lead an active lifestyle, but avoid excessive physical activity.
- Carry out preventive treatment 2p/year.
- Avoid or minimize heavy lifting.
- To sleep, use an orthopedic mattress and pillow.
- When working at a computer, warm up every 1 hour.
- Balance your diet by eliminating unhealthy foods.
- Get physical therapy regularly.
Important! With osteochondrosis, swimming is recommended. The water unloads the spine and the movements form a strong muscular corset.
To protect and unload the spine, if necessary, the use of orthopedic appliances is recommended. To improve the metabolic processes in cartilage and slow down its destruction, do not forget to take chondroprotectors.
Treatment at the clinic
The clinic offers comprehensive diagnoses and modern and effective methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine: carboxytherapy, interstitial electrical stimulation, general magnetotherapy, shock wave therapy, osteopathy, ozonetherapy, local cryotherapy and others.
At the service of visitors:
- comfortable offices;
- modern equipment;
- qualified doctors;
- reception by appointment;
- polite employees.
When choosing treatment methods, doctors at the clinic take into account the diagnosis, the characteristics of the patient's body and lifestyle. They give recommendations for the prevention and prevention of further relapses of the disease.
In addition to the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in our country, the clinic offers courses on prevention, including reflexology, physiotherapy and physiotherapy.
If you are concerned about cervical spine pain, make an appointment with professionals. They will help you to eliminate the manifestations of the disease, give recommendations on prevention, nutrition and lifestyle.