Cervical osteochondrosis of the neck is a common pathology accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. The disease is characterized by degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine. These are caused by improper physical condition, posture disorders, and a fairly active lifestyle. You should consult a doctor in time to reduce the pathological symptoms.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
This period is understood as a progressive degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs localized in the cervical spine. As a result, there is deformation and depletion of vertebral bodies. This leads to impaired blood circulation and nerve conduction in the neck.
The disease can be isolated or combined with damage to other parts of the spine - the spine or chest. According to ICD-10, cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is coded M42.
Possible complications of the disease
Many people are concerned about the dangers of cervical osteochondrosis. In the absence of timely and adequate therapy, pathology can lead to adverse health consequences. These include:
- protrusion and hernia of intervertebral discs;
- Fracture of the disc with compression of nerves and blood vessels - there is a risk of death if the spinal cord is compressed;
- radiculopathy;
- appearance of osteophytes;
- paresis and paralysis.
The main symptoms and signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The disease develops gradually and is initially asymptomatic. Therefore, the diagnosis is often made in advanced cases. The main symptoms of the pathology include:
- Pain in the neck and occipital region aggravated by physical exertion or coughing.
- Crunch in head movements.
- Loss of sensation in the hands, burning in the shoulder blades.
- Headaches localized in the occiput and spread to the temples.
- General weakness, increased fatigue.
- Decreased visual acuity.
- Tinnitus.
- Hearing impairment.
- Increased heart rate.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The first symptoms of the disease usually appear after 35 years. But in recent years, the pathology began to develop at a younger age - 18-30 years. Often the problem is with people who have to be in one position for a long time.
The main causes of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- hereditary tendency;
- disorders of metabolic processes;
- infectious diseases, intoxication of the body;
- dietary disorders - fluid, vitamin, micronutrient deficiencies;
- overweight;
- traumatic injuries of the spine;
- weak posture;
- spinal instability;
- quite active lifestyle;
- straight legs;
- influence of unfavorable environmental factors;
- frequent changes in body position;
- to be anxious for a long time;
- excessive physical activity;
- hypothermia;
- stressful situations;
- Using the wrong sleeping bags.
What are the different degrees of disease?
The disease develops gradually. There are 4 degrees of cervical osteochondrosis, each with its own characteristics:
- The first is accompanied by the appearance of cracks in the intervertebral discs. This process is accompanied by mild excruciating pain, stiffness of movements. There is a wavy course of pathology. Osteochondrosis worsens with deterioration of the immune system or increased load. If you do not act in time, there is a risk of aggravating the abnormal process.
- Second - at this stage, the destruction of the intervertebral discs continues and their protrusions are observed. This process is accompanied by compression of the nerve endings. There is a constant pain that increases with a person's movements. At this stage there is a decrease in the ability to work, numbness in the hands is visible.
- Third, it is accompanied by the appearance of an intervertebral hernia. In such a situation, muscle tissue and nerve endings are involved in the pathological process. As a result, there is pain in the neck and occipital region, a feeling of weakness in the hands. There is a risk of decreased visual acuity, dizziness and tinnitus with vascular lesions. Sometimes the disease leads to fainting.
- Fourth - this stage is accompanied by bone growth. As a result, the pressure on the nerve endings increases. With this form of osteochondrosis, the mobility of the neck decreases, the spine becomes less elastic. As a result, a person cannot perform simple head movements.
Why should you see a doctor right away?
If signs of osteochondrosis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor - a neurologist or orthopedist. Otherwise, it will lead to pathologically dangerous health consequences.
First of all, the doctor should assess the physical activity and the intensity of pain in the neck. In addition, the specialist is concerned about loss of sensitivity and other concerns.
Based on the results of the initial examination, additional procedures are determined. First of all, X-rays are performed. Several predictions are made. If a hernia is suspected, CT or magnetic resonance imaging may be required. If there is a violation of blood flow, rheoencephalography and examination of the bottom are necessary.
Treatment is determined based on the results of diagnostic tests. The following drugs are most commonly used with the development of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics - help to cope with pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate inflammation and cope with swelling.
- Antispasmodics - help relieve muscle spasms.
- Preparations to improve blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors - help to restore the structure of intervertebral discs.
- B vitamins - improve the function of nerve tissues.
In addition to drug treatment, other methods are prescribed. These include massage, therapeutic gymnastics, physiotherapy. The use of osteopathy is very effective. In this case, a mild effect is applied to the affected muscles and spine. In some cases, the doctor is advised to wear a special orthopedic device - Chance's collar.
Manual therapy is considered an effective way to treat pathology. His methods are selected individually. The procedure consists of a single point effect on the musculoskeletal elements. Thanks to this, it is possible to activate blood flow, improve lymph flow and normalize metabolic processes. Manual therapy improves the mobility of the musculoskeletal system, strengthens the immune system and prevents complications of osteochondrosis.
Spinal traction is often used. Special equipment is used to stretch. The procedure helps to increase the distance between the vertebrae to a normal size and to cope with disorders of the spinal structure.
If acute cervical osteochondrosis is observed and intervertebral hernias occur, leading to decreased sensitivity and circulatory disturbances, surgery may be required.
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of osteochondrosis. Often therapy is carried out in long courses. To improve your situation, you must make adjustments in your lifestyle. To do this, you need to eat right, give up bad habits, and exercise.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the neck
To prevent cervical osteochondrosis, you should follow certain recommendations:
- eliminate spinal curvature in time;
- Exercise to build a muscle corset;
- Eat foods that provide the body with calcium and magnesium;
- normalize body weight;
- Follow your doctor's instructions when working on your computer.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious pathology that causes negative health consequences. In order to cope with the violation, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis in a timely manner. Therefore, any discomfort in the neck area should be a reason to consult a doctor.
How is the treatment going?
doctor's advice: anamnesis, myofascial diagnostics, functional diagnostics.
How are you?
Collect anamnesis - analyze the disease, identify limitations and contraindications, explain the principles of kinesitherapy, the characteristics of the recovery period
Myofascial diagnostics is a method of hand diagnosis in which the doctor assesses the range of motion of the joints, identifies painful seals, edema, hypo- or hypertonicity of the muscles, and other changes.
Functional diagnostics (performed in the rehabilitation room) - the doctor explains and observes how certain exercises are performed on the device: how the patient performs them, what range of motion he can work, what movements cause pain, what weight the patient can work cardiovascular reactiongives. Problem areas are identified. The information is included in the card. Emphasis is placed.
Based on the results of the initial examination and functional diagnostics conducted by a doctor, an initial individual treatment program is developed.
We want to be with you:
- for back pain - MRI or CT of the problem area (magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography);
- for joint pain - x-ray;
- in case of co-morbidities - extracts from the medical history or outpatient card;
- comfortable (sports) clothes and shoes
Start classes with an instructor
At the beginning of the treatment period, the doctor prepares a treatment plan with the patient, which includes the date and time of the treatment session, follow-up visits to the doctor (usually 2-3 times a week).
The treatment process is based on sports equipment in the rehabilitation room and sessions in the gym.
Rehabilitation simulators allow you to accurately determine the load on individual muscle groups, providing a sufficient mode of physical impact. The treatment program is developed by the doctor individually for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of the organism. Supervision is carried out by qualified trainers. It is important to follow proper movement and breathing techniques at all stages of recovery, to know your weight norms when working on simulators, to follow the prescribed treatment regimen and to follow the recommendations of specialists.
Articular gymnastics sessions help to restore visual coordination, improve joint mobility and lumbar elasticity, and are an excellent prophylactic system for independent use.
Each treatment period - 12 sessions. Each lesson is supervised by an instructor. The duration of one treatment session is from 40 minutes to 1. 5 hours. The instructor prepares a program, taking into account the situation on the day of illness and the patient's day of training, teaches the technique of performing exercises and monitors the correctness of its implementation. Every 6th lesson there is a second consultation with a doctor, changes and additions are made to the program depending on the dynamics.
How many curves will it take?
It depends on the individual and the development of the disease for each person.
Important to know:
- when did you experience this problem (stage of the disease);
- how your body prepares for physical work (you do gymnastics with any sport);
- what result you want to get.
If the disease is at an early stage and the body is prepared, one treatment period is enough. (Example - 20-30 years old, young people engaged in sports. We focus on problem areas, harmful "wrong" movements, breathing, stretching techniques. Such patients are trained, "acquire the ability to care for their bodies. "keep doing it yourself).
Each organism is individual and the program is individual for each patient.