Osteochondrosis is a complex of dystrophic and degenerative disorders in the cartilage tissue of the vertebral discs.The disease can develop in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.Osteochondrosis is accompanied by pain and disruption of vascular and nervous systems.
This type of disease is most common and occurs even in young people.Cervical osteochondrosis is the most dangerous, because the spinal cord and intracranial circulation are accompanied by pinching of the stretched nerve root as a result of the pressure of the deformed intervertebral discs on the blood vessels.
The largest blood vessel that supplies the brain passes through openings in the cervical vertebrae.This can lead to dangerous complications such as pressure on the artery, coronary artery disease and even stroke.
The tight fit of the cervical vertebrae causes the slightest displacement to cause compression of the nerves and blood vessels.This leads to a decrease in skin sensitivity, a decrease in hearing and vision, and other nervous disorders.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is caused by internal (endogenous) causes and external (exogenous) causes.
Internal causes include:
- Genetic (hereditary) factors;
- Disorder of intrauterine development of cartilage and bone tissue of the spine;
- Age-related factors affecting changes in cartilage tissue;
- Metabolic disorders.
External reasons are more diverse:
- Excessive pressure on the vertebrae due to improper loading;
- Various injuries and damage to the spine and back (bruises, falls, fractures, fractures);
- Infectious diseases;
- Spinal muscular dystrophy;
- Poor posture in the form of bending and s-shaped curvature of the back;
- Working in an awkward position;
- Dragging heavy objects;
- Straight legs;
- Overweight;
- Intoxication;
- Hypothermia;
- Uncomfortable pillows for sleep;
- Unfavorable environmental conditions;
- Lack of vitamins or trace elements (calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, vitamin d);
- Physical inactivity (lack of physical activity).
Cervical osteochondrosis also occurs in people who lead a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and engage in mental activity, sometimes in athletes, loaders or people who include sudden movements and sudden movements.
Symptoms
Manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are quite diverse.These include:
- Pain in the neck, back of the head, eye and ear areas, shoulder girdle;
- Pain in the upper extremities worsens with the slightest effort;
- Muscle tension and limited mobility of the neck, especially in the morning;
- Pain when bending and turning the head;
- A feeling of numbness in the cervical spine after sleep;
- Decreased range of motion with difficulty moving arms;
- Burning, numbness and tingling in the upper extremities;
- At first, the headache is localized at the back of the head, but it can also spread to the temples and the parietal part;
- Tinnitus;
- Deterioration of vision and hearing (periodic and constant);
- Numbness of the tongue;
- Pain in the chest area that is not relieved by nitroglycerin and depends on the position of the body;
- Loss of connective tissue in the cervical region;
- Constant tiredness and fatigue;
- Drowsiness;
- Nausea;
- Diplopia (double vision);
- Cracking in the vertebrae.
The course of the disease and possible complications
Even a small load in the upper part can lead to the development of cervical osteochondrosis - this area of the back is very sensitive.Degenerative changes (growths in bone tissue) that lead to osteophytes contribute to irritation and tension of nearby muscles, which in response to impacts put more pressure on the cartilage and joints.This leads to the progression of the disease - compression of the vessels and nerves.
If the disease is not treated, protrusions and tears can cause a significant decrease in the mobility of the spine and require surgical intervention.
Serious degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue and the lack of treatment can cause the so-called "radicular syndrome" - damage to the cervical nerves.This leads to the intensification and progression of all of the above symptoms, and at the same time, penetration and even such a rare phenomenon can appear as constant hiccups.
The inflamed root can gradually occupy the entire area of the spinal canal, which can cause painful syndromes and serious disturbances in the nerve regulation of the limbs and regulation of the facial muscles.Impaired cerebral circulation can lead to impaired intellectual abilities, memory, attention and stroke.
Osteochondrosis occurs when all symptoms are particularly acute and there are periods of remission.The duration of remission depends on the patient's lifestyle and preventive measures taken.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is based on characteristic symptoms, but also used:
- X-rays.The method is ineffective, especially in the last stages of the development of osteochondrosis.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the cervical spine.A method that allows you to see bone structures, ruptured intervertebral discs, their size and direction of development.
- Computed tomography.A less effective solution than MRI because it is difficult to determine the presence and size of hernias.
- Doppler ultrasound (to identify pathologies of cervical vessels).This method is used in cases where it is suspected that there is a violation of the blood flow in the veins.Using a scan, you can determine the speed of blood flow and whether there are any obstacles to it.
Treatment
It is more appropriate to treat osteochondrosis in the very early stages of the pathology, but in practice, doctors consulted when the disease progressed to more dangerous stages.Self-medication for osteochondrosis is unacceptable and can lead to deterioration of the general condition.
The therapeutic effect in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis gives positive results with a holistic approach - a combination of drug methods and physiotherapy gives positive results.
Drug treatment
Medicines effectively relieve (eliminate) the symptoms of pain, but do not affect the cause of the pathology, so it is unwise to treat it only with medicines.
Medicines from the NSAID group relieve pain and inflammation well - the most suitable remedy is prescribed by the attending physician.
Medicines are also used to improve cerebral circulation and drugs that affect the relaxation of the neck muscles.Therapeutic doses of vitamins (especially group B and nicotinic acid) and trace elements (preparations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) help.
Treatment with chondroprotectors (dietary supplements) is applied, which restores intervertebral tissues, but some doctors consider these drugs ineffective or even useless for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Ointments and gels for external use have some therapeutic effect.
Physiotherapy and alternative treatment
In special clinics dealing with orthopedics and the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, physiotherapeutic methods are preferred over medicinal methods.Based on a detailed study of the medical history (anamnesis) and extended diagnosis, doctors develop special individual therapy programs, which include:
- Electrophoresis (administration of drugs through the skin using electrodes);
- Magnetotherapy (exposure to magnetic fields);
- Amplipulse therapy (treatment with modulated currents);
- Reflexology;
- Orthopedic gymnastics;
- Lessons in special simulators;
- Massage;
- Manual methods;
- Ultrasound therapy;
- Laser therapy.
Treatment of osteochondrosis using non-traditional methods is popular - acupuncture, hirudotherapy (water treatment), osteopathy.
In advanced cases and with the presence of complications, doctors resort to surgery.
Prevention
The most common cause of cervical osteochondrosis is lack of movement and wrong body position, the best preventive measure would be therapeutic exercises that can be done at work - sitting or standing.
To prevent the disease, it is also necessary to visit an orthopedist from a very early age and correct postural disorders in time.
Provides the body with necessary trace elements, prevents osteochondrosis and proper nutrition.At the same time, excess weight, excess weight is one of the causes of excessive load on the spinal discs.
Be careful when carrying heavy objects and distribute the load properly.
A place to sleep, a mattress and a pillow play a big role - they should be comfortable and not strain the back and neck muscles.
Most importantly, avoid stress, nervous tension and negative emotions.
To predict
With a timely and qualified treatment, the prognosis is favorable, but it depends on the stage of the disease, the severity of the manifestations, the patient's age and lifestyle, proper nutrition and the elimination of bad habits, according to medical recommendations.