Currently, according to medical statistics, almost all people over the age of 25-30 complain of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. The disease affects this part of the spine more often than others. The pathology is a progressive degenerative process that affects the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae located in the neck. The disease is equally common in men and women.
This is a dangerous and complex form of osteochondrosis because there are large blood vessels in the neck that supply the brain and a large number of nerve endings. Disorders of innervation and blood flow lead to a deterioration in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Signs of illness
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are more pronounced than in other parts of the spine, even with minor injuries. This is due to the fact that the vertebrae of the neck are located close to each other and the intervertebral discs are low in height. This anatomical feature contributes to the fact that in osteochondrosis the nerve endings, spinal cord and blood vessels are more often compressed.
General symptoms:
- pain syndrome;
- weakness and decreased sensitivity in the upper extremities;
- restriction of neck mobility;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- frequent dizziness;
- general weakness;
- Deterioration of the functioning of the organs of perception (hearing, sight, touch, taste).
The pain is often localized in the neck, radiating to the back of the head, shoulders, arms. The upper limbs hurt if the nerve root responsible for their innervation is compressed by the damaged vertebra. Occipital pain is caused by spastic contractions of the neck muscles attached to the occipital bones and impaired blood circulation in this area.
Weakness of the hands is observed in patients if a nerve root is involved in the pathological process, which provides innervation of the muscular structures of the upper limbs.
Restriction of mobility and characteristic crunch when turning or tilting the neck occur if bony outgrowths of the cervical vertebrae occur, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases and the joints located between the vertebrae are affected.
The vertebrae of the neck have transverse processes that form a channel through which the artery that feeds the brain flows. In osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, the vertebrae are displaced, connective tissue grows on them. This leads to compression of the cervical artery, deterioration of the blood supply to the cerebellum and the back of the brain. As a result, the person has frequent dizziness, impaired coordination of movements and general weakness. In advanced cases, if the artery is involved in a pathological process or is severely compressed, then the blood supply to the cerebellum, occipital region and brainstem deteriorates significantly. In this case, the functionality of the hearing organs, vision decreases, there is numbness of the tongue and fingers.
The symptoms of the disease also depend on which of the eight vertebrae is affected by a degenerative or inflammatory process. Disorders of sensitivity and movement are caused by damage to the spinal roots, which are affected by certain vertebrae. Depending on this, the following manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are observed:
- first vertebra - the neck and back of the head tingle, their sensitivity decreases;
- second - there is pain in the crown and nape;
- third - there is pain and sensitivity decreases in the part of the neck where the compressed spinal root is located, the intensity of taste sensations decreases, there are speech disorders;
- fourth - painful sensations radiate to the shoulder, shoulder blade, the patient is worried about heart pain, respiratory disorders, the tone of the neck muscles decreases;
- fifth - there is pain in the neck, attributed to the outer surface of the shoulder;
- sixth - neck pain radiating to the shoulder blade, felt in the forearm and thumbs;
- seventh - pain is given to the shoulder blade, back of the shoulder, forearm and fingers (from the second to the fourth);
- eighth - the pain spreads from the neck to the shoulders, forearms and little fingers.
There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis, depending on the extent of the lesion. These are not the stages of the disease, but the severity of the symptoms, due to the frequency of the pathological process that affects the vertebrae.
- In the first degree, clinical symptoms are absent or minimal. Patients complain of mild pain aggravated by head movements. The treatment started at this stage of the disease will be effective. However, people often ignore the anxious symptoms or do not feel them, so they do not go to the doctor.
- Worsening of the pathological process aggravates the symptoms. In the second stage the pain becomes more pronounced, it is given to the upper limbs, the shoulder blades. At this stage of the development of the degenerative process, the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, as a result of which the nerve fiber is pinched. This becomes a cause of increased pain. The second degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by headache, deterioration of health and reduced performance.
- The third degree of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the formation of a hernia of the affected intervertebral disc. The mobility of the neck is limited, on palpation the patient experiences severe pain. With such a spread of the pathological process, the pain becomes constant, radiating to the upper extremities. There is a feeling of tension in the muscles attached to the occipital bones. Patients complain of frequent dizziness, general weakness, numbness of the hands.
- Fourth degree cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed when the intervertebral disc is completely destroyed by the degenerative process. It is replaced by fibrous tissue, which leads to a significant restriction of mobility. The spinal cord and blood vessels of the neck are affected. Such changes are characterized by a significant deterioration in the blood supply to the cerebellum and the back of the brain. Oxygen starvation leads to impaired coordination of movements, impaired hearing, vision, numbness of the tongue and speech disorders.
Methods of treatment
Timely visit to the doctor when the first anxious symptoms appear, discomfort in the neck, reactions from the nervous system, will prevent the progression of degenerative changes. The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis consists of a set of therapeutic measures. Among them:
- taking medication;
- massage;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- physiotherapy procedures.
The treatment is performed at home and on an outpatient basis, under the supervision of a doctor. In some cases, more radical methods may be needed, after which the patient is hospitalized.
Drug therapy
The following groups of drugs are used to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- drugs that improve the rheological parameters of the blood;
- B vitamins
Doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the intensity of pain, reduce inflammation and swelling of the nerve root. Chondroprotectors repair damaged cartilage in the intervertebral disc. Muscle relaxants relax the muscles of the neck, relieve spasms. Drugs to improve blood flow help to restore the damaged blood supply to the brain. B vitamins activate metabolism in nervous tissues. In case of intense pain, the doctor may prescribe analgesic drugs. If the patient has a severe pain syndrome, then analgesics are administered parenterally, after the pain subsides, they switch to pills.
In addition to pharmaceutical drugs, the patient can use traditional methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis. Before using them, you should consult a doctor so that there is no conflict between drugs and non-traditional means. Decoctions and infusions of fennel seeds, hop cones, lilac flowers help to stop the inflammatory process and relieve pain.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an effective way to fight osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It is imperative to treat this disease using such techniques, as a result of which the following results are achieved:
- pain intensity decreases;
- activates the recovery of affected bone, cartilage and muscle tissue;
- relieves muscle spasm and tension;
- the inflammatory process is stopped;
- improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area and brain.
The following types of procedures are considered the most effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- drug electrophoresis (an electric current is applied to the affected area, which, in addition to activating blood flow and tissue repair, improves the delivery of the active substance of the drug to the tissues affected by the degenerative process);
- ultrasound therapy (metabolic processes in the diseased area are activated, pain decreases, inflammation stops);
- magnetic therapy (relieves swelling of the affected area, which helps reduce the intensity of pain);
- laser therapy (improves blood circulation in the pathological process, has an anti-inflammatory effect).
Also the doctor can advise acupuncture, balneological procedures.
Physiotherapy exercises
Exercise is prescribed during the period when the acute manifestations of the disease stop. There should be no discomfort or pain during gymnastics.
The complex should be performed when stable remission is achieved to prevent recurrence.
- Take a supine position, lift your head and body with your arms resting. The back is straight, the breathing is deep and even. Hold in position for a minute or two, then slowly take the starting position. The number of repetitions is 3.
- Position - lying on your stomach, hands on your body. Slowly turn your head, trying to touch your ear to the floor. Repeat 6 times on each side.
- Sitting or standing, tilt your head as you inhale, trying to reach your chest with your chin. As you exhale, gently pull your head back, raising your eyes to the ceiling. The number of repetitions is 10-15.
- A good exercise for strengthening the muscles of the neck is pressing the forehead on the hands. To achieve the effect, you need to press your palms on your forehead and forehead on your palm for 30 seconds. Repeat three times.
- Turn your head in a circle. The exercise should be done slowly, smoothly. In each direction - 10 turns. The appearance of dizziness when performing movements is unacceptable. If this happens, you must stop immediately.
All exercises should be done smoothly, without sudden movements, in case of deterioration of health, nausea, dizziness, stop immediately.
Massage
The course is prescribed by a doctor in the absence of acute pain, can be conducted only by a specialist with medical education. In such a disease it is not recommended to contact non-professionals.
Healing effects for neck massage:
- improves blood and lymph flow in the affected area;
- muscles relax, spasm relieves;
- The intensity of the painful sensations decreases.
Specialists use the whole arsenal of massage movements: stroking, rubbing, kneading, squeezing and vibration.
Surgery
Surgery is indicated if conservative therapy does not work within six months, the patient suffers from severe pain, signs of nerve fiber damage and myelopathy are observed. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs with complications, there is a risk of stroke, there is strong compression of the spinal cord, then surgery is required.
The following types of surgery are used according to the indications:
- endoscopic discectomy - removal of part or all of the intervertebral disc;
- laminotomy - cutting of bone ligaments and overgrown bone particles (often combined with laminoplasty - installation of artificial plates to expand the spinal canal);
- laser evaporation of the disc nucleus - separation of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc with a laser beam simultaneously with the destruction of its destroyed fragments;
- cold plasma nucleoplasty - instead of an endoscope, a long and thin hollow needle is used, which is inserted into the intervertebral disc, through which an electrode is delivered to the site of the lesion, which has a cold plasma effect.
The neck is a complex organ containing large blood vessels, the spinal cord. They are easy to damage, which is why surgery is resorted to in no more than 5% of cases. Surgical treatment is often accompanied by the development of complications. Between them:
- inflammatory process in the tissues or membranes of the spinal cord;
- osteomyelitis;
- scars leading to narrowing of the arterial and spinal canal.
Cervical surgery is difficult and requires a long period of rehabilitation. Recovery of a patient after surgery takes six months or more.
Prevention
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis it is necessary:
- monitor the position of the spine and neck;
- lead an active lifestyle, move more;
- while exercising, you must be careful to follow the correct performance, as even minor injuries can affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system;
- take care of the correct position of the body during sleep, buy an orthopedic or anatomical mattress;
- for proper equipment in a workplace where a person spends a lot of time;
- regularly engage in physical education;
- follow the diet, ensure the supply of all useful minerals needed for healthy bones, especially magnesium and calcium;
- are constantly subjected to dispensary examinations for timely detection of osteochondrosis.
Prevention will help prevent degenerative changes in the cervical spine, prevent pain, dizziness, tingling in the extremities and other unpleasant symptoms.