Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a change in the neighboring cartilaginous and musculo-ligamentous structures, leading to the loss of their regenerative capacities. In the early stages of this process, there is a gradual decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc. Due to 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 cartilage tissue and bones. Due to 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 all people between the ages of 30 and 35 have various signs of osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of different 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 crunch when turning the head;
- deterioration of vision and hearing.
Remember that cervical osteochondrosis refers to chronic diseases in which symptoms vary depending on a certain stage of disease development. For this reason, the patient may experience certain signs indicating 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, appears at the initial stage of the disease, when there is a slight decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc of thecervical spine.
- Sharp pains and a feeling of stiffness when turning the neck, as well as crunches and headaches appear during the period of abnormal growth of cartilage tissue, with a decrease in the height of the vertebral disc and the appearance of cracksin the annulus fibrosis.
- Sharp pain in the neck that does not go away for a long time, numbness and partial loss of sensitivity of the skin areas of the cervical region are recorded when the fibrous ring is ruptured and intervertebral hernias are formed, as well as whenthe spine is deformed.
Loss of mobility of the neck and upper shoulder girdle with severe and prolonged pain is one of the pronounced signs of cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree, when numerous osteophytes grow and the structures of the intervertebral disc are gradually replacedby 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 spine, damage 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 congenital connective tissue weakness, they may experience impaired functioning of the cervico-thoracic spine.
- Spinal instability. Increased mobility of the upper part of the spine very often leads to a deterioration in the damping properties of the intervertebral discs.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The mobility of the cervical spine is very often reduced due to abnormalities 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 the breakdown of 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, to determine the areas of pain and the degree of mobility of the spine, and to assess the quality of reflexes.
Various methods are used to diagnose this disease, including:
- X-ray and multi-slice computed tomography. These methods of instrumental diagnostics have proven to be the best for determining changes in the cervical spine at the later stages of the development of the disease, when damage to the bones and cartilage of the spine becomes 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 onset.
- Duplex ultrasound of the arteries of the head and neck. This type of instrumental examination is performed 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 of nearby organs, ECG of the heart, blood and urine tests can 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, almost all manifestations of the disease can be minimized. For example, you need to learn 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 any kind. 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, conservative methods are used to treat it. They allow you to prevent the further development of the disease, relieve unpleasant symptoms and restore the mobility of the upper spine.
The conservative method of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis includes:
- Medical treatment.In this case, doctors prescribe a number of drugs that can effectively relieve pain and stop the inflammatory process. In addition, modern means contribute to the restoration of blood circulation. Most often, hormonal drugs, painkillers, 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 in addition to drug therapy. It can be therapeutic massage, acupuncture, laser exposure, magnetic therapy, UHF therapy and other procedures that help relax neck muscles, eliminate spasms and normalize blood circulation.
- Physiotherapy.This is a very important part of cervical spine treatment. The fact is that special physical exercises help not only to strengthen the muscular frame and straighten your posture, but also to improve blood supply to the upper part of the spine. First, the doctor selects a set of 6-8 exercises, then adds new ones, gradually increasing physical activity.
Surgical methods of treatment of osteochondrosis
In the absence of the effect of conservative treatment methods or in advanced cases of the disease, it is necessary to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with the help of surgical methods. The main task of surgeons is to eliminate pressure on 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, carries out the excision of the intervertebral hernia with incomplete or total removal of the intervertebral disc;
- laminectomy, which involves partial or complete resection of the vertebral arch, spinous processes, facet joints, and ligaments to reduce the load on the root of the spinal cord;
- endoscopic surgerywith the removal of hernias, tumors and degenerative-dystrophic changes through miniature access using an endoscope;
- laser nucleoplastywith a puncture through which a laser light guide is inserted, which is necessary to remove a small fragment of the core of the intervertebral disc.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Many patients mistakenly believe that cervical osteochondrosis disappears immediately after conservative treatment or surgery. But any method of treatment can only stop or slow the progression of the disease. That is why, after treatment, a person will need to observe the following measures for the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis:
- leading a healthy and active life;
- avoid lifting heavy objects;
- sleeping on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
- regularly visit the pool;
- perform a set of sports exercises;
- be careful when turning your head;
- maintain a balanced diet.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation plan is established according to the stage of the pathology, the patient's state of health, as well as his age, weight and general condition. 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 in case of cervical spine problems?
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 carried out by an experienced doctor after a thorough examination and diagnosis.
How likely are spinal problems if I don't exercise at all?
Unfortunately, spinal problems eventually appear in almost all people. To avoid serious complications, it is necessary to exercise regularly, as well as take prophylactic chondroprotectors and multivitamins.