Cervical osteochondrosis of the neck is a common pathology accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. The disease is characterized by degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine. They are caused by improper body position, posture disorders, insufficiently active lifestyle. To reduce the symptoms of the pathology, you should consult a doctor in a timely manner.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
This term is understood as a progressive degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs that are localized in the cervical spine. As a result, there is deformation and depletion of the 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 - lumbar or thoracic. According to ICD-10, cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is coded under the code M42.
Possible complications of the disease
Many people are interested in the dangers of cervical osteochondrosis. In the absence of timely and adequate therapy, the pathology can lead to negative health consequences. These include the following:
- protrusion of intervertebral discs and hernia formation;
- rupture of the disc with compression of nerves and blood vessels - if the spinal cord is compressed, there is a risk of death;
- radiculopathy;
- the 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 the following:
- Pain in the neck and occipital region, which worsens with exercise or cough.
- Crunching when moving the head.
- Loss of sensation in the hands, burning in the shoulder blades.
- Headache that is localized in the nape of the neck and spreads to the temples.
- General weakness, increased fatigue.
- Decreased visual acuity.
- Tinnitus.
- Hearing impairment.
- Increased heart rate.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The first signs of the disease usually appear after 35 years. In recent years, however, the pathology begins to develop at a younger age - 18-30 years. The problem is most often faced by people who have to be in one position for a long time.
The main causes of cervical osteochondrosis include the following:
- hereditary tendency;
- metabolic disorders;
- infectious diseases, intoxication of the body;
- disorders in the diet - deficiency of fluids, vitamins, trace elements;
- overweight;
- traumatic spinal injuries;
- bad stand;
- spinal instability;
- insufficiently active lifestyle;
- flatfoot;
- influence of adverse environmental factors;
- frequent changes in body position;
- for a long time in an awkward position;
- excessive physical activity;
- hypothermia;
- stressful situations;
- using the wrong sleeping pillows.
What are the different degrees of disease?
The disease develops gradually. There are 4 degrees of cervical osteochondrosis, each of which has specific characteristics:
- The first is accompanied by the appearance of cracks in the intervertebral discs. This process is accompanied by mild pain, stiffness of movements. The pathology has a wavy course. As the immune system deteriorates or the load increases, osteochondrosis worsens. If you do not take action in time, there is a risk of worsening the abnormal process.
- Second - at this stage the destruction of the intervertebral discs continues and their protrusion is observed. This process is accompanied by pinching of the nerve endings. A person has constant pain that increases with movement. At this stage there is a decrease in performance, numbness in the hands.
- The third 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. In vascular lesions there is a risk of decreased visual acuity, dizziness and tinnitus. 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 flexible. As a result, one cannot perform simple head movements.
Why should you see a doctor immediately?
If you experience symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should immediately consult a doctor - a neurologist or orthopedist. Otherwise, the pathology will lead to dangerous health consequences.
First of all, the doctor must assess the physical activity and intensity of neck pain. Also, the specialist is interested in loss of sensitivity and other disorders.
Based on the results of the preliminary examination, additional procedures are prescribed. In the first place, radiography is performed. It is performed in several projections. If a hernia is suspected, a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging may be needed. If there is a violation of blood flow, it becomes necessary to conduct rheoencephalography and examination of the fundus.
Treatment is prescribed based on the results of the diagnostic examination. With the development of cervical osteochondrosis, the following categories of drugs are most commonly used:
- Analgesics - help deal with pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate inflammation and deal with puffiness.
- Antispasmodics - help relieve muscle spasms.
- Drugs to improve blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors - help restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
- B vitamins - improve the functioning of nervous tissues.
In addition to drug therapy, other methods are prescribed. These include massage, therapeutic gymnastics, physiotherapy. The use of osteopathy is highly effective. In this case, a slight effect is exerted on the affected muscles and vertebrae. In some cases, the doctor is advised to wear a special orthopedic device - a collar of the trench.
Manual therapy is considered an effective way to treat pathology. Its methods are chosen individually. The procedure consists of a point effect on the musculoskeletal elements. Thanks to this, it is possible to activate blood flow, improve lymph movement and normalize metabolic processes. Manual therapy improves the mobility of the musculoskeletal system, strengthens the immune system and helps prevent complications from osteochondrosis.
Spinal traction is often used. Special equipment is used for stretching. The procedure helps to increase the distance between the vertebrae to normal size and to deal with disorders in the structure of the spine.
If acute cervical osteochondrosis is observed and intervertebral hernias occur, which provoke decreased sensitivity and impaired blood circulation, surgery is required.
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of osteochondrosis. Most often, the therapy is performed in long courses. To improve your condition, you definitely need to 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 adhere to certain recommendations:
- timely removal of curvature of the spine;
- do sports to form a muscular corset;
- eat foods that provide the body with calcium and magnesium;
- normalizes body weight;
- follow your doctor's advice when working on a computer.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious pathology that leads to negative health consequences. To deal with the disorder, it is necessary to make the correct diagnosis in time. Therefore, any discomfort in the neck should be a reason to see a doctor.
How does the treatment work?
Consultation with a doctor: history taking, myofascial diagnostics, functional diagnostics.
How does it go?
Collection of anamnesis - analysis of the disease, identification of limitations and contraindications, explanation of the principles of kinesitherapy, the peculiarities of the recovery period.
Myofascial diagnosis is a method of manual diagnosis in which the doctor assesses the range of motion of the joints, identifies painful seals, swelling, hypo- or hypertonicity of the muscles and other changes.
Functional diagnostics (performed in the rehabilitation room) - the doctor explains how certain exercises are performed on the equipment and observes: how the patient performs them, with what amplitude of movement he can work, what movements cause pain, with what severity he canthe patient works, how the cardiovascular system reacts. Problem areas have been identified. The data is entered into the map. Emphasis is placed.
Based on the results of the initial examination by a doctor and the functional diagnosis, a preliminary individual treatment program is prepared.
It is desirable to have with you:
- for pain in the spine - MRI or CT (magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography) of the problem area;
- for joint pain - X-rays;
- in the presence of concomitant diseases - extracts from the medical history or outpatient card;
- comfortable (sports) clothes and shoes
Start classes with an instructor
At the beginning of the treatment cycle, the doctor and the patient draw up a treatment plan, which includes the date and time of the treatment session, followed by visits to the doctor (usually 2-3 times a week).
The basis of the healing process consists of treatment sessions in the rehabilitation room with exercise equipment and sessions in the gym.
Rehabilitation simulators allow you to accurately dose the load on individual muscle groups, providing an adequate mode of physical impact. The treatment program is compiled by the doctor individually for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of the organism. The control is performed by qualified instructors. At all stages of recovery, it is important to follow the technique of proper movement and breathing, to know your weight standards when working with simulators, to adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen and to follow the recommendations of specialists.
Articular gymnastics sessions help to restore visual coordination, improve joint mobility and elasticity (flexibility) of the spine and are an excellent preventive system for self-use.
Each treatment cycle - 12 sessions. Each lesson is supervised by an instructor. The duration of a treatment session is from 40 minutes to 1. 5 hours. The instructor draws up a program, taking into account the concomitant diseases and the condition of the patient on the day of training. He teaches the technique of performing exercises and monitors the correctness of the performance. Every 6th lesson a second consultation with a doctor is held, changes and additions are made to the program depending on the dynamics.
How many cycles will it take?
This is individual to each person and depends on the progression of the disease.
Important to know:
- how long have you had this problem (stage of the disease);
- how your body is prepared for physical activity (do you do gymnastics, some kind of sport);
- what result do you want to get.
If the disease is in its infancy and the body is prepared, one cycle of treatment is sufficient. (example - young people aged 20-30 involved in sports. We focus their attention on the technique of performing exercises, breathing, stretching, excluding "wrong" exercises that are harmful to problem areas. Such patients are trained, receivethe ability to "take care of your body" », Get recommendations in case of exacerbation and continue to do it yourself).
Each organism is individual, and the program for each patient is individual.