Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

Osteochondrosis is a complex of dystrophic and degenerative disorders in the cartilage tissue of the spinal discs.The disease can develop in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.Osteochondrosis is accompanied by pain and disruption of the vascular and nervous system.

This type of disease is the most common and occurs even in young people.Cervical osteochondrosis is the most dangerous, as it is accompanied by pinching of the nerve root coming out of the spinal cord and impaired intracranial blood circulation as a result of pressure from deformed intervertebral discs on blood vessels.

The vertebral artery, the largest blood vessel supplying the brain, passes through the openings of the cervical vertebrae.Pressure on this artery can lead to dangerous complications such as coronary artery disease and even stroke.

The tight fit of the cervical vertebrae to each other leads to the fact that their slightest displacement leads to compression of the nerves and blood vessels.This leads to reduced sensitivity of the skin, partial loss of 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;
• Disorders of the intrauterine development of the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine;
• Age-related factors affecting changes in cartilage tissue;
• Metabolic disorders.

The external causes are more diverse:

• Excessive pressure on the vertebrae due to improper loading;
• Various injuries and damage to the spine and back (bruises, falls, sprains, fractures);
• Infectious diseases;
• Spinal muscular dystrophy;
• Poor posture in the form of stooping and S-shaped curvature of the spine;
• Working in an uncomfortable position;
• Dragging heavy objects;
• flat feet;
• Overweight;
• intoxication;
• hypothermia;
• Uncomfortable sleeping pillows;
• Adverse environmental conditions;
• Lack of vitamins or trace elements (calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, vitamin D);
• Physical inactivity (lack of physical activity).

Cervical osteochondrosis is more likely to develop in people who lead a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and are engaged in mental activity, but sometimes it also occurs in athletes, loaders or people whose work involves frequent bending and sudden movements.

Symptoms

The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are quite diverse.These include:

• Pain in the neck, spreading to the back of the head, the area of the eyes and ears, the shoulder girdle;
• Pain in the upper limbs, worse with the least exertion;
• Muscle tension and limited mobility of the neck, especially in the morning;
• Pain when bending and turning the head;
• Numbness in cervical vertebrae after sleep;
• Impaired hand movement, reduced range of motion;
• Burning, tingling and numbness in the upper limbs;
• Headache that is mainly located in the back of the head, but can also spread to the temples and the parietal part;
• tinnitus;
• Deterioration of vision and hearing (periodic and permanent);
• Numbness of the tongue;
• Pain in the chest area or between the shoulder blades, which is not eliminated by nitroglycerin and depends on the position of the body;
• Overgrowth of connective tissue in the cervical region;
• Constant tiredness and fatigue;
• drowsiness;
• nausea;
• Diplopia (double vision);
• A crunch in the vertebrae.

Course of the disease and possible complications

Even a slight load on the upper part can lead to the development of cervical osteochondrosis - this area of the spine is very vulnerable.Degenerative changes leading to the formation of osteophytes (growths on bone tissue) contribute to irritation and tension of the nearby muscles, which in response to the impact put even more pressure on the cartilage and joints.This leads to the progression of the disease - squeezing the arteries and nerves.

If the disease is not treated, protrusions and herniations develop in the intervertebral discs, which leads to a significant decrease in the mobility of the spine and may require surgical intervention.

With serious degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue and lack of treatment, the so-called "radicular syndrome" - damage to the cervical nerves - can develop.This leads to the strengthening and progression of all the above symptoms and can cause speech, breathing and even such a rare phenomenon as constant hiccups.

The inflamed root can gradually occupy the entire area of the spinal canal, which causes increased pain syndromes and serious disorders in the nervous regulation of the limbs and facial muscles.Impaired cerebral circulation can cause a weakening of intellectual abilities, memory, attention and lead to a stroke.

Osteochondrosis occurs with periods of exacerbation, when all symptoms appear particularly sharply, and periods of remission.The duration of remission depends on the patient's lifestyle and the preventive measures he takes.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is established on the basis of characteristic symptoms, as well as with the help of:

• x-rays.The method is ineffective, especially in the last stages of development of osteochondrosis.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the cervical vertebrae.A method that allows you to see bone structures, herniated intervertebral discs, their size and direction of development.
• Computed tomography.A less effective solution than MRI because the presence and size of the hernia is difficult to determine.
• Doppler ultrasound (to identify pathologies of the cervical vessels).This method is used in cases where there is a suspicion of a violation of the blood flow in the arteries.With the help of a scan, you can determine the speed of blood flow and whether there are any obstacles to it.

Treatment

It is more advisable to treat osteochondrosis in the initial stages of the pathology, but in practice doctors are consulted when the disease progresses to more dangerous stages.Self-medication in 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 an integrated approach - a combination of medicinal methods and physiotherapy.

Drug treatment

Medicines effectively relieve (remove) 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 medicine is prescribed by the attending physician.

Medicines are also used to improve cerebral blood circulation and medicines that affect the relaxation of the neck muscles.Vitamins in therapeutic doses (especially group B and nicotinic acid) and trace elements (calcium, phosphorus and magnesium preparations) help.

Treatment with chondroprotectors (nutritional supplements) is practiced, which restores the intervertebral tissues, but some doctors believe that these drugs are ineffective or even useless for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Ointments and gels for external use have a certain therapeutic effect.

Physiotherapy and alternative treatment

In specialized 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 prepare special individual therapeutic programs, which include:

• Electrophoresis (application of medicinal substances through the skin using electrodes);
• Magnetotherapy (exposure to magnetic fields);
• Amplipulse therapy (treatment with modulated currents);
• reflexology;
• Orthopedic gymnastics;
• Classes of special simulators;
• Massage;
• Manual impact methods;
• Ultrasound therapy;
• Laser therapy.

The treatment of osteochondrosis with non-traditional methods is popular - acupuncture, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches), osteopathy.

In advanced cases and in the presence of complications, doctors resort to surgery.

Prevention

Since the most common cause of cervical osteochondrosis is the lack of movement and the incorrect position of the body, the best preventive measure is therapeutic gymnastics, which can be performed at the workplace - in a sitting or standing position.

To prevent the disease, it is also necessary to visit an orthopedist from a very early age and carry out timely correction of posture disorders.

Prevents osteochondrosis and proper nutrition, which provides the body with the necessary trace elements.At the same time, overeating should not be allowed, since excess weight is one of the causes of excessive load on the spinal discs.

When carrying heavy objects, be careful and distribute the load properly.

A big role is played by the place to sleep, the mattress and the pillow - they must be comfortable and not create tension in the muscles of the back and neck.

And most importantly, avoid stress, nervous tension and negative emotions.

Forecast

With timely and qualified treatment, the prognosis is favorable, but a lot depends on the stage of the disease, the severity of the manifestations, the age of the patient and compliance with medical recommendations regarding lifestyle, proper nutrition and elimination of bad habits.