Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathological condition in which degenerative changes occur in bone and cartilage tissue.

Dystrophy of the intervertebral discs can develop after the age of 30, while by the age of 40-45 years they become dry and hardened.

The spinal column contains 7 cervical vertebrae, consisting of a body, processes and a bony arch;In the center of the vertebra there is a hole in which the spinal cord is located.The individual elements of the spine are connected to each other using intervertebral discs formed by a core, a fibrous ring and a layer - a hyaline plate (cartilage). The cervical vertebrae, having the smallest thickness of the discs, fit tightly to each other;the muscles in the neck area are quite poorly developed, as a result of which, with regular exercise, disc displacement can occur, which compresses blood vessels and nerve trunks.

The disease goes through several stages in its development, during which the spine undergoes pathological changes:

1st degree of osteochondrosis

Characterized by the onset of destruction of intervertebral discs.Cracks form in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the disc is impaired, its height decreases, due to which the nerve roots are compressed.A characteristic aching pain appears.Sometimes at stage 1 (preclinical) such pain may be absent, and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck area.

2nd degree osteochondrosis

If grade 1 osteochondrosis was not treated or treatment was not effective, then a chronic condition occurs, which is grade 2 osteochondrosis.The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compaction of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to slight dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.With cervical osteochondrosis, falling head syndrome may develop at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain, and the person is forced to support his head in a fixed position to reduce pain.

3rd degree osteochondrosis

The fibrous ring is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis - protrusion (impingement) of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.At stage 3 of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease, since the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc simply no longer exists, and therefore there is no source of pain, however, pinching of the nerve roots remains, so the pain does not completely go away.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

With age, the core of the intervertebral disc loses moisture reserves and also becomes less elastic.Since metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, regeneration processes in discs with poor blood supply stop.At a young age, the main role in the occurrence of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is played by physical inactivity - a passive lifestyle, lack of properly organized physical activity.

Factors contributing to poor circulation in the cervical vertebrae and intervertebral space are:

• driving a car for a long time;
• working at a computer, sitting for long periods of time in any position;
• regular lifting of weights;
• working conditions that involve sudden movements and turns of the neck;
• poor posture;
• neck and head injuries;
• disc displacement as a result of sports training;
• excess weight, leading to high load on the intervertebral discs and disruption of the functioning of the cervicothoracic spine;
• alcohol abuse, smoking, unhealthy diet (due to the harmful effects on metabolic processes); stress;
• hypothermia of the neck (for example, in the absence of a scarf during the cold period);
• sleeping on high or too soft pillows;
• heredity (family history of spinal diseases).

Common symptoms of neck osteochondrosis may include:

• dizziness, migraine-like pain in the head (acute), as well as dull, pressing pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which can intensify when moving the head;
• lumbago (sharp pain spreading to the back or arm);
• burning in the back, heart;
• stiffness of the neck, arms (especially hands);
• decreased mobility and numbness of the neck in the morning;
• sensation of pulsation in the back of the head;
• temporary darkness in the eyes, noise in the ear canal, sometimes fainting;
• thickening of the skin in the spine due to the proliferation of connective tissue.

Diagnostics

Most often, the doctor’s diagnosis sounds like “2nd degree cervical osteochondrosis.”Why immediately the second one?The fact is that the first degree cannot be diagnosed because the symptoms are too weak.During a preliminary examination, the doctor determines how damaged the spinal column is.For this, the patient is examined in different positions: horizontal, sitting, standing, tilted.By counting the vertebrae, the specialist focuses on anatomical norms and determines the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The examination is not limited to a visual examination - the vertebral deformity can be easily felt by hand.Palpation makes it possible to determine the location of pain and the strength of tension in the paravertebral muscles.But still, in order for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to bring positive results, it is necessary to undergo a hardware examination.Computed tomography, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging - all these methods make the diagnosis perfectly accurate and allow you to choose the optimal treatment method.

Treatment

How to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?This is the wrong way to pose the question; more correctly, how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, since it is completely impossible to cure osteochondrosis.But it is quite possible to stop the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and intervertebral discs, and get rid of pain and discomfort.But this is only possible if treatment was started at an early stage of the disease.Therefore, it is so important to consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be comprehensive.

The treatment regimen can be presented as follows:

• drugs from the NSAID group (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve inflammation;
• antispasmodics - to relieve spasms;
• painkillers;
• B vitamins;
• reflexology;
• physical therapy (physical therapy) - eliminates pain and inflammation;
• therapeutic massage - restores blood supply, relieves tension;
• acupuncture and acupressure.

But the most important method of treating cervical osteochondrosis is dosed physical activity.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended:

1. when working sedentarily, be sure to take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid strain on the neck,
2. do not make sudden movements of the head, watch your posture,
3. avoid hypothermia,
4. exercise, swim, eat right,
5. sleep should be on a firm mattress and on a low pillow: the angle of flexion of the neck should not be more than 15 degrees,
6. after 25 years, avoid shock loads on the spine (jumping, running).