Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a serious pathology characterized by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs.This disorder often causes dangerous complications.Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to neglect it.To resolve the disease, you should consult a specialist in a timely manner.
The essence of pathology
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathology in which the mild intervertebral pulp is transformed into bone tissue.This results in the fixation of blood vessels and nerve fibers.
The characteristic features of the disease include pain syndrome.It is localized to the neck, shoulders, upper back, back.Many patients have dizziness, pressure fluctuations, nausea, air deficiency.
Changes in the cervical area area are usually found in middle and older age.This is due to the vertical position of the skeleton and the characteristics of the load distribution.
Doctors note that the disease occurs before in men.It happens for 45-50 years.Women suffer from cervical osteochondrosis manifestations later at the age of 50-55.
Causes
A variety of factors lead to the development of this form of the disease.
The main causes of cervical osteochondrosis include the following:
- Spinal injury.This can lead to pressure distribution on the cartilage, which causes their structure and shape to change.
- Pathology of the musculoskeletal system.This category includes scoliosis, rheumatism, bone tuberculosis.
- Inadequate physical activity.People who lead an inactive lifestyle have the back muscles of the back muscles to support the spine.Salt deposit, which appears due to lactic acid, may exacerbate the condition of this condition.The weakened spinal column is easily deformed and becomes less mobile.
- Obesity.The appearance of overweight is a great danger to the musculoskeletal system.In addition to the increased load of the spine, fatty tissues receive beneficial substances needed to maintain the tone of the muscles and cartilage.
- Stay in motionless state for a long time.This disease is often found in drivers and people who are engaged in intellectual labor.After prolonged position, cartilage tissues gradually lose elasticity.Over time, intervertebral drives acquire unnatural configuration.
- Disorders in meals.In order for the body to work properly, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins must be in sufficient quantities in the diet.Irrational nutrition causes disruption of the tissue structure and causes them to rapidly destroy them.
Often, cervical osteochondrosis is the result of hereditary tendency.In this case, the pathology develops without the influence of important factors.
To prevent the appearance of the disease, you need to start therapy on time.
Stages of the disease
There are several stages of pathology, each of which is characterized by certain characteristics:
- First- The main feature of the state is the volatility of the spine.It is manifested in the initial injuries of intervertebral discs;
- Second- The main manifestation is protrusion.This condition is characterized by a decrease in cracks between the vertebrates, the gradual disruption of the integrity of the fiber.There is often pain caused by compression of the nerves;
- Third- At this point, the fiber link is completely destroyed.This implies an intervertebral hernia.This condition is characterized by severe spine damage;
- Fourth- This is the most difficult.At this point, with any movement, severe pain occurs.Sometimes the condition improves, but this indicates the appearance of bone structures connecting the spine.This involves reducing motor action and provoking disability.
Symptoms
This form of osteochondrosis is characterized by special manifestations.This is due to the tight location of the cervical spine and the low height of the discs.Therefore, minor changes have caused serious manifestations.In addition, this form of osteochondrosis is often accompanied by compression of cerebrospinal roots.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include the following:
- Pain.They are localized in different areas - head, neck, shoulder girdle, hands.Discomfort in the hands or shoulder belt is due to the stretching of the nerves.Pain syndrome in the back area is associated with spasms of the neck muscular tissue and circulatory disorders.
- Weakness in the hands.This sign is caused by damage to the motor nerves that are responsible for the innervation of the muscles of the hands.
- Weakening of sensitivity in the hands.This feature is caused by root damage, which includes sensitive fibers responsible for the innervation of the skin of the hands.
- Reduction of neck motor action, crisis appearance.Such symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are the result of decrease in the height of the discs.They are also defeated by intervertebral joints and the formation of bones on the vertebrates.
- Weakness, loss of movement coordination and dizziness.These manifestations are caused by damage to the spine artery.Formation of fiber tissue and spine movement causes blood flow to the arteries.As a result, blood flow is deteriorated in the brain and cerebrum.
- Hearing deterioration, tongue irrigation, weakening of visual gravity.These symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis are caused by exacerbation of the situation and the development of the cerebrovascular accident.
Diagnostic methods
To determine the neck osteochondrosis, you need to perform many diagnostic procedures.
Most informative studies include the following:
- Magnetic -resonance visualization is the most informative study that allows you to evaluate the condition of the spine and discs.Also, with the help of this procedure, it is possible to identify the hernia, evaluate their size and localization.
- X -Ray -This procedure is one of the most affordable research methods.However, it often does not become informative, especially at the last stage of the disease.
- Computed tomography - allows you to determine the presence of changes in the spine structure.However, it is quite difficult to make a hernia or spinal cord compression in this way.
- Duplex Ultrasound Scan - Helps to detect blood flow disorders in the spine.The procedure allows you to detect obstacles and blood flow to the bloodstream.
Methods of treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is selected with a variety of factors.This is done at the stage of the disease, depending on the form of the disease, the severity of the symptoms.
The main methods of therapy include the following:
- Conservative therapy - can be medicines, not medications;
- Surgical intervention;
- A set of conservative methods and surgical treatment.
Medicines
Treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis can be carried out using such categories of drugs:
- Analgesics - are unwanted drugs that help cure pain.They are usually prescribed in the form of a tablet.It should be remembered that most of these categories cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the digestive organs.
- Anti -anamanthic substances are hormonal agents that help stop inflammation and eliminate pain.Usually, cervical osteochondrosis, tablets and ointments are prescribed based on prednisolone.
- Slow action agents - In these medicines there are elements that alter the components of cartilage tissue.This includes hyaluronic acid and chondroitine.To get a stable positive effect, such funds should take a long time.
- Musorelaxants - These medications help relax the muscle tone.They are used in surgical practice and orthopedics as an additional way to relieve pain.Such substances will be presented in a parenteral manner, as this should be done under the supervision of a physician.Glycerol -based products are used by the development of osteochondrosis.You have to keep in mind that they have many contraindications.
- Vitamin Complexes.In the case of such osteochondrosis, the use of vitamins is indicated, which has a favorable effect on the nervous system and improves conduction.This includes B vitamins B. Other vitamins are also shown - A, C, D, E. Many doctors prescribe combined products that include vitamins and analgesics.
- Ointments and gels for local use.Such joints may have different properties - warming, painkillers, anti -mattress.Before using a particular tool, you need to undergo a medical examination.
Methods of physiotherapy
Treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis inevitably requires the use of basic methods of physiotherapy.
The most effective procedures include the following:
- Electrophoresis using drugs.Under the influence of electric current, the particles of the medication penetrate the desired place.This can stimulate blood circulation and achieve an analgesic effect.
- Ultrasound impact.Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to deal with pain and stop inflammation.This technique also activates metabolic processes in the body.
- Magnetotherapy.With its help, it is possible to cope with swelling and achieve an anesthetic effect.
- Laser impact.This method helps to normalize blood circulation and helps to cope with inflammation.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Special exercises should be done to make the disease as effective as possible.They are prescribed after stopping acute symptoms.It should be remembered that there should be no pain and unpleasant sensations during the class.
The most effective exercises should include the following:
- Stand on your stomach, rest your hands on the floor, raise your head and torso.It is worthwhile to make sure that the back remains straight.It is necessary to stay in this position for 1-2 minutes.Then carefully sink to the floor.Make 2-3 repetitions.
- Sit on your stomach, stretch your hands, turn your head on the left side, and touch the floor.Similar movement to the right.Make it 6-7 times in each direction.
- Sit down and rinse your breath.Tap the breast with a chin.After that, remove, deviate back, throw the head back.Perform 10-15 repetitions.
- Sit down, place your palms on your forehead.Press your arms for 30 seconds.In total, you have to do 2-3 repetitions.
- Slowly turn your head in different directions.In each direction, you need to make 10 turnover.When dizziness arises, the exercise should be stopped.
Massage
To eliminate the signs of cervical osteochondrosis, you should definitely massage.The procedure should be performed as carefully, without effort.The movements should spread to the neck, collar site and back area.
It is best to do a massage in a cheated belly.In extreme cases, the procedure session is allowed.
The technique is based on the use of such techniques:
- Stroking - implies the effect of skin surfaces.To do this, the palms of the hands or fingers of your fingers should be struck on the back, avoiding the back of the upper third.You can also make zigzag movements.
- Squeezing - consists of exposure to the upper third of the deep areas of the skin.To do this, with the finger and ancestry, the skin is conquered.This should be done very carefully, without the influence of the tissues in the spine.
- Rubric - The procedure is performed to heat the skin and increase blood circulation in the collar region.This should be done very carefully, without influencing the spin sections of the spine.
- Kneading - quite rare because it implies the influence of deep -rooted tissues.This can only exacerbate the anomaly.
With osteochondrosis, it can be performed.It is convenient to sit and use the methods of hitting the neck and shoulders.It is advisable to complete the procedure with rubric with ointments, which helps increase blood flow and relieve pain in the affected side.
Surgical treatment
Surgical intervention is given in the following cases:
- The presence of neurological deviations is a disruption of motor action, weakness or loss of sensitivity to the hands, loss of defecation control.When such symptoms appear, you may be questioned by constant damage to the nerves.Therefore, it is very important to have surgery to eliminate the compression.
- The presence of constant pain that disrupts the quality of human life and cannot be eliminated by conservative methods.
With the development of cervical osteochondrosis, the following operations may be performed:
- Anterior cervical discochomy and spondylosis.The operation is performed through the anterior surface of the neck.The procedure is aimed at removing the affected disc, decompression of nerve fibers and implanting a special device to maintain the desired distance between the vertebrates.
- Changing intervertebral disk.In this case, the affected disc is removed and instead includes artificial.Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to maintain motor activity.
Surgical interventions to eliminate neurological symptoms are high efficacy.According to some assessments, this is 80-90 %.However, such methods are not sufficiently effective when eliminating osteochondrosis pain.
Possible Threats
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious type of pathology.There are many nerve and vessels in this area of the spine responsible for brain nutrition.In addition, cervical vertebrates fit tightly.Thus, even a slight change in this area has led to the movement or movement of blood vessels and nerves.
Cerebral blood flow disorders cause migraine, vegetarian dystonia, hypertension.There is also a risk of problems in the functioning of the respiratory system, heart and blood vessels.Many people are concerned about reading, reducing visual gravity, coordinating movements.
In difficult situations, cervical osteochondrosis causes spine artery syndrome.This vessel is responsible for the supply of cerebrum and elongated brain blood.Along with the compression of the artery, there is a risk of developing stroke of the brain and spinal stroke.
Also, pathology can cause damage to the nerve roots.This is manifested in the form of growth formation, the appearance of radiculopathy, the loss of motor action.The most difficult result of the disease is the contraction of the spinal cord, which can lead to a fatal outcome.
Prevention
To prevent the development of pathology, it is worth observing simple rules:
- Systematically play sports;
- Eat properly;
- Take vitamins and other medications prescribed by your doctor;
- Avoid long stay in an uncomfortable state;
- Use orthopedic furniture;
- Choose clothes and shoes for the season, especially in winter.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a very dangerous disease that can lead to adverse health consequences.
To avoid serious complications, you should consult your doctor in a timely manner and follow his recommendations.