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cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathological condition in which bone and cartilage tissue undergo degenerative changes.

Disc dystrophy can occur after the age of 30, and by the age of 40-45, the discs become dry and hardened.

The spine contains 7 cervical vertebrae, which are composed of vertebral bodies, processes and bony arches; there is a hole in the center of the vertebrae, in which the spinal cord is located.The various elements of the spine are connected to each other by intervertebral discs, which are formed from a core, annulus fibrosus, and a layer of transparent plate (cartilage).The cervical vertebrae are the thinnest of the intervertebral discs and fit closely together; the neck muscles are poorly developed, so during regular exercise, the intervertebral disc may shift, compressing blood vessels and nerve trunks.

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

Stages of development of osteochondrosis

Grade 1 osteochondrosis

It is characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs.Cracks form in the annulus fibrosus, the strength and elasticity of the intervertebral disc are compromised, and its height is reduced, thus compressing the nerve roots.Characteristic soreness occurs.Sometimes in the first stage (preclinical) this pain may not be present and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck.

2nd degree osteochondrosis

If grade 1 osteochondrosis is left untreated or is ineffective, a chronic condition, grade 2 osteochondrosis, develops.The pain becomes constant and destruction and compression of the discs continues, causing slight dislocation of the cervical spine.In cervical osteochondrosis, dropped head syndrome may occur at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain and the patient is forced to support the head in a fixed position to relieve the pain.

Third degree osteochondrosis

The annulus fibrosus is nearly destroyed, leading to complications of osteochondrosis - disc herniation (impingement) or intervertebral hernia.In the third stage of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease because the affected cartilage tissue in the disc is not present at all and therefore there is no source of pain, but the pinching of the nerve roots is still present, so the pain does not completely disappear.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

As we age, the disc core loses moisture reserves and becomes less elastic.Since metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, the regeneration process of discs with poor blood supply stops.The main factor in the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at a young age is physical inactivity - a passive lifestyle, lack of properly organized physical activity.

Factors leading to poor blood circulation in the cervical spine and intervertebral space include:

  • driving a car for long periods of time;
  • working in front of a computer or sitting in any position for long periods of time;
  • Lift weights regularly;
  • Working conditions involving sudden movements and rotations of the neck;
  • bad posture;
  • Neck and head injuries;
  • Exercise training causes disc displacement;
  • Being overweight causes overload on the intervertebral discs and damages the function of the cervical and thoracic spine;
  • Alcohol abuse, smoking, unhealthy diet (due to harmful effects on metabolic processes); stress;
  • Hypothermia of the neck (for example, without a scarf during cold periods);
  • sleeping on pillows that are too high or too soft;
  • Genetics (family history of spinal disease).

Common symptoms of osteochondrosis in the neck may include:

  • Dizziness, migraine-like pain in the head (acute), and dull, compressive pain in the neck (neck pain) that worsens when you move your head;
  • Low back pain (severe pain spreading to the back or arms);
  • Burning in back, heart;
  • Stiffness in the neck, arms (especially hands);
  • Decreased neck mobility and numbness in the morning;
  • Pulsating sensation in the back of the head;
  • Temporary blackening of eyes, noise in ear canals, and sometimes fainting;
  • The skin of the spine is thickened due to connective tissue proliferation.

diagnosis

Most of the time, the doctor's diagnosis sounds like "grade two cervical osteochondrosis."Why the second immediately?The fact is that Level 1 is undiagnosable because the symptoms are too weak.During the initial examination, the doctor will determine the extent of damage to the spine.To do this, the patient needs to be examined in different positions: horizontal, seated, standing, tilted.By counting the vertebrae, experts focus on anatomical specifications and determine the degree of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine.The inspection is not limited to visual inspection—vertebral deformities can be easily felt with your hands.Palpation can determine the location of pain and the strength of tension in the paravertebral muscles.However, in order to achieve positive results in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, hardware examination is still necessary.Computed tomography, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging - all these methods make the diagnosis very accurate and allow you to choose the best treatment.

treat

How is cervical osteochondrosis treated?This is the wrong way to ask; more precisely, how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, since osteochondrosis is completely impossible to cure.But it is quite possible to stop the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and discs and eliminate pain and discomfort.But this is only possible if treatment is started early in the disease.Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor promptly.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.

Treatment options may be proposed as follows:

  • Medications in the NSAID group (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used to relieve inflammation;
  • Antispasmodics - relieve spasms;
  • painkillers;
  • B vitamins;
  • Reflexology;
  • Physical therapy (physical therapy) – to eliminate pain and inflammation;
  • Therapeutic massage – restores blood supply and relieves tension;
  • Acupuncture and acupressure.

But the most important way to treat cervical osteochondrosis is moderate physical activity.

disease prevention

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

  1. When working sedentary for a long time, be sure to take a five-minute break every hour to avoid neck strain.
  2. Don't move your head suddenly, pay attention to your posture,
  3. Avoid hypothermia,
  4. Exercise, swim, eat right,
  5. Sleep on a hard mattress and low pillow: the neck flexion angle should not exceed 15 degrees,
  6. After 25 years, avoid impact to the spine (jumping, running).