Cervical osteochondrosis. Causes, symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention

Cervical osteochondrosis is the ossification of the vertebrae in the neck. Bone tissue begins to squeeze blood vessels and nerve endings. To diagnose cervical osteochondrosis, you need to see a neurologist.

What is the danger of cervical osteochondrosis

Many patients complain of head and neck pain at the same time. Patients have to choose a certain position in which the pain subsides or seems less severe. This is not always comfortable, so performance decreases.

With the course of the disease, disc protrusion develops, the intervertebral tissues are destroyed, and the gaps decrease. At the last stage of the disease, the disc completely collapses, and connective tissue forms in its place. Because of this, the patient develops a limitation of mobility: for example, he cannot turn or tilt his head.

If osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is not treated in time, it can lead to compression of the spinal cord, disability and paralysis.

Reasons

When the load on the neck increases, the muscle tissue provokes a spasm. This can happen due to:

• overweight;
• crooked posture;
• a sedentary lifestyle;
• physical damage to the spine;
• metabolic disorders;
• intense physical activity;
• frequent stressful situations;
• heredity;
• staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
• frequent tension of the muscles of the back and neck. For example, while driving;
• abnormal development of the cervical spine;
• improper diet;
• hypothermia of the neck;
• diseases that provoke the degenerative process of cartilage.

A patient with back pain, neck pain and headache should remember that this kind of pain is not only a neurological symptom. This may be a symptom of some related diseases. If we take neck pain, it can be caused by diseases of the thyroid gland, lymphoid tissue or lymph nodes at the cervical level.

Symptoms

At the initial stage, there are:

• painful sensations in the cervical and occipital spine, they can radiate to the area of ​​the shoulders and upper limbs;
• arm muscle weakness;
• painful sensations when turning the head;
• chronic fatigue;
• attacks of dizziness;
• blurred vision;
• hearing impairment;
• crunch when moving the head;
• disorientation in space;
• migraine attacks.

Other symptoms may appear later:

• neurotic disorders: feeling anxious due to poor blood circulation in the brain;
• sleep disturbance;
• fainting;
• dots in front of the eyes;
• nausea and vomiting;
• soreness in the arms at night;
• facial muscle paralysis;
• numbness of the shoulder muscles.

Varieties

There are several syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis.

Radicular syndrome of cervical osteochondrosis. Occurs when the nerve root is pinched. At the same time, the elasticity of the skin decreases, puffiness appears. Painful sensations spread from the neck to the forearm and further to the arms. An additional symptom is a tingling sensation.

Vertebral artery syndrome of cervical osteochondrosis. It spreads to the occipital and temporal regions and is accompanied by constant throbbing pain. The patient feels even more discomfort after being in an uncomfortable position for a long time. Also, the patient's hearing and vision deteriorate, fainting and nausea are possible.

Cervical Migraine Syndrome. Sympathetic nodes are irritated, blood circulation is disturbed. Hypertension may develop. Additional symptoms are congestion and ringing in the ears.

Hypertensive syndrome of cervical osteochondrosis. It is characterized by increased pressure in the arterial vessels. The painful sensations have a bursting character. Patients complain of nausea. Increase in body temperature is possible.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis development

The progression of the disease occurs in 4 stages.

1. At the first stage, mild symptoms. Slight muscle tension and soreness are noted. That is, the neck muscles get tired faster than in a healthy state.
2. At the second stage, protrusion develops and the distance between the vertebrae decreases. The process of destruction of the annulus fibrosus begins. The patient's performance deteriorates.
3. At the third stage, the symptoms of the disease are exacerbated. The patient is in constant pain. Numbness of muscle tissue and hernia progression are possible. Patient's joints and movements are stiff.
4. At the fourth stage, the intervertebral disc is destroyed, and connective tissue is formed instead. The patient has more frequent attacks of dizziness and impaired coordination.

Complications

If the disease is not promptly cured, complications may appear:

• herniated intervertebral disc;
• protrusion;
• cervicocranialgia;
• osteophytes;
• compression of arterial canals;
• radiculopathy;
• chronic pain.

Diagnostics

Cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed by a neurologist. You may also need advice from a vertebrologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, orthopedist, traumatologist or neurosurgeon.

The doctor asks the patient about the symptoms, determines the mobility of the neck, checks reflexes, sensitivity and muscle tension. After that, diagnostics are performed: X-ray, computed or magnetic resonance imaging.

X-ray of the spine. A neurologist assesses the condition, structure and displacement of the vertebrae in the cervical spine. It determines the decrease in intervertebral distances and the size of the spinal canal. Also, the doctor can detect inflammatory and tumor lesions, growth of osteophytes, curvature of the spine and other changes. To obtain an expanded picture, pictures are taken in two projections: direct and lateral, with or without contrasting. If necessary, appoint additional oblique projections, functional tests.

Computed tomography (CT). More informative examination method compared to radiography. With the help of CT, the cause of spinal cord compression, infections, tumors, traumatic injuries is determined, the condition of the bone structures of the spine is studied. When scanning the cervical spine, longitudinal and transverse sections of the vertebrae are obtained in the anteroposterior and lateral projections. If a contrast agent is used in difficult diagnostic cases, the cost of the procedure increases by 30-40%.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It surpasses radiography and computed tomography in terms of the informative value of studying the state of soft tissues. The intervertebral column is scanned to identify oncological, tumor, traumatic and degenerative-dystrophic causes of cervical osteochondrosis. The study assesses the condition of the intervertebral joints and soft tissues, as well as the blood supply to the spinal cord. The procedure is performed in the transverse or vertical planes, sometimes with the introduction of a contrast agent.

Other hardware research methods. In order to exclude vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis, duplex scanning of the arteries of the head and neck, magnetic resonance imaging of the vessels of the brain and neck are performed.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The basis of rehabilitation therapy is physiotherapy exercises, massage, reflexology, acupuncture and other physiotherapy.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

Exercises for osteochondrosis of the neck are selected individually, depending on the stage of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body. For example, your doctor may recommend the following exercise program:

• slow head rotation in a circle, 10 times in both directions;
• raising the head, torso and back from a prone position, while the hands rest on the floor, and the back remains straight;
• turns the head to the left and to the right while lying down until the ear touches the floor;
• pressure with the palms on the forehead, and with the forehead on the palm for 30 seconds and the same amount with the hands together at the back of the head.

Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

Treatment with manual therapy relieves muscle tension and blockage of joints, relieves pain, restores the capabilities of the musculo-articular apparatus. The doctor assesses the condition of the muscles, determines the points of pain and the degree of springing of the spinal joint. Further, through active and passive movements of the hands, it affects the damaged tendons, ligaments and muscles. Treatment of manual therapy is contraindicated during the period of acute inflammation and with instability of the vertebrae.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for cervical osteochondrosis is performed using sterile needles, which are inserted into pre-selected points at different depths and left for a certain time. The needles are chosen very thin to minimize discomfort. The procedure relieves pain, activates microcirculation, normalizes metabolic processes, improves overall health and increases the effectiveness of drug treatment.

Kinesio Taping

This is the imposition of an elastic bandage in the shape of the letter Y on the neck-collar zone while maintaining the mobility of the neck. Tapes for cervical osteochondrosis relieve pain, inhibit inflammation, provide support for the paravertebral muscles.

Orthopedic collars

A collar for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is needed in the acute period of the disease. It fixes bones and joints, relieving stress on the affected segment. The collar also corrects the position of deformed vertebrae and skeletal bones, relieves pain.

Depending on the degree of fixation, orthopedic collars are of several types:

• soft splint (Shantz collar). This product is made of dense, elastic polyurethane foam in a fabric cover with fastening in the form of Velcro, buttons or plastic fasteners. It can be used to adjust the collar volume. A soft splint is worn from 2 weeks to 4 months, after every two hours of use you need to take a break;
• inflatable collar. Consists of a dense, flexible material. The course of treatment depends on the stage of osteochondrosis. In the early days, it is recommended to wear a collar for five minutes twice a day, gradually increasing the time to 30 minutes. An inflatable collar is worn to prevent cervical osteochondrosis;
• semi-rigid collar. Semi-rigid corset for the neck is made of polyurethane with a fastener at the back. Compared to a soft splint, it holds the neck more firmly. It comes in various sizes;
• rigid collar. Made of thermoplastic material with front and rear calipers. It is made according to individual sizes and is recommended for use during the entire course of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

Massage for cervical osteochondrosis

In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, classical manual massage of the cervical-collar zone is used. The impact on muscles and ligaments strengthens the muscle corset and increases muscle performance. The massage also has a lymphatic drainage, relaxing and analgesic effect.

During the massage, the patient lies on his stomach with his chin pressed to his chest. The arms should be bent at the elbows, and the forehead should touch the hands, the neck muscles should be relaxed.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is:

• drug electrophoresis. Under the influence of electric current, the drug enters the lesion site;
• magnetic therapy. Activates blood flow through the vessels, starts metabolic processes, reduces swelling and relieves pain;
• ultrasound. Reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings, restores damaged nerve fibers, provides anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect;
• diadynamic currents. Reduce swelling, pain and inflammation, improve tissue trophism, stimulate muscles and nerve fibers.

Medication for cervical osteochondrosis

Modern medicine is trying to move away from medicines. Some medications are very difficult and can adversely affect the patient's health. If you cannot do without drug treatment, use a selected complex of several drugs, including:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They relieve pain, swelling and inflammation of the damaged nerve root. Most often these are ointments and medications for oral administration. Pain-relieving injections for cervical osteochondrosis are prescribed if there is no effect from treatment with pills;
• vitamins of group B. Improve metabolic processes in the nervous tissue;
• chondroprotectors. Restore bone and cartilage tissue, restrain degenerative and dystrophic changes;
• muscle relaxants. Relieve muscle tension, relax muscles;
• vasodilators, angioprotectors, nootropics. Expand blood vessels, improve microcirculation, restore nutrition to damaged nerve endings.

Other treatments

The course of specialized neurological care for cervical osteochondrosis includes other methods of treatment:

• laser therapy. Has anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, lymphatic drainage, antimicrobial, immunostimulating effect;
• remedial physical culture. Restores the function of the spine, strengthens the muscles of the back and neck, improves overall physical fitness, prevents the development of complications;
• shock wave therapy for cervical osteochondrosis. By acting on tissues with acoustic waves, it reduces pain, increases blood flow and metabolism, has anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effects;
• surgical intervention. It implies the removal of formations that cause narrowing of the spinal canal, laser reconstruction of the disc, replacement of the damaged disc with an implant, stabilization of the spine.

Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis

It will be possible to avoid complications and prevent the development of pathology by observing the following recommendations:

• exercise daily, such as swimming;
• eat more foods with calcium and magnesium;
• with sedentary work, do neck exercises once an hour;
• use an orthopedic pillow for sleeping;
• take a hot shower daily;
• avoid hypothermia;
• give up alcoholic beverages, smoking and drugs;
• don't do bodybuilding;
• avoid strenuous physical activity;
• when carrying heaviness, use a protective corset for the spine;
• control posture;
• undergo preventive examinations.

Which doctor to contact

The disease is treated and diagnosed by a neurologist. The doctor will prescribe a comprehensive treatment and help eliminate pain syndrome.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can lymph nodes become inflamed with cervical osteochondrosis?

In some cases, the cervical and supraclavicular lymph nodes are inflamed, less often muscle. This is due to the compression of the spinal artery and nerve roots by the deformed vertebrae, which leads to impaired lymph and blood flow.

2. Can ears hurt and get blocked with cervical osteochondrosis?

Patients complain of ear pain, hearing loss. The physiology of the ear, throat, nose, and organs of the visual system is directly related to the correct position of the vertebrae in the cervical spine and their sufficient blood supply.

3. Can cervical osteochondrosis go down the throat?

Sore throat, coma, difficulty in swallowing accompany cervical osteochondrosis. This is due to vascular disorders, weakening of blood flow in the basilar and vertebral arteries.

4. How long is cervical osteochondrosis treated?

The duration of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the disease. The main task is to stop changes and prevent complications.