Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Every second inhabitant of the earth faces problems with the spine.Osteochondrosis of the neck is one of the most common diseases that require special attention.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences.In especially advanced cases, complications can provoke a fatal outcome.

Stages

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in women and men develops gradually and has periods of increased symptoms and remissions.Signs of the disease occur when the process of destruction of the vertebrae reaches a serious stage.

There are four degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Initial stage.Characterized by disturbances in the structure of the intervertebral discs.Due to loss of moisture they become thinner.Cracks appear on the fibrous rings.Often at this stage there are practically no signs of cervical osteochondrosis.However, if pathology can be identified, it is possible to completely restore damaged intervertebral discs.The first stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis is considered very favorable for starting treatment.
2. Second stageThe disease is associated with aggravation of the tissue condition of the intervertebral discs.They are significantly reduced in size.This causes sagging of the muscle corset and spinal ligaments.Instability of the cervical spine occurs, and the mobility of the vertebrae increases.Often at this stage the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear.
3. At the third stagedeformation of the spinal column becomes obvious.Protrusions and hernias occur.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become pronounced.
4. Fourth stageaccompanied by the formation of osteophytes, ossification (ossification) of ligaments and other deformations.These signs of osteochondrosis are evidence that the body is trying by any means to stabilize the damaged segments of the spinal column.

The peculiarity of the cervical spine is the small distance between the vertebrae.When structural disturbances of these segments occur, pinching of the spinal cord, nerve endings and vessels of the circulatory system occurs.

Manifestations

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may depend on which part of the spine the affected object is located in.The following mechanisms of the negative impact of pathology, as well as the associated symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, are distinguished:

1. Radicular syndrome.The pain is transmitted from the cervical region to the fingers.There is a tingling sensation in different parts of the upper limbs and a goosebumps effect.
2. Vertebral artery syndromeprovokes circulatory disorders in the brain.Accompanied by weakness, nausea, hearing and vision impairment, and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.May cause sharp or throbbing headaches in the occipital, parietal, temporal and superciliary regions.
3. For cardiac syndromesymptoms of osteochondrosis can be mistaken for angina pectoris.Attacks of pain can last for several hours and are accompanied by extrasystole or tachycardia.
4. Irritative-reflex syndrome.This phenomenon causes acute attacks of pain in the back of the head or neck.Unpleasant sensations are transmitted to the shoulder or thoracic region.They appear when moving after a long period of rest.

It is unacceptable to ignore these signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in men and women.

If such symptoms occur, you should contact a neurologist as soon as possible.

Types of diagnostics

Cervical osteochondrosis has symptoms similar to many other pathologies.Therefore, before making a specific diagnosis, the doctor must find out exactly what symptoms caused the patient’s concern, and then conduct an examination.

Based on his observations, the specialist can make a preliminary diagnosis.But to more accurately establish the causes of the pathology, additional research is necessary.The main methods for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

1. Radiography.The most accessible instrumental method.Almost any clinic has a minimum technical base to conduct such a study.An X-ray provides information about the location and severity of the pathological process.Allows you to determine what consequences caused osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.To obtain a complete picture of the disease, x-rays are taken in different projections.
2. Computed tomography.Allows you to see all changes in the structure of the spinal tissues, thanks to the possibility of layer-by-layer examination.Using this method, you can determine the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the presence of protrusion and hernia.Computed tomography perfectly visualizes the condition of all components of the spinal region with the exception of the intervertebral discs.
3. MRI.The most accurate and informative method for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis.The resulting images allow you to assess the condition of the spinal column segments, nerves, and blood vessels.This becomes possible due to the absence of images of other organs on the projection.Magnetic resonance imaging helps to identify the location of damaged segments, establish changes in tissues, narrowing of the spinal canal, as well as degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc such as protrusion and hernia.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is associated with a degenerative disorder of the structure of the intervertebral discs, as well as the tissues and ligaments of the spinal column located next to them.Both women and men of all age groups can suffer from the disease.This is due to a large number of unfavorable factors, among them a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, and poor nutrition.

The issue of proper treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is very relevant.Therapy can be either conservative (in unadvanced cases) or surgical (sequestrated hernias).

If a patient has signs of osteochondrosis, the treatment regimen must be selected individually for the individual patient.The therapeutic program may depend on the following factors:

• stages of the disease;
• period of exacerbation or remission;
• individual characteristics of the patient.

Treatment of osteochondrosis should be prescribed by a doctor after a complete examination of the patient and an accurate diagnosis.

Conservative methods

The primary goal of therapy for degenerative changes in the spine is to prevent the development of pathology and complications.To achieve a favorable result in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is not enough to use any one method; it is important to use an integrated approach.

In the first stages of therapy, doctors’ recommendations are aimed at eliminating pain and restoring circulatory function.At the next stage, you can move on to physiotherapeutic procedures, manual therapy and exercise therapy.

Types of conservative therapy include:

1. Treatment with medications.This method is characterized by the use of drugs of various effects: analgesics, antispasmodics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondoprotectors, sedatives, vitamins, minerals.Treatment with medications can be prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease with significant pain and increased muscle tone.Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated with ointments or gels only for mild inflammation.In other cases, these measures are not effective.
2. Physiotherapy.Treatment with physical factors (magnetic fields, ultrasound, low-frequency currents) can be applied at any stage of pathology development.Physiotherapeutic procedures help reduce pain, stimulate blood circulation, metabolism, and also allow you to reduce doses of medications.To cure cervical osteochondrosis, electrophoresis with the administration of drugs, darsonval, ultrasound, laser therapy, and magnetic therapy may be prescribed.Each of these types of physiotherapeutic procedures has its own contraindications.For this reason, the treatment method should be selected by a doctor.
3. Manual therapy.The objectives of this method include normalizing muscle tone, improving blood circulation, and eliminating deformation in the cervical spine.The therapeutic effect is achieved by applying physical influence in the form of pressure, vibration, and friction.To achieve a noticeable long-term effect, manual therapy must be combined with medications, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
4. Physical therapy.The course of cervical osteochondrosis can be alleviated by performing a course of special exercises.This allows you to develop muscles and significantly reduce the load on damaged segments of the spine.A set of gymnastic exercises can only be selected by the attending physician, taking into account the patient’s characteristics.It is recommended to start classes under the supervision of a specialist.It is not advisable to engage in physical therapy when pain occurs.

Surgical method

If cervical osteochondrosis does not respond to conservative treatment, there may be a need for surgical intervention.Most often this occurs with spinal cord compression or herniated discs.

The purpose of the surgical operation is to eliminate compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the cervical spine.In this case, the following methods are used:

• Discectomy– complete or partial elimination of the intervertebral disc.The procedure is performed using microsurgical instruments.This reduces damage to surrounding tissue.
• Laser disc reconstruction.During the operation, a needle is inserted into the affected area and a special cable is passed through it.Under the influence of laser energy, the intervertebral disc heats up.This stimulates cell growth, and within 3–6 months they fill all the voids formed as a result of the disease.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.
• Arthrodesis.All manipulations are carried out through a small incision in the front or back of the neck.As a result of the operation, compression of the spinal cord and nerve endings is removed, and artificial implants or special metal structures are installed.They correct the bend line of physiological lordosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis can be treated surgically only in the most difficult cases of the disease.This is associated with a high risk of complications.Possible consequences of surgery include damage to nerve endings or the spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal as a result of scarring, the development of infections and many other unpleasant consequences.

Prevention methods

Osteochondrosis of the neck can develop in both women and men at any age.Many factors contribute to this.The occurrence of the disease can be prevented by simple preventive measures.To do this, just follow some basic rules:

1. Do not expose your spine to heavy loads.Avoid sudden movements and injuries, periodically change your body position, evenly distribute the load when moving heavy objects, and choose comfortable shoes.
2. Do gymnastic exercises regularly to strengthen your neck muscles.
3. Toughen up.
4. Maintain balance in your food intake.
5. Give up bad habits.

It is important to remember that preventing the development of pathology is much easier than later dealing with its lengthy and expensive treatment.Following simple measures to prevent the disease will allow you to never know what cervical osteochondrosis is.