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 they become dry and hardened.

The vertebral column contains 7 cervical vertebrae, made up of the body, processes and 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 together;the muscles in the neck region are poorly developed, as a result of which, with regular exercise, disc displacement may occur, which compresses blood vessels and nerve trunks.

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

1st degree of osteochondrosis

Characterized by the beginning of destruction of the intervertebral discs.Fissures form in the fibrous ring, the resistance and elasticity of the disc are impaired, its height decreases, compressing the nerve roots.A characteristic aching pain appears.Sometimes in stage 1 (preclinical) this 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 the treatment was not effective, 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, head drooping syndrome may develop at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain, and the person is forced to support their head in a fixed position to reduce the pain.

3rd degree osteochondrosis

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

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

With age, the core of the intervertebral disc loses moisture reserves and also becomes less elastic.Since the metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, the regeneration processes in discs with insufficient blood supply are disrupted.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 that contribute to poor circulation in the cervical vertebrae and intervertebral space are:

• driving a car for a long time;
• working in front of the computer, sitting for long periods in any position;
• regular lifting of weights;
• working conditions that involve sudden movements and turning 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 harmful effects on metabolic processes);stress;
• neck hypothermia (for example, in the absence of a scarf during the cold period);
• sleep on high or very soft pillows;
• heredity (family history of spinal diseases).

Common symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck may include:

• dizziness, migraine-type headache (acute), as well as dull, oppressive pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which may intensify when moving the head;
• low back pain (sharp pain that spreads 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 neck;
• temporary darkness in the eyes, noise in the ear canal, sometimes fainting;
• thickening of the skin on the spine due to the proliferation of connective tissue.

Diagnosis

Most often, the doctor's diagnosis sounds like “2nd degree cervical osteochondrosis”.Why immediately the second?The fact is that the first degree cannot be diagnosed because the symptoms are very weak.During a preliminary examination, the doctor determines the degree of damage to the spine.To do this, the patient is examined in different positions: horizontal, sitting, standing, inclined.When counting the vertebrae, the specialist focuses on the 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 allows you 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, MRI - 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 put 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 cartilaginous tissue and intervertebral discs and get rid of pain and discomfort.But this is only possible if treatment is started at an early stage of the disease.Therefore, it is very 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:

• medicines from the NSAID group (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve inflammation;
• antispasmodics - to relieve spasms;
• analgesics;
• B vitamins;
• reflexology;
• physiotherapy (physiotherapy) - 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 sedentary, take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid neck strain,
2. do not make sudden movements with your head, watch your posture,
3. avoid hypothermia,
4. exercise, swim, eat well,
5. sleep should be on a firm mattress and low pillow: the neck flexion angle should not exceed 15 degrees,
6. after the age of 25, avoid shock loads on the spine (jumping, running).