Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a progressive-district degenerative process, which leads to exhaustion, deformation and destruction of intervertebral discs in the cervical region.The loss of the cartilage that absorbs the crash causes pain both due to the exposure of the articular surfaces (spondilartrosis) and due to the refinement of the nerve roots of the spinal cord.

In the absence of timely treatment, it is possible to ossify the spine with the loss of its natural flexibility, deteriorated the blood supply to the brain, the deterioration of nerve conduction in those parts of the body that innervate the roots of the cervical column.

The pathology can be developed both independently and part of a general damage to the spine with the coverage of the parts of the cheumb, lumbar and sacra.

General Information

It is believed that the osteochondrosis of the cervical column is more common than in other departments.In fact, this is not so: the distributing phenomena develop uniformly at all points of the maximum load, in the main curves of the spine (the lower the department is, the greater the load it carries).However, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are more pronounced, so they seem more frequent.This is due to the high mobility of the vertebrae of the neck, which at the same time hold the head, as well as the peculiarity of the exits of the rotating roots of the spinal cord.

Note!According to statistics, the disease affects more than 60% of the middle and older people.However, recently, a rejuvenation of the pathological process has been observed: the pathology is found in young people and even in adolescents.This is due to the general computerization of study and work, as well as a decrease in physical activity and a deterioration in nutrition quality.

Given the age audience, 2 forms of cervical, physiological and pathological osteochondros can be distinguished.

Physiological processIt is associated with the natural aging of the body, when the symptoms of the disease are a consequence of the gradual wear of the intervertebral discs.The process occurs under the influence of the endocrine system and is a consequence of menopause.The destruction of cartilage structures begins from the center of the intervertebral disc and is accompanied by a gradual replacement of the fibrous cartilage tissue.The pathology is irreversible, however, it can be compensated by special medications.

Pathological processIt is associated with abnormal destructive changes in the body: immune, distribution, inflammatory, metabolic.First, the subcutaneous tissues involved in salts in bone structures appear, nerve roots are inflamed, atrophy or hypertonicity of the skeletal muscle occurs, which leads to circulatory disorders in the head and rhythm.With timely diagnosis, pathology is treated and ends with the complete restoration of the healthy function of organs and tissues.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis and its symptoms

There are 4 main stages of the pathological process:

• The first stage is expressed by a slight discomfort and excess muscle exaggeration in the sick region, cartilage discs lose their stability;
• The local pain of the second stage appears, especially with the movements of the head.The intervertebral discs deform, the fibrous ring begins to collapse, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced;
• Third stage: the pain intensifies and becomes constant, the movement is limited.Head heads can cause episodes of dizziness, nausea, a violation of the blood supply to the brain leads to general lethargy, rapid fatigue, deteriorated concentration, cartilage tissue is thinner, vertebrae are closed, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed with the appearance of intervenebral hernia risk;
• The fourth stage: Pain syndrome completely immobilizes the neck area, the blood circulation of the brain is altered and requires constant drug support, the vertebrae begin to grow together.

Cervical osteochondrosis: signs, symptoms of pathology

In the early stages, osteochondrosis is asymptomatic.As the disease develops, a distinctive characteristic is the presence of painful or uncomfortable sensations in the head, neck and chest, less frequently the upper extremities.

All possible symptoms can be attributed conditionally to 4 types of syndromes: heart, vertebral, realism (nervous) and spinal artery syndrome (with circulatory disorders).

Vertebrate syndrome:

• Crunch on the neck when turning/tilting the heads;
• With the progress of the disease, pain and difficulty of movement occurs;
• Morphological disorders of the structure in the body of the vertebra and the intervertebral space (visible in the X -rays).

Heart syndrome:

• lack of breath, weakness;
• an incomplete feeling of breath, lack of air;
• spontaneous phenomena of the cardiovascular-angine system pectoralis, rag pain, burning;

Syndrome:

• numbness of the tongue, shoulders, fingers, occipital region;
• difficulties with swallowing;
• unpleasant sensations in the area between the shoulder blades;
• Headache in the neck and forehead.

Vail artery syndrome:

• Irrazonable jumps in blood pressure;
• dizziness, until the loss of consciousness;
• noise in the ears, a sensation of cotton in the head;
• Temporary blindness on one side, "flies" in the eyes;
• periodic attacks of nausea, especially when they are directed;
• Headaches: mainly in the neck, as well as migraines;
• Sleepiness, decrease in performance, memory, concentration of attention, depression.

Attention!All these syndromes must be combined with each other.The absence of symptoms of one of them can be a reason for the differential diagnosis with other groups of diseases.

The causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The two -time phenomena in the cervical column are associated with the vertical location of the skeleton and the specific distribution of static and dynamic loads, which depend largely on the predominant postures and the degree of development of skeletal muscles.

The main reasons:

• The lack of movement, which does not develop, degrades: the muscles are weakening, the tissues are destroyed;
• Incorrect static poses: muscle clamps lead to circulatory disorders with posterior tissue dystrophy;
• Lack of nutrition or an unbalanced diet: the body should receive everything necessary for the construction and renewal of the bone and cartilage structures of the skeleton, maintaining the muscle tone;
• Obesity, overweight, with weights: the load in the structure of the skeleton increases;
• constant nerve tension and nervous stress;
• The hypothermia of the cervical region - "trapped", "inflated" - causes hidden inflammatory processes;
• The presence of autoimmune diseases with the participation of cartilaginous tissue leads to their premature destruction;
• Endocrine pathologies are confused by mineral metabolism, reduce calcium digestibility, silicon, phosphorus and other Chrysshot tissue elements;
• cervical region injuries;
• Congenital abnormalities of the column and adjacent muscles.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of "osteochondrosis of cervical vertebra" is composed with the low specificity of symptoms and a wide variety of their manifestations.In the exam process, a consultation of a neurologist, surgeon, orthopedist, cardiologist will be required.

A doctor performs a physical exam with a patient survey.The main diagnostic load is found with instrumental and laboratory research methods.

Instrumental diagnosis:

• X -Ray of the department of Cervical;In the initial stage of the process, the magnetic resonance of the department of Cervical will be more informative (it will guarantee the high quality visualization of the solid and soft tissues, it will show the condition of the intervertebral discs, the presence of osteophytes, deformations, damage to the nerve roots and the blood vessels; it will evaluate the condition of the ligaments, muscles, bone tissue;
• Ultrasound shows the dynamic state of soft tissues;
• Dopplerography of the neck vessels will help assess hemodynamics and the degree of damage to blood vessels (in particular, the state of the spinal artery);
• MYELOGRAPHY OF CONTRAST: It will help with the suspicion of infringement of nerve processes;
• ECG and heart echocardiography are used for the differential diagnosis of heart syndrome with cardiovascular diseases.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis

The medical measures complex is formed taking into account the stage of the disease (acute, chronic), the degree of damage and the causes of the development of the pathology.Use conservative treatment, surgical intervention, mixed approach.

Conservative effect

It is a gradual restoration or compensation for damage to the context of symptomatic treatment.Includes pharmacological therapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and massage methods.

Drug treatment:

• analgesics: mainly gels and ointments of local influence;In severe cases: common tablets in the form of tablets;
• Anti -inflammatory drugs - NSAID, as well as corticosteroids (short course if necessary);
• Medications to improve microcirculation and blood circulation in general;
• Condroprotectors: means to protect and restore cartilage fabric;
• Musorelaxantes - to eliminate clamps and muscle spasms;
• Vitamin and microelene complexes are necessary for nutrition and support for fabrics by building elements.

As acute symptoms weaken, physiotherapy methods, exercise and self -masage therapy are connected.

Therapeutic gymnasticsImproves cartilage nutrition and bone tissues restoring blood supply in the damaged area.To avoid complications, it is recommended to use the isometric movements method, when instead of turns and real head inclinations that can damage, they use their imitation.

Attention!All actions must be performed only after diagnosis and consult with a doctor.

The technique allows you to develop and strengthen the atrophied muscles of the short neck and stabilize the position of the cervical column.The sequence of basic exercises:

1. The palm of the right hand is reduced to the lateral surface of the head, press the palm of his head in his head in 10 seconds, while he strives the muscles of the head and neck for the resistance: the head must remain motionless.
2. Lower the hand, relax the muscles of the head and neck as much as possible for 20 seconds.
3. Repeat the exercise with the left hand.
4. Get both hands with the palms on the forehead, press on the forehead for 10 seconds, as if trying to reject your head back, while striving the neck muscles to resist the movement.The head must remain motionless.
5. Lower the hands, relaxing the muscles similar to the previous exercise.
6. Place both palms in the area on the back of the head.By analogy, make a pressing load in the neck muscles, trying to bow your head forward;You must still be motionless.
7. Lower hands, relax the neck and head muscles.Repeat the set of exercises 4-10 times.

After strengthening the muscles of the short neck, you can start performing dynamic exercises.

Note!As a methodology to restore the mobility of the cervical region, swimming and aquatic gymnastics have proven to be good.

Auto -SajejeIt allows you to reduce the intensity of local reactions and eliminate muscle clamps during static work.Rules for execution:

• Exhibition area: the back of the head, back and side surfaces of the neck;
• Perform the procedure in a sitting position;
• The movements must be carried out in the direction from the column;
• Use only fingertips;
• Avoid pressure in inflamed areas;
• Make the movements gently: acute pressure can damage.

PhysiotherapyCharacteristic for treatment for hospitalized patients and resort rehabilitation of the sanatorium.Well proven:

• Electrophoresis: Listening to the area, improves microcirculation, is used for a deeper penetration of local medicines;
• Magnetotherapy;
• ampulse;
• UHF.

Surgical intervention is indicated with complicated extrusion, spinal cord infractions and unconscious pain syndromes.

That cervical osteochondrosis is dangerous

The neck area concentrates the dense interwoven of the main blood vessels, nerve processes and the dynamic structures of the bone skeleton.In the absence of treatment, serious pathological changes can be observed:

• The weakening of the fibrous ring causes dislocations and subluxation in the area of the most mobile vertebrae;
• The presence of osteophytes and spasms of the muscles leads to the violation of nerve roots and blood vessels with the formation of compression syndromes;
• The destruction of the cartilaginous discs and the approach of the vertebrae leads to intervertebral hernias with infringement of the nerve tissue.

Each of this phenomenon follows a pronounced negative reaction from the entire organism.

Possible complications and consequences

The list of the most common complications of cervical osteochondrosis can be included:

• Vegetasular dystonia;
• hypertension;
• The hunger of oxygen of the brain and its structures;
• Ocular retina dystrophy with visual disabilities;
• Thyroid failure failure;
• Interruption of the functions of the esophagus and the trachea: difficulty swallowing and breathing cramps;
• Unconscious pain syndrome in the head, neck, chest, upper limbs;
• seizures and numbness of the face, hands;
• Disorders of the hypothalamic-political system that extracts a failure of all the hormonal activity of the body.

Preventive measures

The most effective treatment is disease prevention.Prevention will help you with this.It is enough to follow several basic recommendations:

• Adjust your position
• create a convenient workplace;
• During sedentary work, take breaks on "physical education";
• Include in your diet foods rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon: fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, dairy products, fresh vegetables, fruits;Limit salt, sweet, flour and sharp dishes;
• To sleep and rest, use orthopedic mattress and pillow;
• Take care of a sport not listed: it is better to give preference to swimming.

Even if you cannot take into account all the requirements, moderate physical effort, adequate nutrition and attentive attitude towards its posture can significantly reduce the risk of pathology.