Osteochondrosis is a pathological process that first causes dystrophic and structural disorders in the intervertebral discs, and then in the vertebrae themselves, spinal nerves, nearby muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, and internal organs.
It can affect all parts of the spine - cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon and is second in frequency after lumbar osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis in the cervical spine occurs in stages.Like any other pathology, it progresses without timely treatment.Functional and structural changes in bone and cartilage tissue become more and more pronounced, leading to complex forms of the disease with loss of sensitivity and limitation of movements.
Stages and degrees
In general, there are 4 stages (degrees) of cervical osteochondrosis.At the same time, the concepts of "degree" and "stage" are often confused.Although they mean almost the same thing, they are not exactly the same.The stage reflects structural abnormalities in the cervical spine, nearby organs and tissues.And when we say the degree, we mean the symptoms of osteochondrosis and the patient's complaints.With cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree, clinical signs are minimal and may be completely absent.The patient complains of slight pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which is aggravated when he turns his head.During the examination, local tension is noted in the neck muscles.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 2nd degree is accompanied by discogenic radiculitis.As a result of subsequent degenerative-dystrophic changes in the core and fibrous capsule of the intervertebral disc, the height of the space between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result, the roots of the cervical spinal nerves are compressed.Patients are bothered by point pain that increases when turning and bending the head.The pain syndrome may extend beyond the cervical region and is accompanied by general weakness and decreased performance.
As a result of subsequent pathological processes leading to displacement and destruction of intervertebral discs, disc herniations are formed in the neck region.The feeling of pain and general weakness intensifies, and they are accompanied by sensory and motor disturbances in the area of the affected segment.Cervical osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree develops.
Subsequently, the intervertebral disc destroyed by cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree is replaced by fibrous connective tissue.Due to the involvement of the vertebral artery in the pathological process, the pain syndrome with sensory and motor disorders is accompanied by brain disorders - dizziness, lack of coordination, ringing in the ears.
Etiology
Before talking about the causes or etiological factors of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to clarify some anatomical and physiological features of this part of the spine.
These features are:
- The neck is a mobile structure, but is bordered by the relatively static thoracic spine.
- There are 7 cervical vertebrae and 8 segments.The "extra" segment appears due to the atlanto-occipital junction.
- Cervical vertebrae have anatomically distinct structures, which is particularly evident in the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis.
- Vital communications pass through the neck - large vessels, including the trachea, esophagus and vertebral artery, which supply blood to the brain.
Etiological factors that cause pathological changes in the cervical spine, with subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, are the following:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Poor nutrition with a lack of microelements and vitamins;
- Persistent poor posture among schoolchildren, students and office workers;
- Frequent hypothermia, unfavorable microclimate at home and at work;
- Endocrine disorders;
- weak immunity;
- Heredity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, in addition to pain, include tension in the muscles of the neck and back.With this degree of osteochondrosis, pain in the neck (cervicalgia) can be either point or diffuse, spreading beyond the neck to other anatomical regions - the back and shoulder girdle.Due to the shortening of the intervertebral spaces, the muscles and ligaments sag.The movement of the muscle frame weakens and subluxation of the cervical spine occurs, as a result of which the disc moves to one side or the other.The pain can be sharp and severe like lumbago (cervicago) after turning the head or straightening the neck.
In addition to pain, as already mentioned, there is tension in the neck and back muscles.Because the cervical vertebrae are displaced laterally rather than posteriorly, such strain is often asymmetrical and causes poor posture.In turn, poor posture causes metabolic processes in the cervical region to worsen.All conditions are created for osteochondrosis to move to the 3rd stage.
In the 2nd stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery is still not affected.But already at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of weakness, fatigue and weakness.Possible sleep disturbances due to pain.
Types of treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree includes:
- drug therapy,
- Physiotherapy procedures,
- Therapeutic gymnastics,
- massage,
- Manual therapy.
Drug treatmentcervicalgia is aimed at eliminating inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and normalizing metabolic processes in the cervical intervertebral discs.Pain relief is achieved by taking painkillers orally.But this is the most ineffective way to relieve pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.For severe pain, you can wear a special Schants collar around your neck.
Pain relievercan be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process in the cervical roots.In this regard, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in different dosage forms - tablets, ointments, injections and compresses.In this regard, injections and ointments are very effective.Steroid hormones have a good anti-inflammatory effect.
Oral administration of chondroprotectors is recommended to restore damaged cartilage.For the same purpose, it is recommended to take vitamin and mineral complexes containing vitamins B, C, E along with zinc, iron and calcium.Although brain disorders do not occur in the 2nd stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the use of neuroprotectors would not be bad.
Physiotherapy proceduresfor cervical osteochondrosis of any degree, they are designed to reduce pain and inflammation and improve local blood flow.For this purpose, phonophoresis, laser and magnetic resonance therapy, ultrasound treatment are applied.Physiotherapy procedures are contraindicated during exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
MassageIt is also performed in the interictal period for osteochondrosis.Massage procedures are performed with the patient sitting or lying down.At the same time, the massage therapist kneads, taps and rubs the tense muscles with smooth movements from the back of the head to the neck.Then the back, neck and chest muscles are massaged.In this case, it is possible to massage yourself using the Kuznetsov applicator.It is a needle cylinder with plastic spikes.It is enough to place this roller up to your neck for half an hour to an hour every day, and the result will not be long in coming.
Therapeutic exercisedesigned to enhance the effect of the above methods in the treatment of neck osteochondrosis.This creates optimal loads in different muscle groups, which leads to muscle strengthening and stretching of the spine.Manual therapy for neck osteochondrosis should be done very carefully.Since the risk of cervical spine injury is high, it poses a great risk not only to the health, but also to the life of the patient.
Preventive measures
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate the causes of this disease and prevent the transition from the 2nd stage to the 3rd stage.
In this regard, the following requirements must be met:
- Active lifestyle;
- Good nutrition;
- Normal conditions at home and at work, except for drafts and hypothermia;
- Correct posture during "sitting" work and study;
- Hardening, playing sports;
- treatment of concomitant chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis, consult a doctor in time.