Cervical osteochondrosis

Some modern people have never heard of osteochondrosis.Most of them have repeatedly developed symptoms of the disease.The widespread use of diseases is connected by prolonged sitting on computers, passive lifestyle, malnutrition, and more.Cervical spinal osteochondrosis is characterized by pain, weakening muscles, mobility limitations and other symptoms of symptoms.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Do not ignore the signs of osteochondrosis, as the sooner you start treatment, the sooner you get rid of the disease.In the early stages, conservative therapy was performed: taking medications, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage, etc., when complications and destruction of bone skin structure, surgery was prescribed.

What is

Neck osteochondrosis is a pathology that only exists in people.Animals don't suffer from him.This is due to the vertical location of the spine.In this position, the vertebra squares each other, leading to the fact that the intervertebral disc is gradually destroyed.

The cervical department consists of 7 vertebrae, separated from each other on the disc.This spinal segment is relatively mobile, which is why it is one of the weakest parts of the spinal column.The weakest link in the cervical region is the intervertebral disc, which mainly reflects degenerative-dystrophic changes.

The prevalence of cervical osteochondrosis is also explained by a weak muscle corset in the neck.In addition, small vertebraes are placed in this area, they have different structures and fit each other.That is why small loads in the neck can trigger their displacement, as well as compression of blood vessels and nerves.When pinching the vertebral artery, which is placed in the spine in this area, harmful complications occur.

Cervical spinal osteochondrosis threatens with protrusion (a pulp nucleus displacement without damage to the outer shell) and disc hernia.This formation compresses the nerve bundle, vessels.

Due to degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc, the possibility of bone growth (osteophytes) in the joints of the joints increases.Therefore, neuro-vascular formations are narrowed between the spinal cord.

Reference.According to medical statistics, people over the age of 35 are more likely to have cervical osteochondrosis.Although there is now a pathological rejuvenation, which often develops in patients from 20 years.This is due to the most inactive lifestyle and deficiency.

The doctor identifies 4 stages of pathology:

  • 1 degree - cartilage between vertebrae starts to collapse.At this stage, the disease has eradicated symptoms.Unfortunately, the patient is unaware of it.
  • 2 degrees - under vertebral pressure, the height of the disc is reduced, the integrity of the outer membrane is violated.At this stage, protrusion may appear.Pain appears, limited neck movement, possibly a violation of facial sensitivity.
  • 3 degrees - protrusions turn into a hernia that compresses blood and muscle vessels.In addition to pain, pain in the back of the head is observed, dizzy.
  • 4 degrees - osteophytes are formed that stabilize the vertebra, but squeeze nerve fibers.Pain does not disappear, movement stiffness occurs, neighboring vertebrae is damaged, neurological symptoms appear.

It is important to start treatment at 1 to 2 stages to avoid serious complications that can only be improved by surgery.

Cause

Schop osteochondrosis is a complex and prolonged process that can occur under the influence of many negative factors.

For example, in the elderly, the disease is associated with age -related changes in the body.Then degenerative-dystrophic changes arise as a result of violations of local blood circulation, metabolic processes, and weakness of immunity.

However, doctors identify the main cause of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Incorrect posture.
  • Spinal column curvature.
  • Cervical segment injury.
  • Excessive weight.
  • Great physical work.
  • Long -term sits at the computer.
  • A passive lifestyle.
  • Violation of metabolic processes.
  • Frequent hypothermia from the neck.
  • Incorrect organizations from bed (too soft, high pillows).
  • Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.
  • Congenital pathology of the shop structure.
  • Autoimmune diseases that cause cartilage degeneration.
  • Infection.
  • Characteristics of body parts, for example, very long or short neck.

Under the influence of these factors, the intervertebral structure began to collapse, bone tissue, nerve bunches, damaged blood vessels.

Symptom

The clinical picture for cervical spinal osteochondrosis is varied.For this reason, it is difficult for patients to understand what's happening to them.The early manifestations of the disease were eliminated for hard work.And after the appearance of the symptoms, they rush to the doctor, but in this case the irreversible changes are already present and the cervical region is no longer possible.

With osteochondrosis, pain in the neck and shoulders appear

The main symptoms of cervical spinal osteochondrosis:

  • The painful sensation in the neck, shoulders.
  • Muscle weakness -the muscle surrounding the affected spinal segment.
  • Excessive sweat setting.
  • Violation of upper leg sensitivity.
  • Movement coordination disorder.
  • Headache.
  • Vertigo (dizziness).
  • Hearing disorders, vision.
  • Benching jumps, etc.

The nature of the headache in osteochondrosis is different: paroxysmal, constant, pulsating, boring.These symptoms are indicated due to brain vessels, compression of the cervical spinal cord, and increased intracranial pressure.

With cervical spinal osteochondrosis, pain does not always appear in the cervical segment area, it can spread to the shoulders, hands.Discomfort can occur after sleep, sharp movement, neck tension, for example, with cough or sneezing.

With osteochondrosis of the chop, pressure spike is observed depending on the time of day, persistent hypertension is non -pathological.Usually, with increased pressure, the following manifestations are observed: headache, pain in the hands, cervical pain.Pressure drops are often observed after nervous or muscle pressure, long in an uncomfortable position.

Cervical osteochondrosis syndrome

With cervical spinal osteochondrosis, several syndrome are observed (a common condition accompanied by characteristic symptoms).Their manifestation depends on the nerve branches and blood vessels.

Cervical osteochondrosis syndrome:

  • Vertebral artery - occurs due to compression or irritation of the brain that nourishes the brain.Then the patient suffers from hearing loss, vision, dizziness, decreased pressure, migraine, etc.
  • Cardial - develops when compressing nerve beams that absorb the diaphragm or chest muscles.Then the pain in the chest, shortness of breath, weakness, heartbeat appears.
  • Hypertension caused by vein compression, which is why blood flow is interrupted from the head.Then the intracranial pressure increases, the patient has cephalgia, nausea, vomiting.
  • Cervical migraines are caused by nerve compression surrounding the vertebral artery.Then the painful migraine -as pain in the back of the head appears.The attack lasts for 10 hours and is often accompanied by vomiting.
  • Soreshcock is the most common symptom complex for cervical spinal osteochondrosis.It is caused by the compression of one of the nerve bundle in the cervical segment vertebra.With a violation of conductivity, 1 - 2 cervical vertebral roots, disturbed sensitivity or back pain appears.In the case of damage to 3 pairs, the tongue is numb, the area behind the ear, it is difficult for a person to chew food.Inflammation 4 pairs of roots is accompanied by pain in the collar, hiccup, difficulty swallowing.If the conductivity of 5 - 8 pairs of nerve beams are broken down, it is difficult for the patient to move his or her hands.
Reference.Often, cervical spinal osteochondrosis is created at the same time with some symptoms by complex, so the diagnosis is difficult.So don't understand yourself, it's best to contact a specialist.

Make a diagnosis

If you do not know what to do when suspicious symptoms appear, it is best to contact the therapist immediately.If necessary, your doctor will direct you to orthopedis, a neurologist.

In diagnostic search, the following instrumental studies are used:

  • Radiography.
  • Computers or magnetic resonance imaging.

All of the above studies provide specific information about the cervical region.For example, X -ray, CT, MRI are used to identify pathological changes in spinal structure.Electromyography allows you to evaluate the state of the nerve beam.

With the help of radiography, which is carried out in different projections, you can detect calcium salt accumulation, decrease in the height of the cartilage gasket between the vertebra, the deformation of the shop, the presence of bone growth, and more.

Treatment

Cervical spinal osteochondrosis therapy should be complex.The decision to choose the methodology was made by the doctor taking into account the stage, the form of the disease, the severity of the symptoms.

The treatment of cervical spinal osteochondrosis is long and complex.It is unlikely that pathology can be completely cured, especially when it comes to elderly patients.However, it is possible to stop degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the cervical segment at any level.

In the early stages of the disease, conservative methods were used: drugs, therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy procedures, massage, orthopedic devices.Most of the above methods can be used at home.

At the 3-4 stage, accompanied by the destruction of not only cartilage, but also vertebral bodies, surgery may be needed.

To get rid of pain, inflammation, relaxation of the muscles, the following medications will help improve the condition of the cartilage:

  • Anesthesia.With severe pain, you can help yourself by receiving painkillers.For the same purpose, NSAIDs are used, which allows you to overcome not only pain and inflammation. 
  • Steroids stop the inflammation and pain process.For this purpose, medicines based on hydrocortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone in the form of tablets or ointments are used.
  • Musorelaxants help to loosen the muscles around the damaged area.For this purpose, a solution for parenteral administration based on glycerol or gasymidazole is used.They normalize muscle tone and weaken the pain syndrome.
  • Spasmolytics help fight pain and muscle cramps.
  • Vitamins accelerate the recovery of the nervous system.For this purpose, medicines are taken based on elements of groups B, A, C, D, E. Vitamins are quite effective.
Reference.If the pain syndrome is very severe, and oral analgesics do not help, then the doctor may prescribe novocaine restrictions.Injections using anesthetic or steroid solutions are placed directly in the pathological focus.This procedure can only be done by an experienced specialist.

In complex therapies, creams, gels, ointments with anti -inflammation, heating, analgesic effects are used. 

To reduce the patient's condition, improve their physical form, prescribe therapeutic gymnastics.Exercise helps strengthen the muscles in the neck, improves metabolic processes, accelerates blood circulation, and weakens the burden on weak spine.

Especially popular with oshop gymnastics in the hall using special simulators.However, if you want, you can deal with at home.

Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis

LFK complex for cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Small your head to the shoulder, finish your head for 30 seconds, then repeat the movement in the other direction.
  • Tilt your head forward, try to touch the chin to the chest, then lift it and slightly forward.
  • Reduce your head slightly back, turn right, and then your left shoulder.
  • Press your left shoulder with your right hand, lift your elbows a little.Then rotate your head to the right, lingering, feeling muscle tension.
  • This exercise is done as the third, only during the headache, raise your hands on your head and obey them.
  • Hands above the knee, spreading it to the side, trying to connect the shoulder blade, at the same time understanding the chin.Therefore, you will work on the thorax region.
  • Stand, lower your hand, stretch your neck forward, try to touch the chin to the shoulder.

Before class, you need to make a warm joint and shower to relax your muscles.After doing the complex, perform the stretch.

You can treat neck osteochondrosis with physiotherapy:

  • Uhf.
  • Laser therapy.
  • Magnetotherapy.
  • Electrophoresis with drugs, etc.

Magnetotherapy facilitates inflammation, pain.UHF and Laser treatment accelerates metabolism in the affected area, helping to eliminate swelling.Thanks to electrophoresis, medicines penetrate the focus of inflammation through the skin, where they immediately show the effect.

With the help of massage, normalized muscle tone, blood flow to the damaged area accelerated, trophic tissue improved.After passing the course, which usually consists of 10 procedures, the development of the degenerative-dystrophic process in the cervical spine stops.

At home, you can use the applicator - this is a plastic device with many spikes.You need to go to the device or apply to the affected area.The applicator helps to undermine pain, relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, and motor activity.

With complex treatment, the patient will be able to get rid of the neck osteochondrosis.However, this is possible if the disease is detected at level 1. In other cases, comprehensive events will help stop pathological development.

Carty degeneration from the cervical region (chondrosis)

Many people believe that chondrosis and osteochondrosis are a disease.However, this opinion is wrong.In the first disease, only cartilage puts the vertebrae damaged, and with a second degenerative change occurs for bone tissue.That is, chondrosis is the first stage of osteochondrosis.

Chondrosis of the cervical area develops when the metabolic process of the intervertebral disc is interrupted.Then collagen fibers are replaced by useless fibrous tissue, hyaline cartilage is calculated, becoming less elastic.The height decreases, which is why the function of the vertebra is interrupted.

Cervical chondrosis has the following signs:

  • Rapid fatigue of the muscles that surround the store.
  • Posture violations.
  • Periodic pain or mild pain in the affected area.
  • Neck mobility restrictions.

The disease is detected by accident, during X -Ray or MRI.

Treatment of chondrosis

In the first disease, doctors prescribe NSAIDs and chondroprotectors.In addition, patients should avoid excessive physical work or prolonged seating.It is recommended to do therapeutic gymnastics, eat properly, leave bad habits.

Additional treatment methods include massage, manual therapy.In addition, physiotherapy procedures are indicated, for example, electrophoresis, ultraviolet irradiation, amplipulster, diadime therapy, balneotherapy, and mud treatment.Acupuncture has proven its effectiveness in treatment.

The main conclusion

Cervical spinal osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that is characterized by various symptoms.Patients do not always understand what really happened to him.And when the pain mentioned, it is in a hurry to the doctor, however, this sign indicates the presence of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical segment.In this case, it is not possible to restore the spinal state.Then treatment is performed, which helps stop the development of the pathology and avoid serious consequences.Osteochondrosis therapy is a complex and long process that requires patience, organization.After eliminating pain and inflammation, patients should regularly perform exercise therapy, attend massage, physiotherapy procedures, use orthopedic devices, eat properly, leave bad habits.It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, observe moderate physical activity, control weight, monitor posture.Only in this case will you be able to stop the pathology and live a full life.