Osteoarthritis affects not only the knee and hip joints.Sometimes degenerative processes develop in the cervical spine.In advanced cases, without treatment, they can lead to complete loss of mobility due to fusion of the vertebrae and even disability.
How it will develop
The cervical region includes 7 vertebrae, the most mobile of the entire spinal column.If certain pathological processes occur in the body, the cervical vertebrae, protected by an elastic cartilage “plate” (disc), become covered with osteophytes (bone growths).The cartilage, in turn, becomes thinner and destroyed, and the adjacent soft tissue atrophies.
The intervertebral disc can bulge and put pressure on nearby tissue or nerves.The vertebrae change their shape, which leads to spinal deformities.If they are pronounced, the patient develops deforming cervical arthrosis.
Causes of arthrosis of the cervical vertebrae
- Genetic pathologies of the development of the musculoskeletal system as a whole, for example dysplasia, flat feet, scoliosis (if a certain link in the spine is damaged, the entire biomechanical chain suffers).
- Dystrophic changes in joints associated with age-related changes.
- Cervical spine injuries.
- Excessive strain, for example due to excess weight, associated with professional activities or sports.
- Herniated or protruded discs.
- Inflammatory diseases (arthritis, rheumatism).
- Malfunctions of the endocrine system.
- Metabolic disorders, etc.
How to recognize
Arthrosis of the cervical vertebrae is accompanied by dull, aching pain, usually one-sided, which intensifies with movement.Patients complain of morning pain.Unpleasant sensations originate in the neck area, and then move to the shoulder blades and arms, the syndrome intensifies with palpation.
Other characteristic symptoms of the disease are:
- paroxysmal dizziness or migraine;
- decreased range of head movement due to pain (for example, a person can tilt their head 45-50°);
- crunching when moving the neck;
- specific sounds in the ears;
- visual impairment;
- pain in the chest area;
- numbness in the lower part of the face.
At later stages, against the background of a total lack of synovial fluid in the joints, deformities of the spinal column appear, and systemic hypertension can also develop - an unexplained increase in blood pressure.If the disease is complicated by radicular symptoms, such as a pinched nerve, its form is diagnosed - uncovertebral arthrosis.It is not easy to recognize the disease on your own: based on its symptoms, it can easily be confused with a pathology of the cardiovascular system or brain.
Difficulties in diagnosis
Before prescribing a complex treatment regimen or prescribing intra-articular injection of synovial fluid prostheses, the rheumatologist must ensure that the diagnosis is correct, since the symptoms of the disease duplicate a number of other pathologies.After collecting an anamnesis and studying a blood test to determine the absence of other diseases (with arthrosis, blood counts do not change), one of the following studies is carried out:
- radiography in several projections;
- CT or MRI;
- vascular angiography.
As a result of examinations, the doctor determines changes in the structure of the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, the joint space, the amount of synovial fluid and its deficiency in the joints, the nature of bone growths - osteophytes.
Why arthrosis of the cervical vertebrae needs to be treated
If the treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae is delayed, the disease can lead to the following complications:
- compression of nerve endings and, as a result, severe pain;
- pinching of the spinal canals;
- stroke.
Treatment of arthrosis of the cervical spine
As a rule, people turn to a rheumatologist with an acute form of the disease, so the primary goals of therapy are as follows:
- eliminate pain syndrome;
- stop inflammation;
- eliminate pinching of the nerve endings of the spinal trunk.
In addition, for the normal functioning of the vertebrae, it is necessary to restore the destroyed cartilage fibers of the discs, and for this, increase blood circulation in the damaged tissues.
Therapeutic methods
1. Medication.
NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation, and chondroprotectors are used to regenerate cartilage tissue.Blood circulation and nutrition of affected tissues can be normalized with the help of vasodilator drugs.Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms.
2. Physiotherapeutic.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is auxiliary in nature and is aimed at accelerating metabolism in tissues.Most often, with this diagnosis, manual therapy, magnetic and acupuncture therapy, phonophoresis, and infrared radiation are prescribed.
If medications do not help and there is a possibility of vertebral artery syndrome, surgery is prescribed for uncoarthrosis of the cervical vertebrae.It involves removing and replacing the damaged joint with an endoprosthesis.
In order not to harm your neck with arthrosis and help it, practice, for example, the following morning exercises:
What is an orthopedic regimen for neck arthrosis?
Patients with arthrosis of any joint, including those using synovial fluid prosthetic preparations or other medications, are shown a special orthopedic regimen that will help avoid complications:
- It is necessary to carefully control your posture, avoiding curvature.
- During sedentary work, short breaks for physical activity are required.
- Orthopedic collars from Shants help relieve stress from the cervical region - according to the doctor’s indications.
- An orthopedic mattress and pillow will not be superfluous.
Comprehensive treatment of arthrosis of the cervical vertebrae also includes special gymnastics and professional massage.With the help of turns and rotations, bending and throwing back the head under the supervision of an instructor, it is possible to develop the motor capabilities of this part of the spine.
Intra-articular injections of a synovial fluid substitute for this type of arthrosis are not practiced due to the specific localization.Instead, the patient may be offered professional massage or hardware methods for local and safe development of the deep and superficial back muscles.The main thing is to find a good specialist, trust him and not let the course of the disease take its course.