Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis is a complex of dystrophic and degenerative disorders in the cartilage tissue of the vertebral discs.The disease can develop in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.Osteochondrosis is accompanied by pain and disruption of the vascular and nervous systems.

This type of disease is the most common and occurs even in young people.Cervical osteochondrosis is the most dangerous, as it is accompanied by pinching of the nerve root extending from the spinal cord and impaired intracranial circulation as a result of pressure from deformed intervertebral discs on the blood vessels.

The vertebral artery, the largest blood vessel supplying the brain, passes through the openings in the cervical vertebrae.Pressure on this artery can lead to dangerous complications such as coronary artery disease and even stroke.

The tight fit of the cervical vertebrae to each other leads to the fact that their slightest displacement leads to compression of the nerves and blood vessels.This leads to decreased skin sensitivity, partial loss of hearing and vision, and other nervous disorders.

Reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is caused by internal (endogenous) causes and external (exogenous) causes.

Internal reasons include:

• Genetic (hereditary) factors;
• Disorders of the intrauterine development of cartilage and bone tissue of the spine;
• Age-related factors influencing changes in cartilage tissue;
• Metabolic disorders.

External reasons are more varied:

• Excessive pressure on the vertebrae due to improper loading;
• Various injuries and damage to the spine and back (bruises, falls, sprains, fractures);
• Infectious diseases;
• Dystrophy of the spinal muscles;
• Poor posture in the form of stoop and S-shaped curvature of the spine;
• Working in an awkward position;
• Dragging heavy objects;
• Flat feet;
• Excess weight;
• Intoxication;
• Hypothermia;
• Uncomfortable pillows for sleeping;
• Unfavorable environmental conditions;
• Lack of vitamins or microelements (calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, vitamin D);
• Physical inactivity (lack of physical activity).

Cervical osteochondrosis is more likely to develop in people who lead a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and are engaged in mental activity, but sometimes it also occurs in athletes, loaders or people whose work involves frequent bending and sudden movements.

Symptoms

Manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are quite varied.These include:

• Pain in the neck, spreading to the back of the head, eye and ear areas, shoulder girdle;
• Pain in the upper extremities, worsening with the slightest exertion;
• Muscle tension and limited mobility of the neck, especially in the morning;
• Pain when bending and turning the head;
• Feeling of numbness in the cervical spine after sleep;
• Difficulty moving the arms, decreased range of motion;
• Burning, numbness and tingling in the upper extremities;
• Headaches that are localized primarily in the back of the head, but can also spread to the temples and parietal part;
• Tinnitus;
• Deterioration of vision and hearing (periodic and constant);
• Numbness of the tongue;
• Pain in the chest area or between the shoulder blades, which is not eliminated by nitroglycerin and depends on the position of the body;
• Overgrowth of connective tissue in the cervical region;
• Constant fatigue and fatigue;
• Drowsiness;
• Nausea;
• Diplopia (double vision);
• Crunching in the vertebrae.

Course of the disease and possible complications

Even a slight load on the upper section can lead to the development of cervical osteochondrosis - this area of the spine is very vulnerable.Degenerative changes leading to the formation of osteophytes (growths on bone tissue) contribute to irritation and tension of nearby muscles, which in response to the impact put even more pressure on the cartilage and joints.This leads to the progression of the disease - compression of the arteries and nerves.

If the disease is not treated, protrusions and hernias develop in the intervertebral discs, which leads to a significant decrease in the mobility of the spine and may require surgical intervention.

With serious degenerative changes in cartilage tissue and lack of treatment, the so-called “radicular syndrome” can develop - damage to the cervical nerves.This leads to an intensification and progression of all of the above symptoms and can also cause speech, breathing, and even such a rare phenomenon as constant hiccups.

The inflamed root can gradually occupy the entire area of the spinal canal, which causes increased pain syndromes and serious disturbances in the nervous regulation of the limbs and facial muscles.Impaired cerebral circulation can cause weakening of intellectual abilities, memory, attention and lead to stroke.

Osteochondrosis occurs with periods of exacerbations, when all symptoms appear especially sharply, and periods of remission.The duration of remission depends on the patient’s lifestyle and the preventive measures he takes.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is established on the basis of characteristic symptoms, as well as using:

• X-rays.The method is ineffective, especially in the last stages of osteochondrosis development.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the cervical spine.A method that allows you to see bone structures, herniated intervertebral discs, their size and direction of development.
• Computed tomography.A less effective solution than MRI, since the presence and size of hernias is difficult to determine.
• Doppler ultrasound (to identify pathologies of the cervical vessels).This method is used in cases where a disturbance in blood flow is suspected in the arteries.Using a scan, you can determine the speed of blood flow and whether there are any obstacles to it.

Treatment

It is more advisable to treat osteochondrosis at the very initial stages of the pathology, however, in practice, doctors are consulted when the disease develops to more dangerous stages.Self-medication for osteochondrosis is unacceptable and can cause a deterioration in the general condition.

The therapeutic effect in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis brings positive results with an integrated approach - a combination of medicinal methods and physiotherapy.

Drug treatment

Medicines effectively relieve (eliminate) pain symptoms, but do not affect the cause of the pathology, so it is unwise to treat only with medications.

Medicines from the NSAID group relieve pain and inflammation well - the most suitable remedy is prescribed by the attending physician.

Medicines to improve cerebral circulation and drugs that affect the relaxation of neck muscles are also used.Vitamins in therapeutic dosages (especially group B and nicotinic acid) and microelements (calcium, phosphorus and magnesium preparations) help.

Treatment with chondroprotectors (dietary supplements) is practiced, which restore intervertebral tissues, but some doctors consider these drugs to be ineffective or even useless for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Ointments and gels for external use have some therapeutic effect.

Physiotherapeutic and alternative treatment

In specialized clinics dealing with orthopedics and the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, preference is given to physiotherapeutic rather than medicinal methods.Based on a detailed study of the medical history (anamnesis) and an expanded diagnosis, doctors draw up special individual therapy programs, which include:

• Electrophoresis (administration of medicinal substances through the skin using electrodes);
• Magnetotherapy (exposure to magnetic fields);
• Amplipulse therapy (treatment with modulated currents);
• Reflexology;
• Orthopedic gymnastics;
• Classes on special simulators;
• Massage;
• Methods of manual influence;
• Ultrasound therapy;
• Laser therapy.

Treatment of osteochondrosis using non-traditional methods is popular - acupuncture, hirudotherapy (leech treatment), osteopathy.

In advanced cases and in the presence of complications, doctors resort to surgery.

Prevention

Since the most common cause of cervical osteochondrosis is lack of movement and incorrect body position, the best preventive measure would be therapeutic exercises, which can be performed at the workplace - in a sitting or standing position.

To prevent the disease, it is also necessary to visit an orthopedist from a very early age and carry out timely correction of postural disorders.

Prevents osteochondrosis and proper nutrition, which provides the body with essential microelements.At the same time, overeating should not be allowed, since excess weight is one of the reasons for excessive load on the spinal discs.

When carrying heavy objects, be careful and distribute the load correctly.

The place to sleep, the mattress and the pillow play a big role - they should be comfortable and not create tension in the back and neck muscles.

And most importantly, avoid stress, nervous tension and negative emotions.

Forecast

With timely and qualified treatment, the prognosis is favorable, but much depends on the stage of the disease, the severity of the manifestations, the age of the patient and his compliance with medical recommendations regarding lifestyle, proper nutrition and elimination of bad habits.