Osteochondrosis is a pathological process that leads to dystrophic and structural disorders, first in the intervertebral discs, and then in the vertebrae themselves, spinal nerves, adjacent 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, without proper treatment in time it progresses.Functional and structural changes in bone and cartilage tissue become more and more pronounced, leading to complicated forms of the disease with loss of sensation and limitation of movements.
Phases and degrees
In total, there are 4 stages (grades) of cervical osteochondrosis.At the same time, the concepts of "scale" and "phase" are often confused.Although they mean roughly the same thing, they are not completely identical.The stage reflects structural abnormalities in the cervical spine, nearby organs and tissues.And by degrees 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 intensifies when the head is turned.In the examination, local tension is observed in the neck muscles.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the second degree is associated with discogenic radiculitis.As a result of further degenerative-dystrophic changes in the nucleus and fibrous capsule of the intervertebral disc, the height of the gap between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result, the cervical spinal nerve roots are compressed.Patients are bothered by point pain, which intensifies when turning and tilting the head.The pain syndrome may extend beyond the cervical region and be associated with general weakness and decreased performance.
As a result of further pathological processes leading to displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs, disc herniations are formed in the cervical region.The pain and feeling of general weakness intensify and are accompanied by sensory and motor disorders in the area of the affected segment.Cervical osteochondrosis of the third degree develops.
Then, with cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree, the destroyed intervertebral disc 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 and a feeling of noise in the ear.
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 as follows:
- The neck is a mobile structure, yet it borders the relatively static thoracic spine.
- There are 7 cervical vertebrae and 8 segments.The "extra" segment appears due to the atlanto-occipital joint.
- Cervical vertebrae have different anatomical structures, which is especially evident in the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis.
- Vital communications pass through the neck - trachea, esophagus and large vessels, including the vertebral artery, which supplies the brain with blood.
Etiological factors that lead to pathological changes in the cervical spine with the subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree are as follows:
- 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;
- Inheritance.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, in addition to pain, include tension in the muscles of the neck and back.Pain in the neck (cervicalgia) with this degree of osteochondrosis can be either spot or diffuse, spreading beyond the neck to other anatomical areas - the back and shoulder girdle.Due to the shortening of the intervertebral spaces, the muscles and ligaments decrease.The action of the muscular frame is weakened and a subluxation of the cervical spine is formed, as a result of which the disc moves to one side or the other.The pain can be sharp and severe, like a lumbago (cervicago) after turning the head or straightening the neck.
In addition to the pain, as already mentioned, there is tension in the muscles of the neck and back.Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae are displaced not from the back, but from the side, such tension is most often asymmetrical in nature and leads to poor behavior.On the other hand, poor posture leads to a further deterioration of metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition of osteochondrosis to stage 3.
In stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery has not yet been affected.However, already at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of a feeling 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 treatmentaims to eliminate cervicalgia, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and normalization of metabolic processes in the cervical intervertebral discs.Pain relief is achieved by taking painkillers by mouth.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.For severe pain, you can put a special Shants collar on your neck.
Pain reliefcan be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process in the roots of the cervix.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.
To restore damaged cartilage, oral administration of chondroprotectors is recommended.For the same purpose, taking vitamin mineral complexes containing vitamins B, C, E together with zinc, iron and calcium is indicated.Although brain disorders did not occur in stage 2 cervical osteochondrosis, the use of neuroprotectors would not be wrong.
Physiotherapy proceduresfor cervical osteochondrosis of any degree, they are designed to reduce pain and inflammation and improve local blood circulation.For this purpose, phonophoresis, laser and magnetic resonance therapy and ultrasound treatment are used.Physiotherapy procedures are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Massagefor osteochondrosis is also performed during the interictal period.Massage procedures are performed with the patient sitting or lying on his side.At the same time, the massage therapist kneads, hits and rubs the tense muscles with smooth movements in the direction from the back of the head to the neck.Then, the muscles of the back, neck and chest are massaged.In this case, self-massage is possible using the Kuznetsov applicator.It is a needle roller with plastic spikes.It is enough to put this roller up to the neck every day for half an hour to an hour and the result will not be delayed.
Therapeutic exercisesdesigned to consolidate the effect of the above methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck.This creates optimal loads on different muscle groups, which leads to muscle strengthening and spinal traction.Manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck should be carried out very carefully.Due to the high risk of cervical spine injuries, it poses a great risk not only to the health, but also to the patient's life.
Preventive measures
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate the causes of this disease and prevent the transition from stage 2 to stage 3.
In this regard, the following requirements must be met:
- active lifestyle;
- Good food;
- Normal conditions at home and at work, excluding drafts and hypothermia;
- Proper posture during work and study "sitting";
- Strengthening, playing sports;
- Treatment of accompanying chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis, visit a doctor in a timely manner.