Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that causes the soft intervertebral marrow to degenerate into ossified tissue.Pathogenesis also affects nerve roots and blood vessels.This pathology is difficult to diagnose because it masquerades itself as a variety of diseases.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis occurs for many reasons, but many are related to changes in cartilage tissue caused by the accumulation of salts in the blood and lymph fluid.With proper diet and continued physical activity, salt is usually consumed rather than collected.Otherwise, the cartilage tissue will become less flexible and lose flexibility, and the vertebrae will begin to shift, squeezing arteries and nerve endings.
Cervical osteochondrosis causes degenerative changes in which osteophytes grow in the cervical spine, causing irritation and muscle strain, further aggravating the patient's condition.
In most cases, changes and disorders in the cervical spine are caused by a sedentary lifestyle.Cervical osteochondrosis is especially common among office workers who sit for 8 hours a day and do not engage in any exercise.
Previously, osteochondrosis was generally thought of as a disease affecting adults, but now the disease is affecting much younger people.Young people sometimes begin to feel the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis while at school or college, which is associated with a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture.
People who perform physical tasks at work also suffer from cervical osteochondrosis, as high loads on the back, combined with uncomfortable body postures and long-term back injuries, can adversely affect the health of the neck, causing excessive tension in the area.Experts also list other causes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- being overweight;
- genetics;
- Improper diet;
- Disruption of metabolic processes;
- ongoing stress;
- low temperature;
- flatfoot;
- People with weak back muscles lift heavy objects;
- Spinal injury.
The progression of cervical osteochondrosis
Doctors determine the stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis based on the patient's symptoms and chief complaints.
first degree
Clinical manifestations are mild, and patients may experience low-intensity pain in the neck that worsens when the head is rotated.During the examination, experts sometimes discover muscle strains.
second degree
The patient experiences severe neck pain that can radiate to the arms and shoulders.Pain can be caused by worn discs and pinched nerves.The pain worsens when you turn and tilt your head.A person's performance decreases, they develop weakness and develop headaches.
Level three
At this stage, symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis intensify, pain persists, and radiates to the upper limbs and shoulders.The arm developed weakness and gradually became numb due to a herniated disc.The patient felt dizzy and weak. Physical examination revealed limited movement of the cervical spine and pain when touching the neck.
Level 4
The disc is completely destroyed and replaced by connective tissue.Dizziness becomes worse, there is noise in the ears, and coordination of movements becomes worse.This is due to the involvement of the vertebral arteries, which are responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to the cerebellum and occipital lobes of the brain.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
- Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the neck are different from those in other parts of the spine.This is due to the peculiarities of the human body structure: the vertebrae are relatively close to each other, and the height of the intervertebral disc is not very large, so even minor lesions can cause symptoms.
Let's consider the main symptoms for diagnosing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- pain.They can be located in different places (neck, back of head, shoulders or arms).Arm and shoulder pain occurs when the nerve roots that supply the upper limbs become compressed.Pain in the back of the head is associated with spasm of the cervical muscles above the occipital bone.
- Weakness in limbs.Weakness in the arm occurs due to damage to the roots containing the motor nerves that innervate the arm muscles.
- Decreased hand sensitivity.This symptom occurs when the roots of the sensory nerves that innervate the skin of the hands are damaged.Sometimes, as sensitivity is lost, the fingers or hands may experience numbness due to cervical osteochondrosis.
- The range of motion and chewing power of the cervical spine are limited.They appear due to wear and tear on the intervertebral discs and the appearance of growths on the vertebrae, as well as when the facet joints between the cervical vertebrae are affected.
- Dizziness, weakness, and poor movement coordination.These symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur when the vertebral arteries, which pass through special channels in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae, are involved in the process.Fibrous tissue forms, the vertebrae shift, and blood flow in the arteries is disrupted - this leads to a deterioration of the blood supply to the back of the brain and cerebellum.
- Vision and hearing deteriorate, and tongue becomes numb.These are signs of severe deterioration of blood supply to the cerebellum and occipital areas due to cervical osteochondrosis.
How is cervical osteochondrosis treated?
If left untreated, cervical osteochondrosis is actively developing, and it will be more difficult to eliminate the undesirable lesions.This can only be achieved with the help of long-term comprehensive treatment.Doctors prescribe different treatments to patients:
- manual therapy;
- laser exposure;
- vacuum therapy;
- drug puncture;
- dry traction;
- Electrical stimulation, etc.
Several sessions can help eliminate pain, but the course of treatment should not be interrupted.
If conservative treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is unsuccessful, the patient may be referred for surgery.The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the vertebral injury and the technique used.Success also depends on the age of the patient.
Conservative treatments include the following:
- physical therapy;
- therapeutic exercises;
- Massage for osteochondrosis;
- Other methods (corsets, medicated baths, herbal remedies for osteochondrosis, etc.)
During an exacerbation, doctors may prescribe medication to quickly relieve pain and inflammation.You can stimulate metabolic processes and blood circulation in the body with the help of intravenous and intramuscular injections.
Therapeutic gymnastics (physical therapy) is a set of specific exercises for osteochondrosis, designed to strengthen muscle tissue and correct posture.Sports make the ligamentous muscular system more flexible, normalize the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, promote the formation of muscle bundles and reduce the load on the vertebrae.
Physical therapy includes treatments using lasers, ultrasound, magnetic fields, and low-frequency electrical currents.The use of these technologies can help speed up patient recovery and increase the effectiveness of other procedures.Unlike medication, physical therapy methods have no side effects.
Special neck braces are sometimes used to treat cervical osteochondrosis, which can also be effective in preventing it.A type of therapy called reflexology, in which experts affect selected areas of the human body, has proven to be excellent.Spinal traction relieves pain in the neck and joints, helps restore their anatomical shape and increases intervertebral space.
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis
After a course of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, you must follow your doctor’s advice to prevent future progression of the disease.First, you need to monitor the position of your body so that you don't overstrain your spine.You can stretch your back muscles.
You cannot stand for long periods of time and turn and tilt your head rapidly.Instead of lifting the weight with your arms outstretched, sit down and place the weight in your hands before lifting it up.When lifting heavy objects or other items in your hands, switch hands or distribute the load evenly.
Control your posture while working.Make it a habit to do regular exercise by changing your body posture.You should sleep on a medium-firm mattress with an orthopedic pillow.When getting up, place your hands on the floor to avoid excessive strain on your back.
Before exercising, be sure to drink a glass of water and wear comfortable shoes to support your feet.After sitting and bending in an uncomfortable position for a long time, stretch or hang from the bar.
Swimming is great for strengthening muscle groups, as are hardening and contrast showers.Eat a varied diet and avoid greasy and salty foods.It's best to eat more lean meats, grains, dairy products and vegetables.