Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathological condition in which degenerative changes occur in bone tissue and cartilage.

Intervertebral disc dystrophy can develop after the age of 30, while at the age of 40-45 they become dry and hard.

The spinal column contains 7 cervical vertebrae, which consist of the body, process and arch of the bone;In the middle of the vertebrae there is a hole where the spinal cord is located.The individual elements of the spine are connected to each other using the intervertebral disc formed by the core, fibrous ring and layers of hyaline plates (cartilage).Cervical vertebrae, having the smallest disc thickness, fit closely to each other;The muscles in the neck area are relatively underdeveloped, as a result, with frequent exercise, disc displacement can occur, which compresses blood vessels and nerve trunks.

This disease goes through several stages in its development, where the spine undergoes pathological changes:

The first stage of osteochondrosis

Characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral disc.Cracks form in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the disc is affected, its height decreases, because the nerve roots are compressed.A characteristic pain appears.Sometimes at stage 1 (premature) such pain may not be present, and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck area.

Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree

If grade 1 osteochondrosis is not treated or the treatment is ineffective, then a chronic condition occurs, which is grade 2 osteochondrosis.The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compaction of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to a slight dislocation of the cervical vertebrae.With cervical osteochondrosis, falling head syndrome can develop at this level.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain, and the person has to support his head in a fixed position to reduce the pain.

Osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree

The fibrous ring is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis - protrusion (impingement) of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.In the 3rd stage of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease, because the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc no longer exists, and therefore there is no source of pain, however, pinching the nerve roots remains, so the pain does not completely disappear.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

With age, the intervertebral disc core loses moisture reserves and also becomes less elastic.Since the metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, the process of regeneration in the disc with the cessation of poor blood supply.At a young age, the main role in the occurrence of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is played by physical inactivity - a passive lifestyle, lack of regular physical activity.

Factors that contribute to poor circulation in the cervical vertebrae and intervertebral space are:

• driving a car for a long time;
• Working at a computer, sitting for long periods of time in any position;
• lifting weights regularly;
• working conditions involving sudden movements and twisting of the neck;
• poor posture;
• neck and head injuries;
• disc displacement due to sports training;
• Excess weight, which leads to a high load on the intervertebral disc and dysfunction of the cervicothoracic spine;
• alcohol abuse, smoking, unhealthy diet (due to harmful effects on metabolic processes);pressure;
• Hypothermia of the neck (for example, if there is no scarf during the cold period);
• sleeping on a high or too soft pillow;
• Heredity (family history of spinal disease).

Common symptoms of neck osteochondrosis may include:

• Dizziness, migraine-like pain in the head (acute), as well as dull, pressing pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which can be intensified when moving the head;
• Lumbago (sharp pain that spreads to the back or arms);
• burning in the back, liver;
• stiffness of neck, arms (especially hands);
• decreased mobility and neck numbness in the morning;
• throbbing sensation at the back of the head;
• Temporary darkness in the eyes, noise in the ears, sometimes fainting;
• Thickening of the skin on the spine is caused by the proliferation of connective tissue.

Diagnostics

Most often, the doctor's diagnosis sounds like "2nd cervical osteochondrosis."Why immediately the second?The fact is that the first stage cannot be diagnosed because the symptoms are too weak.During the initial examination, the doctor determines how damaged the spinal column is.For this, the patient is examined in different positions: horizontal, sitting, standing, leaning.By counting the vertebrae, the specialist focuses on anatomical norms and determines the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.This examination is not limited to visual inspection - vertebral deformities can easily be felt by hand.Palpation makes it possible to determine the location of pain and the strength of tension in the paravertebral muscles.But still, in order for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to bring positive results, it is necessary to undergo a hardware examination.Computed tomography, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging - All these methods make the diagnosis accurate and allow you to choose the optimal treatment method.

Treatment

How to cure cervical spine osteochondrosis?This is the wrong way to pose the question;More precisely, how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, because it is impossible to cure osteochondrosis.But it is quite possible to stop the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and intervertebral discs, and eliminate pain and discomfort.But this is only possible if treatment is started at an early stage of the disease.Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor on time.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be comprehensive.

The treatment regimen can be presented as follows:

• drugs from the NSAID group (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve inflammation;
• antispasmodics - to relieve spasms;
• painkillers;
• vitamin V;
• reflexology;
• Physical Therapy (Physical Therapy) - Eliminates pain and inflammation;
• Therapeutic Massage - Restores blood supply, relieves tension;
• acupuncture and acupressure.

But the most important method to treat cervical osteochondrosis is dosed physical activity.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended:

1. During sedentary work, make sure you take a break for five minutes every hour, avoid tension in the neck,
2. Do not make sudden head movements, watch your posture,
3. Avoid hypothermia,
4. exercise, swim, eat right,
5. Sleep should be on a firm mattress and on a low pillow: the neck flexion angle should not exceed 15 degrees,
6. After 25 years, avoid shock loads on the spine (jumping, walking).