Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

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

Dystrophy of the intervertebral discs can develop after the age of 30, while between the ages of 40 and 45 they dry out and harden.

The vertebral column contains 7 cervical vertebrae, which consist of a body, apophysis and a bony arch;In the center of the vertebra there is a hole in which the spinal cord is located.The individual elements of the spine are connected to each other by intervertebral discs formed by a core, an annulus fibrosus and a layer - a hyaline plate (cartilage).The cervical vertebrae, which have the smallest thickness of the discs, fit perfectly together;The muscles in the neck area are rather poorly developed, so with regular exercise, a displacement of the disc can occur, which compresses the blood vessels and nerve trunks.

The disease goes through several stages in its development, during which the spine undergoes pathological changes:

1st degree of osteochondrosis

Characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs.Cracks form in the annulus fibrosus, the strength and elasticity of the disc is altered, its height decreases, as a result of which the nerve roots are compressed.A characteristic pain appears.Sometimes, in stage 1 (preclinical), such pain may be absent, and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck area.

Second degree osteochondrosis

If grade 1 osteochondrosis was not treated or the treatment was not effective, 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 slight dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.With cervical osteochondrosis, drooping head syndrome can develop at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by intense pain and the person is forced to support their head in a fixed position to reduce the pain.

Third degree osteochondrosis

The annulus fibrosus is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis: protrusion (impingement) of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.In stage 3 of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease, since the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc simply no longer exists and therefore there is no source of pain;However, the pinching of the nerve roots persists, so the pain does not completely disappear.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

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

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

• drive a car for a long time;
• working at a computer, sitting for long periods of time in any position;
• regular weight lifting;
• working conditions involving sudden movements and twists of the neck;
• poor posture;
• neck and head injuries;
• disc displacement as a result of sports training;
• excess weight, which causes a large load on the intervertebral discs and impaired functioning of the cervicothoracic spine;
• alcohol abuse, smoking, unhealthy diet (due to harmful effects on metabolic processes);stress;
• hypothermia of the neck (for example, in the absence of a scarf during the cold season);
• sleeping on high or too soft pillows;
• heredity (family history of spinal diseases).

Common symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck may include:

• dizziness, migraine-like headache (acute), as well as dull, squeezing pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which may intensify when moving the head;
• lumbago (sharp pain that spreads to the back or arm);
• burning in the back, heart;
• stiffness of the neck, arms (especially hands);
• decreased mobility and numbness of the neck in the morning;
• throbbing sensation in the back of the neck;
• temporary darkness in the eyes, noise in the ear canal, sometimes fainting;
• Thickening of the skin of the spine due to the proliferation of connective tissue.

Diagnosis

Most often, the doctor's diagnosis sounds like "cervical osteochondrosis of the second degree."Why immediately the second?The fact is that the first degree cannot be diagnosed because the symptoms are too weak.During a preliminary examination, the doctor determines how damaged the spine is.To do this, the patient is examined in different positions: horizontal, sitting, standing, inclined.When counting the vertebrae, the specialist focuses on anatomical norms and determines the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The examination is not limited to a visual examination: the vertebral deformity can be easily palpated by hand.Palpation allows you to determine the location of the pain and the strength of the tension in the paravertebral muscles.But still, in order for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to give positive results, it is necessary to undergo a hardware examination.CT scan, X-ray, MRI - all these methods make the diagnosis perfectly accurate and allow you to choose the optimal treatment method.

Treatment

How to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?This is the wrong way to ask the question;more correctly, how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, since it is completely 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 the treatment was started at an early stage of the disease.Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be comprehensive.

The treatment regimen can be presented as follows:

• medicines from the group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve inflammation;
• antispasmodics - to relieve spasms;
• pain relievers;
• B vitamins;
• reflexology;
• physiotherapy (physiotherapy) - eliminates pain and inflammation;
• therapeutic massage - restores blood supply, relieves tension;
• acupuncture and acupressure.

But the most important method of treating cervical osteochondrosis is dosed physical activity.

Disease prevention

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

1. when working sedentarily, be sure to take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid neck strain,
2. do not make sudden head movements, watch your posture,
3. avoid hypothermia,
4. exercise, swim, eat well,
5. sleeping should be on a firm mattress and on a low pillow: the angle of flexion of the neck should not be more than 15 degrees,
6. after 25 years, avoid shock loads on the spine (jumping, running).