Cervical osteochondrosis

Few modern people have never heard of osteochondrosis. Most of them have had symptoms of this disease many times. The widespread spread of the disease is related to sitting in front of the computer for a long time, passive lifestyle, improper diet, etc. Cervical osteochondrosis is manifested by pain, muscle weakness, restricted mobility and a series of other symptoms.

Don't ignore the signs of osteochondrosis, because the sooner you start treatment, the sooner you will get rid of the disease. In the initial stage, conservative treatment: taking drugs, exercise therapy, physical therapy, massage, etc. When complications and damage to the osteochondral structure occur, surgery is prescribed.

what is this

Neck osteochondrosis is a pathology that only occurs in humans. Animals will not be affected. This is due to the vertical position of the spine. In this position, the vertebrae squeeze each other, causing the intervertebral disc to be gradually destroyed.

The cervical spine area consists of 7 vertebrae, which are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. This part of the spine is very flexible, which is why it is one of the most vulnerable areas in the spine. The weakest link in the cervical spine is the intervertebral disc, which mainly reflects changes in degenerative dystrophy.

The prevalence of cervical osteochondrosis can also be explained by the weakness of the neck muscles. In addition, the small vertebrae are located in this area, they have different structures and closely fit each other. This is why even a small load on the neck can cause their displacement and compression of blood vessels and nerve branches. When the vertebral artery located in the spine in this area is squeezed, dangerous complications can occur.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (CS) threatens herniated (displacement of the nucleus pulposus without damaging the outer shell) and herniated disc. These structures compress nerve bundles and blood vessels.

Due to the degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc, the possibility of bone growth (osteophytes) in the vertebral joint area increases. As a result, the intervertebral canal narrows and neurovascular formation is compressed.

refer to. According to medical statistics, people over 35 are more likely to suffer from cervical osteochondrosis. Although there is now a pathological rejuvenation, this usually occurs in patients over 20 years of age. This is mainly due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits.

The doctor identified 4 pathological stages:

• 1 degree-The cartilage lining between the vertebrae begins to collapse. At this stage, the disease has eliminated the symptoms. Unfortunately, the patient did not notice them.
• 2 degrees-Under the pressure of the vertebrae, the height of the intervertebral disc is reduced, and the integrity of its outer shell is violated. At this stage, protrusions may appear. Pain occurs, neck movement is limited, and facial sensitivity may be impaired.
• Level 3-The protrusion transforms into a hernia, constricting blood vessels and muscles. In addition to the pain syndrome, there are pain in the back of the head and dizziness.
• Degree 4-Forms osteophytes, stabilizes the vertebrae, but squeezes nerve fibers. Pain does not disappear, movement is rigid, adjacent vertebrae are damaged, and neurological symptoms appear.

It is important to start treatment in stages 1-2 to avoid serious complications that can only be corrected by surgery.

reason

Osteochondrosis SHOP is a complex and long process that can occur under the influence of many negative factors.

For example, in the elderly, this disease is associated with age-related changes in the body. Then, due to the interruption of local blood circulation, metabolic processes, and weakened immunity, degenerative malnutrition changes will occur.

However, the doctor identified the main causes of cervical osteochondrosis:

• Poor posture.
• The curvature of the spine.
• Neck injury.
• too heavy.
• Manual labor is very tiring.
• Sitting in front of the computer for a long time.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Violation of the metabolic process.
• The neck is often hypothermic.
• Improper sleeping place organization (mattress is too soft, pillow is too high).
• Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.
• Congenital diseases of the SHOP structure.
• An autoimmune disease that causes cartilage degradation.
• Infect.
• Features of body parts, such as a very long or very short neck.

Under the influence of these factors, the intervertebral structure and bone tissue began to collapse, and nerve bundles and blood vessels were damaged.

symptom

The clinical manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis (OSHOP) are diverse. Therefore, it is difficult for patients to understand what happened to them. They attributed the early manifestations of the disease to overwork. After the obvious symptoms appeared, they hurried to see a doctor, but in this case, irreversible changes have occurred, and the structure of the cervical spine can no longer be restored.

The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

• Pain in the neck and shoulders.
• The muscles around the affected part of the spine are weakened.
• Excessive sweating.
• Violation of upper limb sensitivity.
• Impaired motor coordination.
• Headache (head pain).
• Dizziness (dizziness).
• Hearing and vision impairment.
• Increased blood pressure, etc.

The nature of osteochondrosis headaches is different: paroxysmal, persistent, pulsating, and dull. This symptom manifests as cerebral vasospasm, compression of cervical spine nerve bundles, and increased intracranial pressure.

With OSHOP, the pain does not always appear in the neck area, it can spread to the shoulders and arms. Discomfort can occur after sleep, sudden movements, neck tension (such as when coughing or sneezing).

For SHOP's osteochondrosis, a surge in pressure is observed based on the time of day, and persistent hypertension is an atypical feature of the pathology. Usually, as the pressure increases, the following manifestations are observed: headache, hand pain, numbness in the neck and neck area. Pressure drops are usually observed after a long period of uncomfortable postures due to tension or muscle tension.

Cervical osteochondrosis syndrome

Several syndromes are observed in OSHOP (typically accompanied by characteristic symptoms). Their performance depends on damaged nerve branches and blood vessels.

Cervical osteochondrosis syndrome:

• Vertebral artery-Occurs when the arteries supplying the brain are compressed or stimulated. Then the patient suffers from hearing impairment, vision, dizziness, reduced pressure, migraine, etc.
• Heart-occurs when the nerve bundles that innervate the diaphragm or pectoral muscles are compressed. Then there is a burning sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, weakness, and increased heart rate.
• High blood pressure-caused by pressure in the veins, which damages the flow of blood from the head. Subsequently, the intracranial pressure increased, and the patient developed headache, nausea, and vomiting.
• Cervical migraine-occurs due to compression of the nerves around the vertebral artery. Then there will be pain similar to migraine in the back of the head. The attack lasts about 10 hours and is usually accompanied by an eruption of vomit.
• Radical is the most common symptom complex in OSHOP. It is caused by compression of a nerve bundle in the vertebrae of the cervical spine. If the conduction of the 1-2 roots of the cervical spine is disturbed, the sensitivity will be disturbed or the back of the head will be painful. If 3 pairs are damaged, the tongue will be numb and the area behind the ears will make it difficult for a person to chew food. 4 Pairs of root inflammation accompanied by clavicle pain, hiccups, and difficulty swallowing. If the conduction of 5-8 nerve bundles is disturbed, the patient's arm is difficult to move.

refer to. Usually, cervical osteochondrosis presents with multiple symptoms at the same time, and diagnosis is difficult. Therefore, you should not figure it out by yourself, it is best to contact an expert.

Establish a diagnosis

If you do not know what to do when you have suspicious symptoms, it is best to contact a therapist immediately. If necessary, the doctor will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon, a chiropractor, or a neurologist.

In the diagnostic search, use the following instruments to study:

• Radiography.
• Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
• Nerve EMG.

All of the above studies provide some information about the cervical spine. For example, X-ray, CT, and MRI are used to detect pathological changes in spinal structure. Electromyography allows you to assess the condition of nerve bundles.

With the help of radiography in different projections, it is possible to detect the accumulation of calcium salts, the reduction of the height of the cartilage spacer between the vertebrae, the deformation of CS, the presence of bone growth, etc.

treatment

OSHOP treatment should be comprehensive. The decision to choose the technique is made by the doctor, taking into account the stage, form, and severity of symptoms of the disease.

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is long and complicated. It is impossible to completely cure this pathology, especially for elderly patients. However, it is very possible to stop the degenerative dystrophy of the cervical segment at any stage.

In the early stages of the disease, conservative methods are used: drugs, therapeutic gymnastics, physiotherapy procedures, massage, orthopedic devices. Most of the above methods can be used at home.

In the 3-4 stage, not only is accompanied by the destruction of cartilage, but also with the destruction of the vertebral body, surgical intervention may be required.

The following drugs will help eliminate pain, inflammation, relax tense muscles and improve the condition of cartilage tissue:

• Relieve the painful. If the pain is severe, you can take analgesics to help yourself. For the same purpose, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can not only cope with pain, but also inflammation.
• Steroids can stop inflammation and pain. For this purpose, glucocorticoid-based drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments.
• Muscle relaxants help relax the spasm muscles around the affected area. For this purpose, parenteral administration solutions based on glycerol or benzimidazole are used. They normalize muscle tone and relieve pain.
• Antispasmodics help fight pain and muscle spasms.
• Vitamins accelerate the recovery of the nervous system. To this end, take drugs based on the elements of the B, A, C, D, and E groups. The vitamin-mineral complex is very effective.

refer to. If the pain syndrome is severe and oral analgesics do not help, the doctor may prescribe a therapeutic blocker. Injections with anesthetics or steroid solutions are placed directly in the focal point of pathology. This process can only be performed by experienced technicians.

As part of the combined therapy, creams, gels, and ointments with anti-inflammatory, warming, and analgesic effects are used.

In order to alleviate the patient's condition and improve their physical fitness, therapeutic exercises are prescribed. Exercise helps strengthen the muscles around the neck, improve the metabolic process, accelerate blood circulation, and reduce the pressure on the weak spine.

Gymnastics is particularly popular in OSHOP, and it is usually performed in a gym using a special simulator. However, you can practice at home if you wish.

Exercise therapy complex for cervical osteochondrosis:

• Tilt your head to your shoulders steadily, lock for 30 seconds, then repeat the movement in the other direction.
• Tilt your head forward, try to touch your chin to your chest, then lift it up and slightly forward.
• Lower your head back a bit, turn to the right, then your left shoulder.
• Press the left shoulder with your right hand and slightly lift the elbow. Then turn your head to the right, stay, and feel the muscle tension.
• This exercise is the same as the third one, except that when you turn your head, raise your arms above your head and interlock.
• Put your hands on your knees, separate them, try to connect your shoulder blades, and raise your chin at the same time. Therefore, you will exercise the thoracic spine area.
• Stand up, lower your arms, stretch your neck forward, and try to touch your shoulders with your chin.

Before exercise, you need to warm up your joints and take a shower to relax your muscles. After completing the complex, stretch.

You can treat cervical osteochondrosis with the help of physical therapy:

• UHF.
• Laser Treatment.
• Magnetic therapy.
• Drug electrophoresis, etc.

Magnetic therapy can relieve inflammation and pain. Ultra-high frequency and laser treatment accelerate the metabolism of the affected area and help eliminate puffiness. Due to electrophoresis, the drugs penetrate through the skin to the focal point of inflammation, where they immediately show their effects.

With the help of massage, muscle tension is normalized, blood flow in the damaged area is accelerated, and tissue nutrition is improved. After completing the course, which usually consists of 10 procedures, the development of the cervical spine degenerative dystrophy process stops.

At home, you can use a needle applicator-this is a plastic device with a lot of spikes. You need to lie on the device or apply it to the affected area. The applicator helps relieve soreness, relax muscles, improve blood circulation and exercise.

Use Shants collars when experiencing severe pain. This orthopedic device fixes the neck in the correct position, reduces the load on the vertebrae, and relieves pain.

Through comprehensive treatment, patients will be able to get rid of degenerative disc disease in the neck forever. However, if the disease is detected in stage 1, it is possible. In other cases, complex measures will help prevent the development of pathology.

Cervical Chondrosis

Many people think that rickets and osteochondrosis are a kind of disease. However, this opinion is wrong. In the first disease, only the cartilage lining of the vertebrae is damaged, while in the second disease, the degenerative changes spread to the bone tissue. In other words, osteochondrosis is the first stage of osteochondrosis.

When the metabolic process of the intervertebral disc is destroyed, rickets of the cervical spine will appear. Then the collagen fibers are replaced by useless fibrous tissue, the hyaline cartilage becomes calcified and the elasticity decreases. Its height is reduced, so the function of the vertebrae is impaired.

There is no difference between the causes of rickets and osteochondrosis.

Cervical spondylosis has the following symptoms:

• The muscles around SHOP tire quickly.
• Poor posture.
• Recurring discomfort or mild pain in the affected area.
• Restricted neck movement.

Usually, patients will not notice the symptoms of rickets. The disease was discovered accidentally during X-ray or MRI.

Osteopathy treatment

The treatment plan for cervical chondropathy is slightly different from the strategy for treating osteochondrosis. In the first disease, the doctor will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotective agents. In addition, patients should avoid excessive physical exertion or sedentary sitting. It is recommended to perform therapeutic exercises, eat correctly, and get rid of bad habits.

Other treatment methods include massage and manual therapy. In addition, physical therapy procedures are pointed out, such as electrophoresis, ultraviolet radiation, pulse therapy, transkinetic therapy, balneotherapy, mud therapy. Acupuncture has proven its effectiveness in treating rickets.

Comment

In most cases, the patient will try to temporarily get rid of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and then the disease will relapse. This is usually due to the patient seeking medical help late in the treatment process or not following the doctor's advice. But some people have managed to cure OSHOP and no longer face its symptoms.

• "I was diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis in two stages. The doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and injections. After the pain passed, I started to massage, do special exercises, and use ointments. After the treatment, I felt noticeable relief. . However, after 3 months, the neck pain reappeared. Therefore, the course must start from the beginning. "
• "I have suffered from cervical osteochondrosis for a long time. I visit a chiropractor who sets up the vertebrae from time to time. But physical therapy exercises have helped me the most. The doctor advised me to try some very effective exercises every day. However, once I missed a few lessons, The pain will begin again. "
• "Early cervical osteochondrosis is completely treatable. It happened to me. First, the doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain and inflammation. Then it was supplemented by gymnastics, massage, and acupuncture. In addition, I went to the swimming pool. , I started taking vitamins and eating correctly. In order to forget the pain forever, I had to completely change my life. Fortunately, I didn’t do any special exercises for a day. Fortunately, there was no pain and my body shape improved. I haven’t felt it for a long time. I have a backache and continue to lead a healthy lifestyle. "

main conclusion

Cervical osteochondrosis is an insidious disease with multiple symptoms. The patient does not always understand what actually happened to him. When severe pain appeared, he hurried to see a doctor, but this sign indicated that there were degenerative dystrophy changes in the cervical spine. In this case, the condition of the spine will not be restored. Treatment is then carried out, which helps prevent the development of the pathology and avoid serious consequences. The treatment of osteochondrosis is a complicated and long process that requires patience and organization. After the pain and inflammation are eliminated, the patient should regularly perform exercise therapy, participate in massage and physical therapy procedures, use orthopedic equipment, eat correctly, and get rid of bad habits. It is important to develop a healthy lifestyle, pay attention to moderate physical exercise, control weight and monitor posture. Only in this case can you stop the pathology and live a fulfilling life.