Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondosis is a gradual degenerative-dystrophic process, which leads to exhaustion, deformation and destruction of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region.The loss of cartilage absorbing shocks causes pain at the same time due to the exposure of joint surfaces (spondyrolrosis) and due to the refinement of the nerve roots of the spinal cord.

In the absence of a timely treatment, it is possible to ossify the spine with the loss of its natural flexibility, an alteration of blood supply to the brain, the deterioration of the nerve conduction in the parts of the body which innervate the roots of the cervical column.

The pathology can develop both independently and as part of general damage to the spine with the blanket of the chest, lumbar and sacred parts.

general information

It is believed that osteochondrosis of the cervical column is more common than in other departments.In fact, this is not the case - the dystrophic phenomena develop uniformly at all points of the maximum load - in the area of the main turns of the spine (the lower the department, the more the load it transports).However, the symptoms of cervical osteochondosis are more pronounced, so they seem more frequent.This is due to the strong mobility of the vertebrae of the neck, which hold the head at the same time, as well as with the particularity of the outputs of the rotation roots of the spinal cord.

Note!According to statistics, the disease affects more than 60% of intermediary and older people.However, recently, a rejuvenation of the pathological process has been observed - a pathology is in young people and even in adolescents.This is due to the general computerization of study and work, as well as a reduction in physical activity and deterioration in the quality of nutrition.

Given the age public, 2 forms of cervical osteochondosis can be distinguished - physiological and pathological.

Physiological processIt is associated with the natural aging of the body, when the symptoms of the disease are a consequence of the progressive wear of the intervertebral discs.The process occurs under the influence of the endocrine system and is a consequence of menopause.The destruction of the cartilage structures starts from the center of the intervertebral disc and is accompanied by a progressive replacement of the fibrous cartilage fabric.The pathology is irreversible, however, it can be offset by special drugs.

Pathological processIt is associated with abnormal destructive changes in the body - immune, dystrophic, inflammatory, metabolic.First, subcutaneous tissues are salts of salts involved on bone structures, the nerve roots are inflamed, atrophy or hypertonicity of the skeletal muscles occurs, which causes circulatory disorders in the head and a roove.With a timely diagnosis, the pathology is treated and ends with the complete restoration of the healthy function of the organs and tissues.

Steps of cervical osteochondrosis and their symptoms

There are 4 main steps in the pathological process:

• 1st east stage expressed by a slight discomfort and a muscular one in the sick region, the cartilage discs lose their stability;
• The local pain of the 2nd floor appears, in particular with the movements of the head.The intervertebral discs are distorted, the fibrous ring begins to collapse, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced;
• 3rd step - Pain intensifies and becomes constant, the movement becomes limited.The heads of the head can cause dizziness, nausea, a violation of blood supply to the brain leads to general lethargy, rapid fatigue, altered concentration, the cartilaginous tissue is thinner, the vertebrae is closed, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed with the emergence of the risk of hernia intervertebral;
• The 4th step - pain syndrome completely immobilizes the neck area, the blood circulation of the brain is disturbed and requires constant support for drugs, the vertebrae are starting to develop together.

Cervical osteochondosis: signs, pathology symptoms

In the early stages, osteochondrosis is asymptomatic.As the disease develops, a distinctive characteristic is the presence of painful or uncomfortable sensations in the head, neck and chest, less often the upper limbs.

All possible symptoms can be attributed conditionally to 4 types of syndromes: heart, vertebral, rough (nervous) and vertebral artery (with circulatory disorders).

Vertebrate syndrome::

• Crunch in the neck during the tours / inclination of the heads;
• With the progress of the disease, the pain and the difficulty of the movement occur;
• Morphological disorders of the structure in the body of the vertebra and the intervertebral space (visible on the Ray X).

Heart syndrome::

• shortness of breath, weakness;
• A feeling of incomplete breathing, a lack of air;
• spontaneous phenomena of the cardiovascular-angina pectoralis system, cloth pain, burn;

Rook syndrome::

• numbness of the tongue, shoulders, fingers, an occipital region;
• difficulties to swallow;
• Unpleasant sensations in the area between the shoulder blades;
• Headache in the neck and forehead.

Vail artery syndrome::

• Unreasonable jumps in blood pressure;
• dizzy, until loss of consciousness;
• noise in the ears, a feeling of cotton in the head;
• Temporary affair, "flies" in the eyes;
• periodic nausea attacks, especially when they go;
• Headache - mainly in the neck, as well as migraines;
• drowsiness, decrease in performance, memory, concentration of attention, depression.

Attention!All these syndromes must be combined with each other.The absence of symptoms of one of them may be a reason for differential diagnosis with other groups of diseases.

The causes of cervical osteochondosis

Dostrophic phenomena in the cervical column are associated with the vertical location of the skeleton and the specific distribution of static and dynamic loads, which largely depend on predominant poses and the degree of development of skeletal muscles.

The main reasons:

• The lack of movement - which does not develop - degrades: the muscles weaken, the tissues are destroyed;
• Incorrect static poses - muscle clamps lead to circulatory disorders with subsequent tissue dystrophy;
• Lack of nutrition or unbalanced diet - the body must receive everything necessary for the construction and renewal of bone and cartilage structures of the skeleton, maintaining muscle tone;
• Obesity, overweight, wearing weight - the load on the structure of the skeleton increases;
• constant nervous tension and nervous stress;
• Hypothermia of the cervical region - "captured", "swollen" - causes hidden inflammatory processes;
• The presence of autoimmune diseases with the involvement of the cartilaginous tissue leads to its premature destruction;
• Endocrine pathologies are confused by mineral metabolism, reduce the digestibility of calcium, silicon, phosphorus and other elements of the bone chrysh tissue;
• injuries in the cervical region;
• Congenital anomalies of the spine and adjacent muscles.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of "osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra" is made up of a low specificity of symptoms and a wide variety of their manifestations.In the examination process, a consultation of a neurologist, surgeon, orthopedic, cardiologist will be necessary.

A physical examination is carried out by a doctor with an investigation into patients.The main diagnostic burden lies in instrumental and laboratory research methods.

Instrumental diagnostics:

• X-ray of the cervical service;At the initial stage of the process, the MRI of the cervical service will be more informative - it will guarantee a high quality visualization of the solid and soft tissues - will show the condition of the intervertebral discs, the presence of osteophytes, deformations, damage to the nerve roots and the blood vessels;will assess the state of ligaments, muscles, bone tissue;
• Ultrasound shows the dynamic state of soft tissue;
• Dopplerography of neck vessels will help assess hemodynamics and the degree of damage to blood vessels (in particular, the state of the vertebral artery);
• Contrast myelography - will help suspect the violation of nervous processes;
• ECG and echocardiography of the heart are used for the differential diagnosis of heart syndrome with cardiovascular disease.

How to treat cervical osteochondosis

The medical measurement complex is formed taking into account the stage of the disease (acute, chronic), the degree of damage and the causes of the development of the pathology.Use a conservative treatment, surgery, a mixed approach.

Preservative

It is a restoration or progressive compensation for damage to context of symptomatic treatment.Includes pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, treatment of exercise and massage methods.

Drugs::

• Analgesics - mainly gels and ointments of local influence;In serious cases - current pain relievers in the form of tablets;
• Anti -inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs, as well as corticosteroids (short -lived if necessary);
• Drugs to improve microcirculation and blood circulation in general;
• Chondroprotective - means to protect and restore cartilage fabric;
• Musorelaxants - to eliminate muscle pliers and spasms;
• Vitamin and microechene complexes are necessary for nutrition and tissue support by building elements.

As the acute symptoms are weakened, physiotherapy methods, exercise therapy and self-massage are connected.

Therapeutic gymnasticsImproves the nutrition of cartilage and bone tissue in the restoration of blood supply in the damaged area.In order to avoid complications, it is recommended to use the method of isometric movements, while instead of real turns and tilt of the head that can damage, they use their imitation.

Attention!All actions should only be carried out after diagnosis and consultation with a doctor.

The technique allows you to develop and strengthen short atrophied neck muscles and stabilize the position of the cervical column.The sequence of basic exercises:

1. The palm of the right hand is reduced to the lateral surface of the head, press your palm on your head within 10 seconds, while stretching the muscles of the head and neck for resistance - the head must remain motionless.
2. Lower your hand, relax the head and neck muscles as much as possible for 20 seconds.
3. Repeat the exercise with the left hand.
4. Get both hands with your palms in the forehead on the forehead for 10 seconds, as if you were trying to reject your head back, while stretching the neck muscles to resist movement.The head must remain motionless.
5. Lower your hands, relaxing the muscles in the same way as the previous exercise.
6. Put the two palms in the area above the back of the head.By analogy, perform an urgent load on the muscles of the neck, trying to tilt the head forward - it should always be motionless.
7. Lower your hands, relax your neck and head muscles.Repeat all exercises 4 to 10 times.

After strengthening the short neck muscles, you can start performing dynamic exercises.

Note!As a methodology to restore the mobility of the cervical region, swimming and water gymnastics was done well.

Self-massageAllows you to reduce the intensity of local reactions and eliminate muscle clamps during static work.Rules for execution:

• Exhibition zone - the rear of the head, the rear and side surfaces of the neck;
• Perform the procedure in a sitting position;
• The movements must be carried out in the direction of the spine;
• Use only the fingertips;
• Avoid pressure on the inflamed areas;
• Make smooth movements - clear pressure can harm.

PhysiotherapyCharacteristic for the treatment of hospitalized patients and the rehabilitation of sanatorium contracts.Well proven:

• Electrophoresis - hears the area, improves microcirculation, is used for deeper penetration of local drugs;
• magnetotherapy;
• amplipulse;
• UHF.

Surgical intervention is indicated by complicated extrusion, spinal cord offenses and unconscious pain syndromes.

That cervical osteochondosis is dangerous

The neck area concentrates the dense intertwining of the main blood vessels, the nervous processes and the dynamic structures of the bone skeleton.In the absence of treatment, serious pathological changes can be observed:

• The weakening of the fibrous ring causes dislocations and a subluxation in the most mobile vertebrae area;
• The presence of osteophytes and spasm of the muscles leads to a violation of nerve roots and blood vessels with the formation of compression syndromes;
• The destruction of the cartilaginous discs and the rapprochement of the vertebrae lead to intervertebral hernias with violation of the nervous tissue.

Each this phenomenon follows a pronounced negative reaction from the whole organism.

Possible complications and consequences

The list of the most common complications of cervical osteochondrosis can be included:

• Vegetovascular dystonia;
• hypertension;
• Brain oxygen famine and its structures;
• Dystrophy of the ocular retina with a visual impairment;
• Failure of the failure of the thyroid;
• Disturbance of the functions of the esophagus and the trachea - difficulty swallowing and breathing cramps;
• Unconscious pain syndrome in the head, neck, chest, upper limbs;
• Convulsions and numbness of the face, hands;
• Disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary system which derives a failure from all the hormonal activity of the body.

Preventive measures

The most effective treatment is the prevention of the disease.Prevention will help you on this subject.Just follow several basic recommendations:

• Adjust your posture
• Create a practical workplace;
• During sedentary work, take breaks on "physical education";
• Include in your foods rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon - fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, dairy products, fresh vegetables, fruits;Limit the consumption of salt, sweet, flour and sharp dishes;
• For sleep and rest, use an orthopedic mattress and a pillow;
• Take care of an without dummy sport - it is better to give the preference to swimming.

Even if you are unable to take into account all the requirements, moderate physical effort, appropriate nutrition and careful attitude towards your posture can considerably reduce the risk of pathology.