Cervical osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathological processes affecting the spine in its various parts. This disease leads to many complications, mainly because it affects the spinal cord and negatively affects the functioning of the brain.
According to 2017 statistics, the disease has become significantly younger. If previously osteochondrosis mainly affected people over 40 years old, today various stages of cervical osteochondrosis are diagnosed in 90% of people over 25 years old. For this reason, it is important to know as much as possible about the pathology, from what it is to treatment methods.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
In medical practice, the words cervical osteochondrosis mean an acquired progressive disease that affects a specific part of the spine. This pathological process is characterized by degenerative-dystrophic processes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs, which are the shock absorbers of the cervical vertebrae.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are caused by wear and tear. As a result, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, and as a result, the following consequences occur:
- Narrowing of the spinal canal in certain areas of the spine.
- Compression of the vertebral arteries - large vessels that provide blood supply to the brain. Because of this, the supply to the brain deteriorates and the blood circulation of the cervical spinal cord is disrupted.
- Intervertebral discs can become deformed and flattened. This leads to the compression of certain areas of the spinal cord and nerves, most often the nerve roots are compressed.
All these problems include not only cerebral circulation disorders, neck pain, headaches, etc. threatened. The development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is accompanied by dangerous neurological problems, deterioration of the central nervous system and damage to brain tissue.
According to the international classification of diseases, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has several separate codes. The disease code according to ICD 10 depends on the age at which the disease was diagnosed:
- M02 – dystrophy of intervertebral discs in adolescence.
- M42. 12 – degenerative process in the neck area in adults.
Many factors depend on the age of the patient and the degree of development of the pathological process, such as the consequences, complications, symptoms and, of course, the principles of treatment.
Cause
Knowing the causes of the development of cervical osteochondrosis can play a decisive role in the diagnostic process, as well as in determining the principles of combating the disease.
However, before listing the causes, it is worth saying that doctors identify two factors that lead to the development of this pathological process:
- Pathological - the destruction of intervertebral discs and other vertebral structures with the involvement of nearby tissues, blood vessels and nerve bundles occurs as a result of unfavorable external factors in the pathological process. The more severe these factors and other pathologies are, the faster the disease develops.
- Physiological - the development of pathology is primarily based on age-related changes. We talk about the natural aging of the cartilage tissue of the spinal column, salt deposits, etc.
If we list more specific causes of cervical osteochondrosis, they are as follows:
- Disorders of metabolic processes in the body, as well as certain stages of obesity.
- Physical inactivity is a phenomenon characterized by limited movement. We are not only talking about injuries or illnesses, but also sedentary lifestyles and sedentary work.
- Pathologies of the cardiovascular system, which contribute to impaired blood circulation in the brain, changes in pressure, etc.
- Poor posture includes various forms of scoliosis, rheumatism and even flat feet.
- Injury to the cervical spine. In this case, we are talking about sprains, bumps, and bruises. Injuries to other parts of the spine can affect the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Excessive physical stress on the cervical spine caused by intense sports or severe physical difficulty, depending on the type of activity the person is doing.
- A sedentary lifestyle is also dangerous because of the constant tension on the cervical spine and the entire spine if you sit poorly or on uncomfortable furniture.
- Hernia of the cervical spine, as well as various accompanying diseases.
- Holding the head in an uncomfortable or unnatural position for a long time. In this case, not only muscle tension occurs, but also the spine of the neck region bends.
- Doctors consider constant stress and nervous tension to be a very common cause.
- Congenital abnormalities of the spine structure are considered one of the causes.
What are the health risks?
As mentioned earlier, the cervical spine region contains not only the spinal cord and various nerve branches, but also the vertebral arteries, which supply blood to the occipital part of the brain, the cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata.
With the development of cervical osteochondrosis, nearby tissues become inflamed. In addition, the development of pathology threatens to compress nerve roots and blood vessels, the consequences of which are as follows:
- Osteochondrosis is associated with spinal deformities, which results in a narrowing of the spinal canal in certain areas. This can lead to compression of the spinal cord and nerve branches, which can lead to serious neurological problems. In severe cases, the person feels pain and may even lose control over certain parts of the body (mainly the arms or the face).
- Compression of the neck vessels, as already mentioned, is accompanied by impaired circulation in the occipital region of the brain. In this case, the brain does not receive oxygen and nutrients in the necessary amount, and oxygen starvation begins. If blood circulation is impaired, there is a real risk of ischemic stroke and various neurological pathologies.
syndromes
Speaking of the danger that comes with the progress of cervical osteochondrosis and the lack of proper treatment, the disease can lead to many complications and syndromes.
The main syndromes are:
- Spine.
- Vertebral artery.
- Koreshkovy.
- Heart.
It is important to know that all of the above symptoms are accompanied by various types of pain and a number of adverse clinical symptoms. A person may experience dizziness, tinnitus, and more.
vertebral syndrome
He talks about a direct connection between cervical osteochondrosis and bone and cartilage tissue. The symptoms of this type of pathology are also associated with damage to the mentioned tissues:
- Movement of the neck is partially or completely restricted.
- Movement of the head is accompanied by painful sensations in the neck area.
- The X-ray shows morphological changes in the tissues (intervertebral and vertebral bodies).
It is worth noting that the vertebral syndrome is always accompanied by these three clinical symptoms. If at least 1 of these is missing, the diagnosis will be completely different.
Vertebral artery syndrome
This syndrome is caused by a narrowing of the vertebral artery, which leads to vestibular, vascular and vegetative problems. In this case, the main symptoms are extensive:
- Headaches and migraines.
- Visual impairment.
- Noises in the ears.
- Frequent dizziness and more.
The most dangerous symptom is fainting, which indicates a severe lack of oxygen.
Radicular syndrome
It occurs when the roots of the spinal cord are damaged. In this case, the conduction of the nerves is disturbed, the person may feel pain or lose sensitivity in certain parts of the body, or even suffer paralysis.
Depending on which of the 8 radicular pairs the conduction disorder occurs, the following symptoms are identified:
- 1 pair - numbness or pain in the back of the head;
- 3rd pair – impaired chewing reflex, numbness of the tongue and discomfort behind the ear;
- 4 pairs – pain in the area of the clavicle, impaired swallowing reflex;
- 5 pairs - disorders of the shoulder girdle, along with arm movement problems;
- 6th pair - the patient feels pain and numbness in the forearm and shoulder blades;
- 7th pair - hands and fingers (usually index and middle) become numb;
- Pair 8 - similar problems to the previous point, but numbness is felt in the ring finger and little finger.
Based on the described characteristics, it is sometimes possible to determine which pair of roots is affected by radicular syndrome.
Cardiac syndrome
Despite the fact that the pathological process is still localized in the cervical spine, the syndrome has all the signs of cardiac pathologies. The clinical picture is as follows:
- Rapid pulse.
- Pain in sternum.
- Shortness of breath, weakness, lethargy, reduced performance.
The rate of disease development
When we talk about the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, we mean the stages of the progression of the pathological process, which differ in clinical symptoms. Overall, the disease has four stages of development:
- The first stage is characterized by vague symptoms. Patients complain of a minor headache, during the initial examination the doctor notices mild muscle stiffness.
- Pain in the cervical spine and head is more frequent, more intense, and radiates to the shoulders and arms. The pathology is caused by damage to the intervertebral discs and pinching of the nerve roots. The pain intensifies when the head is turned, thrown back and bent forward.
- In the third stage, the pain is constant, muscle weakness of the arm is observed, and a hernia develops in the intervertebral discs. Movements in the neck area are limited and dizziness is common.
- The fourth stage is accompanied by the complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, the cartilage tissue is replaced by connective tissue. In addition to pain and dizziness, coordination problems can also be observed, and the vertebral arteries are often pinched.
Signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In order to consult a doctor in time, you need to clearly understand the signs of cervical osteochondrosis. In some cases, such knowledge allows you to seek help in the initial stages of the disease, when it is easier to treat.
In general, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are as follows:
- Pain in osteochondrosis is always present, only the intensity and frequency differ. Pain is the first clinical symptom. Their intensity depends on the stage of disease progression, they are dull or pressing. Painful sensations occur mainly in the neck and occipital region, but can also radiate to the temporal region, shoulder girdle and arms.
- In most cases, there are manifestations of damage to the vestibular apparatus. We are talking about frequent unexplained dizziness, nausea, poor movement coordination, uneven gait, and loss of space.
- One of the most common clinical symptoms is stiffness of neck muscles and movements. It is difficult for a person to turn, lower and throw his head back, the movements are accompanied by pain attacks.
- Many patients report a feeling of "goosebumps" running over the scalp or a characteristic tingling sensation.
- Muscle weakness and numbness occurs in the arm area.
- There are often psychological manifestations expressed in depression, drowsiness, sudden mood changes, short temper or irritability.
- Due to poor circulation and damage to brain tissue, vertigo intensifies and noise appears in the ears, similar to rustling, throbbing and ringing.
- Most sufferers experience visual impairment as well as pain in the eyeballs, especially when trying to squint too far to the left, right, up or down.
Sometimes it is possible to determine the degree of development of the pathological process based on the symptoms. However, this is still not enough for a complete diagnosis, and a number of diagnostic measures are required.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is necessary to determine the location and stage of disease progression. The following diagnostic methods are required for a complete diagnosis:
- Radiography is the primary method for determining the extent and location of spinal deformity.
- With the help of computed tomography, pathological changes of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs can be more accurately diagnosed.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - enables a detailed examination of the discs and vertebrae, determining the presence of hernias, protrusions, the extent of changes, etc.
- Dopplerography - with this examination, it is possible to find the place of compression of the artery and to assess the degree of circulatory disturbances.
Treatment methods
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis always involves an integrated approach. The principles of treatment depend on many factors, such as the age of the patient, the stage of development of the disease, the severity of the clinical picture, etc.
Nevertheless, in this situation, you cannot do without your doctor, and above all, you can contact a family doctor, who will then refer you to a vertebrologist.
As for the integrated approach: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with the help of drug therapy, physiotherapy, massage, gymnastics therapy and other methods, which are worth talking about in more detail.
Drug treatment
The basis of the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is drug therapy, which includes the use of tablets, drugs and medicines belonging to the following groups:
- Analgesics - pain relievers and anticonvulsants. The first ones directly dampen the nerve centers, thereby relieving painful sensations. The latter makes it possible to relieve the spasm of the neck muscles, improves blood flow and suppresses pain.
- NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are needed to reduce inflammation, most of them also eliminate pain. Often, these drugs are used in the form of gels or ointments that are rubbed into the affected area.
- Muscle relaxants are another way to relieve muscle spasms in the neck region.
- Chondroprotectors are mandatory in certain stages of osteochondrosis of the spine, as they contribute to the restoration of bone tissue.
- B vitamins - normalize the metabolic processes of nervous tissue, improve the conductivity of nerve impulses and promote the functioning of the central nervous system.
Remember, the treatment should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, who is responsible for prescribing each drug, as well as determining the duration of use and dosage.
Physiotherapy
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will often be more effective with the use of certain physiotherapy techniques:
- Electrophoresis.
- Laser therapy.
- Ultrasound.
- Massage.
Massage therapy must be performed by an experienced doctor, and the treatment consists of at least 10 sessions. Neck massage helps normalize blood circulation, restore flexibility, muscle tone, relieve pain, etc.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic exercises also help speed up healing, but are only performed during the healing phase. It is important that the exercises do not cause discomfort or pain to the patient. The goal of exercise therapy is to strengthen muscles and relieve discomfort during movement by increasing the flexibility of muscle fibers.
The exercise technique is initially developed by a physiotherapist, and then the patient can do exercises independently at home.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is based on the principle of restoring motor functions and mobility between the vertebrae. At the beginning, the manipulations consist of a light relaxing massage, then the doctor exerts more and more force, applying pressure and turning the neck to the vertebrae.
Kuznetsov applicator
The use of Kuznetsov applicators is one of the methods of treating spinal diseases, including osteochondrosis. The effect of the device on the cervical spine normalizes metabolic processes, relieves pain, increases muscle tone, improves blood circulation, increases the conductivity of nerve tissue, etc.
Treatment at home
The entire range of therapeutic measures is carried out at home, except for physiotherapy, massages (in some cases) and the first stages of exercise therapy. However, now we will talk about traditional medicine and examine the most effective recipes:
- To use horseradish, take a leaf of this plant, pour boiling water over it and place the inside on your neck and secure it with a bandage. It can also be left on during sleep to enhance the effect.
- If there are no medical contraindications, warming the cervical spine would be a good remedy. The easiest way is to use a pepper patch, but you can heat up the wax patty, applying it 1-2 times until it cools down completely.
Disease prevention
In order to prevent the development of the disease or its return after treatment, it is necessary to prevent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It consists of the following simple recommendations:
- Sleep on a smooth, hard surface; it is better to buy a special orthopedic mattress and pillow that takes the shape of the head.
- To prevent the disease, monitor your physical activity and do not overload your spine. If you have to lift weights, do it smoothly and keep your back straight.
- If your job requires you to sit for long periods of time, take breaks. You should walk every hour or do simple gymnastic movements to stretch your stiff muscles.
To prevent osteochondrosis, it is worth swimming for 2-3 minutes every day and hanging on the horizontal bar.