Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathology in which degenerative changes occur in bone and cartilage tissues.

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

The spine contains 7 cervical vertebrae, consisting of a body, processes and a bony arch;In the center of the vertebra there is a hole in which the spinal cord is located.Individual elements of the spine are connected to each other using intervertebral discs consisting of a core, a fibrous ring and a layer - a hyaline plate (cartilage).The cervical vertebrae, having the smallest thickness of discs, fit tightly to each other;the muscles of the neck region are quite poorly developed, so with regular exercise, disc displacement 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 are formed in the annulus fibrosus, the strength and elasticity of the disc are impaired, its height decreases, which leads to compression of the nerve roots.A characteristic aching pain appears.Sometimes at stage 1 (preclinical) this pain may be absent and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck area.

2nd degree osteochondrosis

If osteochondrosis grade 1 was not treated or the treatment was not effective, a chronic disease occurs, namely osteochondrosis grade 2. The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compaction of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to slight dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.In cases of cervical osteochondrosis, drooping head syndrome may 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.

3rd degree osteochondrosis

The annulus fibrosus is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis - protrusion (conflict) of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral herniation.In stage 3 of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease, because 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 its moisture reserves and also becomes less elastic.Since the metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, the regeneration processes in discs poorly supplied with blood stop.At a young age, the main role in the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is played by physical inactivity - a passive lifestyle, a lack of well-organized physical activity.

Factors contributing 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 in any position;
• lift weights regularly;
• working conditions that involve sudden movements and neck twists;
• poor posture;
• neck and head injuries;
• disc displacement following sports training;
• excess weight, leading to a high load on the intervertebral discs and disruption of the 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 period);
• 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 head pain (acute), as well as dull, pressing pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which may intensify when moving the head;
• lumbago (acute pain spreading to the back or arm);
• burning in the back, heart;
• stiffness of the neck, arms (especially the hands);
• decreased mobility and numbness of the neck in the morning;
• throbbing sensation in the back of the head;
• temporary darkness of the eyes, noise in the ear canal, sometimes fainting;
• thickening of the skin over the spine due to the proliferation of connective tissue.

Diagnosis

Most often, the doctor’s diagnosis looks like “cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree.”Why immediately the second?The fact is that first degree cannot be diagnosed because the symptoms are too weak.During a preliminary examination, the doctor determines the state of damage to the spine.To do this, the patient is examined in different positions: horizontal, sitting, standing, inclined.Counting the vertebrae, the specialist focuses on the anatomical norms and determines the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The examination is not limited to a visual examination: the spinal deformity can be easily palpated by hand.Palpation helps determine the location of pain and the intensity of tension in the paravertebral muscles.Nevertheless, 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 completely accurate and allow you to choose the optimal treatment method.

Treatment

How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?This is not the right way to ask the question;more correctly, how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, because 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 get rid of pain and discomfort.But this is only possible if treatment is started at an early stage of the disease.It is therefore 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:

• drugs from the NSAID group (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 sedentary, be sure to take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid strain on the neck,
2. do not make sudden head movements, watch your posture,
3. avoid hypothermia,
4. exercise, swim, eat well,
5. sleep should be on a firm mattress and on a low pillow: the angle of neck flexion should not exceed 15 degrees,
6. after 25 years, avoid shocks to the spine (jumping, running).