Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a chronic, slow progressive lesion of the vertebrae of the cervical spine (from the beginning to seventh), which with the destruction of intervertebral discs and ends with its "subsidency", reserved (dynamic), a change in the form and disposition process.
Afterwards, neurological (compression, inflammation of the nerves and their consequences) and vascular complications (compression of vertebral artery and the consequences of circulatory disorders) combine the clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis. With cervical osteochondrosis, these are headaches, dizziness, loss of orientation, nausea and sharp pressure waste that are difficult to normalize. Osteochondrosis is a common pathology, the symptoms of which at the age of 45 in 90 % of people (regardless of gender) appear before others - for office workers who lead a sitting lifestyle. The lesion of the cervix region is diagnosed as often as lumbar osteochondrosis. This is due to excessive mobility of the neck and the weakness of the muscles that surround the spine in this area.
The essence of pathology that happens with it
The intervertebral disc (abbreviated MPD) is an aqueous cellar core in the middle and the elastic, strongest fibrous shell that surrounds it. The bodies of neighboring vertebrae are next to him and below. The receipt (and excretion) of substances and water into the intervertebral disc occurs from the bone fabric of the vertebrae due to the diffusion (direct and reverse filtration, the penetration of molecules into the disc and back). The gradual aging of the fabrics of the intervertebral disc means that the preservation of the necessary substances slows down and no longer stops under the influence of provocative factors (pressure, load). The dense tissue of the fiber membrane is covered with cracks, loses its elasticity, which excludes pulp core in the middle (loses water). This means that cervical osteochondrosis progresses:
- MPD loses the size;
- The bodies of the vertebrae are shifted, the nerve roots are pressed and begin to grow with bone spikes, trying to distribute increasing pressure (spondyloses) evenly.
Over time, the ligaments are involved in the ossification process, they are impregnated with calcium at the place of bond with the vertebrae and become the cause of rigid and sore throat restriction. Since people continue to load the spine - they actively move in an unpleasant position:
- The bodies of neighboring vertebrae are increasingly compressed by the MPD;
- As a result, the pulpoose core (rather what is left of it) is pressed forward or backwards (more often to the front longitudinal band, since it is quite thin in the neck area).
Such a lead is referred to as a lead (the shell of the disc has not yet exploded, but only its shape), it presses on neighboring tissue, which leads to the occurrence of muscle tension, pain and other, pronounced symptoms with which the cervical osteochondrosis is carried out. Over time, the fibrous shell of the pane is nevertheless torn, and part of the pulp core is pressed into the fabric (this breakthrough is referred to as hernia). In this stage (these are 4 levels), all acute symptoms of the disease can decrease (a small part of the core is absorbed or covered with calcium in order to irritate the surrounding tissue or vice versa to develop the ischemic stroke of the brain (oxygen starvation, the death of a star area) and the disabilities.
Causes provocative factors
In view of the causes of osteochondrosis, it is worth noting that the basis of the violations is the natural aging of the fabrics of the intervertebral disc. The process can accelerate various provocative factors:
- Hereditary disposition.
- Congenital defects in the development of the cervical spine (deformation of the body of the first cervical vertebra).
- Damage and surgical interventions.
- Excessive mobility of the cervix region (for example in sports training).
- Lack of physical activity (sitting work).
- Violation of attitude (Stoop).
- Age.
- Nervous stress.
- Settlement.
Four levels (degree) and symptoms
With osteochondrosis in the cervical spine, all manifestations increase from stage to stage, the more changes occur in the intervertebral disc - the more the symptoms of the cervical osteochondrosis. In the initial phase of a person, muscle tensions can be disturbed in the neck and shoulders, making them tired quickly. Then the main sign of pathology appears - the pain that is concerned with the back of the head, shoulders, arms, breasts can be disguised as a toothache. One person begins dizzy, the concentration of attention weakens, seeing and hearing loss, this worsens the quality of life and does not affect his ability to work well. Gradually increases the symptoms and intensifies - a person wakes up with a feeling of stiffness in the spine, while deterioration that causes a sharp movement (e. g. sneezing or a heel on the floor) causes a cutting pain in the neck and nerves, it becomes difficult to raise your hand or hold the object on the finger. At night the heartbeat can intensify or the appearance of a lack of air can be worried-the patient cannot breathe deeply due to the pain, a person cannot move, turn his neck or raise his hand. In the case of symptoms, osteochondrosis in men almost does not differ from osteochondrosis in women (they are more often concerned about headaches.
1. Level (degree)
The intervertebral disc lost its elasticity and dropped.
At this stage, osteochondrosis of the cervix region occurs tension, tiredness, muscle fatigue and neck pain.
The first symptoms:
- Muscle tension, which leads to its fast fatigue, tiredness;
- Pain, symptoms in the neck;
- Headache appears regularly.
Level 2
The MPD crack, peeling, say even more, the lead is formed (lead of the fibran membrane), bone growth along the edges of the vertebrae.
- One person has a crunch, headache, sensitivity disorders, pain in the neck that intensifies with elementary loads, other parts of the body.
- Pain sensations in the neck are improved by loads that are given to the shoulders, the chest and subordinate part of the head.
- The person is regularly concerned about severe headaches.
- Crystal when turning the neck.
- Difficulties swallowing.
- Fluctuations in blood pressure.
- Dizziness.
- Daubiness of skin and fingers, weakening the muscles of the limbs.
Level 3
At this stage, the lead breaks out (hernia), the bone tips increase, the spine tapes are met at the fastening points on the vertebral body. Symptoms for cervical osteochondrosis in 3 stadiums:
- The symptoms of the first two stages of the disease are bound to a violation of the blood supply to the brain (due to the compression of vertebral artery) in the form of visual imperfections, hearing, orientation, sensitivity and others.
- The pain can with the most elementary movements (tipping the head), shoots into the ear, into the jaw, in the shoulder and the forearm.
- The patient looks for a comfortable pose and tries to find a tendency of the head that relieves the symptoms.
- His attention is scattered, memory, vision, hearing, coordination of movements worsens, sleep disorders, nausea appear, stable high blood pressure forms.
- A pronounced stiffness of the spine, the paresis, paralysis of the limbs (immobility, impairment of sensitivity), muscles lose strength and volume (atrophy).
- The smooth bend of the spine is observed.
4. Level
A characteristic of the 4th stage - symptoms of an osteochondose of the cervical spine weaken, stiffness.
- Acute manifestations of the disease of the disease due to the fact that soft tissue is exposed to an ossification (ossify).
- In 5 % of cases, 4 stages of osteochondrosis can be complicated by necrosis by neighboring tissues, an ischemic stroke of the brain.
- Manifestations cause an ischemic stroke (oxygen hunger and nreal of a part of cells) and disability.
Possible complication of the cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree:
- the ischemic hub of the brain, which can lead to the patient's disability;
- Due to circulatory disorders of the adjacent tissue, the patient can have trophic ulcers (cell death due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen).
Diagnostic methods
Osteochondrosis of the cervix region is diagnosed using various instrumental studies:
- X -Ray (characteristic diagnostic features in the form of spikes on the edge of the vertebra or a decrease in the height of MPD appear in 2 stages).
- CT, MRI of the spine (enables you to diagnose changes in the MPD in the early stages).
- Discography (a study with the introduction of a contrast medium enables you to determine the deepest damage to the intervertebral disc).
- Electronography (with your help determines the obstacle, inflammation during the nervous end).
- Dopplerography of the vessels of the brain (enables you to determine the condition of the blood vessels and the blood flow rate in them).
In the event of damage to the nerve ends, numerous neurological manifestations of the cervical osteochondrosis occur, recognizes symptoms and monitors the treatment of a neurologist (helps to establish a diagnosis, has passed the drug).
Treatment methods
Osteochondrosis of the neck is an incurable disease (such as osteochondrosis of any other localization), changes that occur in the tissues of the intervertebral disc. In the early stages (1 and 2) it can be suspended by conservative therapy. Conservative treatment is prescribed in 3 levels to relieve acute symptoms. Sometimes the surgical removal of the intervertebral discs is carried out with stable cervical radiculitis (with inflammation of the vertebral core of the vertebral column).
First aid
First aid for cervical osteochondrosis is required if the patient has acute pain in the neck, cannot turn his head, cannot make any other movements (lifting his hands). In this case, a 2%anesthetic solution or another drug with combined properties is inserted into the muscles along the vertebrae. The blockade quickly relieves the pain and improves the patient's condition. The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the recreation period is carried out by heating agents, which can improve the blood flow to the cervical vertebrae and the mobility of the neck.
Other treatment methods:
Experts can recommend various orthopedic devices:
- Shantsz's tires, a kind of corset, bandage or neck holder. With its help, the head is fixed in a position and relaxes the muscles, unloading and stuns the cervical spine.
- An orthopedic pillow with which you can sleep in the most convenient and physiological pose for the cervix region without provoking muscle tension, pain and stiffness in the spine.
Surgical operation
Surgical treatment may be necessary if:
- Intermediate vertebrae (or hernia) presses nerve roots more and more compressed;
- Other treatment methods do not relieve the patient's condition.
- There is a risk of disability.
Surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis significantly improves the patient's condition, but there is always the likelihood of developing different complications (loss of sensitivity, mobility of the spine).
Home treatment
Home treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of products that help:
- Strengthen the blood circulation of tissues.
- Improve metabolism in them.
- Finally, get rid of pain, inflammation and muscle tension.
They are used in the recreation period when acute symptoms of the disease are left behind:
- Heating compress with Campaire alcohol. Take 50 ml of vodka, Kamparal alcohol, so much fresh aloe juice, 50 g mustard powder and 100 ml of honey. Mix, add 3 Schlagei protein in the mixture, leave for a day. Due to the willingness, the mixture is applied to the affected area along the ridge (for 2-3 hours) to the area concerned, which is covered with plastic film. The course of treatment is 12 procedures, after one week it can be repeated.
- Ginger ointment. 3 medium garlic teeth and 50 g of fresh ginger root grind in a blender, add 50 g softly soft to the room temperature of butter. With this tool, the damage area is smeared once a day (for 2-3 hours) and covered with a film. The course of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is 21 days after a break of 2 weeks can be repeated.
All non -traditional therapy methods should first be discussed with the applicable doctor.
prevention
Measures to prevent osteochondrosis are:
- moderate physical activity and movement for the neck;
- A diet that is rich in vitamins and is useful for cartilage;
- Orthopedic pillow and mattress for sleeping;
- Comfortable workplace.
You have to pay attention to the habit of wearing heaviness in one hand or in one hand on a shoulder and getting rid of it. Such a load is a provocative factor for the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
forecast
Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies that appear in 90 % of people (regardless of gender) after 45 years. More often diagnosed:
- Cervical or cervix (due to the weakness of the neck muscles and the mobility of the neck);
- Lumbale osteochondrosis (due to the load of this spine);
- Less frequently - thorax (this department is less mobile, the cargo is small).
Violations that are irreversible due to the appearance of the disease is impossible to heal the pathology. Conservative methods can be suspended in 1 and 2 stadiums by cervix osteochondrosis. The acute symptoms are required for 2 to 3 weeks until the complete restoration of osteochondrosis has to be treated for up to 6 months. In 3 and 4 stadiums, the most effective method is the surgical correction (removal of hernia and slices, strengthening the vertebrae). A prerequisite for all people after 30 years is the regular implementation of special exercises for the cervical spine, since such measures solve the problem of progressing the disease.