Cervical osteochondrosis certainly occupies the first place in prevalence among spinal diseases.There is hardly anyone who has not heard of this disease, but few people know that osteochondrosis is not a disease, but a condition that includes a whole complex of diseases that arise when the spine tries to adapt to unfavorable conditions.And the treatment of cervical or other types of osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.
Definition of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral discs caused by a decrease in the water content in them.
What we used to call osteochondrosis occurs naturally due to a decrease in water content in the intervertebral disc.
Mechanisms of the disease.Stages of osteochondrosis
In the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine there are intervertebral discs between the vertebral bodies.The intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus - a special cartilage and water - and the fibrous ring, a denser cartilage.The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If there is not enough fluid in the core, the intervertebral disc cannot perform this function properly and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine occurs.
When describing the stages of cervical or other types of osteochondrosis, it is customary to use the classification of neurosurgeon A.I.to use.The base was proposed in 1971.
Stage 1 osteochondrosis
The loss of water causes the intervertebral disc to become less elastic and elastic, but it still has to absorb the same loads as before.As a result, the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, the intervertebral disc becomes flatter and protrusions appear.
Stage 2 osteochondrosis
With persistent pathological stress, cracks can occur in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.Due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, instability of the entire segment occurs.
Stage 3 osteochondrosis
There is a complete rupture of the fibrous ring, through which the more liquid core partially flows away (herniated disc).
Most often, such changes lead to symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The thoracic area is least susceptible to the formation of hernias, where even with pathology of the intervertebral discs, part of the load is borne by the sternum and ribs.
A bulging or herniated disc can affect the roots of the spinal nerve, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and disruption of nerve fiber conduction.
Stage 4 osteochondrosis
Without the damaged intervertebral disc experiencing any resistance, the bodies of neighboring vertebrae move closer together.Disturbances of the intervertebral joints occur (spondyloarthrosis) and the vertebrae can twist or shift relative to one another (spondylolisthesis).
At this stage, the body's compensatory forces come into play.To relieve the damaged intervertebral disc, the vertebra itself flattens, becomes wider and increases its area.In addition, the destroyed tissue of the fibrous ring can be partially replaced by bone.
In some cases, these processes can relieve pain, but often the growths of the vertebrae further narrow the spinal foramen and compress the nerve.
Symptoms of the diseaseDegrees of osteochondrosis
The classification that doctors are used to includes not stages, but degrees of osteochondrosis.It describes the symptoms of osteochondrosis in more detail and begins at the moment the patient feels pain.
1 degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Occurs when a disc ruptures, caused by sudden movement or overexertion.It manifests itself as sudden pain, a feeling of electric current in the spine and a reflexive tensing of the muscles.
Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
The second stage of cervical osteochondrosis can manifest itself in the form of symptoms of intervertebral bulging and spinal instability.Chronic pain that worsens with exercise.Remission and exacerbation intervals alternate.The cervical spine is characterized by neck pain that worsens after staying in one position for a long time, headaches, arm pain, shoulder pain, periodic discomfort or numbness in the fingers.For the lumbar region – pain in the lower back, pain in the buttocks area, periodic pain in the sacrum, frequent fatigue of the legs.
Osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of symptoms of a herniated disc (pain along the affected nerve, numbness in the arms or legs, changes in gait, headache) or distant symptoms of a herniated disc (in the neck area: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, reduced vision and hearing, muscle strength in the arms; in the chest area: irregular heart rhythm, difficulty breathing; in the lumbar area: kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, sexualDysfunction, numbness or weakness in the legs).
Grade 4 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It is generally accepted that the fourth degree of osteochondrosis begins from the moment the hernia ceases to manifest itself.The manifestations of the disease may subside, but the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as instability of the spine, slipping or twisting of the vertebrae or their complete fixation relative to each other, still remain.In addition, there may be manifestations of vertebral overgrowth, which can also compress the spinal nerves and lead to their atrophy or block the spinal canal (secondary spinal canal stenosis) and compress the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).In addition, the fourth degree includes the consequences of surgical intervention with timely removal of the hernia (various types of innervation disorders, paresis, inflammation).
Prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that every person is at risk of.Don't think he will bypass you.If you have not yet noticed symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it's time to think about prevention.
- In people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs is often disrupted, which leads to dehydration - so move more.
- People with bad habits are more likely to suffer from diseases of the spine and the reason for this is dehydration of the body - drink more water and, if possible, switch to a healthy lifestyle.
- Unfortunately, push-ups, pull-ups, dumbbells and fitness once a week are not a healthy lifestyle.In order to put beneficial strain on your spine, you need to perform special exercises for the spine.Daily.
- People who do not know how to hold their body correctly in space often suffer from a curvature of the spine, which also has a detrimental effect on the intervertebral discs.– Watch yourself standing in line or sitting in a meeting...
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is as complex a process as osteochondrosis itself. Unfortunately, two basic principles do not apply: “It goes away on its own” and “It is still not treatable.”This disease will not go away on its own and without treatment it will reduce the spine of its lucky owner to rubble.
When treating cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the beginning of the disease, when everything can still be repaired and you can get by with “little blood”.About half of all very young people get acquainted with the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis up close, and by the age of 40, almost everyone already knows about it firsthand.