Currently, according to medical statistics, almost all people over 25-30 complain about the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The disease affects this column more often than others.Pathology is a progressive degenerative process that affects intervertebral discs and vertebrae located in the neck.The disease is common among men and women in the same way.This is a dangerous and complex way of osteochondrosis, since large blood vessels that supply the brain and a large number of nerve endings are found in the neck.The violations of innervation and blood flow lead to a deterioration in the brain to oxygen and nutrients.
Signs of the disease
The symptoms of the osteochondrosis of the cervical column are more pronounced than in other parts of the spine, even with less damage.This is due to the fact that in the neck the vertebrae are close to each other, and the intervertebral discs have a small height.Such anatomical characteristic contributes to the fact that with osteochondrosis, nerve endings, spinal cord, blood vessels are compressed more frequently.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS:
- pain syndrome;
- weakness and decrease in sensitivity in the upper extremities;
- restriction of neck mobility;
- Movement coordination violations;
- frequent dizziness;
- general weakness;
- Deterioration of the operation of the perception organs (hearing, vision, touch, flavor).
The pains are located more frequently in the neck, give them on the back of the head, shoulders, arms.The upper limbs hurt if the column of the nerve column is pinched by the damaged vertebra, which is responsible for its innervation.The pain in the back of the head is due to the spastic contractions of the neck muscles attached to the occipital bones, and a violation of blood circulation in this area.
The weakness of the hands is observed in patients if the nerve column is involved in the pathological process that guarantees the innervation of the muscle structures of the upper extremities.The restoration of mobility and a characteristic crunch when the neck is rotated or leans if it arises if the bone growth appears in the cervical vertebrae, the height of the intervertebral discs is reduced, the joints located between the vertebrae are affected.
The vertebrae in the neck have transversal processes that form a channel where the artery that feeds the brain runs.With the osteochondrosis of the cervical column, the vertebrae move, the connective tissue is growing in them.This leads to the compression of the cervical artery, a deterioration in the blood supply to the cerebellum and the back of the brain.As a result, a person has frequent dizziness, coordination of movements, the general weakness is disturbed.In advanced cases, if the artery is involved in the pathological process or pushes strongly, then the cerebellum supply, the occipital part and the brainstem worsen significantly.In this case, the functionality of the audition and vision organs, the numbness of the language and fingers are reduced.
The signs of the disease depend on which of the eight vertebrae is affected by a dystrophic or inflammatory process.Sensitivity and movement disorders cause damage to cerebrospinal roots, which affect certain vertebrae.Depending on this, the following manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are observed:
- The first vertebra: the neck and occipital part of the head are numb, its sensitivity decreases;
- The second: pains in the crown and neck;
- The third: the pain is felt and the sensitivity is reduced in that part of the neck where the squeezed spinal column is located, the intensity of the taste sensations and the impediments of the speech are present;
- The fourth: the pain radiates in the shoulder, the scapula, the patient is disturbed by heart pain, respiratory disorders and neck tone decreases;
- Fifth: Neck pain is observed, given to the outer surface of the shoulder;
- Sixth pain in the neck is radiates in the shoulder blade, it feels on the forearm and thumbs;
- Seventh: the pain is given to the shoulder blade, the back of the shoulder, the forearm and the fingers (from second to the room);
- The eighth - pain spread from the neck to the shoulders, forearms and little finger.
Depending on the prevalence of the lesion, four degrees of osteochondrosis of the cervical column differ.This is not the stage of the disease, but the severity of the symptoms, due to the common thing that is the pathological process, what vertebrae affects.
- In the first degree, clinical symptoms are minimally absent or manifested.Patients complain of slight pain, intensifying during head movements.The treatment began at this stage of the disease will be effective.However, people often ignore the disturbing symptoms or do not feel them, so they do not consult a doctor.
- The aggravation of the pathological process improves symptoms.In the second stage, the pain becomes more pronounced, give the upper extremities, shoulder blades.At this stage in the development of the degenerative process, the height of the intervertebral disc is reduced, as a result from which nerve fiber is pinned.This becomes the cause of the increase in pain.The second degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical region is characterized by the appearance of headaches, a deterioration in the well, a decrease in work capacity.
- The third degree of cervical osteochondrosis is distinguished by forming a hernia of the affected intervertebral disc.Neck mobility is limited, with palpation the patient feels severe pain.With this spread of the pathological process, pain becomes constant, radiating to the upper limbs.You feel the tension of the muscles attached to the occipital bones.Patients complain of frequent dizziness, general weakness, numbness of the hands.
- The fourth degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed when the intervertebral disc is completely destroyed by a dystrophic process.It is replaced by fibrous tissue, which leads to a significant limitation of mobility.The spinal cord and the blood vessels that fly in the neck are affected.Such changes are characterized by significant deterioration in the blood supply to the cerebellum and the occipital of the brain.Oxygen hunger leads to a violation of the coordination of movements, auditory disability, vision, language, speech disorders.
Treatment methods
Timely find a doctor when the first alarming symptoms appear, unpleasant sensations in the neck, the reaction of the nervous system will prevent the progression of degenerative changes.The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis consists of a complex of therapeutic measures.Among them:
- take medications;
- massage;
- Physiotherapy Physical Education;
- Physiotherapeutic procedures.
Drug therapy
Doctors recipe anti -inflammatory medications to reduce pain intensity, reduce the inflammatory process and swelling of the nerve column.Condroprotectors restore the damaged cartilage tissue on the intervertebral disc.Musorelaxantes relax the neck muscles, relieve spasm.Medications to improve blood flow helps to resume blood supply altered to the brain.V vitamins activate metabolism in nerve tissues.With intense pain, the doctor can prescribe analgesic medications.If the patient has a pronounced pain syndrome, then analgesics are inserted parenterally, after the pain decreases, they change to tablets.
Physiotherapeutic methods
Physiotherapy is an effective way to combat osteochondrosis of the cervical region.It is imperative to treat this disease using such techniques, after which the following results are achieved:
- The intensity of pain decreases;
- Bone restoration, cartilage and affected muscle tissues are activated;
- Spasm and muscles are removed;
- An inflammatory process is stopped;
- The supply of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area and the brain improves.
The most effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis are the following types of procedures:
- Drug electrophoresis (the affected area acts with electric shock, which, in addition to activating blood flow and tissue restoration, improves the supply of the active substance of the medication to the tissues affected by the degenerative process);
- Ultrasound therapy (metabolic processes are activated in the sick area, pain decreases, inflammation stops);
- Magnetotherapy (relieves swelling of the affected area, which helps reduce pain intensity);
- Laser therapy (improves blood circulation in the pathological process, has an anti -inflammatory effect).
Medical Physical Education
The exercises are prescribed during the period in which the acute manifestations of the disease stop.During gymnastics, you should not feel discomfort and pain.The complex must be carried out when reaching a persistent remission to prevent relapse.
- Take a lying position on your stomach, lift your head and body, resting on your hands.The back is straight, breathing is deep and uniform.Stay in a position for a minute or two, then slowly take the initial position.The number of repetitions is 3.
- The position is lying on the stomach, with your hands along the body.Slowly turn your head, trying to touch your ear to the floor.Repeat 6 times on each side.
- Sitting or standing, he bows his head on an inhalation, trying to reach the chin towards the chest.When exhaling, he gently backed down his head, raising his eyes to the roof.The number of repetitions is 10-15.
- A good exercise to strengthen the cervical muscles is to press the forehead against the hands pressed towards him.To achieve the effect, you must press the palms on your forehead and forehead on the palm of your hand for 30 seconds.Repeat three times.
- Turn your head in a circle.Do the exercise slowly, gently.In each address: 10 revolutions each.The appearance of dizziness during the movements is unacceptable.If this happens, you must stop immediately.
Massage
The course is prescribed by a doctor during the absence of acute pain, only a medical education specialist can carry it out.With such a disease, it is not recommended to contact non -professionals.
Therapeutic effects of the collar area massage:
- Blood flow and lymph in the affected area improve;
- The muscles relax, spasm is eliminated;
- Pain intensity decreases.
Surgical intervention
The operation is shown if conservative therapy does not bring results within six months, the patient is tormented by severe pain, signs of damage to nerve fibers and myelopathy are observed.If the osteochondrosis of the cervical region proceeds with complications, there is a threat of a stroke, there is a strong squeery of the spinal cord, then the operation is needed.
According to the indications, they resort to the following types of surgical interventions:
- Endoscopic discoctomy: part elimination or a complete intervertebral disc;
- Laminotomy: Bone ligament split and particles covered with bone tissue (often combined with laminoplasty - the establishment of artificial plates to expand the spinal channel);
- Laser vaporization of the disc nucleus: the decomposition of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc with a laser beam simultaneously with the destruction of its destroyed fragments;
- Cold plasma nucleoplasty: instead of an endoscope, a long and thin hollow needle is used, which is introduced into the intervertebral disc, an electrode that has a cold -related effect through the site of destruction is administered.
The neck is a complex organ in which large blood vessels, the spinal cord passes.They are easy to damage, so they turn to surgery in no more than 5% of cases.Surgical treatment is often accompanied by the development of complications.Among them:
- inflammatory process in tissues or membranes of the spinal cord;
- osteomyelitis;
- The formation of scars that lead to narrowing of arterial and spinal channels.
Operations in the cervical column are complex and require a long rehabilitation period.The restoration of the patient after surgery takes a period of six months or more.
Prevention
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary:
- monitor the position of the column and neck;
- Direct an active lifestyle, move more;
- When doing physical exercises, it is necessary to be careful, observe the correction of the execution, since even minor injuries can affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system;
- Take care of the correct position of the body during sleep, buy an orthopedic or anatomical mattress;
- I correctly equate a workplace where a person spends a lot of time;
- participate regularly in physical culture;
- Monitor the diet, be sure to receive all the useful minerals necessary for bone strength, especially magnesium and calcium;
- They constantly submit to dispensary exams for timely detection of osteochondrosis.
Prevention will help prevent degenerative changes in the cervical column, protect from pain, dizziness, numbness of limbs and other unpleasant symptoms.