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Full examination of cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms, stages, treatment.

The osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a chronic, slowly progressive lesion of the vertebrae of the cervical spine (from the first to the seventh), which begins with the destruction of the intervertebral discs and ends with their "suppression", protruding (hernia), change in form and distribution of the tingles

Diagnostic picture

Subsequently, neurological (compression, inflammation of the nerves and their consequences) and vascular complications (compression of the spinal artery and the effects of circulatory disorders) join the clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis. With cervical osteochondrosis, these are headache, dizziness, loss of orientation, nausea, acute pressure drops that are difficult to normalize. Osteochondrosis is a common pathology, the symptoms of which by the age of 45 occur in 90 % of people (regardless of gender), to others - for office workers leading to a sedentary lifestyle. The lesion of the cervical region is diagnosed as often as lumbar osteochondrosis. This is due to the excessive mobility of the neck and the weakness of the muscles surrounding the spine in this area.

The essence of the pathology that happens to her

The intervertebral disc (abbreviated MPD) is a water pulp core in the center and the elastic, strongest fibrous sheath that surrounds it. The bodies of the adjacent vertebrae are adjacent to it and below. Obtaining (and excretion) of substances and water in the intervertebral disc is due to diffusion (direct and reverse filtration, penetration of molecules into the disc and back) from the bone tissue of the vertebrae. The gradual aging of the tissues of the intervertebral disc leads to the fact that obtaining the necessary substances slows down and under the influence of provocative factors (pressure, load), it ceases completely. The thick tissue of the fibrous membrane is covered with cracks, loses its elasticity, the pulp nucleus in the center flows (loses water). This leads to the fact that it progresses osteochondrosis of the cervical part:

  • MPD loses height;
  • The vertebrae bodies are displaced, the nerve roots are squeezed and they begin to grow with bone spikes, trying to distribute the evenly increasing pressure (spondylosis).

Over time, the connections are involved in the process of ossification, they are impregnated with calcium at the point of attachment to the vertebrae and become a cause for hardness, restriction of the neck. As people continue to load the spine - they are actively moving, sitting in an uncomfortable position:

  • The bodies of the adjacent vertebrae are increasingly compressed than MPD;
  • This leads to the fact that the pulpulated nucleus (more recently what remains of it) is pushed forward or back (more often to the anterior longitudinal ligament, since it is quite thin in the cervical region).

Such a convexity is called a convexity (the lining of the disc has not yet exploded, but only changed its shape), it presses against adjacent tissues, leading to the appearance of muscle tension, pain and other symptoms with which osteochondrosis of the cervix occurs. Over time, the fibrous lining of the disk is still torn and part of the pulpic nucleus is pressed into the tissue (this breakthrough is called hernia). At this stage (these are 4 stages), all acute symptoms of the disease can disappear (a small portion of the nucleus is absorbed or covered with calcium and stops to irritate surrounding tissues), or vice versa, it will lead to the development of ischemic brain stroke (oxygen starvation, death of the hungry area).

Causes provocative factors

Given the causes of osteochondrosis, it is worth noting that the basis of disorders is the natural aging of the tissues of the intervertebral disc. The process can accelerate various provocative factors:

  1. Hereditary predisposition.
  2. Congenital defects in the development of the cervical spine (deformity of the body of the first cervical vertebra).
  3. Damage and surgical interventions.
  4. Excessive mobility of the cervical region (for example in sports training).
  5. Lack of physical activity (stuck work).
  6. Breaking stand (stop).
  7. Age.
  8. Nervous stress.
  9. Hypothermia.

Four stages (degree) and symptoms

With osteochondrosis in the cervical spine, all manifestations are enhanced by stage to stage, the more changes appear in the intervertebral disc - the more severe the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are. In the initial stage of the person, muscle tension in the neck and shoulders can be impaired, which is why they are quickly tired. Then the main sign of pathology appears - the pain it gives to the back of the head, shoulders, arms, chest, can be concealed as pain in the teeth. One begins to get dizzy, the concentration of attention weakens, vision and hearing fall, this impairs the quality of life and does not affect his ability to work well. Gradually, the symptoms increase and enhance - a person wakes up with a sense of stiffness in the spine, during periods of exacerbation, any sharp movement (such as sneezing or heel on the floor) causes cut pain in the neck and along the affected nerves, it becomes difficult to lift the hand or hold the object in the fingers. At night, palpitations can be strengthened or the appearance of a sense of lack of air may be worried-the patient cannot breathe deeply because of the pain, the person is unable to move, turn his neck, or raise his hand. In symptoms, osteochondrosis in men is almost indistinguishable from osteochondrosis in women (they are more often worried about headaches.

1st stage (degree)

The intervertebral disc lost its elasticity and sagging.

At this stage, with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, there is tension, fatigue, muscle fatigue and neck pain.

The first symptoms:

  • muscle tension that leads to their rapid fatigue, fatigue;
  • pain, neck discomfort;
  • Headache occurs periodically.

Stage 2

MPD cracks, exfoliating, sags even more, forms a convexity (convexity of the fibrous membrane), and bone growth appears along the edges of the vertebrae.

  • One has a crunch, headache, sensitivity disorders, neck pain, which is exacerbated by elementary loads, gives other parts of the body.
  • The sensations of neck pain are exacerbated by the loads given on the shoulders, chest and back of the head.
  • The person regularly worries about severe headaches.
  • Crista when rotating the neck.
  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • Blood pressure levs.
  • Dizziness.
  • Tingling of the skin and fingers, weakening of the muscles of the limb.

Stage 3

At this stage, the convex convexities (hernia), the bones increase in size, the spine connections are adopted at the attachment sites to the vertebrae body. Symptoms for cervical osteochondrosis in 3 stages:

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  1. The symptoms of the first two stages of the disease are attached to a disorder of the blood supply to the brain (due to compression of the spinal artery) in the form of visual imperfections, hearing, orientation, sensitivity and others.
  2. The pain can be exacerbated by the most elementary movements (tilting the head), shoots in the ear, in the jaw, in the shoulder and forearm.
  3. The patient is looking for a comfortable posture, trying to find a slope of the head that will relieve the symptoms.
  4. His attention is scattered, memory, vision, hearing, movement coordination deteriorates, sleep disorders, nausea forms, stable hypertension is formed.
  5. The clear stiffness of the spine, paresis, paralysis of the limbs (immobility, impaired sensitivity) is joined, the muscles lose strength and volume (atrophy).
  6. The smooth bend of the spine is observed.

Stage 4

Characteristics of the fourth stage - the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine weaken, the firmness remains.

  • The acute manifestations of the disease disappear due to the fact that the soft tissues are subjected to ossification (ossify).
  • In 5 % of cases, 4 stages of osteochondrosis can be complicated by necrosis of adjacent tissues, ischemic stroke of the brain.
  • Manifestations cause ischemic stroke (oxygen starvation and part of the cells) and damage.

Possible complication of cervical osteochondrosis of grade 4:

  • Ischemic brain stroke, which can lead to patient damage;
  • Due to the blood disorders of the adjacent tissues, the patient may have trophic ulcers (cell death due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen).

Diagnostic methods

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is diagnosed with the help of various instrumental studies:

  1. X -ray (characteristic diagnostic characteristics in the form of spikes along the vertebrae or reduce the height of MPDs appear in 2 stages).
  2. CT, spine NMR (allows you to diagnose MPD changes in the initial stages).
  3. Discography (a study with a contrast medium allows you to identify the deepest damage to the intervertebral disc).
  4. Electronography (with its help determines the obstacle, inflammation during the nerve end).
  5. Dopplerography of the vessels of the brain (allows you to determine the condition of the blood vessels and the rate of blood flow in them).

In the case of damage to the nerve endings, many neurological manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis occur, detect symptoms and monitor the treatment of a neurologist (helps to establish a diagnosis, advises, prescribes drugs).

Methods of treatment

Osteochondrosis of the neck is an incurable disease (such as osteochondrosis at any other localization), changes that occur in the tissues of the intervertebral disc, irreversible. In the early stages (1 and 2) it can be suspended by conservative therapy, in 3 stages conservative treatment is prescribed to relieve acute symptoms. Sometimes with stable cervical radiculitis (with inflammation of the spinal core of the spinal nerve), surgical removal of the intervertebral discs is performed.

First aid

First aid is required for cervical osteochondrosis, if the patient experiences acute neck pain, cannot turn his head, he is not able to perform other movements (lift your hands). In this case, a 2%solution of anesthetics or other medicine with combined properties is introduced into the muscles along the vertebrae. The blockade quickly relieves pain and improves the patient's condition. The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine during the recovery period is performed by warming agents that can improve blood circulation in the cervical vertebrae and the mobility of the neck.

Other treatments:

Experts may recommend different orthopedic devices:

  • Shantsz tire, which is a type of corset, bandage or neck holder. With its help, the head is fixed in one position and thus relaxes the muscles, unloads and anesthetize the cervix of the cervix.
  • An orthopedic pillow that allows you to sleep in the most comfortable and physiological posture for the cervical area without provoking muscle tension, pain and stiffness in the spine.

Surgery

Surgical treatment may be required if:

  • The intervertebral hernia (or hernia) presses the nerve roots more and more compressed;
  • Other treatments do not relieve the patient's condition;
  • There is a threat of damage.

Surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis significantly improves the patient's condition, but there is always the likelihood of developing various complications (loss of sensitivity, mobility of the spine).

Home treatment

Home treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of products that will help:

  1. Strengthening the circulation of the tissues.
  2. Improving their metabolism in them.
  3. Finally, get rid of pain, inflammation and muscle tension.

They are used during the recovery period when the acute symptoms of the disease are abandoned:

  • Campare alcohol compression heating. Take 50 ml of vodka, alcohol in a campaign as much as fresh aloe juice, 50 g mustard powder and 100 ml of honey. Mix, add 3 bits of egg protein to the mixture, leave for one day. The mixture is applied to the affected area, on the ridge (for 2-3 hours), covered with a plastic film on top. The course of treatment is 12 procedures, in a week it can be repeated.
  • Ginger ointment. Grind 3 medium garlic teeth and 50 g fresh ginger root in a blender, add 50 g softened to the room oil, beat again. With this tool, the damage area is smeared 1 time a day (for 2-3 hours) covered with a film on top. The course of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is 21 days, after a break of 2 weeks it can be repeated.

All non -traditional methods of therapy must first be discussed with the attending physician.

Prevention

Osteochondrosis prevention measures are:

  • moderate physical activity and neck exercises;
  • a diet rich in vitamins and useful for cartilage;
  • orthopedic pillow and sleep mattress;
  • Convenient workplace.

You should pay attention to the habit of carrying weight in one hand or bag on one 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 after 45 years occur in 90 % of people (regardless of gender).  More often diagnosed:

  • cervical or cervical hump (due to the weakness of the cervical muscles and the mobility of the neck);
  • lumbar osteochondrosis (due to the load of this spine);
  • More rarely -fertilizer (this department is less mobile, the load on it is low).

The disorders that cause the disease is irreversible, so it is impossible to cure pathology. Conservative methods can be suspended by cervical osteochondrosis in 1 and 2 stages. Getting rid of acute symptoms will need 2 to 3 weeks, until complete restoration of osteochondrosis will need to be treated for up to 6 months. At 3 and 4 stages, the most effective method is surgical correction (removal of hernia and discs, strengthening the vertebrae). A prerequisite for all people after 30 years is the regular performance of special exercises for the cervical spine, as such measures solve the problem of progressing the disease.