Cervical osteochondrosis confidently occupies the first place in prevalence among spinal diseases.There is hardly a person who has not heard about this disease, but few people know that osteochondrosis is not a disease, but a condition that includes a whole complex of diseases that occur when the spine tries to adapt to adverse 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 their water content.
What we call osteochondrosis is naturally the result of a decrease in the water content of the intervertebral disc.
Mechanics of disease.Stages of osteochondrosis
Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.The intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus - a special cartilage and water, and the annulus fibrosus, which is a denser cartilage.The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If there is not enough fluid in the core, the 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 the neurosurgeon A.I.The base proposed in 1971
Osteochondrosis 1 stage
Losing water, the intervertebral disc becomes less elastic and elastic, but it is still forced to take the same loads as before.As a result, the height of the disc decreases, the disc flattens and protrusions appear.
Osteochondrosis 2 stage
With prolonged pathological exposure, cracks may appear 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.
Osteochondrosis 3 stage
A complete rupture of the annulus fibrosus occurs, through which the more fluid nucleus partially leaks (intervertebral hernia).
Most often, such changes lead to symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The thoracic region is the least susceptible to hernia formation, where even with pathology of the intervertebral discs, part of the load is taken by the sternum and ribs.
A bulging or herniated disc can impinge on spinal nerve roots, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and disruption of nerve fiber conduction.
Osteochondrosis stage 4
Without experiencing resistance from the damaged intervertebral disc, the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae move closer together.Disorders occur in the intervertebral joints (spondyloarthrosis), and the vertebrae can twist or move relative to each other (spondylolisthesis).
At this stage, the body's compensatory forces come into play.To relieve the load from the damaged disc, the vertebra itself flattens, grows in width, increasing its area.In addition, the destroyed tissue of the annulus fibrosus can be partially replaced by bone.
In some cases, these processes can reduce pain, but often the growths of the vertebrae further narrow the spinal opening and compress the nerve.
Symptoms of the disease.Degrees of osteochondrosis
The classification that doctors are used to using includes not stages, but degrees of osteochondrosis.It more fully describes the symptoms of osteochondrosis and begins from the moment the patient experiences pain.
1 degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae or other parts of the spine
Occurs when an intervertebral disc tears, caused by sudden movement or strain.It manifests itself as a sudden pain, a feeling of passing an electric current in the spine, reflex muscle tension.
Osteochondrosis 2nd degree of the cervical vertebrae or other parts of the spine
The second stage of cervical osteochondrosis can manifest itself in the form of symptoms of intervertebral protrusions and instability of the spine.Chronic pain that worsens with exercise.Intervals of remission and exacerbation alternate.The cervical spine is characterized by neck pain that worsens after a long stay in one position, headache, arm pain, shoulder pain, periodic discomfort or numbness in the fingers.For the lumbar region - pain in the lower back, pain in the gluteal region, periodic pain in the sacrum, frequent fatigue in the legs.
Osteochondrosis 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 of the arms or legs, changes in gait, headache) or distant symptoms of a herniated intervertebral disc (in the cervical region: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, reduced vision, hearing, muscle strength in the hands; in the chest region: irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing;kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, sexual dysfunction, numbness or weakness in the legs).
Osteochondrosis 4th degree of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It is generally accepted that the fourth degree of osteochondrosis begins from the moment when the hernia is no longer manifested, the manifestations of the disease may decrease, 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.They can be joined by manifestations of vertebral growths, which can also compress the spinal nerves, leading to their atrophy, or block the spinal canal (secondary stenosis of the spinal canal) and compress the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).In addition, the fourth degree includes the consequences of surgical intervention, if the hernia was removed in time (various types of innervation disorders, paresis, inflammation).
Prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which every person is at risk.Don't think that he will bypass you.If you still haven't found symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it's time to think about prevention.
- In people leading a sedentary lifestyle, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs is often disturbed, 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.
- Push-ups, pull-ups, dumbbells and gym once a week is not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.To give your spine a useful load, you need to do special gymnastics for the spine.Daily.
- People who do not know how to properly hold their body in space often experience 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 to it: "It will go away on its own" and "It is not yet curable."This disease will not go away on its own and, if left untreated, will turn the spine of its lucky owner into ruins.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the very beginning of the disease, when everything is still fixable and you can pass with "a little blood".About half of very young people are closely familiar with the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and by the age of 40, almost everyone already knows about them firsthand.