When we talk about osteochondrosis, we mean pathological changes in the intervertebral discs with degenerative changes in the cartilage. This pathology can affect all parts of the spine. At the same time, cervical osteochondrosis occurs in about a quarter of all cases. In general, it mainly affects patients of working age - between 30 and 50 years old.
Anatomical features
To understand why osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae develops, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of the anatomy of the cervical spine. It consists of 7 vertebrae. And if in the thoracic and lumbar regions the vertebrae are relatively homogeneous, then here they differ in structure. In fact, in the neck region, the movements of the shoulder girdle and the head are of great complexity and amplitude. In addition, the mobile neck is placed in a relatively static chest region. Therefore, vertebrae 1, 2 and 7 are significantly different from each other
In addition to the spinal cord and spinal nerves, peripheral nerves from the brain pass through the neck region. Some of them, such as the vagus, innervate the diaphragm and abdominal organs. In addition to the nerves, the main blood vessels pass through here. And if the blood supply through the carotid arteries and the outflow through the carotid veins do not suffer from osteochondrosis, then the vertebral artery is often affected in the pathology associated with osteochondrosis of the neck. It passes through holes in the transverse processes of 2-6 vertebrae and accounts for about 15% of the total blood volume entering the brain. In cervical osteochondrosis, this artery may spasm or be pinched by tense muscles or a displaced disc.
The reasons
It is not always possible to determine why osteochondrosis of the cervical spine developed in this case. It was established that osteochondrosis is not an independent disease. It is a pathological condition or syndrome caused by other diseases or negative factors, including:
- Heredity
- Systematic violation of posture in schoolchildren and office workers
- Poor nutrition with a lack of vitamins and minerals
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Frequent mechanical effects, such as shocks, vibration from conductors
- Simultaneous diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system organs
- Weakened immunity.
Symptoms
By itself, osteochondrosis is a painless process. The patient does not feel the dystrophic changes of the intervertebral discs. The disease becomes noticeable only when the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis appear - displacement of the intervertebral disc in the posterolateral direction with irritation of nearby nerve fibers, impaired blood circulation through the vertebral artery. This is when various sensory, motor and neurological disorders appear. Osteochondrosis of the neck is distinguished by the following symptoms:
- Neck pain
- Abnormal tension of the neck muscles
- Restriction of movements in the neck region
- Decreased sensitivity and range of motion in the shoulder girdle and upper limbs
- Headache, dizziness
- Unsteady walking due to coordination disorders
- Nausea, vomiting stimulus
- Occasional increase in blood pressure
- Visual disturbances - a feeling of darkness and flickering flies in front of the eyes
- Sometimes pain or feeling of a lump in the throat, toothache
- Insomnia, or vice versa, abnormal sleepiness
- Emotional lability - tearfulness, irritability.
Pain in cervical osteochondrosis is the leading symptom. The pain syndrome is what makes the patient go to the doctor. The nature of the pain depends on which cervical segment is affected by osteochondrosis. When the upper neck segments are injured, the skin of the back of the head, the crown and the ciliary region hurt. If the pathology has developed in the middle and lower regions, then the pain in the neck radiates to the interscapular space, the shoulder girdle and the upper limbs.
Aggravation of cervical osteochondrosis begins with cervicago - this is a sharp pain reminiscent of back pain. After that, cervical sciatica develops with pain, movement disorders and muscle tension. The main cause of exacerbations is hypothermia. In addition to local symptoms, brain symptoms are also detected, due to the artery vertebral syndrome. The headache and dizziness can be so severe that the patient may lose consciousness.
Flow characteristics
Osteochondrosis is a chronic pathology. And in the absence of treatment, it continues to improve. In this regard, we distinguish 4 degrees, which reflect the symptoms and functional disorders of the neck region.
- The tissue of the intervertebral disc thickens. The displacement of the disc is minimal, but already at this stage the outer fibrous disc sheath is flaky. In the cervical vertebrae, the uncinate processes increase the compensation. Manifestations - cervicalgia, cervical.
- Narrowing of the lumen of the intervertebral spaces and the spinal canal. Pathological mobility leads to subluxation of individual vertebrae and instability of the cervical spine as a whole. Sensory and motor disturbances in the upper limbs. The vertebral artery syndrome.
- Further narrowing of the spinal canal and the spaces between the vertebrae. Development of a herniated disc, as a result of which the symptoms increase.
- Irreversible structural disorders - spondylolisthesis (displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other) and spondylosis (pathological growth of the bone tissue of the vertebrae). Destruction of the vertebral discs with the expiration of the nucleus pulposus. Persistent brain and movement disorders.
Treatment
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out with the help of drugs and physiotherapy procedures. Massage, physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy and acupuncture are also effective. The main group of drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In addition, in relation to cervical osteochondrosis, the local application of NSAIDs in gels and ointments is more beneficial. Local irritants and chondroprotectors can be seen among the tools for the local treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. The treatment can be supplemented by taking immunostimulants and vitamin-mineral complexes.
Physiotherapy procedures (UHF, amplipulse, electrophoresis) have a similar effect - they eliminate pain, relieve muscle spasm, increase blood circulation and metabolism in the tissues of the neck. This is also facilitated by massage of the collar zone with osteochondrosis. The neck is a vulnerable area. The slightest damage to the cervical spine has serious consequences. Therefore, the massage movements should be smooth, directed along the muscles. For the same reason, due to the fragility of the neck, all special measures (manual therapy, neck traction) must be performed with great care by experienced professionals. And during recreational gymnastics, preference is given to static loads whose frontal and temporal areas rest on the palm surface of the hand, with the head maximally bent forward and to the side.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is aimed at eliminating provoking factors. Hypothermia should be avoided. Office workers, programmers, and enthusiastic internet users are offered a 15-minute break every hour for health-improving gymnastics. And, of course, proper nutrition and avoiding excess weight. And for the slightest pain and discomfort in the neck region, it is better to use the Shants immobilizing collar. At the same time, attention should be paid to the treatment of existing chronic diseases of other organs and systems.
Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms, signs and treatment
Today, such a disease as osteochondrosis is very common and causes a sense of fear and great fear in many people. As medical practice has shown, there are many main reasons that contribute to the appearance of the disease, which are usually directly provoked by patients. In order to avoid the disease and prevent its occurrence, you need to know its main symptoms and causes.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Most often, osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae manifests itself in the form of a degenerative-dystrophic change of the intervertebral disc. As practice shows, the disease appears and develops against the background of metabolic disorders in the neck region. In this case, a significant change occurs in the structure and structure of individual vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
The course of the disease in osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is slightly different from osteochondrosis that affects other parts (we are talking about the lumbar and thoracic forms of osteochondrosis). This type of disease is more dangerous, as it contributes to the direct violation of the root of the spinal nerve exiting the brain, and thus disrupts the blood supply of the cerebral vessels due to the direct injury and compression of the vessels. .
In addition, the structure of the vertebrae of the neck region (in this case, more tightly intertwined) is slightly different from the others, therefore, with the appearance of any changes in pathology, one of them noticeably disrupts the normal. function of the entire spine. For this reason, in cervical osteochondrosis, the patient may be disturbed by such obvious signs as: frequent dizziness, sensitivity of the muscles and skin of the hands, neck, face, constant headache, unpleasant ringing in the ears and noise or noise in the ears. the head, hearing or vision impairment, increased sensory fatigue, unsteady and unsteady gait, loss of coordination and so on.
So, you should pay close attention to the fact that osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae appears as a result of:
- lifting heavy objects and loads;
- work that is directly related to the constant change in the position of the body - we are talking about stretching, bending, circular movements, turns;
- active sports and physical education;
- incorrect posture when lying down, sitting, standing, as well as when lifting and carrying weights;
- genetic predisposition;
- Adverse weather conditions.
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
It often happens that the symptoms of osteochondrosis are not manifested in any way in the early stages of their manifestation. Once it has reached a more advanced stage, the disease begins to manifest itself with frequent spasmodic pain during any movement of the head and neck. However, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are quite diverse and can be explained either by degenerative changes and abnormalities of the cartilage structure, or by severe pinching of the displaced disc of the vertebral artery, which passes between the discs.
Pain
The most important and first symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is pain, which passes quickly in the first stage and can then become chronic. Pain may occur in the occipital muscles, shoulders, and neck, and may be aggravated by turning or tilting the head and neck. Depending on where the lesion is located, the pain can be aching and persistent. And for a while it can subside, or it can be sharp and sharp. Moreover, any movement of the head and neck becomes difficult over time, which involves constant muscle tension in the neck area.
If the spinal artery is compressed by cartilage tissue, intervertebral discs or tense muscles, a person may suffer from cervical migraine (a headache caused by oxygen starvation of the tissues and weakened blood circulation), a strong jump. upward pressure, short-term loss of consciousness and impairment, the appearance of tinnitus, hearing loss, the appearance of "flies" in the eyes, impaired vision. Headache is sometimes accompanied by vomiting or nausea.
Nausea
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae can be accompanied by nausea. In addition, nausea is associated with impaired blood circulation in the vessels of the brain. It often happens that a person loses his appetite, as a result of which the body lacks nutrients and the total weight decreases. In more severe cases, the disease is accompanied by vomiting, which appears when tilting the head, turning, or even just walking. As mentioned above, the reason for this is a violation of the blood flow process and insufficient oxygen supply to the inner ear, where the center of balance is located.
Lack of air
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae include a symptom such as shortness of breath. It appears as a direct change in the neck region and is expressed in irritation of the phrenic nerve. This makes it difficult for a person to breathe, the patient does not have enough air, there is a lack of oxygen, he begins to suffer from shortness of breath, and severe suffocation may even occur.
Lack of air is usually accompanied by snoring, especially when the head is in an uncomfortable position while resting. This condition leads to the fact that a person wakes up very tired and completely broken, disturbed by general malaise and weakness. Staying in this state for a long time leads to a decrease in concentration, memory deterioration and irreversible changes in brain tissue.
Ringing and tinnitus
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are sometimes manifested in the form of ringing in the ears and noise. It's just that the vestibular apparatus is enriched exclusively with blood from the vertebral artery system. Therefore, in the case of inflammation of the neck region, a violation of the function of the inner ear occurs, as a result of which the person is tormented by ringing and tinnitus. Sometimes the described symptoms are accompanied by hearing loss.
Pharynx signs
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae can also manifest in this way. A person is often bothered by an unpleasant and constant feeling of dryness and sweating in the throat, difficulty swallowing, tickling and itching, and the feeling of a foreign body. All these symptoms are directly related to the violation of the vascular and nerve trunks running from the spinal cord.
Visual impairment
The most common and common sign of cervical osteochondrosis is the deterioration of visual acuity. This is due to the fact that the visual analyzer is enriched with blood not only from the carotid artery, but also from the vertebral arteries. When these arteries are compressed, vision loss occurs. In addition, patients may complain of:
- low pressure;
- atherosclerosis of the arteries of the brain;
- inability to focus on one subject;
- "floating" or flashing dots;
- feeling of a veil or mist before the eyes.
In this condition, the use of eye exercises or glasses does not show a positive effect. Vision improves only with proper treatment.
Sudden loss of consciousness
The most dangerous and unpleasant sign of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is an unexpected loss of consciousness. This is due to a temporary stoppage of blood flow through the arteries of the brain. Thus, a pronounced spasm of the arteries occurs, which occurs from the sides of the deformed processes of the bones of the vertebrae, in response to the irritation of the nerve endings.
However, after losing consciousness, a person can recover quickly if they are given time to lie down and elevate their legs to improve blood supply to the brain and increase blood flow from the legs.
Pressure instability
The symptoms of osteochondrosis do not end with the symptoms described above. Cramps or instability of blood pressure, which appear due to damage to the blood supply, often occur. In addition, the pressure either decreases sharply or, on the contrary, increases. The person's condition is getting worse, he needs complete rest.
Dizziness
Osteochondrosis is often associated with dizziness. In this case, such a phenomenon can be spontaneous. Dizziness is caused by a lack of oxygen reaching the canals of the inner ear. These channels are located in the brain and are entirely responsible for balance. Dizziness can occur with any movement of the neck or head. Often and with a sharp rise from a lying position.
How can osteochondrosis be cured?
If someone notices one or more of the above and has indicated symptoms behind him, then his initial step is not to self-medicate at the suggestion of friends and relatives, but to visit the appropriate doctor in time. The specialist's actions are aimed at carrying out tests aimed at identifying the main cause of osteochondrosis, as well as at choosing the appropriate treatment.
The treatment of the disease, taking into account the patient's condition and extent, is complex. During treatment, the doctor may prescribe therapeutic exercises, massage, and the use of medications aimed at eliminating the causes of inflammation and relieving pain.
Therapeutic treatment
The medication regimen is represented by the following groups:
- Chondroprotectors - they make it possible to stop the destruction of cartilage and contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - effective removal of inflammation and pain, low risk of side effects, possibility of long-term use.
Treatment of the symptoms of osteochondrosis with ointments is quite popular, but ineffective. Ointments from the NSAID group or ointments containing irritating substances are usually used for treatment.
B group vitamins are used against osteochondrosis.
Folk treatment methods
Recipes for rubs and ointments for the treatment of osteochondrosis:
- Citron. In the juice of one lemon, add as much iodine as the juice was squeezed. Mix. This product is for external use only. We draw a strip along the entire spine every night with a tampon soaked in this solution.
- Honey rub. Mix a glass of honey, alcohol, aloe juice and radish. Add 1 tbsp. l. dry mustard and mix well. Apply compresses for several hours.
- Vinegar and eggs. Make a mixture of vinegar and an egg: add vinegar to the egg and let it dissolve completely. Then add 90 gr. butter and mix. A white, homogeneous, oil-like mass should come out. Rub the solution into the painful areas.
- Paprika with camphor and bile. You need 300 gr. medical bile and a couple of bottles of camphor spirit. Mix the ingredients in a glass bowl, add 3 pods of hot peppers and let it brew for a week. Apply compresses for 5-7 hours. Shake the paste thoroughly before use.
Osteochondrosis, like any other disease, is much easier to prevent than to completely cure. To never suffer from this disease, you should lead a healthy lifestyle by alternating between different sports. Nutrition should be enriched and complete, smoking should not be common. By following the simple rules, you will have more opportunities to live to old age without loss of quality of life and without pain.