A complete summary of cervical osteochondrosis: causes, symptoms, stages, treatment.

The cervical spine osteochondrosis is a chronic, slowly progressive lesion of the cervical spine (from the first to the seventh), which begins with the destruction of intervertebral discs and ends with "landing", extending (hernia), a change in the form of form and degenerate.

Then, neurological (compression, inflammation of the nerves and their consequences) and vascular complications (compression of the vertebral artery and the consequences of circulatory disorders) join the clinical symptoms of osteochondrosis. With cervical osteochondrosis, these are headaches, dizziness, loss of orientation, nausea, sharp pressure spots that are difficult to normalize. Osteochondrosis is a common pathology whose symptoms up to the age of 45 are 90 % of people (regardless of gender), in front of others - for office employees who lead a sedentary lifestyle. The lesion of the cervical region is diagnosed as often as lumbar osteochondrosis. This is due to excessive neck mobility and the weakness of the muscles that surround the spine in the area.

The essence of the pathology that occurs with

The intervertebral disk (shortened MPD) is a core of water in the center and the elastic, stronger fibrous shell surrounding it. The bodies of the neighboring vertebrae are adjacent to it and below. Acceptance (and secretion) of substances and water to the intervertebral disc occurs due to diffusion (direct and reverse filtration, penetration of molecules into the disk and back) from the bone tissue of the vertebrae. The gradual aging of the intervertebral disk fabrics leads to the fact that taking the necessary substances slows down, and under the influence of provocative factors (pressure, load), it completely ceases. The dense fabric of the fibrous membrane is covered with cracks, loses its elasticity, the pulp core in the center dries (loses water). This leads to the fact that cervical osteochondrosis progresses:

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

Over time, the ligaments are involved in the oscillate process, they are saturated with calcium at the site of the beads and become the cause of stiffness, neck restriction. Since people continue to load the spine - they are actively moving, sit in an unpleasant position:

The bodies of neighboring vertebrae are increasingly compressed by MPD; This leads to the fact that the nucleus of the pulpos (on the contrary what remains of it) is pushed forward or back (most often towards the anterior longitudinal ligament, as it is quite thin in the cervical region).

Such an extension is called extension (the disk shell has not yet exploded, but only changed its shape), it suppresses in adjacent tissue, which leads to the appearance of muscle tension, pain and other symptoms, with which the cervical osteochondrosis persists. Over time, the fibrous disk shell is torn, and part of the pulpica core is squeezed into the fabric (this progress is called hernia). At this stage (these are 4 stages), all acute symptoms of the disease can be immersed (a small part of the nucleus is absorbed or covered with calcium and ceases to irritate the surrounding tissue), or, conversely, will lead to the development of ischemic stroke (oxygen star, the death of a limited area).

Causes provocative factors

Considering the causes of osteochondrosis, it is worth noting that the basis of violations is the natural aging of the intervertebral disc fabrics. The process can speed up various provocative factors:

Hereditary predisposition. Congenital defects in the development of the cervical spine (deformity of the first cervical vertebra body). Damage and surgical interventions. Excessive mobility of the cervical region (for example, in sports training). Lack of physical activity (sitting work). Stoop violation. Age Nervous stress. Hypothermia.

Four stages (degrees) and symptoms

With osteochondrosis in the cervical spine, all manifestations intensify from stage to stage, the more changes in the intervertebral disc - the stronger the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. In the initial stage of a person, the muscle tension in the neck and shoulder may be disturbed, due to which they quickly get tired. Then the main sign of the pathology appears - the pain that gives the back of the head, shoulders, arms, chest, can be masked as toothache. A person begins to think, the focus of attention is weakened, the eyesight and hearing falls, this exacerbates the quality of life and does not affect his ability to work well. Gradually, the symptoms grow and intensify - a person wakes up with the feeling of stiffness in the back, during periods of irritation any sharp movement (for example, sneezing or heel on the floor) causes a pain pain in the neck and along the affected nerves, it becomes difficult to raise your hand or keep the object in the fanatics. At night, the heartbeat can intensify or the appearance of a feeling of air deficiency may disturb-the patient cannot take a deep breath, due to the pain, a person is unable to move, turn the neck or raise his hand. In symptoms, osteochondrosis in men is almost no different from osteochondrosis in women (they often worry about headaches.

Stage 1 (Scale)

The intervertebral disc lost its elasticity and rose.

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

First symptoms:

muscle tension, which leads to their rapid fatigue, fatigue; pain, discomfort in the neck; A headache occurs periodically.

Stage 2

MPD cracks, exfoliates, sags even more, elongation is formed (fibrous membrane extension), bone growths occur along the edges of the vertebrae.

A person has a cramp, headaches, sensitivity disorders, neck pain, which intensifies with elementary loads, gives other parts of the body. Neck pain sensations are improved by loads, shoulders, chest and occipital part of the head. The person is regularly concerned about severe headaches. Crystal when you turn your neck. Difficulties in swallowing. Swanks of blood pressure. Dizziness. Skin and fingertips, weakening of the limb muscles.

Stage 3

At this stage, the explosion bursts (hernia), bone drops increase in size, ossified spine ligaments at the vertebral body attachments. Symptoms for cervical osteochondrosis in 3 phases:

Symptoms of the first two stages of the disease are adjacent to a violation of blood supply to the brain (due to compression of the vertebral artery) in the form of visual imperfections, hearing, orientation, sensitivity and others. The pain can intensify with the most elementary movements (bending the head), shooting in the ear, in the jaw, shoulder and forearm. The patient is looking for an appropriate position, trying to find a slope of the head that will relieve symptoms. His attention is scattered, memory, vision, hearing, coordination of movements are deteriorating, sleep disorders appear, nausea appear, sustainable hypertension is formed. A pronounced stiffness of the spine, paresis, limb paralysis (immobility, impaired sensitivity) are joined, the muscles lose strength and volume (atrophy). The smooth curve of the spine is observed.

Stage 4

A feature of the 4th phase - the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine weaken, stiffness remains.

Acute manifestations of the disease are deducted due to the fact that the soft tissue is subject to ossify. In 5 % of cases, 4 stages of osteochondrosis can be complicated by adjacent tissue necrosis, an ischemic stroke of the brain. Manifestations cause ischemic stroke (oxygen hunger and diminishing part of cells) and disability.

Possible complication of osteochondrosis of the cervical of the 4th degree:

ischemic stroke of the brain, which can lead to the patient's disability; Due to the bloodstream disorders of the adjacent tissue, the patient may have trophic ulcers (cell death due to lack of nutrients and oxygen).

Diagnostic methods

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is diagnosed using various instrumental studies:

X -Ray (characteristic diagnostic features in the form of rivets along the edge of the vertebra or a decrease in MPD height appear in 2 stages). CT, MRI of the spine (allows you to diagnose changes in MPD in the early stages). Discography (a study with the presentation of a contrast medium allows you to impose deeper damage to the intervertebral disc). Electronography (with its help determines the obstacle, inflammation during the irritable end). Dopplerography of the brain vessels (allows you to determine the condition of the blood vessels and the degree of blood flow to them).

In the event of nervous ending damage, numerous neurological manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis occur, detect symptoms and supervise the treatment of a neurologist (helps create a diagnosis, advises, prescribes medication).

Treatment methods

Neck osteochondrosis is an incurable disease (such as osteochondrosis of any other localization), changes that occur in the intervertebral, irreversible disk tissue. In the early stages (1 and 2), it can be suspended from conservative therapy, in 3 stages of conservative treatment is prescribed to relieve acute symptoms. Sometimes with stable cervical radiculus (with inflammation of the spinal cord nucleus), surgical removal of the intervertebral discs is performed.

First aid

First aid for cervical osteochondrosis is necessary if the patient feels acute neck pain, cannot turn his head, is unable to make any other move (raise his hands). In this case, a 2%solution of anesthetics or another drug with combined properties is inserted into the muscles along the vertebrae. The blockade quickly relieves pain and improves the patient's condition. The treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis in the recovery period is performed by heat agents that can improve blood circulation in the cervical vertebrae and neck movement.

Other methods of treatment:

Experts may recommend various 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 relax the muscles, discharge and anesthesia the cervical spine. An orthopedic pillow that allows you to sleep in the most appropriate and physiological position for the cervical region, without provoking muscle tension, pain and stiffness in the spine.

Surgical surgery

Surgical treatment may be required if:

Intervertebral hernia (or hernia) squeeze the increasingly compressed nerve roots; Other methods of treatment do not relieve the patient's condition; There is a threat of disability.

Surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis significantly improves the patient's condition, but there is always the possibility of developing different complications (loss of sensitivity, spinal mobility).

Treatment at home

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

Strengthen the blood circulation of the tissue. Improve metabolism in them. Finally get rid of pain, inflammation and muscle tension.

They are used in the recovery period when the acute symptoms of the disease are left behind:

Heating compresses alcohol in campaigns. Take 50 ml of vodka, campaign alcohol, as much fresh aloe juice, 50 g mustard powder and 100 ml of honey. Mix, add 3 egg protein beaten to the mixture, leave for a day. With readiness, the mixture is applied to the affected area, along the ridge (for 2-3 hours), covered with plastic film on top. The course of treatment is 12 procedures, after a week it can be repeated. Ointment ginger. Grind 3 medium garlic teeth and 50 g of fresh ginger root in a blender, add 50 g softened to butter room temperature, beat again. With this tool, the injury area is painted once a day (for 2-3 hours), covered with a film on top. The course of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is 21 days, after a 2 -week break can be repeated.

Any non -traditional method of therapy should first be discussed with the attending physician.

PREVENTION

Measures for the prevention of osteochondrosis are:

Moderate physical activity and neck exercise; a diet rich in vitamins and useful for cartilage; orthopedic pillow and mattress to sleep; Convenient workplace.

You need to pay attention to the habit of heavy carrying on one side or bag over one shoulder and escape from it. Such a unilateral load is a provocative factor in the development of cervical osteochondrosis.

Predict

Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies that after 45 years appear in 90 % of people (regardless of gender).  Most often diagnosed:

with cervical or cervical chest (due to the weakness of the cervical muscles and neck mobility); lumbar osteochondrosis (due to the load on this spine); Less frequently - thoracic (this department is less mobile, the load on it is small).

Violations due to which the disease occurs is irreversible, so it is impossible to cure pathology. Conservative methods can be suspended from cervical osteochondrosis in stages 1 and 2. Getting rid of acute symptoms will take 2 to 3 weeks, while complete restoration of osteochondrosis will need to be treated for up to 6 months. In stages 3 and 4, the most effective method is surgical correction (removal of hernia and discs, strengthening of beads). A prerequisite for all people after 30 years is the regular performance of special cervical spine exercises because such measures solve the problem of progressing the disease.