Cervical osteochondrosis probably ranks first in prevalence among spine diseases.There is hardly a person who has not heard of this disease, but few people know that osteochondrosis is not a disease, but a condition that includes a whole complex of diseases that arise when the spine tries to adapt to unfavorable conditions.And the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis or other types should be comprehensive.
Definition of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs, caused by a decrease in the water content in them.
What we used to call osteochondrosis naturally results from a decrease in the water content of the intervertebral disc.
Mechanics of disease.Stages of osteochondrosis
In the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, the intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies.The intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus - special cartilage and water, and the annulus fibrosus, which is the densest 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 appears.
When describing the stages of cervical or other types of osteochondrosis, it is customary to use the classification of the neurosurgeon A.I.Base proposed in 1971.
Stage 1 of osteochondrosis
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.
Stage 2 of osteochondrosis
With continuous pathological exposure, cracks may appear in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.Due to the decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, the instability of the entire segment occurs.
Stage 3 of osteochondrosis
A complete rupture of the fibrous ring occurs, through which the more liquid nucleus partially comes out (herniation of the intervertebral disc).
Most often, such changes lead to symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The chest region is less susceptible to hernia formation, where even with intervertebral disc pathology, part of the load is taken by the sternum and ribs.
A bulging or herniated disc can affect the nerve roots of the spine, causing pain, inflammation, swelling and disruption of nerve fiber conduction.
Stage 4 of osteochondrosis
Without experiencing resistance from the damaged intervertebral disc, the bodies of 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 compensatory forces of the body come into play.To relieve the load from the damaged disc, the vertebra itself flattens, increases in width, increasing its area.In addition, the destroyed tissue of the fibrous ring 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 canal and press on the nerve.
Symptoms of the disease.Degrees of osteochondrosis
The classification that doctors are accustomed to use 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 spine or other parts of the spine
It occurs when an intervertebral disc ruptures, caused by sudden movements or overuse.It manifests itself as sudden pain, a feeling of electric current passing through the spine, and the muscles are tense reflexively.
Osteochondrosis of the second degree of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
The second stage of cervical osteochondrosis can appear in the form of symptoms of intervertebral protrusion and spinal instability.Chronic pain that worsens with exercise.Intervals of forgiveness and irritation alternate.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 of the third degree of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of symptoms of a disc herniation (pain along the affected nerve, numbness in the arms or legs, changes in gait, headache) or distant symptoms of an intervertebral disc herniation (in the cervical region: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, arm hearing, decreased muscle strength. irregular heart rhythm, difficulty breathing inthe waist region: diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, sexual dysfunction, numbness or weakness in the legs;
Osteochondrosis of the 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 no longer appears, 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 in relation to each other still remain.They can be accompanied by the manifestations of vertebral growths, which can also press the spinal nerves, leading to their atrophy, or block the spinal canal (secondary spinal canal stenosis) and press the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).In addition, the fourth degree includes the consequences of surgical intervention if the hernia is removed immediately (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.Do not think that he will overlook you.If you have not yet discovered the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is time to think about prevention.
- In people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs often breaks down, which leads to dehydration - so move more.
- People who have 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 fitness once a week is not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.To give the 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 how you stand in line or how you sit in a meeting...
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is as complex a process as osteochondrosis itself.Unfortunately, two basic principles do not apply to him: "It will pass on its own" and "It still cannot be treated."This disease will not go away on its own and in the absence of treatment it will turn the spine of its lucky owner into rubble.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the onset of the disease, when everything is still manageable and you can get by with "a little blood".About half of many young people are intimately familiar with the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and at the age of 40, almost everyone already knows about them firsthand.