Osteochondrosis is a pathological process leading to dystrophic and structural disorders, first in the intervertebral discs, and then in the vertebrae themselves, spinal nerves, nearby muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and internal organs.
It can affect all parts of the spine - cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon, second only to lumbar osteochondrosis in frequency.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae occurs in stages.Like any other pathology, without proper timely treatment, it progresses.Functional and structural changes in the bone and cartilage tissue become more and more pronounced, which leads to complicated forms of the disease with loss of sensitivity and limitation of movements.
Stages and degrees
In total, there are 4 stages (degrees) of cervical osteochondrosis.At the same time, the concepts of "degree" and "stage" are very often confused.Although they mean roughly the same thing, they are not completely identical.The stage reflects structural abnormalities in the cervical spine, nearby organs and tissues.And by degree we mean the symptoms of osteochondrosis and the patient's complaints.In cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree, clinical signs are minimal and may be completely absent.The patient complains of mild pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which is aggravated by turning the head.On examination, local tension in the neck muscles is noticed.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae of the 2nd degree is accompanied by discogenic radiculitis.As a result of further degenerative-dystrophic changes in the core and fibrous capsule of the intervertebral disc, the height of the gap between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result, the roots of the cervical spinal nerves are compressed.Patients are worried about point pain, which intensifies when turning and tilting the head.The pain syndrome may extend beyond the cervical region and be accompanied by general weakness and reduced work capacity.
As a result of further pathological processes leading to displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs, disc herniations are formed in the cervical region.Pain and a feeling of general weakness intensify and are accompanied by sensory and motor disturbances in the area of the affected segment.Grade 3 cervical osteochondrosis develops.
Subsequently, in cervical osteochondrosis of the 4th degree, the destroyed intervertebral disc is replaced by fibrous connective tissue.Due to the involvement of the spinal artery in the pathological process, the pain syndrome with sensory and motor disorders is accompanied by brain disorders - dizziness, lack of coordination, ringing in the ears.
Etiology
Before talking about the causes or etiological factors of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to clarify some anatomical and physiological features of this part of the spine.
These functions are as follows:
- The neck is a mobile structure, yet it adjoins a relatively static thoracic spine.
- There are 7 cervical vertebrae and 8 segments.The "extra" segment appears due to the atlanto-occipital joint.
- Cervical vertebrae have anatomically distinct structures, which is particularly evident in the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis.
- Through the neck pass vital communications - trachea, esophagus and large vessels, including the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain.
The etiological factors that lead to pathological changes in the cervical vertebrae with subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree are the following:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Poor nutrition with a lack of trace elements and vitamins;
- Persistent bad posture among schoolchildren, students and office workers;
- Frequent hypothermia, unfavorable microclimate at home and at work;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Heredity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis grade 2, in addition to pain, include tension in the muscles of the neck and back.Pain in the neck (cervicalgia) with this degree of osteochondrosis can be point or diffuse, spreading beyond the neck to other anatomical areas - the back and shoulder girdle.Due to the shortening of the intervertebral spaces, the muscles and ligaments sag.The action of the muscular framework weakens and a subluxation of the cervical vertebrae is formed, as a result of which the disc shifts to one side or the other.The pain can be sharp and severe, like lumbago (cervicago) after turning the head or straightening the neck.
In addition to the pain, as already mentioned, there is tension in the muscles of the neck and back.Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae are not displaced from the back, but from the side, such tension is most often asymmetrical in nature and leads to poor posture.In turn, poor posture leads to further deterioration of metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition of osteochondrosis to stage 3.
At stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery is not yet affected.However, already at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of a feeling of weakness, fatigue and weakness.Possible sleep disturbances due to pain.
Types of treatment
Treatment of grade 2 cervical osteochondrosis includes:
- drug therapy,
- Physiotherapy procedures,
- therapeutic gymnastics,
- massage,
- Manual therapy.
Drug treatmentis aimed at eliminating cervical pain, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and normalizing metabolic processes in the cervical intervertebral discs.Pain relief is achieved by oral painkillers.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.In severe pain, you can put a special Shants collar on your neck.
Pain reliefcan be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process in the cervical roots.In this regard, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in various medicinal forms - tablets, ointments, injections and compresses.In this regard, injections and ointments are very effective.Steroid hormones have a good anti-inflammatory effect.
Oral administration of chondroprotectors is recommended to restore the damaged cartilage.For the same purpose, the reception of vitamin-mineral complexes containing vitamins B, C, E together with zinc, iron and calcium is indicated.Although brain disorders did not occur at stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the use of neuroprotectors would not be wrong.
Physiotherapy proceduresfor cervical osteochondrosis of any degree, they are designed to reduce pain and inflammation and improve local blood flow.Phonophoresis, laser and magnetic resonance therapy, ultrasound treatment are used for this purpose.Physiotherapy procedures are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
massagein osteochondrosis, it is also carried out during the inter-attack period.Massage procedures are performed when the patient is sitting or lying on his side.At the same time, the massage therapist kneads, strokes and rubs the tense muscles with smooth movements in the direction from the back of the head to the neck.Then the muscles of the back, neck and chest are massaged.In this case, self-massage using the Kuznetsov applicator is possible.It is a needle roller with plastic spikes.It is enough to put this roller next to your neck every day for half an hour and the result will not be late.
Physical therapydesigned to consolidate the effect of the above methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck.This creates an optimal load on different muscle groups, which leads to strengthening of the muscles and the spine.Manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck should be carried out with great care.Due to the high risk of injuries to the cervical spine, this poses a great risk not only to the health, but also to the life of the patient.
Prevention measures
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate the causes of this disease and prevent the transition from stage 2 to stage 3.
In this regard, the following requirements must be met:
- Active lifestyle;
- Good nutrition;
- Normal conditions at home and at work, excluding drafts and hypothermia;
- Correct posture during "sedentary" work and study;
- Hardening, sports;
- Treatment of concomitant chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis, see a doctor promptly.