Osteochondrosis is a pathological process that leads to dystrophic and structural disorders, first in the intervertebral discs and then in the vertebrae themselves, spinal nerves, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and nearby internal organs.
It can affect all parts of the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon and is second in frequency after lumbar osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis in the cervical spine occurs in stages.Like any other pathology, without adequate and timely treatment it progresses.Functional and structural changes in bone and cartilage tissue become more and more pronounced, leading 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 “grade” and “stage” are often confused.Although they mean approximately the same thing, they are not entirely 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.With cervical osteochondrosis of the first degree, clinical signs are minimal and may be completely absent.The patient complains of mild pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which intensifies when turning the head.On examination, local tension is observed in the neck muscles.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the second degree is accompanied by discogenic radiculitis.As a result of additional degenerative-dystrophic changes in the core and fibrous capsule of the intervertebral disc, the height of the space between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result, the roots of the cervical spinal nerves are pinched.Patients are bothered by pinpoint pain, which intensifies when turning and tilting the head.The pain syndrome can extend beyond the cervical region and be accompanied by general weakness and decreased performance.
As a result of additional pathological processes leading to displacement and destruction of intervertebral discs, herniated discs form in the cervical region.The pain and feeling of general weakness intensify and are accompanied by sensory and motor disorders in the area of the affected segment.Cervical osteochondrosis of the third degree develops.
Subsequently, with grade 4 cervical osteochondrosis, the destroyed intervertebral disc is replaced by fibrous connective tissue.Due to the involvement of the vertebral artery in the pathological process, pain syndrome with sensory and motor disorders is accompanied by brain disorders: dizziness, lack of coordination and a feeling of 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 characteristics of this part of the spine.
These features are the following:
- The neck is a mobile structure, but it borders the relatively static thoracic spine.
- There are 7 cervical vertebrae and 8 segments.The “extra” segment appears due to the atlanto-occipital joint.
- The cervical vertebrae have anatomically different structures, which is especially evident in the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and the axis.
- Vital communications pass through the neck: the trachea, esophagus and large vessels, including the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain.
Etiological factors leading to pathological changes in the cervical spine with the subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the second degree are as follows:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Poor nutrition with deficiency of microelements and vitamins;
- Constant poor posture among schoolchildren, students and office workers;
- Frequent hypothermia, unfavorable microclimate at home and at work;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Inheritance.
Symptoms
Symptoms of grade 2 cervical osteochondrosis, 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 punctual or diffuse and extend 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 structure is weakened and a subluxation of the cervical spine is formed, as a result of which the disc moves to one side or the other.The pain can be sharp and intense, like a lumbago (cervicago) after turning the head or straightening the neck.
In addition to pain, as already mentioned, there is tension in the muscles of the neck and back.Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae do not shift from behind, but to the side, such tension is usually asymmetric in nature and leads to poor posture.In turn, poor posture causes further deterioration of metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition of osteochondrosis to stage 3.
In stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery is not yet affected.However, already at this stage, in addition to muscle pain and 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,
- physiotherapeutic procedures,
- therapeutic gymnastics,
- massage,
- Manual therapy.
Pharmacological treatmentaims to eliminate cervicalgia, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and normalize metabolic processes in the cervical intervertebral discs.Pain relief is achieved by taking analgesics orally.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this sense, intramuscular injections are more effective.For severe pain, you can put a special Shants necklace 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 pharmaceutical forms: tablets, ointments, injections and compresses.In this sense, injections and ointments are very effective.Steroid hormones have a good anti-inflammatory effect.
To restore damaged cartilage, oral administration of chondroprotectors is recommended.For the same purpose, the intake of vitamin complexes containing vitamins B, C, E along with zinc, iron and calcium is indicated.Although no brain disorders occurred in stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the use of neuroprotectors would not hurt.
Physiotherapeutic procedures.for cervical osteochondrosis of any degree, they are designed to reduce pain and inflammation and improve local blood flow.For this, phonophoresis, laser therapy and magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound treatment are used.Physiotherapeutic procedures are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
massagein case of osteochondrosis, it is also carried out during the interictal period.Massage procedures are performed with the patient sitting or lying on his side.At the same time, the masseuse kneads, caresses and rubs the tense muscles with gentle movements in the direction from the nape of the neck to the neck.Afterwards, the muscles of the back, neck and chest are massaged.In this case, self-massage with the Kuznetsov applicator is possible.It is a needle roller with plastic spikes.It is enough to place this roller up to your neck every day for half an hour to an hour, and the result will not be long in coming.
therapeutic exercisedesigned to consolidate the effect of previous methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck.This creates optimal loads on various muscle groups, which leads to strengthening of the muscles and traction of the spine.Manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck should be carried out with great caution.Due to the high risk of suffering injuries to the cervical spine, it poses a great risk not only to the health, but also to the life of the patient.
Preventive 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 sense, 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 practice;
- Treatment of concomitant chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis, visit a doctor in a timely manner.