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, surrounding muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and internal organs.
It can affect any part of the spine – cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon and is second only to lumbar osteochondrosis in frequency.
Osteochondrosis in the cervical spine progresses gradually.Like any other pathology, it progresses without timely treatment.Functional and structural changes in bone and cartilage tissue are becoming more and more pronounced and lead to complicated forms of the disease with loss of sensitivity and restricted movement.
Stages and degrees
In total there are 4 stages (degrees) of cervical osteochondrosis.At the same time, the terms “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, adjacent organs and tissues.And by degree we mean the symptoms of osteochondrosis and the patient's complaints.In cervical osteochondrosis grade 1, clinical symptoms are minimal and may be completely absent.The patient complains of mild neck pain (cervicalgia), which worsens when the head is turned.The examination reveals local tension in the neck muscles.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 2nd degree is accompanied by discogenic radiculitis.Further degenerative-dystrophic changes in the nucleus and fibrous capsule of the intervertebral disc reduce the height of the gap between the cervical vertebrae.This causes the roots of the cervical spinal nerves to be pinched.Patients suffer from localized pain that increases when turning or tilting the head.The pain syndrome can extend beyond the neck area and be accompanied by general weakness and reduced performance.
As a result of further pathological processes that lead to displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs, herniated discs form in the neck area.Pain and a general feeling of weakness increase and are accompanied by sensory and motor disorders in the area of the affected segment.Grade 3 cervical osteochondrosis develops.
In grade 4 cervical osteochondrosis, the destroyed intervertebral disc is then replaced by fibrous connective tissue.Due to the involvement of the vertebral artery in the pathological process, the pain syndrome is accompanied by sensory and motor disorders with 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 features of this part of the spine.
These features are as follows:
- The neck is a mobile structure but is adjacent to 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 particularly clear from the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, the Atlas and Axis.
- Vital connections pass through the neck - the trachea, the esophagus and large vessels, including the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain.
The etiological factors leading to pathological changes in the cervical spine with the subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree are as follows:
- lack of exercise;
- Poor nutrition with a lack of microelements and vitamins;
- Constant poor posture among pupils, students and office workers;
- Frequent hypothermia, unfavorable microclimate at home and at work;
- Endocrine Disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Inheritance.
Symptoms
In addition to pain, the symptoms of grade 2 cervical osteochondrosis include tension in the neck and back muscles.Pain in the neck (cervicalgia) with this degree of osteochondrosis can be either point or diffuse, spreading beyond the neck to other anatomical areas - the back and shoulder girdle.The shortening of the intervertebral spaces causes muscles and ligaments to become slack.The effect of the muscular structure weakens and the cervical spine subluxates, causing the disc to move to one side or the other.The pain may 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 neck and back muscles.Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae are not pushed backwards but to the side, such tension is usually asymmetrical in nature and leads to poor posture.Poor posture, in turn, leads to a further deterioration in the metabolic processes in the neck area.All conditions for the transition of osteochondrosis to stage 3 have been created.
In stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery is not yet affected.However, even at this stage, patients complain of a feeling of weakness, fatigue and weakness, in addition to pain and muscle tension.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.
Drug treatmentis aimed at eliminating cervicalgia, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and normalizing metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine.Pain relief is achieved by taking painkillers orally.However, this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.If the pain is severe, you can put a special shants collar around your neck.
Pain reliefcan be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process in the roots of the neck.In this regard, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in various dosage forms - tablets, ointments, injections and compresses.In this regard, 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, taking vitamin-mineral complexes with vitamins B, C, E, as well as zinc, iron and calcium is indicated.Although no brain disorders occurred in stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the use of neuroprotectors would not be wrong.
Physiotherapeutic proceduresIn cases of cervical osteochondrosis of any extent, they are intended to relieve pain and inflammation and improve local blood circulation.Phonophoresis, laser and magnetic resonance therapy as well as ultrasound treatment are used for this purpose.Physiotherapeutic procedures are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
massageWith osteochondrosis it is also carried out in the interictal period.Massage procedures are carried out with the patient sitting or lying on his side.At the same time, the masseur kneads, strokes and rubs the tense muscles with gentle movements from the back of the head to the neck.The back, neck and chest muscles are then massaged.In this case, self-massage using the Kuznetsov applicator is possible.It is a needle roller with plastic spikes.It is enough to hold this roller up to your neck for half an hour to an hour every day and the result will not be long in coming.
Therapeutic exerciseDesigned to consolidate the effect of the above methods of treating neck osteochondrosis.This puts optimal strain on different muscle groups, which leads to muscle strengthening and spinal traction.Manual therapy of osteochondrosis of the neck should be carried out with great caution.Due to the high risk of cervical spine injuries, it poses a great risk not only to the health but also to the patient's life.
Prevention measures
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is aimed at eliminating the causes of this disease and preventing the transition from stage 2 to stage 3.
The following requirements must be met:
- Active lifestyle;
- Good nutrition;
- Normal conditions at home and at work, excluding drafts and hypothermia;
- Correct posture when “sitting” work and when studying;
- hardening, playing sports;
- Treatment of accompanying chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis, consult a doctor in a timely manner.