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, 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 and is second only to lumbar osteochondrosis in frequency.
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 increasingly pronounced, leading to complicated forms of the disease with loss of sensitivity and limitation of movement.
Internships and degrees
In total, there are 4 stages (degrees) of cervical osteochondrosis.At the same time, the concepts of “degree” and “internship” are often confused.Although they mean approximately the same thing, they are not completely identical.The stage reflects structural abnormalities in the cervical spine and nearby organs and tissues.And by degree we mean the symptoms of osteochondrosis and the patient's complaints.In grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis, 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 in the neck muscles is noted.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 2nd degree is accompanied by discogenic radiculitis.As a result of other degenerative-dystrophic changes in the nucleus 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 compressed.Patients are bothered by specific pains, which intensify when turning and tilting the head.Pain syndrome can extend beyond the cervical region and be accompanied by general weakness and decreased performance.
As a result of other pathological processes that lead 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 disturbances in the area of the affected segment.3rd degree cervical osteochondrosis develops.
Subsequently, in 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 cerebral 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 as follows:
- 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.
The etiological factors leading to pathological changes in the cervical spine with a subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree are the following:
- 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;
- Heredity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of grade 2 cervical osteochondrosis, in addition to pain, include tension in the muscles of the neck and back.Neck pain (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 structure weakens and a subluxation of the cervical spine is formed, as a result of which the disc moves to one side or another.The pain can be sharp and intense, like low back pain (cervicago) after turning the head or straightening the neck.
In addition to pain, as already mentioned, there is tension in the neck and back muscles.Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae are not displaced from the back, but to the sides, this tension is most often asymmetrical in nature and leads to poor posture.In turn, poor posture leads to a further deterioration of metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition of osteochondrosis to stage 3.
In stage 2 cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery has not yet been affected.However, already at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of a feeling of weakness, tiredness 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.
Drug treatmentaims to eliminate neck pain, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and normalize metabolic processes in the cervical intervertebral discs.Pain relief is achieved by administering analgesics orally.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.For 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 sense, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in various pharmaceutical 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, the intake of vitamin-mineral complexes containing vitamins B, C, E together with zinc, iron and calcium is recommended.Although brain disorders would not occur in stage 2 cervical osteochondrosis, the use of neuroprotectants would not be inappropriate.
Physiotherapeutic proceduresfor cervical osteochondrosis of any degree, they are designed to reduce pain and inflammation and improve local blood flow.For this purpose, phonophoresis, laser therapy and magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound treatment are used.Physiotherapeutic procedures are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Massagein osteochondrosis, it is also carried out in the interictal period.Massage procedures are performed with the patient sitting or lying on their side.At the same time, the massage therapist massages, caresses and rubs the tense muscles with gentle movements from the back of the neck to the neck.Subsequently, the muscles of the back, neck and chest are massaged.In this case, self-massage is possible using the Kuznetsov applicator.It is a needle roller with plastic tips.Just put this roller up to your neck every day for half an hour to an hour, and the result won't be long in coming.
Therapeutic exercisedesigned to consolidate the effect of the above methods in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.This creates optimal loads on various muscle groups, which leads to muscle strengthening and spinal traction.Manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck should be carried out with great caution.Due to the high risk of injuries to the cervical spine, it poses a great risk not only to 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.
In this sense, the following requirements must be met:
- Active lifestyle;
- Good nutrition;
- Normal conditions at home and work, excluding drafts and hypothermia;
- Correct posture during “sedentary” work and study;
- Hardening, playing sports;
- Treatment of concomitant chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis, consult a doctor in a timely manner.