Osteochondrosis is a pathological process that leads to dystrophic and structural disorders first in the intervertebral discs, and then in the vertebrae itself, the spinal nerves, the muscles, blood vessels, and internal organs located nearby.
He can hit all parts of the spine - cervical, chest, lumbar and sacral.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon, and in terms of frequency it is inferior only to lumbar osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis in the cervical region proceeds stadium.Like any other pathology, without proper timely treatment, it progresses.Functional and structural changes in the bone and cartilaginous tissue become more and more pronounced, leading to complicated forms of the disease with sensitivity and limitation of movements.
Stages and degrees
In total, 4 stages (degrees) of osteochondrosis of the cervical region are distinguished.At the same time, the concepts of “degree” and “stage” are very often confused.Although they mean about the same thing, they are not entirely identical.The stage displays structural disorders in the cervical spine, in nearby organs and tissues.And by the degree means symptoms of osteochondrosis and patient complaints.With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the 1st degree clinical signs are minimal, but may be completely absent.The patient complains of weakly expressed pain in the neck (cervical), intensifying when turning the head.On examination, local tension of the cervical muscles is noted.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 2nd degree is accompanied by discogenic radiculitis.As a result of further degenerative-dystrophic changes in the nucleus and fibrous capsule of the intervertebral disc, the height of the gap between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result of this, the roots of the cervical spinal nerves are infringed.Patients are worried about point pain, intensifying with turns and tilting of the head.Pain syndrome can go beyond the cervical region and be accompanied by general weakness, a decrease in performance.
As a result of further pathological processes, leading to the displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs, disk hernias are formed in the cervical region.The pain and sense of general weakness intensify, sensitive and motor disorders in the area of the affected segment join them.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 3rd degree is developing.
In the future, with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the 4th degree of the destroyed intervertebral disc is replaced by fibrous connective tissue.Due to the involvement of the vertebral artery in the pathological process of pain with sensitive and motor disorders, brain disorders join-dizziness, impaired coordination, and a feeling of ringing in the ears.
Etiology
Before talking about the causes, or etiological factors of cervical osteochondrosis, some anatomical and physiological features of this spine should be clarified.
These features are as follows:
- The neck is a mobile structure, while it borders on a relatively static thoracic spine.
- Cervical vertebrae 7, and segments 8. The “excess” segment appears due to the Atlantois -Treaty.
- The cervical vertebrae have anatomically different structure, which is especially traced on the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, Atlanta and axis.
- Vital communications pass in the neck - trachea, esophagus, large vessels, including the vertebral artery supplying the brain.
Etiological factors that lead to pathological changes in the cervical region with the subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree, are as follows:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Irrational nutrition with a deficiency of trace elements and vitamins;
- Constant violation of posture from schoolchildren, students, office workers;
- Frequent hypothermia, adverse microclimate of the house and in production;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Heredity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 2nd degree, in addition to pain, include the tension of the cervical and spinal muscles.The pain in the neck (cervicalgia) with a given degree of osteochondrosis can be either point or spilled, spread beyond the neck to other anatomical areas - the back and shoulder belt.Due to the shortening of the intervertebral gaps, muscles and ligaments sag.The action of the muscle frame weakens and is formed by subluxation of the cervical region, as a result of which the disk shifts in one direction or another.At the same time, the pain can be sharp and strong, according to the type of shutter (cervical) after turning the head or extension of the neck.
In addition to pain, as already indicated, the tension of the cervical and spinal muscles is noted.Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae are not shifted from behind, but to the side, such a stress is most often asymmetric in nature and leads to impaired posture.In turn, impaired posture leads to a further deterioration in metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition of osteochondrosis to the 3rd stage.
At 2 stages of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery is not yet affected.Nevertheless, already at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of a feeling of weakness, rapid fatigue, and breakdown.Sleep disturbances are possible due to pain.
Types of treatment
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 2nd degree includes:
- Medicine therapy,
- Physiotherapeutic procedures,
- Therapeutic gymnastics,
- Massage,
- Manual therapy.
Drug treatmentIt is aimed at eliminating cervicalgia, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and the normalization of metabolic processes in the cervical disks.Anesthesia is achieved by taking painkillers orally.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.With severe pains, you can wear a special chantsa collar.
AnesthesiaIt can be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process in cervical roots.In this regard, non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in various drug forms - tablets, ointments, injections and compresses.In this regard, injections, ointments are very effective.A good anti -inflammatory effect is given by steroid hormones.
To restore the affected cartilage, it is recommended to receive chondroprotectors.For the same purpose, the use of vitamin mineral complexes containing vitamins of group B, C, E along with zinc, iron calcium is shown.Although brain disorders at the 2nd stage of cervical osteochondrosis did not occur, the use of neuroprotectors will not be superfluous.
Physiotherapeutic proceduresWith cervical osteochondrosis, any degree is designed to reduce pain and inflammation, improve local blood flow.To this end, phonophoresis, laser and magnetic resonance therapy, ultrasound treatment are used.Physiotherapeutic procedures are contraindicated by the period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
MassageWith osteochondrosis, it is also carried out in an inter -ended period.Massage procedures are carried out in the position of the patient sitting or lying on the side.At the same time, the massage therapist with smooth movements in the direction from the back of the head to the neck kneads, strokes and rubs tense muscles.Subsequently, the muscles of the back, neck, chest are massaged.In this case, self -massage is possible using the Kuznetsov applicator.It is a needle roller with plastic spikes.It is enough to put this roller around the neck for half an hour every day - an hour, and the result will not be long in coming.
Medical physical educationIt is designed to consolidate the effect of the above methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.At the same time, optimal loads on various muscle groups are created, which leads to strengthening muscles and eliminating the spine.Manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck should be carried out with great caution.Due to the high risk of injuries of the cervical spine, it is associated with great risk not only for health, but also for the patient's life.
Prevention measures
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate the causes of this disease and prevent the transition of stage 2 of 3.
In this regard, the following requirements should be observed:
- Active lifestyle;
- Full nutrition;
- Normal conditions in everyday life and production, excluding drafts and hypothermia;
- Proper posture with "sedentary" work and study;
- Hardening, sports;
- Treatment of concomitant chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis - a timely visit to the doctor.