Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

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Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic disease affecting intervertebral discs in the cervical region.

Degenerative changes usually develop in the most mobile parts of the spine, therefore, in the cervical part, nerve roots at the C5, C6, and C7 levels are most often affected by disorders in the structure of the vertebrae.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can be observed in people of any age, and in particular among the able-bodied population from 30 to 50 years. Some people suffer from this ailment, sometimes not knowing the cause of the ailments, because the degenerative changes in the cervical spine are imperceptible. In time, the treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical department will return a person an excellent state of health, and will give you health in the future.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis has a number of features in comparison with the lumbar and thoracic. They are determined by the features of the structure of the vertebrae of this department, whose structures are much smaller than the vertebrae of other departments. It should be borne in mind that the cervical section is the most mobile, it is almost always loaded, since it keeps the head. Osteochondrosis usually affects the most mobile segments, which determines the symptoms of this disease in the future.

Despite the prevalence of this ailment and achievements in modern medicine, the pathogenesis of the cervical osteochondrosis is not fully understood. It is known that the disease can develop against the background of metabolic disorders in the cervical spine, which eventually leads to a change in the structure of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies.

The appearance of osteochondrosis can result in incorrect posture, excess weight, back injury, and curvature of the spine. Excessive physical activity, improper training, stressful situations, inactive way of life can also provoke the appearance of osteochondrosis. And, of course, you can not let out of sight infectious diseases, as well as elementary hypothermia, as this can subsequently cause the appearance of osteochondrosis.

Degrees of development of osteochondrosis

The disease in its development passes through several stages during which the spine undergoes pathological changes:

1. Cervical osteochondrosis of 1 degree .The symptomatology is insignificant. In general, there is a strain of the muscular ligaments and a small pain syndrome in the region of the nerve bundles. Therapy includes the use of physiotherapy procedures, vitamin complexes, exercise therapy. Ointments for treating osteochondrosis of the neck at this period are quite effective and effective.
2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra in the second stage is characterized by protrusion of the discs. There is a decrease in intervertebral fissures, a gradual destruction of the fibrous ring. Probably the appearance of pain syndromes, because it is possible to pinch the nerve endings.
3. On the third degree of all symptoms become worse - the pain becomes constant and strong, spreading to the shoulder zone and upper limbs. When you feel the neck zone, the pain sensations increase sharply, numbness of the fingers and muscles may occur, as dangerous hernial formations develop. In joints stiffness arises, their mobility deteriorates sharply.
4. Fourth degree .There is a complete destruction of the intervertebral disc and replacement of its connective tissue. Dizziness increases, there is a noise in the ears, a lack of coordination, as the vertebral artery, which feeds the cerebellum and the occipital lobe of the brain, is involved in the process.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differ from manifestations of this disease in other parts of the spinal column. This is due to the fact that the vertebrae are located closer together in the cervical region, the intervertebral discs have a relatively small height, which leads to the appearance of the clinic even in the most minor pathological processes. Also, in the cervical spine, the nerve roots and the spinal cord are often compressed.

Symptoms of cervical spine osteochondrosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis vary in different ways, depending on which vertebrae are affected by the disease. First of all, most patients feel pain in the neck, and pain can also occur in other parts of the body: in the hands, in the heart, chin, and so on.

Also a person can hear a crunch when turning the neck. Because of the pinched nerves and blood vessels in a person, numbness of the tongue and fingertips can occur. The patient will complain of a decrease in hearing and vision, high blood pressure and weakness in the muscles of the hands and feet.

Characteristic syndromes in cervical osteochondrosis are:

• radicular syndrome;
• vertebral artery syndrome;
• cervical migraine syndrome;
• hypertension syndrome.

All these syndromes are accompanied, first of all, by different types of pain.

Radicular syndromes

When the nerve is pinched, the patient experiences acute pain, which is descending. The pain extends from neck to shoulder, from the shoulder to the forearm, then strikes the fingers of the hand or both hands.

A person experiencing radicular syndrome on the neck can feel the "goose bumps" on the skin, tingling. Decreased elasticity, elasticity of the skin, there is pallor and a small puffiness.

Syndrome of the vertebral artery

With this syndrome of cervical osteochondrosis, there is a pulsating or burning headache that spreads to the brow, occiput, temple and darkness. As a rule, the pain is constant, although in some cases it can be paroxysmal.

Pain is intensified after prolonged movement or in an uncomfortable position for a long time. If the body is weakened, nausea and loss of consciousness may occur. There may be auditory disorders: noise, a decrease in the severity of hearing, disruption of the vestibular apparatus. Perhaps the impact on vision: reduced visual acuity, pain in the eyes.

Syndrome of cervical migraine

In the syndrome of "cervical migraine" irritation of the sympathetic nodes is observed, which leads to a violation of the reactivity of cerebral vessels and the violation of blood circulation.

Because of this, hypertension may develop, often accompanied by:

• stuffy ears;
• with tachycardia;
• with a noise in the head;
• ringing in the ears.

Hypertensive syndrome

In hypertensive syndrome, increased intracranial pressure is determined. Headache is more violent, may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. With an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, there may be an increase in temperature and an increase in ESR.

What is the risk of osteochondrosis of the neck?

If the disease occurs at a young age, possible complications in all parts of the spine should be expected:

1. Herniated cervical spine( intervertebral disc);
2. Radiculopathy of the cervical roots;
3. Intervertebral protrusion( protrusion) in the cervical region;
4. Vertebrogenic cervicalgia, cervicotoracology, cervicobrachialgia, cervicocranygia;
5. In advanced cases, large cervical osteophytes, paresis, problems with vertebral arteries, etc. can form.

If treatment of osteochondrosis is started in the late stages, it will only relieve pain and inflammation. Completely get rid of the negative changes will be more difficult. This is only realistic for long-term and comprehensive treatment.

How to treat osteochondrosis of the neck, the specialist will say. He can recommend pharmacopuncture, vacuum, manual or laser therapy, dry stretching or electrostimulation. After several sessions of pain pass. But it's important to have a full course of treatment.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and its complications must be treated with conservative methods that are aimed at eliminating pain syndromes, impaired functions of the spinal roots, and preventing the progression of a dystrophic change in the structure of the spine.

In case when conservative treatment is ineffective, then under certain indications, surgical treatment is performed, where the volume depends on the clinical manifestation of osteochondrosis and the level of lesion. The most effective result in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is complex treatment of diseases of the motor apparatus as a whole.

Medication for

At home, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with medications can include:

1. NSAIDs( eg, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin) for 1-2 weeks 2-3 times during the day. Usually, these drugs are taken after meals.
2. Muscle relaxants ( sirdalud, miolastan) to improve muscle tone and relieve their spasm.
3. Corticosteroids are used for intensive pain in combination with analgesics.
4. Diuretics , reducing edema in the inflammation zone - veroshpiron, diacarb.
5. Novocaine and lidocaine blockades of - subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of the drug at several points around the cervical vertebrae.
6. Chondoprotectors for restoration of hyaline cartilage( arthra, rumalon, alflutope).
7. Group B vitamins .They improve metabolic processes in the nervous tissue, normalize neuromuscular conduction.

Some curative effect is provided with ointments and gels for external use( Finalngon, Fastum gel and others).

Physiotherapeutic and alternative treatment

Non-drug treatment is prescribed at any stage of cervical osteochondrosis and can include:

1. Amplipulse therapy( modulated current treatment);
2. Reflexotherapy;
3. Orthopedic gymnastics;
4. Training on special simulators;
5. Massage;
6. Methods of manipulation;
7. Electrophoresis( administration of therapeutic substances through the skin with the help of electrodes);
8. Magnetotherapy( exposure to magnetic fields);
9. Ultrasound therapy;
10. Laser Therapy.

In advanced cases and in the presence of complications, doctors resort to surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment

It is required in the event that all measures aimed at removing the inflammatory process at 3-4 stages of the disease, did not lead to any results. The usual period of therapy in this case is about six months. But the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis can be reduced if the patient has a stable deterioration of well-being. Paralyzed limbs, intolerable pain sensations are indications for early operation.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home

At home, cervical osteochondrosis can be treated with no less success than in a polyclinic. The main thing that you will need for effective treatment is a systematic and competent approach.

It is important to include in the treatment program dosed physical activity and neck gymnastics. It should also be taken into account that the increase in the number and intensity of training should be gradual so as not to harm the weakened spine.

And if you do not know how to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home, we will gladly give you some useful recommendations. Of folk remedies for osteochondrosis of the neck, it is recommended to take decoctions or infusions of herbs, and also rub the ointment into the problem zone.

1. Horseradish leaves .When inflammation of the vertebrae in the neck area, take a fresh sheet of horseradish, attach to the problem area and wrap the neck around the scarf. Similarly, you can use cabbage leaves, which should be beaten with a kitchen hammer before applying.
2. Ointment with hops from osteochondrosis of the neck. For its preparation, a tablespoon of hop powder must be ground with a tablespoon of fresh butter or unsalted lard. The resulting ointment is lubricated with a sore spot and well insulated. With regular use of the ointment, the pain subsides and the inflammation passes.
3. The root of the eleven is .It is important to use the roots of plants in the second year of life. Proportions for cooking broth - 2 tablespoons of raw materials for a glass of boiling water. Boil the roots 10 minutes on low heat, then drain. Use decoction broth for compresses on the spine area twice a day for 20 minutes. This same broth is useful for baths, just increase the amount of raw materials to ten tablespoons.
4. Rubbing .Half a glass of elderberry and two glasses of alcohol insist seven days in a dark place. Then rub this remedy in the problem areas of the neck.
5. Compress of honey and grated potatoes : mix the ingredients and put them on the cervical collar zone for 20 minutes, after wrapping the mass in gauze( to make it easier to clean).Apply it at rest so that the position of the body is fixed and comfortable. Compress is enough to do once a week.

Once again I want to remind you that it is possible to treat cervical osteochondrosis only by complex actions. You do not have to be lazy, work out a system and stick to it every day. Treatment at home can provide a tangible impact on the recovery process. And, of course, it is worth resorting to the help of professionals, if possible.

Video exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

Medical gymnastics has no less effect than medical treatment of osteochondrosis, and is the basis of recovery. Exercises do not take much time, especially since it is easy to carry them out at home.

Gymnastics is aimed at easing the pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical region, sprain and relaxation of the neck muscles. But you need to do the exercises only after consulting a doctor and very carefully, so as not to harm the body.