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Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis in a man

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic dystrophic disease in which the discs are thinner located among the vertebrae, followed by the bone tissue.As the degenerative process advances, the surrounding structures are involved.This becomes the reason for the development of an entire complex of symptoms that completely subjugate the patient's life.

General information

The intervertebral discs consist of a gel -shaped nucleus and a dense fibrous ring that surrounds it, covered by a layer of cartilage on top.They perform a shock absorption function, preventing vertebral damage during running, walking and leap and also contribute to the mobility and flexibility of the entire spinal column.

In the natural aging process, as well as in conditions of greater load, there is a gradual reduction in the height of the intervertebral disc.The metabolism in its nucleus is disturbed, the cracks appear in the surrounding fibrous ring.Disc price apartment: the protrusion and hernias.As the disease advances, the cartilage tissue and the bones are involved in it, osteophytes occur: bone growths that cause limiting mobility and the pronounced pain syndrome.

Since pathological changes take place in the immediate vicinity of the spinal cord and its roots, this leads to their compression and inflammation, as well as the reflection of the reflection of the muscle spasm.Consequently, a person experiences characteristic symptoms with which the disease can be suspected.

Reasons

The osteochondrosis of the cervical column refers to multifactorial diseases.It rises against the background of an entire complex of factors, each of which aggravates the flow of the pathology.The list of reasons includes:

  • Excess body weight;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • Sedentary work;
  • improper posture;
  • chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet) which contribute to the irregular distribution of the load on the spine;
  • congenital pathologies of the development of the spinal column, as well as injuries;
  • excessive and repeated loads on the spine;
  • Hereditary predisposition.

Symptoms and syndromes

The symptoms of cervical osteocondrosis do not appear immediately and, often, are masked as other diseases.

The most common signs include:

  • Dizziness: as a rule, with osteochondrosis, it is systemic, that is, it seems to a person who revolve before his eyes;
  • Pain in the neck, in the neck, in the collar area: its intensity depends on the degree of development of the disease;Light and episodic in an initial phase, spreads throughout the head and acquires a constant character;The attacks periodically become unbearable, due to which a person cannot even move the head;
  • noise or ringing in the ears: rise when a position changes after a long period of immobility, often accompanied by dizziness;
  • A feeling of lack of air, the inability to make a deep breath;In serious cases, a serious lack of breath develops;
  • Nausea and vomiting: they are associated with circulatory disorders in some areas of the brain, they intensify when trying to turn the head;
  • Reduce vision, trembling flies or fog in front of the eyes: indicate an insufficient supply of the blood of the brain;arise with advanced phases of the disease;
  • blood pressure fluctuations, scarcely susceptible to the correction with drugs;
  • sudden fainting caused by the spasm of the blood vessels;
  • The feeling of a lump in the throat, pain, dryness, problems with swallowing: they are often one of the first signs of pathology;
  • pain in the shoulder joint;
  • Numbness of the fingers.

In addition to the general signs of cervical osteochondrosis, different syndromes of this disease are distinguished.

Vertebral syndrome

The complex of symptoms is associated with damage to the bones and cartilage of the spinal column.Includes:

  • violation of mobility in the cervical region;
  • pain to turn the head;
  • Signs of damage x -raggi to the vertebrae and space between them.

Vail artery syndrome

The symptoms are caused by narrowing or spasm of the vertebral arteries which partially responsible for the flow of blood to the brain.It manifests itself from the following signs:

  • noise in the ears;
  • dizziness;
  • jump to blood pressure;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • heachache;
  • visual impairment;
  • decrease in performance;
  • drowsiness;
  • Fainting.

Cardial syndrome

Remember a condition with damage to the heart muscle and includes:

  • pain or burning sensation behind the sternum;
  • weakness and fatigue;
  • Quick pulse.

Rook syndrome

The condition is associated with damage (compression or pinch) of the nerve roots that emerge from the spine in the cervical region.Depending on the level of defeat, a person may feel:

  • numbness or pain in the back of the head;
  • numbness of the language;
  • Pain in the clavicle, difficulty of swallowing, sobs;
  • discomfort in the shoulder area that intensifies with the movements of the hands;
  • pain in the area of blades and forearms;
  • numbness of the index and middle fingers;
  • Numbness of the ring finger and little finger.

Very often, different nerve roots are involved simultaneously in the pathological process, due to which several characteristic symptoms are observed simultaneously.

Phases

In the development process, four consecutive stages (degrees) passes, which determine the seriousness of the patient's general symptoms and conditions.

  • 1st stage.The thickness of the intervertebral discs is slightly reduced.The symptoms are practically absent, sometimes there is a slight discomfort in the neck, for example, with a long stay in an uncomfortable position.
  • Phase 2The pain becomes stronger, the rigidity in the cervical region joins.
  • Phase 3. The fibrous ring surrounding the core of the disc is torn, an intervertebral hernia is formed.The spinal column is significantly deformed, the risk of distlocations and subluxation of the vertebrae increases.Pain becomes constant of nature, other symptoms of osteochdrosis come together.
  • 4th stadium.In the spinal column, irreversible changes occur: bone growth appear, the intervertebral disc is replaced by a scar tissue and loses the ability to amortize the load.The symptoms become pronounced and have a significant effect on the patient's lifestyle and his well -being.The quality of life is reduced.

Diagnostics

In search of the causes of pain or dizziness, the patient can contact doctors of various specialties: therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist.To diagnose osteochondrosis, a complete examination is required, which includes:

  • X -ray and computerized tomography is effective only in the late phases of the development of the disease, when changes become clearly visible;
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: due to a high degree of display, it even allows you to also see initial changes;It is currently the main method of diagnosis;
  • Duplex scan of the heads of the head and neck: it allows you to evaluate the quality of the bloodstream, identify the narrowing of the vessels;Used to determine the causes of headaches and dizziness.

The mandatory and patient examination is assessed, the determination of the pain areas and the degree of mobility of the spine, the quality of the reflections is carried out.For differential diagnosis with other diseases with similar symptoms, it can be prescribed:

  • ECG, ultrasound of the heart;
  • Daily monitoring of ECG and blood pressure;
  • X -Ray of the thoracic organs;
  • Consultations of confined specialists: cardiologist, Laura.

Treatment

The treatment of cervical osteochondosis requires an integrated approach and includes:

  • medical effects;
  • physiotherapy;
  • physical education of physiotherapy;
  • massage;
  • Surgical treatment.

Pharmacological treatment

The main objective of the pharmacological treatment: to relieve pain and dizziness, restore the normal functioning of the nerve roots and, if possible, also stop or slow down the destruction of the cartilage tissue.Depending on the situation, they are prescribed:

  • Non -pounded anti -inflammatory regulations: aimed at alleviating pain and inflammation;They are used in the form of tablets, injections, ointments, patches;
  • Steroid drugs: they are also used to relieve inflammation with the ineffectiveness of the fans;
  • Musorelassants: drugs that eliminate reflected muscle cramps, due to which pain decreases and blood circulation improves;
  • Vitamins B in the form of injection or drug drugs: they contribute to the improvement of nerve impulses;
  • Sedatives with severe pain syndrome to improve sleep and reduce the emotional component of pain;
  • Anti -Riduent agents when they pinched the nerve roots;
  • Condroprotectors: drugs that contribute to the restoration of the cartilage tissue.

Depending on the symptoms, drugs can also be prescribed to improve microcirculation in brain vessels, drugs that block nausea and dizziness, etc.

Non -drug treatment

Non -drug treatment methods are used outside the exacerbation.Depending on the clinical situation, they are used:

  • physiotherapy:
    • laser therapy;
    • magnetotherapy;
    • Uhf-therapy;
    • sounds and electrophoresis;
  • massage;
  • physical education of physiotherapy;
  • acupuncture;
  • manual therapy;
  • Underwater traction.

The non -drug treatment helps to reduce the severity of symptoms and reduces frequency and exacerbation.It acts indirectly:

  • Improves the flow of blood in the area concerned, in the metabolism and in regeneration processes;
  • improves the effect of drugs;
  • Promotes to strengthen the muscle frame and stabilize the spinal column;
  • reduces the load on the vertebrates;
  • Eliminate muscle cramps and blocks.

Surgical treatment

Physiotherapy method of the treatment of cervical osteochondosis

The help of the surgeon is necessary in the advanced cases of the disease, when drug methods are already ineffective.Several operations are currently used:

  • Surgical removal of Ernia Disco (micro -prowex, endoscopic surgery or transfaset);
  • Laminectomy: removal of spinous processes or arches of the vertebra, due to which the load on the spinal cord spinal spine is reduced;
  • Nucleoplasty: Elimination of the Arnia by removing part of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.

It is important to remember that only a doctor can decide how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical column.The scheme is compiled individually, taking into account the disease phase, to accompany the pathologies and individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Complications

Osteocondrosis causes a violation of the most important structures: blood vessels and nerves.Without treatment, the disease can lead to the following complications:

  • ischemic stroke;
  • loss of sensitivity or motor function of the hand;
  • Difficulty swallowing;
  • violation of the thyroid gland;
  • Loss or significant reduction in visual acuity.

In addition, the defeat of intervertebral discs and joints leads to a significant limitation of neck mobility.

Prevention

If you pay attention to the prevention of cervical osteocondrosis, even with existing changes, their progression will slowly slow down.Doctors recommend:

  • guide an active lifestyle, prevent hypodynamia;
  • minimize or exclude gravity;
  • sleep on a orthopedic mattress and a pillow;
  • Heated regularly if necessary for long -term computer work.

The perfect sport for osteochondrosis is swimming.The water downloads the spinal column and active movements contribute to the formation of the muscle frame.