Dizziness, fluctuations in pressure, seizures, pain in the heart - all this often comes from problems with the spine.80% of the population suffers from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of varying severity, and according to statistics, men experience it earlier than women: at 45-50 years old.If treatment is not started at an early stage, the pathology becomes irreversible.
What is osteochondrosis
The pathology is associated with degenerative changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, in which soft tissues become hard and cushioning decreases.
Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic, lumbar, but most often the cervical region.The reason is a heavy load on vertebrae 1-7, weak muscles, improper nutrition and choosing the wrong pillow for sleep.
Mechanism of injury to the cervical vertebrae
Osteochondrosis develops when the process of nutrition of cartilage tissue and mineral metabolism are disturbed.The strength of bones and joints decreases, ligaments lose elasticity.The shape and structure of the disc changes and under the influence of loads it collapses.Vertebrae converge, their surfaces rub off.The pathology causes the following complications:
- Compression of the vessels passing through 1-7 vertebrae causes hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain.
- Development of problems in the functioning of the respiratory system, blood vessels, heart, loss of vision.
- Poor blood circulation in the brain leads to neurocirculatory (vegetative-vascular) dystonia.
- Decreased mobility of the neck - due to the formation of bony formations on the vertebrae.
- Impaired function of the cerebellum and compression of the spinal cord lead to death in an advanced stage of the disease.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis
The pathology develops slowly.In the preclinical stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, they exert pressure on the soft disc.In addition, it becomes thinner, the fibrous ring is destroyed, its core swells.A bulge forms, then a hernia.Vertebrae rub against each other, change shape, and growths appear on them.Nerves and blood vessels are pinched.
Initial stage of cervical osteochondrosis
Cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, the capsule ruptures, and the nucleus pulposus is damaged.Cervical osteochondrosis is felt when turning the head, pinching nerve endings, narrowing blood vessels and disrupting blood flow.Pain appears in the back of the head, and the muscles of the back tire quickly.
Stage 2 pathology
The degenerative process develops in the discs, the capsular ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae decreases, they become unstable and press the nerve roots of the spinal cord.The flexibility and mobility of the neck decreases.At this stage, the disease can still be treated without surgery.
The last stages of osteochondrosis of the neck
At stage 3 of the pathology, a disc protrusion develops, which leads to a hernia;the annulus pulposus protrudes and protrudes.The cervical vertebrae and their axis are displaced and the nutrition of the brain suffers.In addition, at the last (3 and 4) stages of the pathology, the following processes begin:
- intervertebral discs are destroyed, which are replaced by connective tissue;
- the mobility of the neck and shoulder joints disappears;
- from friction, growths are formed on the surface of the vertebrae and nerve fibers are injured;
- The sensitivity of the hands decreases due to problems with their innervation.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The condition of the patient depends on the stage of the disease.First there is a rare pain when turning or lowering the head and tension in the muscles of the back.After that, a person experiences constant fatigue.The pain becomes stronger and more frequent.Then weakness, dizziness, ringing in the ears are added, and visual acuity decreases.All signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae are divided into 3 groups:
- Irritative-reflex syndromes– neurodystrophic, muscle-tonic and vegetative-vascular manifestations.
- Compression-radicular– are related to pressing of nerve endings;one of the key symptoms is sharp pain when turning the head.
- Vertebral artery syndrome– occurs when a vessel that supplies brain structures is narrowed.
Neurotic disorders
The brain is poorly supplied with blood, its functioning and the state of the nervous system are disturbed.I often have headaches and suffer from insomnia, which causes a state of fatigue and apathy.Then the following symptoms appear:
- increased sweating;
- emotional lability (instability of mood);
- increased irritability;
- vertigo;
- depression;
- impaired concentration;
- tinnitus;
- "flies" before the eyes;
- anxiety;
- tremor (shaking) of the limbs;
- panic attacks;
- disorders of the vestibular apparatus: nausea, vomiting, gait instability, disorientation in space, loss of coordination.
General clinical signs
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae causes headaches and visual disturbances.At stage 2 of the pathology, patients complain of ringing in the ears, a lump in the throat, weakness of the muscles of the hands and numbness of the tongue.When turning the neck and tilting the head, a crunch is heard, and black dots appear before the eyes.In vertebral artery syndrome, other symptoms appear:
- migraine that passes from the back of the head to the forehead;
- darkening before the eyes;
- inflamed scalp;
- hearing loss;
- increase in blood pressure;
- numbness of the fingers.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women
The clinical picture does not depend on gender, but women aged 45-65 years are more likely to experience numbness of the limbs during sleep, numbness and pain in the hands.The attacks are repeated several times during the night.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The pathology develops under the influence of a high load on the vertebrae, which causes muscle spasm.Sedentary work often leads to this - in front of a computer, in a vehicle.
People with poor posture are at risk.Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
- lack of physical activity - lack of physical activity, low activity;
- neck muscle weakness;
- hereditary predisposition;
- spine injuries;
- rheumatism;
- excessive physical activity, lifting weights;
- poor nutrition;
- metabolic disorders;
- frequent hypothermia of the neck;
- age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, cartilage tissue;
- congenital anomalies of the cervical vertebrae;
- autoimmune pathologies that affect cartilage tissue;
- overweight;
- vertebral instability.
Diagnosis
The doctor examines the patient's complaints, assesses posture and muscle tension.The diagnosis is clarified using an X-ray of the neck in 4 projections: the image shows the position of the vertebrae and displacements.The stage of the disease and hidden pathologies are revealed by the following methods:
- Nuclear magnetic resonance– the most effective method, shows in detail degenerative changes in the bones, hernias, protrusions, ruptures of the fibrous ring.It can be prescribed instead of an X-ray, but the examination is expensive.
- Ultrasound duplex scan– to assess blood flow disorders in the arteries.
- Computed tomography– does not reveal the size and zones of the hernia, it is prescribed in the early stages to determine the narrowing of the spinal space, displacement of the cervical segments and marginal growths of bone tissue.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The goal of therapy is to restore blood flow and tissue nutrition, eliminate symptoms of hypoxia, and stop the destruction of vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen the muscle corset that supports the neck and to restore the mobility of the joints.Treatment tactics are chosen depending on the stage of the disease:
- Initially - massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation.
- Osteochondrosis stage 2-3 - medical treatment, therapeutic gymnastics, massage.
- Irreversible degenerative changes with destruction and deformation of the vertebrae - surgical intervention and symptomatic drug therapy.
- Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondrosis - injections or tablets of drugs that relieve pain and spasms.
Help with severe pain
Apply topical pepper or warming ointments to the neck.Active heating of an individual area distracts attention from pain and increases blood flow to the tissues.Ointments are applied in a very thin layer using an applicator.Other ways to relieve pain from osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics in tablets - have average effectiveness, are contraindicated in blood clotting problems.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - tablets are taken if there is no result from analgesics, since this group of drugs negatively affects the stomach and liver.
- Injections - are applied in case of severe acute pain, the effect occurs after 15 minutes.NSAIDs and myotropic antispasmodics are used for intramuscular injections.In severe cases, blockade is carried out.
Conservative methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck
In stages 1-2 of the disease without symptoms of cerebral hypoxia, treatment is carried out at home.The basis of the therapy is gymnastics and massage.They improve blood flow and strengthen muscles.Other methods:
- Drug therapy - oral drugs and injections during exacerbations, ointments and creams at other times.
- Physiotherapy - courses of 7-10 procedures during remission.
- Folk remedies - as an additional method of treating osteochondrosis.
- Diet therapy - foods rich in fatty acids, magnesium and calcium are introduced into the diet.Avoid salt, smoked foods, pickled and spicy foods, and fast food.
medicines
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during an exacerbation is aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms, stimulating blood flow and tissue nutrition.
During the remission period, drugs are used that improve the quality of the cartilage and prevent the collapse of the vertebrae.Medicines are used internally and topically.The main groups of funds are:
- Muscle relaxants– relief of muscle spasms, reduction of pain, use for a month.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)– applied locally and internally, relieves pain and swelling.Tablets are used for no more than 10 days.
- Analgesics– relieve pain, but do not relieve inflammation and are weaker in action than NSAIDs.
- Chondroprotectors– protects and restores cartilage tissue.
- Soothing- is often prescribed to women in whom osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is complicated by severe neurotic disorders.
- Nootropics– affect cerebral blood circulation, help fight dizziness.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes- improvement of metabolism in nervous tissue.
Non-medicinal
During remission, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is based on local procedures that improve blood flow, metabolism, relieve pain and inflammation.Every day, the patient does gymnastics, the plan of which is drawn up by the doctor.The main methods of treatment are:
- Manual therapy- straightening the position of the vertebrae and strengthening them with massage.A course of 5-10 sessions is held 2-4 times a year.At home, a light massage with stroking and rubbing of the neck and collar area from top to bottom is allowed for 7-10 minutes to relieve muscle spasm.
- Electrophoresis with drugs- to relieve pain and improve blood circulation, drugs are used that quickly reach the desired point with current.
- Magnetotherapy– aimed at relieving swelling.
- Acupuncture– improves blood flow, relieves inflammation.It is conducted in courses of 8-10 sessions every 1-2 days.
- Chance collar- a controversial method of eliminating the symptoms of osteochondrosis, since the load is removed from the muscles, but they are not strengthened.The product fixes the neck and stretches the spine, increasing the distance between its segments.They wear the collar 3 hours a day for a month.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Outside the periods of exacerbation, the patient is recommended to perform therapeutic exercises.Strong tilts of the head forwards and backwards and rotations are prohibited.Each exercise is done for no more than a minute, without sudden movements and sudden movements.If discomfort or pain occurs, stop the activity.Proven exercises for the cervical vertebrae:
- Slowly turn your head to the right and left, constantly looking at a point in front of you: in this way you control the small amplitude of movement.Do 10-15 times in each direction, gradually increase to 30.
- Place your palm on your forehead and press it while trying to tilt your head forward.Count to 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
- Place your right palm on your left temple and press down to tilt your head toward your shoulder.Count to 5, release.Do 10 times on each side.
- Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms along the body.Lifting your head slightly, slowly turn it so that your ear touches the floor.Do 10 movements on each side.
Surgical methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
If the nerve roots are affected, there is a hernia with a ruptured ring, the vertebrae are destroyed and there is no result of the main therapy, an operation is performed.
Symptoms of a serious condition: paralysis of the hands, muscle atrophy, stroke.
Main methods of treatment:
- Facetectomy– endoscopic removal of the joints with subsequent fixation of the vertebrae, which will be immobile.
- Discectomy with spinal fusion– prescribed for serious deformity changes.During the operation, the soft disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused to stop their destruction.Cons: mobility of the cervical vertebrae is limited, rehabilitation is long.
- Spinal fusion– removal of fragments of the destroyed disc, bone processes, introduction of an artificial graft and fixation of the vertebrae with screws.The recovery period is one year, the patient is recommended to wear a corset.
- Corpectomy- the removal of a destroyed vertebra and nearby discs is performed if other methods do not give an effect.
Folk remedies for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
In case of severe pain, take 1 tsp.alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and rub the areas to the left and right of the spine (do not touch the column itself) for 3-5 minutes.This is done 1-2 times a day.Other folk recipes in addition to the main therapy:
- Pour 500 g of knitwear with water (2 l), boil and leave.Pour the cooled broth through gauze into the prepared bath, take it for 15-20 minutes.The procedure is performed in the evening, relaxes and calms.Course - 7-10 sessions.
- Mix 1 tbsp.l. birch buds, St. John's wort, mint leaves.Grind, add a glass of water, let it boil for 5 minutes.Strain, mix with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply a thin layer of ointment on the neck, cover with polyethylene and a scarf.Hold for an hour.The procedures are carried out every day for 2 weeks.
- Pour 100 g of elderberry with vodka (600 ml).Leave for a week in a cold place.Rub your neck with this remedy 2 times a day for 10-15 days.
Prevention
Patients over the age of 40 should take courses with calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and magnesium every six months - they improve the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.The diet includes oily fish, shrimp, shellfish, nuts, legumes, spinach, cheese and milk.Other preventive measures:
- during sedentary work, change the position of your neck more often, stretch it every hour;
- choose a comfortable pillow;
- do swimming, yoga;
- avoid weight lifting, sports with jumping, running;
- Avoid neck hypothermia.