Osteochondrosis is a pathological process that leads to dystrophic and structural disorders, first in the intervertebral disc, and then in the vertebra itself, spinal nerves, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, and nearby internal organs.
It can affect all parts of the spine - cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon, and in frequency it is the second after lumbar osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis in the cervical spine occurs in stages.Like any other pathology, without timely treatment it develops.Functional and structural changes in bone and cartilage tissue become more pronounced, leading to a complicated form of the disease with loss of sensitivity and limitation of movement.
Rank and degree
In total, there are 4 levels (degrees) of cervical osteochondrosis.At the same time, the concepts of "degree" and "level" are very often confused.Although they mean more or less the same thing, they are not exactly the same.The stage reflects structural abnormalities in the cervical spine, nearby organs and tissues.And by level we mean the symptoms of osteochondrosis and the patient's complaints.With grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis, clinical signs are minimal and may be completely absent.The patient complains of mild pain in the neck (cervicalgia), which increases when turning the head.On examination, local tension in the neck muscles was noted.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 2nd degree is accompanied by discogenic radiculitis.As a result of further degenerative-dystrophic changes in the core and fibrous capsule of the intervertebral disc, the height of the gap between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result, the nerve root of the cervical spine is pinched.The patient is disturbed by eye pain, which is aggravated when turning and tilting the head.The pain syndrome can extend beyond the cervical region and is accompanied by general weakness and decreased performance.
As a result of further pathological processes that lead to the displacement and destruction of the intervertebral disc, disc herniation is formed in the cervical region.Pain and a feeling of general weakness are increasing, and they are accompanied by sensory and motor disturbances in the area of the affected segment.Cervical osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree develops.
After that, with 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, the pain syndrome with sensory and motor disorders is accompanied by brain disorders - dizziness, lack of coordination, and ringing in the ears.
Etiology
Before talking about the causes or etiological factors of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to explain some anatomical and physiological features of this part of the spine.
These features are as follows:
- The neck is a mobile structure, yet 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.
- Cervical vertebrae have an anatomically distinct structure, which is particularly evident in the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis.
- Important communications pass through the neck - the trachea, esophagus, and large vessels, including the vertebral artery, which supply blood to the brain.
Etiological factors that lead to pathological changes in the cervical spine with subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree are as follows:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Poor nutrition with a lack of microelements and vitamins;
- Persistent poor posture among schoolchildren, students and office workers;
- Frequent hypothermia, unfavorable microclimate at home and at work;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Ancestry.
symptoms
Symptoms of grade 2 cervical osteochondrosis, in addition to pain, include tension in the neck and back muscles.Pain in the neck (cervicalgia) with this level of osteochondrosis can be either point or diffuse, spreading outside the neck to other anatomical areas - the back and shoulder girdle.Due to the shortening of the intervertebral space, the muscles and ligaments relax.The skeletal muscle action weakens and subluxation of the cervical spine is formed, as a result of which the disc moves to one side or the other.The pain can be sharp and severe, like lumbago (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 moved not from the back, but to the side, such tension is most often asymmetrical and leads to poor posture.Conversely, poor posture leads to further deterioration of metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition of osteochondrosis to stage 3.
In the 2nd stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery has not been affected.However, already at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of weakness, fatigue, and weakness.Possible sleep disturbances due to pain.
Type of treatment
Treatment of grade 2 cervical osteochondrosis includes:
- drug therapy,
- physiotherapeutic procedures,
- therapeutic gymnastics,
- massage,
- Manual therapy.
Drug treatmentaims to eliminate cervicalgia, inflammation at the root of the cervical segment and normalize metabolic processes in the cervical intervertebral disc.Pain relief is achieved by taking oral pain relievers.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this case, intramuscular injection is more effective.For severe pain, you can put a special Shants collar on your neck.
relieve paincan be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process at the root of the cervix.In this regard, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in various dosage 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, taking a vitamin-mineral complex containing vitamins B, C, E together with zinc, iron and calcium is indicated.Although brain disorders do not occur in the 2nd stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the use of neuroprotectors will not be wrong.
Physiotherapy proceduresfor cervical osteochondrosis in any degree, they are designed to reduce pain and inflammation and improve local blood flow.For this purpose, phonophoresis, laser therapy and magnetic resonance, and ultrasound treatment are used.Physiotherapy procedures are contraindicated during the period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
massagefor osteochondrosis, it is also carried out during the interictal period.The massage procedure is carried out with the patient sitting or lying on his side.At the same time, the massage therapist kneads, rubs and rubs the tense muscles with smooth movements in the direction from the back of the head to the neck.After that, the back, neck, and chest muscles are massaged.In this case, self-massage can be done using the Kuznetsov applicator.It is a needle roller with plastic spikes.It is enough to put this roller on your neck every day for half an hour to an hour, and the result will be soon.
Therapeutic exercisedesigned to unify the effects of the above methods to treat neck osteochondrosis.This creates an optimal load on various muscle groups, which leads to muscle strengthening and spinal traction.Manual therapy for neck osteochondrosis should be carried out very carefully.Due to the high risk of cervical spine injury, it poses a great risk not only to the health, but also to the patient's life.
Preventive measures
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate the cause of this disease and prevent the transition from stage 2 to stage 3.
In this case, the following requirements must be met:
- Active lifestyle;
- Good nutrition;
- Normal conditions at home and at 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, see a doctor in time.