Cervical osteochondrosis is a common form of the disease that affects the upper spine, causing specific symptoms at each stage of development. Most patients allow the problem to go away on its own without going to the doctor for help.
Causes of the development of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the second and third degree cervical region causes degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the spine. First, the fibrinous ring is destroyed, followed by a protrusion and prolapse of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc. Pathological pain is accompanied by dysfunction.
Causes that adversely affect the spine and the development of cervical osteochondrosis to varying degrees:
- physical inactivity (sedentary work, minimum physical activity);
- genetic predisposition to disease;
- problems with the immune response;
- unbalanced nutrition, against the background of which there is a lack of minerals, trace elements or a certain group of vitamins;
- frequent hypothermia, prone to inflammatory processes;
- systemic failures in the endocrine system;
- obesity at any stage;
- spinal injuries;
- heavy physical labor.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second and all subsequent degrees is considered the most severe. The reason is the proximity of nerves and blood vessels, which are responsible for nutrition and innervation of the brain.
More often, the pathology is found in people over 50 years of age, diagnosed with grade 3 cervical osteochondrosis.
What are osteochondrosis of the neck and its symptoms
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic process that affects the bones and cartilage that make up the spine and nearby soft tissues.
With the development of degenerative-destructive cervical pathology, the discs lose their protective properties.
Gradual destruction, displacement of anatomical elements leads to negative consequences:
- cartilage partially or completely loses its wear and tear;
- disc deformation;
- destruction of the fibrous ring (begins at an early stage);
- formation of osteophytes - bone growths on the surface of the vertebrae.
Each degree of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by specific manifestations. In the early stages (first and second stages), if a person is slightly disturbed, in an advanced form, the disease causes a number of complications.
First degree
Grade 1 osteochondrosis of the cervix can occur without clinical manifestations. The main complaint of the patient is pain in the neck.
Massage helps relieve anxiety. During palpation, the patient feels muscle stiffness, strong or moderate tension in the neck area. If you start treatment on time, you can stop the initial process of anomalies of primary and secondary osteochondrosis.
Second degree
Symptoms of grade 2 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are more pronounced. The period of exacerbation is accompanied by severe anxiety. Immediate and comprehensive treatment with injections is required.
The main manifestations:
- persistent headache;
- discomfort when moving the head;
- stiffness of movements in the neck area;
- it is possible to stop the pain syndrome for a short time during the exacerbation;
- lethargy;
- sleep problems;
- increased fatigue;
- reduction of working capacity;
- posture suffers, a person can not hold a comfortable position;
- dizziness.
Manifestations depend on which artery, vein, or nerve ligament is compressed. The muscles of the cervical-collar area and the face, ears, head can be matched. A person can be disabled.
Third degree
The third degree is characterized by active damage to the fibrous ring.
The fracture causes protrusions and intervertebral hernias.
The developmental stage of cervical disease is characterized by an overt pain syndrome that is not always possible to stop with strong analgesics. Neurological disorders progress gradually.
fourth degree
In the final stage, degenerative-destructive processes reach their peak. Patients have difficulty moving, stiffness reaches a maximum. Sometimes the pain may subside, but this is a dangerous sign. Bone tissue begins to grow between the vertebral elements, which will lead to further aggravation and deterioration of well-being.
Stage diagnostics
Questions about the instability of the discs of the spine, the elimination of the consequences of tissue destruction are considered by a neurologist. The doctor examines the neck reflexes with a hammer and conducts coordination tests.
Instrumental research:
- radiography;
- CT scan;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound of vertebral arteries.
X-rays are taken from the front and side.
MRI and CT are informative research methods. The only drawback is the high cost of the procedure.
If it is necessary to assess the condition of the cervical region of the spine, to determine the degree of damage to the vertebral arteries, ultrasound is performed. The results will help shape the prognosis of the disease.
Treatment of secondary cervical osteochondrosis
The basis of any therapeutic effect in cervical spine osteochondrosis is the use of drugs that help to get rid of the disease. The treatment regimen is determined by several specialists - a therapist, a neurologist.
Anesthesia of patients
Treatment of patients with secondary cervical osteochondrosis begins with a complex of painkillers. The doctor chooses analgesics in terms of their effectiveness and the presence of contraindications in the patient.
Fight against sources of inflammation
Anti-inflammatory drugs help to eliminate inflammatory foci and reduce pain levels in patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Non-steroidal drugs have one drawback - they have an aggressive effect on the mucous membranes of the digestive system.
Anti-inflammatory analgesics of the non-steroidal group can be prescribed in the form of tablets or injections, as in the exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the second and third stages of development. Gels, ointments and creams are often used for external treatment.
Chondroprotectors
Circuits for the treatment of secondary cervical osteochondrosis have a special role in the protection of cartilage and bone tissue.
Surgery
If secondary and sometimes tertiary cervical osteochondrosis is treated at home with medication, radical treatment requires hospitalization. Tips for operation:
- instability of the spine;
- compression of the spinal cord;
- hernia formation.
With the development of osteochondrosis, it is impossible to completely solve the problem of pathological destruction of the neck.
Therapeutic gymnastics and exercise therapy
If it is not possible to fully restore the functional potential of the spine, then it is possible to stop the disease.
In the early stages (first and partial second degree of cervical osteochondrosis), simple folk methods, therapeutic exercises will help. Such recreational activities are not expensive, easy to perform, do not cause pain, do not cause discomfort.
Gymnastics and exercise therapy are recommended in the later stages of the formation of secondary or tertiary cervical osteochondrosis. Exercises are carried out under the supervision of a specialist. It is important to do everything right. The main goal: to strengthen the neck muscles and relax at the same time.
It is important that the patient tries to recover, carefully follows the recommendations of specialists, doctors' prescriptions.