Osteochondrosis is a pathological process leading to dystrophic and structural disorders, first in the intervertebral discs, and then in the vertebrae themselves, spinal nerves, nearby muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, and 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 second only to lumbar osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis in the cervical spine occurs in stages.Like any other pathology, without proper timely treatment it progresses.Functional and structural changes in bone and cartilage tissue become more and more pronounced, leading to complicated forms of the disease with loss of sensitivity and limitation of movements.
Stages and degrees
In total, there are 4 stages (degrees) of cervical osteochondrosis.At the same time, the concepts of “degree” and “stage” are very often confused.Although they mean approximately the same thing, they are not entirely identical.The stage reflects structural abnormalities in the cervical spine, nearby organs and tissues.And by degree 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 intensifies when turning the head.On examination, local tension in the neck muscles is 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 roots of the cervical spinal nerves are pinched.Patients are bothered by point pain, which intensifies when turning and tilting the head.The pain syndrome can extend beyond the cervical region and be accompanied by general weakness and decreased performance.
As a result of further pathological processes leading to displacement and destruction of intervertebral discs, disc herniations are formed in the cervical region.Pain and a feeling of general weakness intensify, and they are accompanied by sensory and motor disorders in the area of the affected segment.3rd degree cervical osteochondrosis develops.
Subsequently, 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 a feeling of ringing in the ears.
Etiology
Before talking about the causes or etiological factors of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to clarify 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 on the relatively static thoracic spine.
- There are 7 cervical vertebrae, and 8 segments. The “extra” segment appears due to the atlanto-occipital joint.
- The cervical vertebrae have anatomically different structures, which is especially evident in the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis.
- Vital communications pass through the neck - the trachea, the esophagus, and large vessels, including the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain.
The 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 deficiency of microelements and vitamins;
- Constant poor posture among schoolchildren, students, and office workers;
- Frequent hypothermia, unfavorable microclimate at home and at work;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Heredity.
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 degree of osteochondrosis can be either point or diffuse, spreading beyond the neck to other anatomical areas - the back and shoulder girdle.Due to the shortening of the intervertebral spaces, the muscles and ligaments sag.The action of the muscular frame weakens and a subluxation of the cervical spine is formed, as a result of which the disc moves to one side or another.The pain can be sharp and severe, like a 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 displaced not from behind, but to the side, such tension is most often asymmetrical in nature and leads to poor posture.In turn, poor posture leads to a further deterioration of metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition of osteochondrosis to stage 3.
At stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery is not yet affected.However, already at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of a feeling of weakness, fatigue, and weakness.Possible sleep disturbances due to pain.
Types of treatment
Treatment of grade 2 cervical osteochondrosis includes:
- Drug therapy,
- Physiotherapeutic procedures,
- Therapeutic gymnastics,
- Massage,
- Manual therapy.
Drug treatmentis aimed at eliminating cervicalgia, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and normalizing metabolic processes in the cervical intervertebral discs.Pain relief is achieved by taking painkillers orally.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.For severe pain, you can put a special Shants collar on your neck.
Anesthesiacan be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process in the cervical roots.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 vitamin mineral complexes containing vitamins B, C, E along with zinc, iron and calcium is indicated.Although brain disorders did not occur in stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis, the use of neuroprotectors would not be amiss.
Physiotherapeutic proceduresfor cervical osteochondrosis of any degree, they are designed to reduce pain and inflammation and improve local blood flow.For this purpose, phonophoresis, laser and magnetic resonance therapy, and ultrasound treatment are used.Physiotherapeutic procedures are contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Massagefor osteochondrosis, it is also carried out during the interictal period.Massage procedures are carried out with the patient sitting or lying on his side.At the same time, the massage therapist kneads, strokes and rubs tense muscles with smooth movements in the direction from the back of the head to the neck.Subsequently, the muscles of the back, neck, and chest are massaged.In this case, self-massage is possible using the Kuznetsov applicator.It is a needle roller with plastic spikes.It is enough to place this roller up to your neck every day for half an hour to an hour, and the result will not be long in coming.
Therapeutic exercisedesigned to consolidate the effect of the above methods of treating neck osteochondrosis.This creates optimal loads on various muscle groups, which leads to muscle strengthening and spinal traction.Manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck should be carried out with great caution.Due to the high risk of cervical spine injuries, it poses a great risk not only to the health, but also to the life of the patient.
Prevention measures
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate the causes of this disease and prevent the transition from stage 2 to stage 3.
In this regard, 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, visit a doctor in a timely manner.