Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage that is one of the main causes of neck pain with characteristic radiation to the arms. In this disease, there is a change in the structure of nearby cartilage and muscle-ligament structures.
Since cervical osteochondrosis, as the disease progresses, can lead to a number of serious complications up to and including disability of the patient, its timely diagnosis and treatment is one of the urgent tasks of modern medicine.
Stages of development of pathology and typical symptoms
The disease goes through 4 consecutive stages of development with corresponding changes in the body and accompanying symptoms:
The first stage is the first morphological changes in the intervertebral discs. The core of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) gradually dries out and cracks appear in the structure of the fibrous ring. This is accompanied by tolerable pain or discomfort in the neck, which increases when you turn or tilt your head. There is also a slight smoothing of the cervical lordosis and an almost constant muscle tension.
In the second stage, the destruction of the fibrous ring continues, which is accompanied by the first signs of pathological mobility of the vertebrae and their instability. The distance between the vertebrae decreases and protrusion occurs. At this point, the patient notices an increase in pain and its radiation to the arm or shoulder area. This is accompanied by severe headaches and the person complains of a feeling of weakness and reduced performance.
The third stage is characterized by complete destruction of the fibrous ring, as a result of which the unfixed core protrudes beyond the vertebrae and penetrates the spinal canal area, forming a fracture protrusion. This, in turn, puts pressure on the nerves and elements of the vascular bed, which leads to disruption of blood flow in the neck area. Patients at this stage complain of severe, persistent pain in the neck that radiates to the arms and shoulders. The muscles become weaker and numbness in the upper extremities is systematically noted. The clinical picture is accompanied by attacks of dizziness, difficulties with orientation in space and stiffness in movement.
The fourth stage represents the replacement of the intervertebral disc cartilage by a connective tissue structure and the involvement of neighboring spinal segments in pathological changes. The fusion of the joints leads to their immobility. For the patient, this is the most difficult stage, as he constantly feels severe pain in the neck, arms, chest and the area between the shoulder blades. In addition, there are signs of a circulatory disorder in the brain, sensory disorders and the likelihood of a stroke increases significantly.
It should be noted that in addition to the main clinical picture that accompanies cervical osteochondrosis at different stages, other symptoms may appear:
reduced visual acuity;
Anxiety that occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the brain;
hearing loss and tinnitus;
the appearance of a crunching sound when moving the head;
Sleep disorders up to insomnia;
the appearance of dots in front of the eyes;
cases of loss of consciousness;
facial muscle paralysis;
Pain in the arms that occurs at night.
If there is compression of the spinal cord, myelopathy may develop, accompanied by:
difficulty moving limbs;
problems with coordination or balance;
loss of bowel or bladder control;
Weakness or numbness in any area of the body below the neck;
Stitching pain in the extremities, which increases when bending forward.
Causes of the disease
The key factor in the development of cervical osteochondrosis is unbalanced and excessive load on this part of the spine. In most cases, the pathology arises against the background of involutional degenerative changes that accompany the aging process. Osteochondrosis can also occur due to a traumatic injury to the neck or a metabolic disorder.
In addition, there are a number of other factors that contribute to increased neck strain, muscle spasms and the development of chronic diseases:
congenital or acquired spinal anomalies;
obesity;
complicated heredity (e. g. congenital and genetically determined connective tissue weakness);
prolonged or frequent overloading of the spine (forced posture, physical inactivity);
vitamin deficiency;
Autoimmune diseases accompanied by damage to connective tissue structures (collagenosis);
lack of micro or macro elements;
intense physical activity, sports with an increased risk of spinal injury (e. g. professional wrestling);
smoking, which prevents the flow of nutrients into the intervertebral discs;
metabolic disorders;
unbalanced diet with an excess of carbohydrates and fats combined with a deficiency of proteins;
frequent stressful situations;
Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system leading to reduced mobility of the cervical spine;
repeated or severe hypothermia of the throat.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis?
The first problem that is typical for most patients with cervical osteochondrosis is severe and frequent pain in the head and neck area. Because of this, people are forced to look for the most comfortable position in which the pain subsides or disappears altogether. This in turn leads to reduced performance.
As the disease progresses, protrusion (partial release of disc tissue beyond the intervertebral space) forms, the tissue between the vertebrae begins to collapse and the gap becomes smaller. At the final stage of the pathological process, the intervertebral disc is completely destroyed and replaced by a connective tissue structure. This leads to limitation of motor activity as the patient loses the ability to turn or tilt the head.
In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can lead to the following complications:
Hernia;
Cervicocranialgia (painful feeling localized in the area of the base of the skull);
formation of osteophytes;
compression of the arteries;
radiculopathy (compression of the roots of the spinal cord);
chronic pain syndrome.
In the most severe and advanced cases, cervical osteochondrosis leads to compression of the spinal cord, paralysis and disability of the patient.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of a patient with suspected cervical osteochondrosis begins with an appointment with a doctor, who conducts a detailed conversation, clarifies the symptoms and history of the development of the disease, and also conducts a physical examination. During the examination, the doctor focuses on identifying areas of pain, assessing the mobility of the spine and the quality of reflexes.
After receiving the initial data, the specialist draws up a plan for further diagnostics, which may include:
multi-slice computed tomography;
positron emission and magnetic resonance imaging;
radiography;
Duplex scanning of vessels in the area of the pathological process.
Imaging techniques allow the doctor to determine the origin of the clinical picture and detect signs of degenerative processes or other conditions that could provoke the appearance of symptoms that bother the patient. The duplex scan allows you to assess the quality of blood flow and detect vascular narrowing.
As an addition to the main diagnostic program, consultations with specialists (vertebrologist, endocrinologist, orthopedic traumatologist, neurosurgeon, oncologist) can be carried out and the following can be prescribed:
Ultrasound examination of neighboring organs;
electrocardiography;
Standard and advanced studies on biomaterials (blood, urine).
Only after the diagnosis has been confirmed and the causes and severity of the disease have been clarified does the doctor begin to develop the optimal and most effective treatment program.
Treatment options
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is selected based on the stage at which the disease was discovered, as well as taking into account the patient's age, his current condition and existing complications or concomitant diseases.
Conservative approach
If cervical osteochondrosis was detected in the initial stages, conservative methods of therapy are chosen. They are aimed at preventing the progression of the disease, relieving unpleasant symptoms and restoring mobility to the spine.
As part of conservative therapy, the doctor combines drug treatment with physiotherapeutic procedures and gymnastics. He can prescribe medications from the following categories:
chondroprotectors;
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
Painkiller;
angioprotectors;
B vitamins;
hormones;
muscle relaxants;
vasodilators;
Nootropics.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are used as a supplement to medication. Taking into account the patient's condition, the doctor may prescribe:
Acupuncture;
Kinesio taping;
massage sessions;
photodynamic therapy;
the use of ultrasound or diadynamic currents;
electrophoresis;
Magnetic field therapy.
At the same time, wearing an orthopedic collar can be recommended for cervical osteochondrosis in the acute phase. This medical accessory is necessary to repair bones and joints, reduce stress on the affected area of the spine and relieve pain. A cervical collar for osteochondrosis, the price of which varies depending on the manufacturer, type and material, is selected exclusively by the doctor individually for each patient.
The last but not least important part of conservative therapy is gymnastics. The doctor prepares for the patient a set of special exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles, correcting posture and improving blood circulation in the upper part of the spine.
Surgical approach
If conservative methods were unsuccessful or cervical osteochondrosis was detected at a later stage, treatment is carried out by surgical intervention. The doctor may prescribe one of the following operations to the patient:
laminectomy;
endoscopic or percutaneous decompression;
radiofrequency ablation;
endoscopic removal of a hernia, tumor process or area of degenerative-dystrophic changes;
epidural lysis of adhesions;
stabilization of the spine;
endoscopic foraminotomy;
Laser nucleoplasty with puncture puncture.
Precautions
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology for which specific preventive measures have not been developed. In order to significantly reduce the likelihood of the disease occurring, its recurrence or the development of complications, doctors give a number of recommendations. According to them, patients must:
adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle;
Avoid lifting and carrying heavy objects.
Use orthopedic mattresses and pillows to sleep.
engage in regular physical activity and go swimming;
eat a balanced diet;
exclude situations in which hypothermia of the cervical spine is possible;
Continuously monitor your posture;
When sitting, systematically take breaks for short therapeutic exercises.
Be careful when turning and tilting your head.
To prevent this, have yourself examined regularly by a specialist.
How is the rehabilitation going?
The supervising doctor creates a plan for the rehabilitation period taking into account several aspects:
at what stage cervical osteochondrosis was detected;
general health and well-being of the patient;
age category and body weight of the patient;
Existing comorbidities or complications of the disease.
Depending on the situation, the doctor may include massage treatments, gymnastics and physiotherapy sessions in the rehabilitation program. Such comprehensive measures not only accelerate the recovery process and prevent complications or relapses, but also help improve the patient's general health.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious problem in which the patient needs timely and correct medical care. If signs of this disease appear, you can undergo diagnosis and subsequent treatment in a medical center. All specialists choose an individual approach for each patient, are guided by modern methods of treating osteochondrosis and offer a wide range of services, the price of which is within a comfortable range for the patient.
question answer
Cervical osteochondrosis was diagnosed. How long does the treatment of this pathology take?
The duration of treatment directly depends on the stage at which the patient with cervical osteochondrosis sought help. Only a doctor, assessing the severity of the pathological process and monitoring the dynamics of progress during treatment, can determine the most likely period.
Which doctor should I contact if I suspect I have cervical osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is recognized by a neurologist and then treated. However, in some cases, the patient can also be monitored by a traumatologist-orthopedist.