Cervical osteochondrosis or cervical osteochondrosis is a disease of degenerative-dystrophic genesis that affects the intervertebral discs and cervical vertebrae with the formation of extensions and intervertebral hernias, which eventually leads to patient dysfunction of the cervix. . disability.
Characteristics of the structure of the cervical spine
The vertebrae are the bones from which the spine is built. Each vertebra has a body that carries the entire load, the vertebral arch, the transverse and spinous processes.
The vertebral arches of the vertebrae form the vertebral canal into which the spinal cord passes. Spinal processes are created to anchor the back muscles.
There are also anterior and posterior ligaments that connect the vertebrae together.
The intervertebral disc is a rounded flat structure consisting of an annulus fibrosus and a pulposus nucleus, the main function of which is to absorb shocks. The intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae.
The facial connection is a mobile connection of the processes of two adjacent vertebrae. Aspect links provide flexibility in the spine.
Intervertebral foramen are holes formed by structural elements (legs, articular processes) of two adjacent vertebrae and are intended for the exit of the radicular nerves of the spinal cord.
It has paravertebral muscles to support the spine and its various movements.
The cervical spine is the highest and most mobile part of the spine, which consists of seven vertebrae and has a C shape due to its forward flexion (cervical lordosis).
All movements of the head - tilt, turn, circular, are provided by this part of the spine.
Interesting!In addition, the cervical spine is the most traumatized part, as the cervical vertebrae have low strength and weak muscular apparatus, compared to others.
For the same reason, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often occurs.
Prevalence of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine affects the working population over 30 years of age. This disease is more common in women than in men.
According to the World Health Organization, 40-90% of the world's population suffers from osteochondrosis.
Important!Every second patient with osteochondrosis has dystrophic and degenerative changes in the spine in the cervical spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis can be called a tribute to a person’s ability to stand and walk on two legs. This opinion is confirmed by the fact that no single animal that walks on four legs suffers from osteochondrosis.
Despite the availability of modern methods for diagnosing diseases and in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, it has not yet been possible to determine the specific causes of osteochondrosis.
But reliable factors are known that lead to degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine. These include the following:
- insufficiently mobile lifestyle of a person, which leads to a weakening of the muscular apparatus of the spine. Often, office workers, cashiers, salespeople, and drivers suffer from osteochondrosis;
- hard physical work;
- mechanical damage to the spine;
- genetic predisposition to osteochondrosis;
- overweight and obesity;
- neuropsychic stress;
- improper fitness training;
- beriberi, micronutrient deficiencies, metabolic disorders;
- improper nutrition;
- the presence of diseases of the kidneys, digestive systems and endocrine;
- infectious diseases;
- frequent hypothermia of the body;
- congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies.
Pathogenesis (developmental mechanism) of cervical osteochondrosis
Almost all the factors that contribute to the development of osteochondrosis lead to back muscle spasms. On the other hand, muscle spasm disrupts the blood supply and metabolism of bone tissue to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Thus dystrophic changes occur, in other words drying, dehydration, and loss of elasticity of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Further stress on the spine leads to flattening, protrusion (protrusion beyond the annulus fibrosus) of the intervertebral discs.
No less important in the pathogenesis of cervical osteochondrosis is the load from holding and moving the head.
The load on the cervical vertebrae is large because the average weight of the head is 3-5 kg, and their bone tissue, unfortunately, is fragile and thin.
Also, the development of osteochondrosis is facilitated by technical progress - smartphones, tablets, e-books, if bent while using these devices.
Intervertebral discs cannot efficiently perform spinal amortization, therefore compensatory mechanisms are activated.
Important!One of these mechanisms is the spread of osteophytes and the development of spondylosis.
False ligaments can also form along the back surface of the cervical vertebrae - uncovered osteoarthritis.
All of these processes eventually lead to a decrease in cervical lordosis (hypolordosis), extensions and intervertebral discs, which sooner or later become the main cause of a person’s disability or require urgent surgical treatment.
The pathogenesis of cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into four stages:
- Onset of cervical vertebral instability;
- The formation of elongation of the intervertebral discs, the reduction of the intervertebral fissure, the beginning of the destruction of the annulus fibrosus, which leads to the constriction of the nerves, which is manifested by pain in the neck;
- Annulus fibrosus is completely destroyed and the pulposus nucleus extends beyond its borders, thus, an intervertebral hernia is formed and the spine is deformed;
- Disability phase. The beads grow together. It is difficult for patients to move. Sometimes the condition can improve, but not for long.
Symptoms and syndromes in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include the following:
- persistent neck pain of a pulsating or painful nature, which may spread to the occipital region of the head, eye orbits, ears, and shoulder girdle;
- pain in the upper limbs, which increases when they move;
- stiffness of the movements of the upper limbs, violation of their sensitivity (tingling, burning, numbness), weakening of muscle strength;
- morning stiffness in the neck;
- pain in the back of the cervix when moving the head;
- periodic dizziness with osteochondrosis of the cervix, darkening of the eyes, loss of consciousness with sharp turns of the head;
- tinnitus sensation in the ears;
- hearing and vision impairment;
- numbness and tingling sensation in the tongue;
- cardialgia (heart pain), sometimes osteochondrosis of the cervix is confused with acute coronary syndrome. The difference is the lack of effect from nitrates;
- due to microcirculation disorders and lack of tissue oxygen, connective tissue is added to the cervical spine, the so-called "fracture".
All the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can be grouped into the following syndromes:
- reflex;
- radicular;
- radicular-vascular;
- spinal compression;
- cerebral.
Reflex syndrome consists of cervical pain - intense pain in the neck, due to which the patient is forced to adjust the head and tense the neck muscles.
Feeling of spinous processes, paravertebral points and intervertebral discs brings and / or increases pain.
Also, reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the upper limbs, occipital or temporal regions of the head.
Radicular syndrome is a combination of acute acute pain that increases with head movements and arises from nerve constriction in the intervertebral foramen.
Radicular-vascular syndrome is characterized by vegetative-trophic disorders in the form of humeral-scapular periarthritis.
The patient is concerned about pain in the shoulder joint, stiffness of movements, impaired skin sensitivity, swelling of the wrist and wrist. Also, the patient cannot turn his hands back.
Spinal compression syndrome occurs due to compression of the spinal cord and its vascular apparatus. Disc herniation, osteophytes, thickening of the yellow ligament can lead to this.
Interesting!Patients have pain in the cervico-shoulder region, flaccid paresis of the upper extremities and spastic paresis of the lower extremities, impaired sensitivity.
Cerebral syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis combines several such syndromes:
- diencephalic syndrome - increased nervousness, neurasthenia, general weakness, insomnia, lack of consciousness. In severe cases, there is anxiety, numbness of the upper and lower extremities, increased sweating, chills;
- Sympathetic Barre syndrome of the back of the cervix or "cervical migraine" - intense headache, as with migraine in the middle of the head on the background of dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, numbness in the hands.
- syncope syndrome - fainting with a sharp turn of the head;
- vestibular and cochlear stem syndromes - dizziness, gait instability, nausea and even vomiting;
- visual disturbance syndrome - deterioration of vision, visual disturbances, flare-ups, "flies" in front of the eyes.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Like any diagnosis in medicine, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is made on the basis of patient complaints, medical history, examination, and ancillary research methods.
In addition to the clinical examination, the patient should undergo the following methods:
- X-ray of the cervical spine;
- Computed tomography of the cervical spine;
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine;
- Doppler ultrasound examination of the neck vessels;
Following diagnostic measures, the physician selects treatment tactics based on the results of the diagnosis and analysis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine consists in the elimination of radicular syndrome and the removal of the inflammatory process.
In the acute period of the disease, you should adhere to a strict bed. The soft mattress should be replaced with a strong one or a wooden shield should be placed over it.
Drug therapy for cervical osteochondrosis is performed using the following groups of drugs:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotective group drugs;
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory gels and ointments;
- vitamin preparations - ascorbic acid, retinol acetate, tocopherol acetate;
- calcium preparations;
- drugs that improve tissue microcirculation;
- muscle relaxants.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis includes the following methods:
- wearing a special collar around the neck, which not only eases the load from the neck, but also restricts movement;
- lying down with a glisson loop - the patient's head, which is lying on the bed, is fixed with a glisson loop, and the head of the bed is raised by 20-30 cm. This procedure relaxes the muscular corsets of the spine, increases intervertebral fissures, releases crushed nerves;
- Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis should only be performed by an experienced manual therapist. Manual therapy is performed using relaxation and segmental massage techniques, mobilization, which restores damaged joint functions and manipulations to restore the full range of motion in the joints.
- Physiotherapy methods for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - diadynamic therapy, electrotherapy, laser therapy, shock wave therapy, balneotherapy, ultrasound and ultraviolet treatment, magnetotherapy and other methods.
- Physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis includes exercises to strengthen the muscle corset. Exercise is suitable not only for the treatment of osteochondrosis, but also for prevention. They can be done before you go to bed at home, at the gym, at work and at school during the holidays.
Surgical treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Treatment with surgical methods is indicated for severe radicular syndrome, which can not be alleviated with medication, with an increase in impaired motor and sensory functions of the upper limbs, as well as with compression of the spinal cord.
Important!Surgeries to remove herniated intervertebral discs and osteophytes are widely used.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
- healthy sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
- using a low cushion;
- visit the sauna or bath regularly. The steam perfectly relaxes the neck muscles;
- you should take a hot shower every day for at least 10 minutes;
- introduction to sports, gymnastics, walking. Swimming, yoga, Pilates are great for this;
- all head movements must be precise, without sharp turns;
- correctly distribute the load on the back during physical work and sports;
- take breaks and warm up while sitting work;
- maintain proper posture when sitting at a desk or computer;
- chairs and tables should be suitable for your height.