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Cervical osteochondrosis: treatment and symptoms

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine signals itself with pain

Neck pain is a warning sign.Perhaps it's just overexertion and you should just relax and unwind.But what if the pain is associated with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?It is important to pay close attention to symptoms and treatment, because complications can affect the most important organ - the brain.

What is cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative disease of the osteochondral system of the body.It leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of bone tissue of the vertebrae, and the formation of growths on their surfaces.

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which articulates with the skull.The anatomical and functional unit of the spine is the spinal motion segment.This is an articular complex due to which the spinal column moves.The complex consists of two vertebrae, an intervertebral disc, the articular surfaces of the vertebrae (facets), nerves, ligaments and muscles.

Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to disruption of the biomechanics of the spine as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, herniated intervertebral discs and compression of nerve roots and blood vessels can form.

Pathological processes in the intervertebral disc go through four stages: malnutrition, weakening of ligaments, disc damage and compression of nerves.

  • Stage 1

    The nutritional and metabolic conditions of the intervertebral disc are disrupted.Due to their structure, the discs are powered only while moving.If it is not there, degenerative changes in the tissue begin: the disc starves and dehydrates.Loss of water leads to the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot perform shock absorption functions.The load on the fibrous ring increases, cracks and tears appear in it.At this point, minor pain may appear.

  • Stage 2

    At the second stage, the ligamentous apparatus of the spinal motion segment is weakened.The connection becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process in the disc worsens, herniation (prolapse) begins - leakage of the nucleus pulposus through cracks in the fibrous ring.The pain becomes periodic.

  • Stage 3

    Next, the intervertebral disc is permanently damaged.The nucleus pulposus of the disc extends beyond the annulus fibrosus.The resulting hernia can impinge on the nerve roots.An inflammatory process develops.This is manifested by an exacerbation of pain, the so-called radicular syndrome.

  • Stage 4

    In the fourth stage, the lesion affects nearby tissues.Compression of the radicular artery is possible, which leads to insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, a section of the spine can become completely immobilized.

First signs and main symptoms

At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, discomfort, limitation of movement, and pain in the neck area appear.Often this is not given importance.

Over time, the pain intensifies, becomes aching, burning, headache, neck, shoulder blades, shoulders hurt - perhaps this is developing vertebral artery syndrome.The artery becomes pinched or spasmed, and blood flow is disrupted.

At stages 1–2 of cervical osteochondrosis, ophthalmological problems associated with spasm in the vessels often arise.Darkening in the eyes, flickering, the appearance of “floaters”, colored spots before the eyes - all these are symptoms of osteochondrosis.

The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Migraines, dizziness, nausea and cough;
  • Hearing impairment, pain in the ear, face;
  • Motor disorders in the arms and legs.The sensitivity of the skin on the head may disappear;
  • Pain in hand.If a nerve root is pinched, then the entire area to which it sends impulses may hurt or “fall out.”

In addition to the above symptoms, three main pain syndromes can be distinguished:accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.A syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms.Determining the leading pain syndrome is important, since the entire treatment regimen is based on eliminating pain.But it is impossible to eliminate it without knowing its origin.

  1. Myofascial syndrome- pain in skeletal muscles and adjacent fascia.The disorder is associated with overload, which causes spasm, hypertonicity, and painful nodes inside the muscle (trigger points).
  2. Radicular syndrome- pain caused by prolonged compression of the spinal nerve roots.The process of hernia formation in spinal osteochondrosis leads to pinched nerve fibers and a subsequent inflammatory reaction.The pain spreads along the nerve.
  3. Facet syndrome- pain in the vertebral joints.The vertebrae from the second cervical have articular processes that are connected to each other by facet joints.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases, and this leads to the fact that the articular capsules of the facet joints are in constant tension.It causes pain.Moreover, the pain increases towards the end of the day, especially with prolonged forced posture.

Causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine

One of the key causes of osteochondrosis is the evolutionary unadaptability of the spine to high vertical loads.Human ancestors walked on four legs, like other mammals.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis, since in a horizontal position of the body the intradiscal pressure is two times less than in a vertical position.By the standards of evolution, the transition to upright posture occurred not so long ago, and the spine simply did not have time to adapt to the high vertical load.So, along with upright walking, a person also acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The structure of the human neck makes it even more vulnerable.The human cervical region consists of seven small movable vertebrae, which are articulated with each other like a children's pyramid.This structure can hardly be called stable outside of a state of rest.In addition, the muscle frame in this area is weak, and the loads can be high - all this makes the neck vulnerable.Any injury is fraught with consequences.Even if the damage was in another part of the spine, redistribution of the load can be the cause of osteochondrosis.

Another factor is aging.The formation of the skeleton and cartilage tissue is completed by the age of 21, and after that the irreversible process of aging (degeneration) begins.Nutrition of cartilage tissue is carried out only through diffusion, and if the intervertebral disc does not receive enough nutrients, it begins to gradually deteriorate.

In addition, the development of cervical osteochondrosis is promoted by:

  1. Autoimmune diseases.They involve the body's own cells in the pathological process of destruction of cartilage tissue.
  2. Infections, hormonal imbalance, slow metabolism - all these circulatory disorders can also serve as factors in the development of osteochondrosis.
  3. A sedentary lifestyle, working conditions in which a person spends most of his time in a forced static position.
  4. High loads leading to injury can lead to compression.
  5. Genetic defects associated with weakness of the musculoskeletal system and inferiority of cartilage tissue.

The spinal canal in the cervical spine is very narrow, so high loads, any disorder or injury can lead to compression of the spinal cord.And this is very dangerous.

In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass through this area.If blood stops flowing to the brain in the proper volume, a stroke may occur.

Diagnostics

During the initial diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor collects the patient’s medical history.He finds out what it hurts and how, with what intensity, during exercise or at rest, at what time of day it hurts more, whether there have been injuries to the cervical spine.

During an examination of the neck, the doctor feels the cervical vertebrae and muscles, lymph nodes;assesses range of motion, excludes or confirms radicular syndrome.

After this, to exclude autoimmune diseases, laboratory diagnostics are prescribed: general blood count, ESR, rheumatoid factor, HLA B27 antigen.

The main role in making a diagnosis is played by radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

  • Radiographyhelps to assess the condition of bone structures; soft tissues and cartilage are not displayed on the images.To visualize these structures, a contrast agent is injected: angiography, discography, myelography.
  • Computed tomography (CT).This method also uses the principle of radiography, but with the help of computer processing it is possible to obtain a series of images of longitudinal and transverse sections in which bone and cartilage tissue can be seen.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).It is the “gold standard” in the diagnosis of pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissue.MRI provides insight not only into the structure of organs and tissues, but also into their functioning.In the case of osteochondrosis, a frequent complication is a hernia of the spine.MRI allows you to diagnose the process of hernia formation in the early stages.

Treatment

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine comes down to conservative methods.First, the pain syndrome is relieved, and then various procedures are prescribed.But in the most extreme cases, when the pain does not go away for more than three months and medications do not help, surgery is the only option.

Non-surgical treatment methods

Osteochondrosis has affected the osteochondrosis system for many years, so treatment will take time.You need to be patient.Objectives of conservative treatment:

  1. Eliminate pain.
  2. Relieve inflammation.
  3. Restore the functions of the spinal roots.
  4. Strengthen the muscle corset and ligaments.

Conservative treatment includes drug therapy and physical therapy.Medicines help relieve pain during exacerbation, and physiotherapy helps to launch the body’s self-healing processes.

During severe pain with radicular syndrome, so-called “blockades” are performed: the drug is administered in close proximity to the inflamed spinal nerve root.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is based on natural and artificially recreated physical factors: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser and others.To recreate them, special devices, devices, and manual techniques are used.

  • Laser therapy— biological activation of intervertebral disc regeneration processes.The body begins to heal itself.
  • Plasma therapy (PRP therapy)- injections of plasma isolated from the patient’s blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors, and hormones.After injections, local immunity increases and regeneration processes are launched.
  • Acupuncture- stimulation of nerve endings with special needles.Improves metabolism in affected areas, relieves pain.
  • Shock wave therapy- exposure to high-frequency waves.Allows you to launch natural recovery processes.
  • Kinesitherapy- movement therapy.It can be active (physical therapy) and passive (massage, traction).Exercise therapy strengthens the back muscles, traction relieves tension and pain.Selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
  • Manual therapy and massage- impact on soft tissues and joints in order to restore balance in the body and synchronize processes.Restore mobility and eliminate pain.
  • Taping- gluing special patches to the skin in places where it is necessary to influence muscle stretch and compression receptors.It can both relax and enhance tone.

During periods of acute pain, the patient is recommended to wear special bandages and collars around the neck to relieve the load on the spine.

The positive effect of conservative treatment is achieved within 2–3 months.If there is no result, the patient is recommended to undergo surgery.

Surgical methods for treating osteochondrosis

Surgery in the case of cervical osteochondrosis is an extreme measure that requires special indications.Surgery is recommended if:

  1. The pain cannot be relieved by therapeutic treatment for more than 3 months.
  2. There is a herniated disc.
  3. Loss of sensation in the limb.

Post-operative rehabilitation also takes time and may include therapeutic treatment.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.It cannot be left untreated.Such serious disorders in the musculoskeletal system can lead to disability.Neck pain can become chronic, and osteochondrosis can spread to several parts of the spine.Timely prevention can prevent the development of this disease.

Prevention

To keep your cervical spine healthy, daily physical activity is necessary.Nutrition of the intervertebral discs occurs during movement, so it is extremely necessary.It is important that the loads are optimal and regular.

If the work involves constantly being in a static position, periodic warm-up is necessary.And at home after a working day, you can lie on your back for a while on a flat surface, placing a cushion under your neck.This method will help restore the cervical curve of the spine and remove muscle tension.

In the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, correct posture during sleep is important.If a person gets up in the morning with neck pain, it means that the muscles have not had time to rest and recover.An orthopedic pillow will help here, which is selected individually for 3–5 years.