Dizziness, pressure fluctuations, fainting, heart pain - all of this is often due to problems with the spine.80% of the population suffers from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of varying severity, and according to statistics, men become ill earlier than women: at the age of 45-50.If treatment is not started early, the pathology becomes irreversible.
What is Osteochondrosis?
The pathology is associated with degenerative changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, in which the soft tissue becomes hard and its value decreases.
Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic and lumbar spine, but most often the cervical spine.The reason is high loads on vertebrae 1-7, weak muscles, poor nutrition and choosing the wrong pillow for sleeping.
Mechanism of injury to the cervical vertebrae
Osteochondrosis occurs when the nutritional process of cartilage tissue and mineral metabolism are disrupted.The strength of bones and joints decreases and ligaments lose their elasticity.The shape and structure of the intervertebral disc changes and it collapses under the influence of stress.The vortices are brought closer together, their surfaces are erased.Pathology causes the following complications:
- Compression of the vessels passing through the 1st to 7th vertebrae leads to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) to the brain.
- Development of dysfunctions of the respiratory system, blood vessels, heart, loss of vision.
- Poor blood flow to the brain leads to neurocirculatory (vegetative-vascular) dystonia.
- Decreased mobility of the neck – due to the formation of bone formations on the vertebrae.
- Impaired cerebellar function and compression of the spinal cord lead to death in advanced stages of the disease.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis
The pathology develops slowly.In the preclinical stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and they exert pressure on the soft intervertebral disc.It also becomes thinner, the fiber ring is destroyed, and its core bulges.A protrusion forms, then a hernia.The vertebrae rub against each other, change shape and growths form on them.Nerves and blood vessels are pinched.
Initial stage of cervical osteochondrosis
Cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, the capsule ruptures and the nucleus pulposus is damaged.Cervical osteochondrosis becomes noticeable when turning the head, when nerve endings are pinched, blood vessels narrow, and blood flow is impaired.Pain occurs in the back of the head and the back muscles tire quickly.
Level 2 pathology
The degenerative process in the intervertebral discs develops, the capsular ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae decreases, they become unstable and pinch the nerve roots of the spinal cord.The flexibility and mobility of the neck decrease.At this stage the disease can still be treated without surgery.
The final stages of osteochondrosis of the neck
At stage 3 of pathology, a herniated disc develops, leading to an inguinal hernia;the pulpar ring protrudes and bulges.The cervical vertebrae and their axis are displaced and the nutrition of the brain suffers.In addition, at the last (3 and 4) stages of pathology, the following processes begin:
- Intervertebral discs are destroyed, which are replaced by connective tissue;
- mobility of the neck and shoulder joints disappears;
- as a result of friction, growths form on the surface of the vertebrae and nerve fibers are injured;
- The sensitivity of the hands decreases due to innervation problems.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The patient's condition depends on the stage of the disease.Initially, there is rarely pain when turning or lowering the head as well as tension in the back muscles.Afterwards, the person feels constant fatigue.The pain becomes stronger and more frequent.Then weakness, dizziness, ringing in the ears occur and visual acuity decreases.All signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are divided into 3 groups:
- Irritable reflex syndromes– neurodystrophic, muscle tonic and vegetative-vascular manifestations.
- Compression radicular– are associated with compression of nerve endings;One of the main symptoms is acute pain when turning the head.
- Vertebral artery syndrome– occurs when a vessel that supplies brain structures narrows.
Neurotic disorders
The brain is poorly supplied with blood, its function and the state of the nervous system are disturbed.I often have headaches and suffer from insomnia, which causes fatigue and apathy.Then the following symptoms appear:
- increased sweating;
- emotional lability (mood instability);
- increased irritability;
- Dizziness;
- Depression;
- difficulty concentrating;
- tinnitus;
- “flies” before the eyes;
- Fear;
- trembling (trembling) of the limbs;
- panic attacks;
- Disorders of the vestibular system: nausea, vomiting, gait instability, disorientation in space, loss of coordination.
General clinical symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae causes headaches and impaired vision.In stage 2 of pathology, patients complain of ringing in the ears, a lump in the throat, weakness of the arm muscles and numbness of the tongue.When turning the neck and tilting the head, a crunching sound is heard and black dots appear in front of the eyes.Other symptoms associated with vertebral artery syndrome include:
- migraine that extends from the back of the head to the forehead;
- darkening before the eyes;
- sore scalp;
- hearing loss;
- increase in blood pressure;
- Tingling in the fingers.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women
The clinical picture does not depend on gender, although women aged 45 to 65 are more likely to experience numbness in the limbs during sleep, tingling and pain in the arms.The attacks repeat several times at night.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The pathology develops under the influence of a high load on the vertebrae, which causes muscle spasms.This often leads to sitting work – at the computer, in the vehicle.
People with poor posture are at risk.Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
- physical inactivity – lack of physical activity, low activity;
- weakness of the neck muscles;
- hereditary predisposition;
- spinal injuries;
- Rheumatism;
- excessive physical activity, heavy lifting;
- poor diet;
- metabolic disorders;
- frequent hypothermia of the throat;
- age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, cartilage tissue;
- congenital anomalies of the cervical spine;
- autoimmune diseases that affect cartilage tissue;
- obesity;
- Vertebral instability.
diagnosis
The doctor examines the patient's complaints, assesses posture and muscle tension.The diagnosis is clarified by an x-ray of the neck in 4 projections: the image shows the location of the vertebrae and displacements.The stage of the disease and hidden pathologies are revealed using the following methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging– the most effective method, it shows in detail degenerative changes in the bones, hernias, protrusions, fractures of the fibrous ring.It can be prescribed instead of x-rays, but the examination is expensive.
- Ultrasound duplex scanning– to assess circulatory disorders in the arteries.
- Computed tomography– does not provide information about the size and zones of hernias and is prescribed in the early stages to detect narrowing of the vertebral space, displacement of the neck segments and marginal growths of bone tissue.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The goals of therapy are to restore blood circulation and tissue nutrition, eliminate symptoms of hypoxia, and prevent destruction of vertebrae and intervertebral discs.It is important to strengthen the muscular corset that supports the neck and restore mobility to the joints.Treatment tactics are selected depending on the stage of the disease:
- Initially – massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation.
- Osteochondrosis stage 2-3 – drug treatment, therapeutic exercises, massage.
- Irreversible degenerative changes with destruction and deformation of the vertebrae – surgical intervention and symptomatic drug therapy.
- Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondrosis – injections or tablets of drugs that relieve pain and spasms.
Help with severe pain
Apply pepper plasters or warming ointments locally to the neck.Active warming of a separate area distracts from pain and increases blood flow to the tissues.The ointments are applied very thinly using an applicator.Other ways to relieve pain in osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics in tablet form – have average effectiveness and are contraindicated for problems with blood clotting.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - tablets are taken when analgesics do not have an effect, as this group of drugs negatively affects the stomach and liver.
- Injections – administered for severe acute pain, the effect occurs after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injections, NSAIDs and myotropic antispasmodics are used.In severe cases, a blockage is performed.
Conservative therapy methods for neck osteochondrosis
In stages 1-2 of the disease without symptoms of brain hypoxia, treatment is carried out at home.The basis of the therapy is gymnastics and massage.They improve blood circulation and strengthen the muscles.Other methods:
- Drug therapy – oral medications and injections for exacerbations, ointments and creams at other times.
- Physiotherapy – courses with 7-10 procedures during remission.
- Folk remedies – as an additional method of treating osteochondrosis.
- Diet therapy – Foods rich in fatty acids, magnesium and calcium are included in the diet.Avoid salt, smoked foods, pickled and spicy foods, and fast food.
Medication
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during an exacerbation is aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms, stimulating blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
During the remission period, drugs are used that improve the quality of cartilage and prevent the collapse of the vertebrae.Medications are used internally and locally.The most important fund groups are:
- Muscle relaxants– Relieve muscle spasms, relieve pain, use for a month.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)– Applied locally and internally, relieves pain and swelling.Tablets are used no longer than 10 days.
- Analgesics– relieve pain, but do not relieve inflammation and have a weaker effect than NSAIDs.
- Chondroprotectors– Protect and restore cartilage tissue.
- Sedatives– is often prescribed to women in whom osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is complicated by severe neurotic disorders.
- Nootropics– affect cerebral blood flow and help combat dizziness.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes– Improvement of metabolism in nervous tissue.
Non-medicinal
During remission, treatment of neck osteochondrosis is based on local procedures that improve blood circulation and metabolism, as well as relieve pain and inflammation.The patient does gymnastics every day, the plan of which is drawn up by the doctor.The main treatment methods are:
- Manual therapy– Straightening the vertebral position and strengthening it through massage.A course with 5-10 sessions takes place 2-4 times a year.At home, a light massage with stroking and rubbing the neck and collar area from top to bottom for 7-10 minutes is allowed to relieve muscle spasms.
- Electrophoresis with medication– To relieve pain and improve blood circulation, medications are used that use electricity to quickly reach the desired point.
- Magnetic field therapy– aims to relieve swelling.
- acupuncture– improves blood circulation, relieves inflammation.Conducted in courses of 8-10 sessions every 1-2 days.
- Shants collar- a controversial method of eliminating the symptoms of osteochondrosis, as the muscles are relieved, but not strengthened.The product fixes the neck and stretches the spine, increasing the distance between its segments.You wear the collar 3 hours a day for a month.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Outside periods of exacerbation, the patient is recommended to perform therapeutic exercises.Strong head tilts forwards and backwards, rotations are prohibited.Each exercise lasts no more than a minute, without any sudden movements or jerks.If discomfort or pain occurs, stop the activity.Proven exercises for the cervical spine:
- Slowly turn your head to the right and left while constantly looking at a point in front of you: This is how you control the small amplitude of movement.Do this 10-15 times in each direction, gradually increasing to 30.
- Place your palm on your forehead and press on it as you try to tilt your head forward.Count to 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
- Place your right palm on your left temple and press down to tilt your head toward your shoulder.Count to 5, let go.Do this 10 times on each side.
- Lie on your stomach and stretch your arms along your body.Lift your head slightly and slowly rotate it so that your ear touches the floor.Do 10 movements on each side.
Surgical methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
If the nerve roots are affected, there is a fracture with a broken ring, the vertebrae are destroyed and the main therapy does not show a result, surgery is performed.
Symptoms of a serious illness: arm paralysis, muscle wasting, stroke.
Main treatment methods:
- Facetectomy– endoscopic removal of the joints with subsequent fixation of the immobile vertebrae.
- Discectomy with spinal fusion– mandatory for serious deforming changes.During the operation, the intervertebral disc is removed and the vertebrae fuse together to prevent their destruction.Disadvantages: The mobility of the cervical spine is limited and rehabilitation is lengthy.
- Spinal fusion– Removal of fragments of the destroyed intervertebral disc, bone processes, insertion of an artificial transplant and fixation of the vertebrae with screws.The recovery period is one year; the patient is recommended to wear a corset.
- Corpectomy– The removal of a destroyed vertebra and the surrounding intervertebral discs is carried out when other methods have no effect.
Folk remedies for cervical osteochondrosis
If pain is severe, take 1 teaspoon.Alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and rub the areas to the left and right of the spine (do not touch the column itself) for 3-5 minutes.This happens 1-2 times a day.Other folk recipes in addition to basic therapy:
- Pour 500 g of knotweed with water (2 l), bring to the boil and let stand.Pour the cooled broth through gauze into the prepared bath and leave for 15-20 minutes.The procedure is carried out at night, it relaxes and calms you.Course – 7-10 sessions.
- Mix 1 tbsp.l.Birch buds, St. John's wort, mint leaves.Grind, add a glass of water and cook for 5 minutes.Strain, mix with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply a thin layer of ointment to the neck, cover it with polyethylene and a scarf.Keep for one hour.The procedures are carried out daily for 2 weeks.
- Pour vodka (600 ml) into 100 g of elderberries.Leave in a cold place for a week.Rub this remedy on your throat twice a day for 10-15 days.
Prevention
Patients over 40 years old should take calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and magnesium supplements every six months - they improve the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.The diet includes fatty fish, shrimp, mussels, nuts, legumes, spinach, cheese and milk.Other preventive measures:
- When working while sitting, change the position of your neck more often and stretch it every hour.
- Choose a comfortable pillow;
- swimming, doing yoga;
- Avoid weight lifting, sports that involve jumping and running.
- Avoid hypothermia of the neck.