Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic spinal disease, in which the lesion of the intervertebral discs in the form of their deformation, reduction of height, and stratification is noted. The manifestations of this pathology are diverse, but they can be combined into several syndromes. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, changes in the intervertebral discs surrounding their structures, several stages of osteochondrosis are distinguished. Before treating osteochondrosis of the cervical region, it is important to find out why various drugs, physiotherapeutic and surgical methods are needed.
General information
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine most often develops in people over 35 years old, but sometimes its manifestations are observed at the age of 18-30 years. The cervical spine consists of vertebrae, the most mobile of them is usually affected-the 5th, 6th, 7th.
Between the vertebrae are intervertebral discs, which are a special shape of the most durable cartilaginous bone connection. They provide the ability of the spinal column to withstand significant loads and its mobility.
Each intervertebral disk consists of:
- Pulpoose (jacket) nucleus, which is a gel -like mass.
- Fibrous dense ring surrounding the core of the disk.
- Two thin plates of white fibrous cartilage covering the discs from above and below.
Intervertebral discs are connected to the bodies of the vertebrae using a ligamentous apparatus.
The causes of osteochondrosis
In people over 20 years old, vessels feeding intervertebral discs are overgrown. In the future, these structures receive all the necessary substances by diffusion from a number of arranged vertebrae, but often these processes are insufficient for normal metabolism in the discs.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine most often develops under the influence of:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Anatomical anomalies of the cervical region.
- Overweight.
- A sedentary lifestyle associated with sedentary work, the lack of physical exertion.
- Trauma of the spine in the neck, including bruises, fractures.
- Metabolic disorders in the body.
- Age -related changes.
- Excessive physical exertion.
- Frequent psycho -emotional stress.
These factors exacerbate violated nutrition of the intervertebral discs. As a result of this, the pulpose nucleus is flattened, they become less elastic. The load on fibrous rings increases, which is accompanied by their stretching, the formation of cracks in them.
Against the background of such degenerative changes, the intervertebral disk can protrude towards the spinal canal. The irritation of the posterior longitudinal ligament rich in nerve endings is accompanied by local pains.
With the progression of the disease, a rupture of the posterior longitudinal ligament occurs, the intervertebral disc is protruded into the cerebrospinal canal, this condition is called hernia. At the same time, rooster syndrome is developing, caused by irritation of the nearest cerebrospinal spine, local autoimmune inflammation. If the radicular-spinae artery is squeezed, the blood supply to the spinal cord is disturbed.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is accompanied by the formation of osteofites - outgrowths from bone tissue on bodies, processes of vertebrae. These formations can also squeeze the roots of the spinal nerves or spinal cord.
The first signs
Osteochondrosis of the cervical-thoracic department at the initial stage is accompanied by tension, rapid fatigue of the muscles of this area. Subsequently, discomfort, pain in the nape, neck, shoulders, intensifying during inclinations, turns of the head are joined.
Dizziness, headaches - another first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women, men. Sometimes a person experiences pain, a feeling of numbness, tingling in his hands after a night sleep.
The main symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is most often characterized by:
- radicular syndrome;
- vertebral artery syndrome;
- Cardiological syndrome.
Some people have reflex dystrophic syndromes, Discogenic cervical myelopathy. Disorders in the emotional sphere, panic attacks with cervical osteochondrosis are also often noted.
Rook syndrome
The manifestations of the radicular syndrome are caused by the compression (compression) of the root of the spinal nerves of the hernia of the intervertebral discs, the osteophytes of the bodies, the processes of the vertebrae themselves. As a result of the compression of the nerve fibers, a local inflammatory reaction develops, which is accompanied by pain through the cold of the affected nerve.
Therefore, with cervical osteochondrosis, symptoms such as pain in the neck, hands, areas of the back occur. Unpleasant sensations may be noted in the heart, stomach. If the pain in the neck remain constantly, intensifies when turning, tilting of the head, this condition is called Cervicalgia. Also, pain can have the character of Lumbago, give in the hand, they are called Servicio.
In those areas that innervates the affected nerve, there is a pronounced decrease in sensitivity. The muscles in this area become weaker, their atrophy may be noted, which is accompanied by a decrease in their volume.
Vail artery syndrome
The vertebral artery is a paired blood vessel that provides blood supply to the brain by 15-30%. When squeezing the vertebral artery, various chronic manifestations of oxygen insufficiency in the central nervous system are noted by the altered intervertebral discs, the growth of vertebrae.
In the development of this state, 2 stages are distinguished: functional, organic (ischemic). In the first of them, the main symptoms of the syndrome of the vertebral artery with cervical osteochondrosis are frequent headaches. They become more pronounced in the movements of the head, as well as while maintaining one position for a long time. The pains are aching or pulsating, felt in the occipital, temporal, frontal areas.
Dizziness for cervical osteochondrosis is also characteristic of the functional stage of this syndrome. Its intensity is different: from a feeling of instability to a feeling of sudden fall or quick rotation of the body. Sometimes hearing is reduced, a person can be disturbed by the noise in the ears. Visual disorders are noted in the form of flies, flashes in front of the eyes.
With the progression of pathology, the ischemic stage occurs. It is characterized by temporary cerebral circulation disorders in the form of transient ischemic attacks, the occurrence of which is often provoked by a quick tilt or turning of the head.
Several options for the syndrome of the vertebral artery are distinguished, with cervical osteochondrosis, the manifestations of which have their own characteristics:
- Drop attack.
- Barre-Lieou syndrome (rear cervical syndrome, cervical migraine).
- Basial migraine.
- Syncopa Vertebral Syndrome.
- Ophthalmic syndrome.
- Vegetative dysfunction syndrome.
- Ophthalmic syndrome.
- Kochleo-investbular syndrome.
- Transient ischemic attacks.
With a drop attack, a person suddenly falls, throws back his head, cannot move. Losses of consciousness are not noted, the ability to move independently after a few minutes. This condition is caused by insufficient blood flow to the cerebellum, the brain trunk.
Cervical migraine syndrome occurs due to compression of the alternated interpretations or osteophytes of nervous plexuses surrounding the vertebral arteries. This condition is characterized by stupid headaches, which periodically become pulsating. They usually arise if you have to maintain a forced position of the head for a long time, for example, this often happens after sleep on an uncomfortable pillow, when working at the computer. Such headaches for osteochondrosis of the cervical region become stronger during descent, climbing the stairs, shaking while driving in transport, fast walking. The pains are located on the one hand in the occipital region, apply to the front parts of the head. They can persist from several minutes to hours.
Manifestations of Syncopa Vertebral syndrome occur due to insufficient oxygen intake to the reticular formation of the brain. This condition is accompanied by a short -term fainting, with a long stay of the head, neck in a forced position.
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women, men in the form of pain, the feeling of sand in the eyes, sparks in front of them are some of the manifestations of an ophthalmic syndrome. There is a decrease in visual acuity, which is more pronounced with increased load on the eyes, a partial loss of vision fields is possible. Closure occurs, the redness of the conjunctiva is noticeable.
The attack of basic migraine begins with a decrease in the vision of both eyes, noise in the ears, impaired gait, lubrication of speech. Dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis of this variant of the course is also noted. Then there is a severe headache in the occipital region, accompanied by vomiting, the attack ends with a loss of consciousness.
With the development of a cochleo-investbular syndrome, when involving the pathological process of the vertebral artery in the ears, a person notes a decrease in hearing, and a perception of whispering speech is especially difficult. The feeling of the instability of your body in space, a sense of rotation of the nearby objects.
Vegetative dysfunction syndrome reflects disorders in the work of the autonomic nervous system in response to squeezing the vertebral artery, nerve fibers located around it. It is characterized by a feeling of heat, bouts of chills, increased sweating. The feet, palms become cold, wet by touch, and stitching pains in the heart. The vegetative symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men, women usually accompany the manifestations of other syndromes.
Transer ischemic attacks are suddenly arising attacks of impaired coordination of movements, severe dizziness, speech impairment, nausea, and vomiting. If a person takes a horizontal position, these manifestations are usually reduced. After such an attack, a headache, weakness, flies, flashes in front of the eyes, noise in the ears are preserved for some time.
Sometimes there is an increase in blood pressure with cervical osteochondrosis, which is also a consequence of squeezing the vertebral artery. As a result of this, the area of the brain, which is responsible for regulation of pressure, is lacking oxygen. The same nervous impulses arise in it as with reduced blood pressure, under the influence of which it increases sharply.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis
As degenerative-dystrophic changes in intervertebral discs develop, osteochondrosis in its development passes several stages.
Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree of the cervical region (preclinical stage)
Osteochondrosis of the cervical-thoracic department at this stage is accompanied by muscle tension, discomfort. There is a slight smoothness of the cervical lordosis (physiological bending of the spine in the form of its bulge forward). Sometimes pain occurs in this area, a temporary decrease in sensitivity in the collar zone is possible.
Osteochondrosis 2 degrees
There is a feeling of weakness in the hands, numbness of the skin of the face, neck, also decreases sensitivity in the upper limbs. Vision deteriorates, noise in the ears is noted.
Osteochondrosis 3 degrees
At this stage, there is a rupture of the intervertebral disc with or without its formation. The pain in the neck, the collar zone becomes more pronounced, permanent, is given into their hands.
Osteochondrosis 4 degrees
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, not only intervertebral discs, vertebrae, but also nerve fibers, blood vessels are involved in the pathological process, sometimes the spinal cord, muscles, joints of the upper half of the body are affected. Symptoms of the disease are diverse, resemble signs of other pathological conditions. If the manifestations of osteochondrosis occur, you must immediately consult a doctor in order to undergo an examination.
First aid for severe pain
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the event of severe pains should first be aimed at stopping them. For this, drugs with painkillers are used. They are taken inside, to achieve a faster effect with cervical osteochondrosis, injections of solutions of these drugs are recommended.
Sometimes a pepper patch is used, this tool irritates skin receptors, improves blood circulation in the use zone. As a result of such a distracting action, the experienced pains seem less pronounced.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women, men with physiotherapy is aimed at:
- elimination of pain;
- reduction of inflammation;
- relaxation of spasmodic muscles;
- improvement of metabolic processes, blood supply in the affected area;
- The release of roots of spinal nerves infringed with osteophytes (bone growths on the vertebrae).
Massage begins with stroking the collar zone in the direction from the spine to SupraClavicular, Axillar to areas. Then the squeezes are performed, for this the masseur puts his hand with an edge perpendicular to the spine, moves it from top to bottom. In the future, in order to warm up the muscles, improve local blood flow, rubbing is used. Fingers are performed by straight, circular movements, starting from the base of the skull. Then, in a circular movement, the muscles are kneaded in the area of the collar area. To complete the massage, vibrational movements in the form of concussions are used, as well as stroking.