Cervical osteochondrosis is a common pathology associated with unpleasant symptoms. The disease is characterized by degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine. They are caused by improper body position, behavioral disorders, not very active lifestyle. To reduce the symptoms of pathology, you should consult your doctor in time.
What is cervical osteochondrosis?
This term is understood as a progressive degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs, which are located in the cervical spine. As a result, there is deformation and depletion of vertebral bodies. This leads to impaired blood circulation and nerve conduction in the neck.
The disease can be isolated or combined with damage to other parts of the spine - the waist or chest. According to ICD-10, cervical osteochondrosis of the spine is coded under code M42.
Possible complications of the disease
Many people are interested in the risk of cervical osteochondrosis. In the absence of a timely and adequate therapy, the pathology can lead to negative health consequences. These include the following:
- intervertebral disc protrusion and hernia formation;
- rupture of the disc with compression of nerves and blood vessels - if the spinal cord is compressed, there is a risk of death;
- radiculopathy;
- appearance of osteophytes;
- paresis and paralysis.
Main symptoms and signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The disease develops gradually and is initially asymptomatic. Therefore, diagnosis is often made in advanced cases. The main symptoms of the pathology include the following:
- Pain in the neck and occipital region that is aggravated by physical exertion or coughing.
- Pulling head movements.
- Loss of sensation in the hands, burning in the area of the shoulder blades.
- Headaches that localize to the neck and spread to the temples.
- General weakness, increased fatigue.
- Decreased visual acuity.
- Tinitusi.
- Hearing impairment.
- Increased heart rate.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The first signs of the disease usually appear after 35 years. However, in recent years, the pathology began to develop at a younger age - 18-30 years. Most often, the problem is encountered by people who need to be in a position for a long time.
The main causes of cervical osteochondrosis include the following:
- hereditary tendency;
- violation of metabolic processes;
- infectious diseases, intoxication of the body;
- dietary concerns - lack of fluids, vitamins, trace elements;
- overweight;
- traumatic spinal cord injuries;
- poor behavior;
- spinal instability;
- not so active lifestyle;
- flat feet;
- the impact of adverse environmental factors;
- frequent changes in body position;
- being in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- excessive physical activity;
- hypothermia;
- stressful situations;
- using the wrong sleeping pillows.
What are the different degrees of the disease?
The disease develops gradually. There are 4 degrees of cervical osteochondrosis, each of which has specific characteristics:
- The first is associated with the appearance of cracks in the intervertebral discs. This process is accompanied by mild aching pain, stiffness of movements. The pathology has a wavy flow. With deterioration of the immune system or an increase in load, osteochondrosis worsens. If you do not take timely action, there is a risk of worsening the abnormal process.
- Second - at this stage, the destruction of the intervertebral discs continues and their elongation is observed. This process is accompanied by scratching of the nerve endings. A person has constant pain that increases with movement. At this stage, there is a decrease in working ability, numbness appears in the hands.
- The third is associated with the appearance of an intervertebral hernia. In such a situation, muscle tissue and nerve endings are involved in the pathological process. As a result, there is pain in the neck and occipital region, a feeling of weakness in the hands. With vascular lesions, there is a risk of decreased visual acuity, dizziness, and tinnitus. Sometimes the disease leads to pallor.
- Fourth - this stage is associated with bone growth. As a result, the pressure on the nerve endings increases. With this form of osteochondrosis, the mobility of the neck is reduced, the spine becomes less flexible. As a result, a person can not perform simple head movements.
Why should you see a doctor right away?
If you experience symptoms of osteochondrosis, you should immediately consult a neurologist or orthopedist. Otherwise, the pathology will cause dangerous health consequences.
First of all, the doctor should assess the physical activity and intensity of the neck pain. Also, the specialist is interested in loss of sensitivity and other disorders.
Based on the results of the preliminary examination, additional procedures are described. First of all, radiography is performed. It is done in several predictions. If a hernia is suspected, CT or magnetic resonance imaging may be required. If there is a violation of blood flow, it becomes necessary to perform rheoencephalography and examination of the fundus.
Treatment is prescribed based on the results of the diagnostic examination. With the development of cervical osteochondrosis, the following categories of drugs are most commonly used:
- Analgesics - help to cope with pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate inflammation and counteract bloating.
- Antispasmodics - help relieve muscle spasms.
- Preparations to improve blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors - help restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
- B vitamins - improve the functioning of nerve tissue.
In addition to drug therapy, other methods are described. These include massage, remedial gymnastics, physiotherapy. The use of osteopathy is very effective. In this case, a gentle effect is performed on the affected muscles and vertebrae. In some cases, the doctor is advised to wear a special orthopedic device - the Shants collar.
Manual therapy is considered an effective way to treat pathology. Its methods are chosen individually. The procedure consists of a point effect on the musculoskeletal elements. Thanks to this, it is possible to activate blood flow, improve lymph movement and normalize metabolic processes. Manual therapy improves the mobility of the musculoskeletal system, strengthens the immune system and helps prevent complications of osteochondrosis.
Spine traction is often used. For stretching, special equipment is used. The procedure helps to increase the distance between the vertebrae to normal size and to cope with disorders in the structure of the spine.
If acute osteochondrosis of the cervix is observed and intervertebral hernias appear, which provoke decreased sensitivity and impaired blood circulation, there is a need for surgical intervention.
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the osteochondrosis. Most often, the therapy is performed in long courses. To improve your condition, you should definitely make adjustments in your lifestyle. To do this, you need to eat well, give up bad habits and play sports.
Prevention of neck osteochondrosis
To prevent the onset of cervical osteochondrosis, you should adhere to certain recommendations:
- timely eliminate spinal curvature;
- engage in sports to form a muscular corset;
- eats foods that give the body calcium and magnesium;
- normalize body weight;
- follow doctors' recommendations when working on a computer.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious pathology that leads to negative health consequences. To cope with the violation, it is necessary to establish the correct diagnosis in time. Therefore, any discomfort in the neck area should be a reason to see a doctor.
How is the treatment going?
Doctor consultation: taking anamnesis, myofascial diagnosis, functional diagnosis.
How are you?
Collection of anamnesis - analysis of the disease, identification of limitations and contraindications, explanation of the principles of kinesitherapy, features of the recovery period.
Myofascial diagnosis is a method of manual diagnosis in which the doctor assesses the range of motion of the joints, identifies painful seals, edema, hypo- or muscle hypertension, and other changes.
Functional diagnosis (performed in the rehabilitation room) - the doctor explains how to perform certain exercises on the equipment and notes: how the patient performs them, with what amplitude movement can work, which movements cause pain, with what weight canwork patient, cardiovascular system reacts. Problem areas have been identified. The data is entered on the card. Emphasis is placed.
Based on the results of the initial examination by a physician and functional diagnosis, a preliminary individual treatment program is developed.
it is desirable to have with you:
- for back pain - MRI or CT (magnetic resonance or computed tomography) of the problem area;
- for joint pain - x-rays;
- in the presence of concomitant diseases - extracts from medical history or an outpatient card;
- comfortable (sports) clothes and shoes
Start classes with an instructor
At the beginning of the treatment cycle, the doctor together with the patient drafts a treatment plan, which includes the date and time of the treatment session, follow-up visits to the doctor (usually 2-3 times a week).
The basis of the treatment process consists of treatment sessions in the rehabilitation room on training equipment and sessions in the gym.
Rehabilitation simulators allow you to accurately dose the load on individual muscle groups, providing an adequate way of physical impact. The treatment program is compiled by the doctor individually for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of the organism. The control is performed by qualified instructors. At all stages of recovery, it is important to observe the technique of movement and correct breathing, to know your weight standards when working in simulators, to adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen and to follow the recommendations of specialists.
Joint gymnastics sessions help restore visual coordination, improve the movement and elasticity of the back joints, and is an excellent preventative system for independent use.
Each treatment cycle - 12 sessions. Each lesson is supervised by an instructor. The duration of a treatment session is from 40 minutes to 1. 5 hours. The instructor designs a program, taking into account the comorbidities and the patient's condition on the day of training. Learns the technique of performing exercises and monitors the correctness of execution. Every 6 hours, a second consultation with a doctor is performed, changes and additions are made to the program, depending on the dynamics.
How many loops will you need?
This is individual for each person and depends on the progression of the disease.
Important to know:
- how long have you had this problem (stage of the disease);
- how your body prepares for physical activity (do you do gymnastics, any kind of sport);
- what result do you want to get.
If the disease is at an early stage and the body is prepared, one cycle of treatment is sufficient. (example - young people 20-30 years old, engaged in sports. We focus their attention on the technique of performing exercises, breathing, stretching, excluding "wrong" exercises harmful to problem areas. Such patients aretrained, get the ability to "take care of their body" », Get recommendations in case of deterioration and continue to do it yourself).
Each organism is individual, and the program for each patient is individual.