Osteochondrosis is a pathological process that leads to dystrophic and structural disorders first in intervertebral discs and then on the vertebrae, spinal nerves, muscles, blood vessels and internal organs located nearby.
It can reach all parts of the spine - cervical, chest, lumbar and sacral.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon and, in terms of frequency, is inferior only to lumbar osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis in the cervical region continues at the stadium.Like any other pathology, without appropriate timely treatment, it progresses.Functional and structural changes in bone and cartilaginous tissue become increasingly pronounced, leading to complicated forms of the disease with sensitivity and limitation of movement.
Stages and degrees
In total, 4 stages of osteochondrosis in the cervical region are distinguished.At the same time, the concepts of "degree" and "internship" are often confused.Although they mean about the same thing, they are not totally identical.The stage displays structural disorders in the cervical spine, in nearby organs and tissues.And by degree means symptoms of osteochondrosis and patient complaints.With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the 1st degree clinical signs are minimal, but may be completely absent.The patient complains of poorly expressed pain in the neck (cervical), intensifying by rotating the head.In the exam, the local tension of the cervical muscles is observed.
The cervical region osteochondrosis of the second degree is accompanied by discogenic radiculitis.As a result of additional degenerative dystrophic changes in the intervertebral disc and fibrous capsule, the height of the gap between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result, the roots of the cervical spinal nerves are violated.Patients are concerned with pain in the point, intensifying with turns and tilt of the head.Pain syndrome can go beyond the cervical region and be accompanied by general weakness, a decrease in performance.
As a result of new pathological processes, leading to displacement and destruction of intervertebral discs, disc hernias are formed in the cervical region.Pain and sense of general weakness intensify, sensitive disorders and engines in the affected segment area join them.Osteochondrosis of the third degree cervical region is under development.
In the future, with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the 4th degree of the destroyed intervertebral disc is replaced by fibrous connective tissue.Due to the involvement of the vertebral artery in the pathological process of pain with sensitive and motor disorders, brain disorders join vertigo, impaired coordination and a feeling of touch in the ears.
Etiology
Before talking about the causes, or etiological factors of cervical osteochondrosis, some anatomical and physiological characteristics of this spine should be clarified.
These features are as follows:
- The neck is a mobile structure while bordering a relatively static thoracic spine.
- Cervical vertebrae 7 and segments 8. The "excess" segment appears due to Atlantois treatment.
- Cervical vertebrae have anatomically different structure, which is especially traced in the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, Atlanta and Axis.
- Vital communications pass the neck - trachea, esophagus, large vessels, including the vertebral artery that provides the brain.
The etiological factors that lead to pathological changes in the cervical region with the subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree are as follows:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Irrational nutrition with stroke and vitamin deficiency;
- Constant violation of the stance of school -age children, students, office officials;
- Frequent hypothermia, adverse microclimate of the house and in production;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Heredity.
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree cervical region, besides pain, include the tension of the cervical and spine muscles.Pain in the neck (cervicalgia) with a given degree of osteochondrosis can be point or spilled, spread beyond the neck to other anatomical areas - the rear and shoulder belt.Due to shortening of intervertebral gaps, muscles and ligaments fall.The action of the muscle structure weakens and is formed by the subluxation of the cervical region, as a result of which the disc changes in one direction or another.At the same time, pain can be clear and strong according to the (cervical) type of shutter after turning the neck head or extension.
In addition to pain, as already indicated, the tension of the cervical and spinal muscles is observed.Due to the fact that cervical vertebrae are not displaced from behind, but to the side, this stress is more often asymmetrical in nature and leads to impaired posture.In turn, impaired posture leads to additional deterioration in metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition from osteochondrosis to the third stage.
In 2 stages of cervical osteochondrosis, the vertebral artery has not yet been affected.However, at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of a feeling of weakness, quick fatigue and breakage.Sleep disorders are possible due to pain.
Types of Treatment
The treatment of 2nd degree cervical region osteochondrosis includes:
- Medicinal therapy,
- Physiotherapeutic procedures,
- Therapeutic gymnastics,
- Massage,
- Manual therapy.
Drug treatmentI aimed to eliminate cervicalgia, inflammation in the roots of cervical segments and the normalization of metabolic processes in cervical discs.Anesthesia is achieved oral analgesics.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this sense, intramuscular injections are more effective.With severe pain, you can use a special Chantsa collar.
AnesthesiaIt can be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process in cervical roots.In this sense, non -steroids anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in various forms of drugs -compressed, ointments, injections and compresses.In this sense, injections, ointments are very effective.A good anti -inflammatory effect is given by steroid hormones.
To restore affected cartilage, it is recommended to receive chondroprotectors.For the same purpose, the use of vitamin mineral complexes containing group B vitamins, C, and, together with zinc, is shown iron calcium.Although brain disorders in the second stage of cervical osteochondrosis have not occurred, the use of neuroprotectors will not be superfluous.
Physiotherapeutic proceduresWith cervical osteochondrosis, any degree is designed to reduce pain and inflammation, improve local blood flow.For this purpose, phonophoresis, laser therapy and magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound treatment are used.Physiotherapeutic procedures are against -indicated by the period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
MassageWith osteochondrosis, it is also performed in an inteid period.Massage procedures are performed in the position of the patient sitting or lying on the side.At the same time, the massage therapist with soft movements towards the back of the head to the neck denounces, blows and rubbing the tense muscles.Subsequently, the muscles of the back, neck, breast are massaged.In this case, self -mass is possible using the Kuznetsov applicator.It is a needle roll with plastic peaks.It is enough to put this roll around the neck for half an hour every day - one hour, and the result will not take long to arrive.
Medical Physical EducationIt is designed to consolidate the effect of methods above the treatment of neck osteochondrosis.At the same time, great loads are created in various muscle groups, leading to the strengthening of the muscles and the elimination of the spine.Manual therapy for neck osteochondrosis should be performed with great caution.Due to the high risk of cervical spine injuries, it is associated with high risk not only to health but also with the patient's life.
Prevention measures
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate the causes of this disease and prevent the transition from stage 2 of 3.
In this sense, the following requirements should be observed:
- Active lifestyle;
- Complete nutrition;
- Normal conditions in life and daily production, excluding drafts and hypothermia;
- Proper posture with work and "sedentary" study;
- Hardening, sports;
- Treatment of concomitant chronic diseases;
- In the first signs of osteochondrosis - an opportune visit to the doctor.