Cervical osteochondrosis is a progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesion of the intervertebral discs in the region of 1-7 vertebrae belonging to the cervical spine.
As a result of cervical osteochondrosis, deformation, exhaustion, and then damage to the vertebral bodies occurs. This interrupts the normal blood supply and nerve conduction in the neck and in those areas that are innervated by the nerve roots of the cervical spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be isolated or combined with osteochondrosis of other parts - thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
Causes
Several factors are distinguished that predispose to the development of osteochondrosis. These include:
- sedentary and sedentary lifestyle;
- types of sedentary work with a static load on the neck;
- overweight, insufficient physical development;
- dysplastic processes of connective tissue;
- circulatory disorders in the neck;
- neck injuries;
- scoliosis, poor posture, uncomfortable pillows and mattresses;
- hereditary predisposition, metabolic defects.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. Complications
The cervical spine is the most vulnerable to the development of osteochondrosis. The vertebrae are the smallest compared to other parts of the spine, the muscular structure is not very pronounced, the weight of the head and the upright posture act on the vertebrae. In the cervical spine, the vertebrae fit tightly together. Even a slight change in them can cause compression and even displacement of nerves and blood vessels.
The most characteristic symptom that patients complain about is pain in the cervical spine. Depending on the affected area, the pain can be localized: in the clavicle and shoulder; along the cervical spine; on the front surface of the chest.
The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis may be insignificant: a feeling of heaviness in the head, headaches in the occipital region, pain in the neck in the evening, a feeling of numbness or tingling in the shoulders and arms.
Main symptoms
Vegetative-dystonic.
Severe "stabbing" pain in the neck, in the area just below the occiput. Pain occurs after a long stay in one position, after sleeping, constant tension of the neck muscles.
Difficulty moving the hand to the side, stiffness, numbness in the fingers. Due to compression of the vertebral arteries, neurological manifestations are observed: headache, nausea, dizziness, unreasonable jumps in blood pressure.
Spinal symptom.
The pains are located behind the sternum on the left.
This type of pain must be distinguished from angina pain (in angina pectoris nitroglycerin provides relief, in osteochondrosis it does not).
With a gradual disruption of the structure of the intervertebral discs, they are compressed and infringement of the nerve roots occurs, as well as the narrowing or infringement of the arteries and veins passing in the region of the vertebral bodies.
This leads to the formation of special, radicular and ischemic syndromes:
- defeat of the roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): abnormalities in the occiput;
- The C2 lesion produces pain in the region of the crown and occiput;
- C3 injury causes neck pain on the side of the offense, decreased sensitivity of the tongue and hypoglossal muscles, possible speech disturbance;
- damage to C4 and C5 leads to shoulder and clavicle pain, decreased tone of the muscles of the head and neck, hiccups, respiratory disorders, and pain in the heart;
- The C6 lesion occurs more frequently, gives pain from the neck to the scapula, the forearm and the thumbs, the sensitivity of the skin may suffer;
- C7 injury: Similar symptoms with pain in the neck, back of the shoulder, down to the back of the hand, decreased arm strength, and decreased reflexes.
Circulatory disorders due to compression of the blood vessels in the cervical vertebrae can cause headaches, up to migraine, dizziness, vision problems and tinnitus, flickering flies in front of the eyes, disorders of autonomic functions.
There may be manifestations of cardiac syndrome with oppressive pain in the heart, shortness of breath and palpitations, rhythm disturbances.
Complications.
Bulging of intervertebral discs with hernia formation (bulge).
Rupture of the intervertebral disc with impingement of nerves and blood vessels, possible compression of the spinal cord, which can be fatal.
Root lesions (radiculopathy), the formation of spines in the vertebral bodies (osteophytes) with manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
In the presence of the above complaints, it is necessary to contact an orthopedist or neurologist and conduct the necessary investigation.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition will significantly alleviate the condition with osteochondrosis. Nutrition must be complete. If a person is of normal body weight, then as a basis he can take a therapeutic diet number 15 according to Pevzner. It contains all the necessary minerals and a greater amount of vitamins soluble in water and fats. It is necessary to eat foods rich in natural chondroprotectors. Chondroitin is found in red fish, the tendons and cartilage of animals, and chicken meat.
Be sure to drink clean water in a volume of 1. 5 to 2 liters. Fluid is needed to prevent the intervertebral discs from drying out.
Traditional and non-traditional treatments
Treatment
Today, there are traditional and non-traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis in the cervical spine.
Drug treatment methods: symptomatic therapy with analgesics for pain relief; taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve tissue swelling and edema; antispasmodics; medicines to improve blood circulation; chondroprotectors to restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
A course of group therapy of vitamin B is shown, external agents for therapy: gels and ointments, creams with anti-inflammatory components, warmers and painkillers.
During the period of exacerbation, it is recommended to wear a special collar (Shants collar).
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis with intervertebral hernias that affect sensitivity and blood circulation can be treated quickly.
The duration of treatment depends on the neglect of the condition, since osteochondrosis is a progressive chronic disease. Treatment can be long, and preventive courses can be carried out for life.
Physiotherapy treatments.
These include exercise therapy, magnet therapy, balneotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture, Lyapko application therapy, and massage.
Physiotherapy
It is imperative to do exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis several times a day every day. They include self-stretching, self-massage, a series of special exercises. Avoid neck injuries and heavy lifting.
It is necessary to combine a long session with periods of rest and warm-up.
The foundation of cervical spine health is a strong and healthy back, physical activity, a comfortable bed with anatomical pillows and a mattress, correct posture, and proper nutrition.
Lyapko application therapy
Application areas:
- basic 2, 3;
- additional 1, 4, 12, 13;
- auxiliary 20, 22, 28, 31.
General recommendations
When using the applicator, the main, additional and maximum pain areas are used, but in case of very pronounced pain, the applicators should be applied above and below the painful area, or points and areas should be used on the opposite side . Exposure time 10-30 minutes.
If cervical osteochondrosis is combined with osteochondrosis of other parts - thoracic, lumbar and sacral, then the application therapy can be applied simultaneously or in turn on all parts of the spine. The larger the exposure area, the better the effect.