Cervical osteochondrosis is a progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesion of the intervertebral discs in the area of 1-7 vertebrae belonging to the cervical spine.
As a result of cervical osteochondrosis, deformity, exhaustion and subsequent damage to the vertebral bodies occur. This disrupts 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 either be isolated or combined with osteochondrosis of other parts - thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
Causes
There are a number of factors that predispose to the development of osteochondrosis. These include:
- sedentary and sedentary life.
- sedentary types of work with static load on the neck.
- overweight, inadequate physical growth.
- dysplastic connective tissue processes.
- 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 in it are smaller compared to other parts of the spine, the muscular frame is not very intense, the weight of the head and the upright posture act on the vertebrae. In the cervical spine, the vertebrae fit snugly together. Even a small change in them can lead to compression and even displacement of nerves and blood vessels.
The most common symptom that patients complain of is pain in the cervical spine. Depending on the affected area, pain can be detected: in the wrist and shoulder. throughout 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, neck pain at night, numbness or tingling in the shoulders and arms.
Main symptoms
Herbal-dystonic.
Intense pain of "shooting" in the neck, in the area just below the occiput. The pain occurs after a long stay in a position, after sleep, 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, unexplained jumps in blood pressure.
Spinal symptom.
The pain is located behind the sternum on the left.
This type of pain should be distinguished from angina pain (with angina, nitroglycerin brings relief, with osteochondrosis not).
With a gradual disruption of the structure of the intervertebral discs, the nerve roots are compressed and appear, as well as narrowing or attacking the arteries and veins that pass in the area of the vertebral bodies.
This leads to the formation of special syndromes - radical and ischemic:
- defeat of the roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): abnormalities in the occipital.
- C2 damage causes pain in the area of the crown and occiput.
- C3 damage causes neck pain on the side of the violation, decreased sensitivity of the tongue and sublingual muscles, speech impairment is possible.
- Damage to C4 and C5 causes shoulder and wrist pain, decreased head and neck muscle tone, hiccups, respiratory disorders and heart pain.
- C6 lesion occurs more often, causes pain from the neck to the shoulder, forearm, to the thumbs, skin sensitivity may suffer.
- Injury C7 - similar symptoms with pain in the neck, back of the shoulder, to the back of the hand, decreased strength of the arms and reduced reflexes.
Circulatory disturbances due to compression of blood vessels in the cervical vertebrae can lead to headaches, up to migraine, dizziness, decreased vision and tinnitus, blinking flies in front of the eyes, disturbance of autonomic functions.
There may be manifestations of heart syndrome with pressing pain in the heart, shortness of breath and palpitations, arrhythmias.
Complications.
Protrusion of intervertebral discs with hernia formation (protrusion).
Rupture of the intervertebral disc with pinching of nerves and blood vessels, possible compression of the spinal cord, which can be fatal.
Root lesions (rhizopathy), formation of thorns in the vertebral bodies (osteophytes) with manifestation of paralysis and paralysis.
In the presence of the above complaints, it is necessary to contact an orthopedist or neurologist, and carry out the necessary research.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition will significantly alleviate the condition with osteochondrosis. The diet must be complete. If a person has a normal body weight, then as a basis, you can take a therapeutic diet number 15 according to Pevzner. It contains all the necessary minerals and an increased amount of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. It is essential to eat foods high in natural chondroprotectants. Chondroitin is found in red fish, animal tendons and cartilage and chicken meat.
Make sure you get clean water in a volume of 1. 5-2 liters. Fluid is required to prevent the intervertebral discs from drying out.
Traditional and non-traditional treatments
Treatment
Today, there are both traditional and non-traditional methods of treating osteochondrosis in the cervical spine.
Pharmacological methods of treatment: symptomatic treatment with analgesics to relieve pain. taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation and tissue swelling. anticonvulsants; drugs to improve blood circulation. chondroprotectants to restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
There is a course of treatment of group B vitamins, external agents for treatment - gels and ointments, creams with anti-inflammatory, warming and analgesic ingredients.
During the period of exacerbation, the use of a special collar (Shants collar) is recommended.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis with intervertebral hernias that affect sensitivity and blood circulation can be treated early.
The duration of treatment depends on the neglect of the disease, as osteochondrosis is a progressive chronic disease. The treatment can be long and the preventive courses can be carried out for life.
Physiotherapy treatments.
These include exercise therapy, magnet therapy, spa therapy, 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 set of special exercises. Avoid neck injuries and heavy lifting.
It is necessary to combine the extended seat with periods of rest and warm-up.
The basis of the health of the cervical spine is a strong and healthy back, physical activity, a comfortable bed with anatomical pillows and a mattress, the right posture and the right diet.
Lyapko application therapy
Areas of application:
- basic 2, 3;
- additionally 1, 4, 12, 13;
- auxiliary 20, 22, 28, 31.
General recommendations
The main, auxiliary and maximum pain zones are used when using the applicator, but in case of very severe pain, applicators should be applied above and below the painful zone or points and zones on the opposite side. Exposure time 10-30 minutes.
If cervical osteochondrosis is combined with osteochondrosis of other parts - thoracic, lumbar and sacral, then application therapy can be applied simultaneously or in turn to all parts of the spine. The larger the exposure area, the better the result.