In today's world, this disease almost all of the people from 25 years. Cervical osteochondrosis are much more likely than in other areas of the spine. The relevance of this topic is difficult to overestimate.
In this article we will examine why this disease occurs, as will be shown, such as for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, which drugs are effective in the treatment, which drug methods are not available, and you will learn answers to the most frequently asked questions of patients with a similar diagnosis.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is spine degenerative-dystrophic lesions (progressive) intervertebral discs in the area of the neck. For this reason, changes in the spine, intervertebral discs and the vertebral body itself, and the joints of the neck.
Causes of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
Due to the effect of the above factors, an increased load on the cervical spine, compensate for neck muscles to try and put an excessive burden on the spasm, the blood flow in this area, because of what caused degenerative changes in results. As a result of several factors, changes occur in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, changes their structure, their food disturbed, occur changes in the small joints between the vertebrae, caused bony outgrowths of the vertebral body, due to the increased load on the changes in the intervertebral discs.
Factors affecting the development of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine:
- Postural weakness and the presence of scoliosis
- Overweight
- Lack of exercise, sedentary work
- Previously, the alleged injuries of the spine
- Metabolic disorders
- Great physical effort
- Stress and constant tension
- The low level of physical preparation
- Hereditary Predisposition
- The usual incorrect Position of the body, for example, holds the listener with the shoulder
- Constant tension of the back, of the neck due to the nature of the (tensioned state in a seated Position) in the case of the drivers, office workers.
- Malformations of the cervical spine
Degree of development of cervical degenerative disc disease
The degree of osteochondrosis depends on the clinical picture and the patient's complaints. Not to be confused with the notion of the degree should be in with the stages of intervertebral disc degeneration. Steps below are discussed.
The first degree
the clinical symptoms are minimal, the Patient may complain of pain in the cervical spine, low-intensity, it may at the turning of the head. In the physical examination by a slight tension in the neck can.
The second stage
patients concerned about pain in the cervical spine, their intensity can be significantly more radiating pain in the shoulder, in the Hand. This occurs through the roots of the reduction in the height of the intervertebral disc and the impairment of the nerve. The pain will be intensified when tilting and turning the head. The Patient may celebrate decreased performance, weakness, headache.
The Third Stage
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc diseases improves, the pain is constant and radiating to the arm or shoulder. Numbness or weakness appears in the muscles of the Hand, such as herniated discs arise. Concerned about the weakness of the, dizziness. In the study a limitation of the range of motion in the neck shows spinal column, pain on Palpation of the cervical spine.
The fourth degree
the full destruction of the intervertebral disc and replacement of its connective tissue. Strengthens dizziness, noise in the ears, incoordination, so as in the process involved the vertebral artery, feeding the cerebellum and the occipital portion of the brain.
The clinical picture of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine — symptoms and signs
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine differ from the manifestations of this disease in other parts of the spine. This is due to the fact that the vertebrae in the neck are the area closer to each other, the intervertebral discs have a relatively low height, the appearance of the clinic with the smallest pathological processes. Also in the neck area more frequently, the compression of the nerve happens roots and spinal cord.
The most common signs of degenerative disc of the cervical spine — symptoms diseases:
- Pain syndrome: pain of various localization, you can in the neck, occipital area, in the shoulder or upper extremity. Pain in the shoulder or arm will appear, if in the process a section of the nerve, comprises the upper limb Stimulate. Pain in the back of the head due to spasm of the neck muscles on the occipital bone and the blood circulation in this area.
- Weakness in the hands develops when the spine is damaged, in the scope of delivery of the motor nerves, muscles, Stimulate the Hand.
- The reduction in sensitivity arises in the Hand, if the book is damaged in the back, in the scope of delivery of the sensitive nerves, Innervate the skin of the upper limb.
- Limitation of motion in the cervical spine, and a grinding movement is caused by the reduction in the height of the intervertebral disc, the formation of bony growths on the bodies of the vertebrae and the defeat of the small joints between the neck vertebrae.
- Dizziness, incoordination, weakness - all these symptoms are due to the involvement in the process of the vertebral artery, which takes place in a separate channel of the cervical vertebrae in the transverse processes. As a result of the development of cervical degenerative disc disease, formation of connective tissue, displacement of the vertebral body, and deterioration of blood flow in these arteries, which leads to a deterioration of the blood supply to the occipital lobe of the brain and of the cerebellum.
- Numbness of the tongue, hearing impairment, and vision
occur in severe cases in case of strong deterioration of the blood supply to the occipital lobe of the brain, the cerebellum and the trunk.
Symptoms in function of the damaged vertebra
Particularly the radicular syndromes, the one or the other sensory and motor disorders are emphasized. They differ depending on which intervertebral disc is the spinal cord compressing the nerve root:
- C1: leads to numbness, and the violation of the sensitivity in the neck;
- C2: pain in the parietal area and the neck;
- C3: speech disorders, sensitivity to the language, reducing pain and sensitivity in the page, where Cerebro disadvantaged spinal nerve;
- C4: pain in the heart, the left upper abdomen, shoulder, scapula, diseases of the respiratory system, reduction of the Tonus of the muscles of the neck;
- C 5: pain in the shoulder in the outer area;
- C6: pain in the forearm to the thumb of the Hand, as well as from the neck to the shoulder blade;
- S7: pain in the back of the shoulder, from the neck to the shoulder blade, in the forearm up to 2-4 thumb;
- C8: pain from the neck to the shoulder, from the forearm to the Ring.
Diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease
The main methods of diagnosis:
- X-ray of the cervical spine. Pointless method, especially in the later stages of the disease.
- The Computer Tomography. Better the changes in the vertebrae, but the size is hard to determine, and the presence of disci hernias, as well as the presence of Disco-medullary conflict (herniated disc compression of the spinal cord).
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The most informative method. Visibly, not only the bony structures, but also the intervertebral discs, herniated disc, their size, the direction of their growth.
- In the case of suspected violation of the blood flow of arteries in the vertebral animals apply Duplex ultrasound. This method allows to accurately determine whether a reduction in the speed of blood flow, there are obstacles to normal flow of blood.
Radiological stage of cervical degenerative disc disease.
- Level 1 – minimal changes in the configuration of the vertebral body, flattening the cervical lordosis (curvature).
- 2 Phase – instability between the vertebrae, this can lead to a displacement of a vertebra in relation to another, torsion (Rotation about the axis of the spine), slight decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc.
- Level 3 – decrease the height of the intervertebral disc to ¼ with respect to the top disc, the changes in the joints of the vertebrae, the posterior osteophytes (bony outgrowths), narrowing of the foramina inter-vertebralia, and a narrowing of the spinal canal in which the spinal cord with its coverings.
- Level 4 – significant decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, significant changes in the joints of the vertebrae, the huge rear osteophytes, marked narrowing of the foramina inter-vertebralia, and significant narrowing of the spinal canal with the formation of a myelopathy.
Principles of treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
The main methods of treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is a medical treatment, physical therapy, Massage neck and neck area, particularly effective therapeutic exercises with cervical osteochondrosis. The main groups of drugs that belong in this disease:
| The name of the group | Action | |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | reduce pain, promote the elimination of aseptic inflammation and swelling of the spine of the injured nerve. | |
| B-Vitamins | improves metabolic processes in the nervous tissue. | |
| Drugs for improving the flow properties of blood and blood circulation | improve roots, the supply of damaged nerves and improve the blood flow to the brain. | |
| Chondroprotectors | Drugs, cartilage regeneration, including in the damaged intervertebral disc. | |
| Muscle relaxants | Medications, muscle cramps. |
Attention! These drugs are not the purpose, are only for your reference.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
| Electrophoresis of drugs. | Under the action of the electric current ions of drugs into the desired Position. For the anesthesia with novocaine, or with aminophylline for the improvement of the blood flow. |
| Ultrasound | anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving effect, improves metabolic processes in the impact zone. |
| Magnetic field therapy | has analgesic effect due to the decrease in the swelling of the tissue. |
| Laser therapy | by exposure to light, inflammation-inflammatory effect and improves blood circulation. |
Physiotherapy
Movement therapy with cervical osteochondrosis should be outside of the acute exacerbation. The highest efficiency of this technique in the recovery phase. During the execution of the complex discomfort and pain should!
| Exercise №1 | Lying on the belly, Rest the hands in the ground, lift your head and torso, the back should be straight. Stay in this Position for 1-2 minutes. Slowly fall to the ground. Repeat 2-3 times. |
| Exercise №2 | Lying on the stomach, stretch the arms along the body, head turn to the left, try to touch the ear to the floor, then turn the head to the right. Repeat 6-7 times in each direction. |
| Exercise №3 | In a sitting position, on the inhale, bend heated front seats, and try to touch the head, the chest, and then exhale, bend your back and put your the head. Repeat 10-15 times. |
| Exercise №4 | Sitting up, she put the palm of the hand against the forehead and exert pressure with the palms on the forehead, and the forehead on the palms of the hands. You can hold this exercise for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. |
| Exercise №5 | Slowly rotate the head, first in one direction then in the other direction. After 10 revolutions in each direction. Pay attention to the fact that not dizziness appear. If it appears the exercise is completed. |
The most common questions from patients with osteochondrosis and their answers
Whether surgery is required with cervical osteochondrosis?
The indications for operative intervention is the roots of the lack of efficiency of conservative treatment within 6 months, accompanied by a constant pain syndrome and signs of damage to nerves, as well as myelopathy. In all other cases, the Operation is not performed.
How long can I use the NSAIDs?
Since most of the skin is a NSAID side effects on the stomach lining, the long and frequent reception of these drugs is not recommended. When taking this group of drugs, must strictly follow the recommendations of the treating physician, the duration of ingestion can be customized, it depends on the stage of osteochondrosis, the complaints of the patient and his concomitant diseases.
How effective chondro take protectors?
At the Moment there is no evidence for the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of these drugs. In such cases, doctors are of the opinion that the drug is very impractical.
How to better preserve vitamins in pill Form or by injection?
There is no difference in the Absorption of the drugs in these two types of administration. In view of the injection pain and the incidence of complications, we recommend taking vitamins of group "b" in pre-formed shapes.
What measures need to take, without the aggravation?
Best physiotherapy in the home, 2 times in a year to practice, to Massage the neck and neck area and restrict the spine, the excessive strain on the neck.