Recommend
Official site Depanten

Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis often affects people who work in a sedentary position

Cervical osteochondrosisis a progressive degenerative-dystrophic disease of the most mobile part of the spine, consisting of seven discs and having a relatively weak muscular corset, combined with increased mobility and instability of the cervical vertebrae.The cervical vertebrae have relatively the smallest height and thickness of the discs and fit quite tightly to each other, and since the muscles of the neck are quite poorly developed, with regular loads this can cause displacement of the intervertebral discs.

The high sensitivity of the cervical spine to degenerative changes, which are essentially osteochondrosis and various injuries, is explained by constant physical activity with the need to support the head, control turns and turns.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Until recently, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis was considered the fate of the elderly;it's getting old fast nowadays.

Cervical osteochondrosis and its manifestations can be caused by a violation of three body systems:

  • Pathological influence of the focus of degenerative changes on the peripheral nervous system.
  • When the blood supply of the spinal arteries to the brain cells is impaired.
  • In difficult cases - compression and violation of the integrity of the spinal cord.

There are many reasons for the development of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • curvature of the spine - scoliosis, kyphosis;
  • other postural disorders;
  • various back and spine injuries;
  • lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle;
  • metabolism is disturbed;
  • overweight;
  • excessive physical activity;
  • errors during the training process among athletes;
  • stressful conditions;
  • poor level of physical fitness;
  • hypothermia;
  • infectious diseases;
  • hereditary factor;
  • incorrect habits, for example - the habit of holding the telephone receiver with your shoulder;
  • back tension associated with work in a sitting position in office workers, as well as prolonged driving, etc.;
  • abnormal development of the spine in the cervical region;
  • age-related changes.

All of the above factors affect the increase in the load on the cervical spine.The excess load is compensated by the muscles of the neck, but as a result of excessive tension, the muscles spasm, which leads to impaired blood circulation and, as a result, degenerative changes - cervical osteochondrosis.

Pathological changes occur in the structure of the intervertebral discs, their nutrition is disturbed, and changes occur in the small intervertebral joints.The increased load on the changed intervertebral discs leads to bony growths of the vertebral bodies.

Degree of development of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

When determining the degree of cervical osteochondrosis, the patient's clinical picture and complaints are relied upon.

  • I degree– with minimal clinical manifestations.Usually there is no pain, or the patient complains of mild pain and discomfort, increasing when turning the head, rapid fatigue of the neck muscles after prolonged exertion.On examination, slight tension in the neck muscles can be detected.All this happens as a result of a partial loss of moisture and elasticity in the core of the intervertebral disc and its compaction occurs.
  • II degree- increase in changes in which the pain in the cervical spine bothers the patient, becomes more pronounced and the pain intensifies as a result of prolonged sitting, especially with the head bent.The pain radiates to the shoulder and arm.
  • III degree- increased manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis.It is characterized by constant, aching pain in the cervical spine, radiating to the shoulder and arm.Symptoms of numbness or weakness of arm muscles, dizziness.Often this stage is the beginning of the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
  • IV degree- acute pain in the neck area, partial loss of control over the limbs, vestibular disorders, headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, since the spinal artery, which feeds the occipital part of the brain and the cerebellum, is involved in the process.The intervertebral disc is completely destroyed and replaced by connective tissue.This leads to the growth of bone osteophytes, fusion of the vertebrae can occur, as a result of which the neck loses its mobility.

Classification of cervical osteochondrosis according to the degree of change in the intervertebral disc - radiological stages:

  • Stage I– no changes in the disc, slight changes in the configuration of the vertebrae, straightening of the physiological lordosis;
  • Stage II– minor changes associated with instability of the spinal segment, possible development of subluxation in it, twisting of the vertebrae, the height of the intervertebral segment is slightly reduced.
  • Stage III- pronounced changes in the disc - the height of the disc is reduced by ¼ compared to the one located above, while preserving the outer surface, the intervertebral openings and the spinal canal are narrowed, the presence of anterior, posterior and posterior compact osteophytes;
  • IV stage- the height of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced - 2 times, significant pathological changes in the intervertebral joints, presence of massive posterior osteophytes, significant narrowing of the intervertebral openings and spinal canal.

Signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The first symptom of cervical osteochondrosis, observed in almost all patients, is neck pain.This pain occurs when lying down after waking up and worsens when trying to roll over.Increased pain is caused by failing to turn the head, coughing, sneezing or laughing.The pain is dull, piercing, sometimes shooting and localized deep in the neck.The nature of pain in the cervical vertebrae can be intermittent or constant.The intensity of the pain decreases throughout the day and may even disappear completely.

Signs of cervical osteochondrosis without complications:

  • stiffness, limited mobility in the neck;
  • pain and discomfort in the cervical region;
  • adopting a forced position of the head;
  • when moving the head, there is a feeling of "crunching" in the neck;
  • tension in the muscles of the cervical region.

Subsequently, the development of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occurs as a result of compression of blood vessels and nerve roots.Specific signs appear that are characteristic only of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae.

Vertebral artery syndrome

The development of this syndrome of cervical osteochondrosis occurs as a result of damage to the spinal artery from strained muscles and deterioration of the blood supply to the occipital lobe of the brain and cerebellum, organs of hearing and vision.

Arterial spasm can also occur as a reaction to irritation of the nerve fibers passing from the spinal cord to the artery.Cerebral ischemia may occur as a result of compression.

Signs of vertebral artery syndrome:

  • paroxysmal, migraine-like pain in the head that begins with a pulsation in the back of the head and then spreads to the temples, forehead and ears;
  • pain that increases when turning or tilting the head in a sitting position;
  • neck muscle tension;
  • vertigo;
  • lack of coordination;
  • feeling of heaviness in the head;
  • tinnitus;
  • seizure;
  • reduced vision;
  • hearing loss;
  • numbness of the tongue with severe deterioration of the blood supply to the brain;
  • memory impairment;
  • sleep disorders.

Humeroscapular periarthrosis is a disease that affects the periarticular soft tissues - the muscles and tendons of the shoulder joint and shoulder blade, most often develops with cervical osteochondrosis of the spinal discs between the IV and V cervical vertebrae.The innervation in the shoulder-scapular area is disturbed, and therefore dystrophic changes develop, which gradually increase.The disorder of tissue nutrition, which occurs at the very beginning of the pathological process, remains unnoticed for a long time.With the development of glenohumeral periarthrosis, other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis recede into the background.Deep pain is localized in the places of attachment of ligaments and tendons.The gradual destruction of the disc leads to irritation of the vegetative nerve fibers, which in the form of impulses enter the shoulder joint.The nutrition of the periarticular tissues is disturbed, which affects the functions of the joint.

Characteristic symptoms of glenohumeral periarthrosis:

  • pain in the shoulder joint, radiating to the neck and arm;
  • when moving the arm to the side, there is a limitation and pain;
  • increased pain when lying on the affected side;
  • development over time of atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder and scapula.

Radicular syndrome

Radicular syndrome develops as a result of degenerative changes in the spine, reduction of the intervertebral discs and loss of elasticity of the annulus fibrosus.The appearance of some symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the location of the changes.

If a nerve root is damaged:

  • with C 1 (first cervical vertebra) - there is a loss of sensitivity in the back of the head.
  • radicular syndrome C 2 in segment C I-C II - localization of pain in the parietal and occipital region.
  • With 3 in segment C II-C III is quite rare.Painful sensations are accompanied by a decrease in sensitivity in half of the neck, where compression of the spinal nerve occurs, speech impairment and reduced sensitivity of the tongue.
  • with damage to the C 4 nerve root in the C III-C IV segment, the localization of pain and reduced sensitivity in the shoulder girdle and collarbone region may be accompanied by hypotonicity of the neck and head muscles.Damage to the C 4 root can cause breathing problems, pain in the heart area, and hiccups due to the presence of the phrenic nerve in it.Quite a rare pathology.
  • C 5 at segment C IV-C V – causes pain in the shoulder girdle and outer surface of the shoulder.Weakening of the deltoid muscle, impaired sensitivity of the shoulder in the outer surface.
  • C 6 and C 7 in segments C V-C VI and C VI-C VII are the most frequent violations.In case C 6 – radiating pain from the neck to the scapula, the forearm, the outer surface of the shoulder, the radial surface of the forearm and further to the thumb.Loss of sensation even in the skin.In case C 7 - radiating pain from the neck to the scapula, to the forearm, the back of the shoulder, the surface of the forearm and the back of the second and fourth fingers, with loss of skin sensitivity in these areas.
  • From 8 on segment C VII-T I - the localization of pain and loss of sensitivity from the neck spreads to the back surface of the shoulder, the ulnar edge of the forearm, the little finger.There may be no sensation of pain in the little finger, but there will be noticeable weakening of the muscles of the finger.

Anterior scalene syndrome

The anterior scalene muscle is located in the region of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae and is attached to the first rib, the medial scalene muscle is also attached to it, and the subclavian artery and brachial plexus pass through the gap formed between these muscles.As a result of the destruction of the disc, the autonomic nerve fibers are irritated and impulses are sent to the anterior scalene muscle.

A muscle spasm occurs, resulting in compression of the brachial plexus and vertebral artery.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, characteristic of the anterior scalene syndrome:

  • The pain varies from sharp to pain radiating to the forearm and hand.
  • Pain that increases with moving the arm to the side and tilting the head.
  • A pinched artery is characterized by a cold hand, numbness and swelling.

Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis

The main methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae are:

  1. X-ray examination of the spine- in direct and lateral projection and in functional positions of the patient - (with open mouth) to determine the reduction in the height of the intervertebral discs and degenerative bone growths.
  2. MRI - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance– is the most informative diagnostic method, allowing high accuracy to detect the localization of pathological changes in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.Detects protrusions and intervertebral hernias, the size and direction of their growth.
  3. CT - computed tomography– determines the presence of changes in the vertebrae in cervical osteochondrosis, but this diagnostic technique is less informative.
  4. Ultrasound duplex scan- a method that allows you to determine a decrease in the speed of blood flow and the presence of obstacles to normal blood flow.

In order to exclude pathological processes from the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the organs of vision and hearing, the digestive organs, for differential diagnosis, types of research such as ultrasound, ECG, electroencephalography are used and laboratory tests are prescribed.

Principles of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The main methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are:

  • drug therapy,
  • physiotherapy treatment,
  • cervical massage,
  • therapeutic exercises.

The following main groups of drugs are used for drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce pain, help relieve swelling of the damaged nerve root and inflammation;
  • vitamins of group B, which improve metabolic processes;
  • drugs to improve the rheological properties of blood and blood flow, improve the nutrition of damaged roots;
  • chondroprotectors - to restore cartilage tissue;
  • muscle relaxants - to relieve muscle spasms.

Physiotherapy in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

  • Electrophoresis to relieve pain or improve blood flow.
  • Ultrasound - to improve metabolic processes, as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory method.
  • Magnetic therapy – to relieve swelling and relieve pain.
  • Laser therapy – to improve blood circulation and for an anti-inflammatory effect.

Physical therapy

In cervical osteochondrosis, physiotherapy is prescribed during the recovery period, after pain relief, since pain and discomfort should not be present when performing a set of exercises.It is best for a patient with such a diagnosis to regularly engage in physical therapy, limiting excessive stress on the cervical vertebrae.Restoring muscle tone is the main task in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis

Physical activity, sleeping in a comfortable bed with an anatomical mattress, a combination of prolonged sitting with warm-up periods, maintaining correct posture and proper nutrition are the keys to cervical spine health.You should try to avoid neck injuries and lifting excessive weights.

As the Japanese say: a crooked neck is a sign of a short life.

This is an assessment of the health of the most mobile part of the spine.

The complications of this disease are diverse and dangerous in their manifestations.The minimum dimensions of the diameter of the spinal canal of the cervical spine make the spinal cord very vulnerable, the compression of which can lead to such consequences as paresis and paralysis.

Another danger of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a violation of the blood supply to the brain.Reduced blood circulation as a result of compression of the vertebral artery can provoke conditions such as ischemia of the brain and spinal cord, and in the worst case, a spinal stroke.

To avoid irreversible damage, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible.