Cervical osteochondrosis is a common form of the disease that affects the upper spine and causes specific symptoms at each stage of development. Most patients let the problem go away on its own, without going to the doctor for help.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the neck
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second and third degree causes degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the spine. First, the fibrinous ring is destroyed, then protrusion and prolapse of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc occurs. Pathology is accompanied by pain, dysfunction.
Causes that negatively affect the spine and the development of cervical osteochondrosis of varying degrees:
- physical inactivity (sedentary work, minimal physical activity);
- genetic predisposition to the disease;
- problems with the immune response;
- unbalanced nutrition, against the background of which there is a deficiency of minerals, trace elements or a specific group of vitamins;
- frequent hypothermia, tendency to inflammatory processes;
- systematic failures in the work of the endocrine system;
- obesity at any stage;
- spinal cord injuries;
- hard physical work.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second and all subsequent degrees is considered the most serious. The reason is the close location of the nerves and blood vessels responsible for nutrition, innervation of the brain.
Most often, the pathology is found in people over 50 years of age, cervical osteochondrosis of the third degree is diagnosed.
What is and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic process that has a devastating effect on the bones and cartilage that make up the spine, on the soft tissues that are located nearby.
With the development of degenerative-destructive cervical pathology, the discs lose their protective properties.
Gradual destruction, displacement of anatomical elements leads to negative consequences:
- cartilage partially or completely loses its depreciation qualities;
- disc deformation;
- destruction of the fibrous ring (begins at the initial stage);
- the formation of osteophytes - bony growths on the surface of the vertebrae.
Each degree of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by special manifestations. If in the initial stages (first and second stages) a person is bothered by mild discomfort, then in an advanced form the disease causes a number of complications.
First grade
Osteochondrosis of the first degree of the cervix can occur without clinical manifestations. The main complaint of the patient is pain in the neck.
Massage helps relieve discomfort. On palpation, the patient feels stiffness of the muscles in the neck area, strong or moderate tension. If you start treatment in a timely manner, you can stop the initial process of anomalies of osteochondrosis of the first and second degree.
Second grade
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the second degree are more pronounced. The period of exacerbation is accompanied by severe discomfort. Immediate and complex treatment with injections is required.
Main manifestations:
- persistent headache;
- discomfort when moving the head;
- stiffness of movements in the neck area;
- during the period of exacerbation, it is possible to stop the pain syndrome for a short period of time;
- lethargy;
- sleeping problems;
- increased fatigue;
- decrease in the level of work capacity;
- posture suffers, a person cannot freely take a comfortable position;
- dizziness.
Manifestations depend on which bundle of artery, vein, or nerve was clamped. The muscles of the cervical neck area and the face, ears and head can go numb. The person may be disabled.
Third degree
The third degree is characterized by an active lesion of the annulus fibrosus.
Violation leads to the appearance of protrusions, intervertebral hernias.
The stage of progression of cervical disease is characterized by a pronounced pain syndrome, which is not always possible to stop with strong painkillers. Neurological disorders progress gradually.
fourth grade
At the last stage, degenerative-destructive processes reach their peak. It is difficult for patients to move, stiffness reaches its maximum. Sometimes the pain may subside, but this is a dangerous sign. Bone tissue begins to grow between the vertebral elements, which will lead to even greater aggravation, deterioration of well-being.
stage diagnosis
Instability of the spinal discs, a neurologist considers questions about eliminating the consequences of tissue destruction. The doctor checks the reflexes of the neck with a hammer, coordination tests.
Instrumental research:
- bone scan;
- computed tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound of the vertebral arteries.
X-rays are taken from the front and from the side.
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are informative research methods. The only drawback is the high cost of the procedure.
Ultrasound is performed if necessary to determine the degree of damage to the vertebral arteries, to assess the state of the cervical region of the spine. The results will help form the prognosis of the disease.
Therapy of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second degree.
The basis of any therapeutic effect in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is taking drugs that help eliminate the manifestations of the disease. The treatment regimen is determined by various specialists: a therapist, a neurologist.
patient anesthesia
Treatment of patients with osteochondrosis of the neck of the second degree begins with a complex of analgesics. The doctor selects painkillers from the point of view of their effectiveness, the presence of contraindications in the patient.
Fight against foci of inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory drugs help to eliminate foci of inflammation and reduce the level of pain in patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Non-steroidal drugs have a negative consequence - they aggressively affect the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
Anti-inflammatory analgesics of the non-steroidal group can be prescribed in tablets or injections, as in the exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the second and third stages of development. Often gels, ointments and creams are used for external treatment.
Chondroprotectors
In the schemes for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck of the second degree, a special role is assigned to the protectors of cartilage and bone tissue.
Surgery
If therapy of cervical osteochondrosis of the second and sometimes third degree with drugs is carried out at home, then radical treatment requires hospitalization of the patient. Indications for surgery:
- spinal instability;
- spinal cord compression;
- hernia formation.
It is impossible to completely solve the problem of pathological destruction of the neck with the progression of osteochondrosis.
Therapeutic gymnastics and exercise therapy.
If it is impossible to fully restore the functional potential of the spine, then it is possible to stop the progression of the disease.
In the early stages (first and partially second degree of cervical osteochondrosis), simple folk methods, therapeutic exercises will help. Such recreational activities are not expensive, easy to perform, do not bring pain, do not cause discomfort.
In the later stages of the formation of osteochondrosis of the neck of the second or third degree, gymnastics and exercise therapy are recommended. The exercises are performed under the supervision of a specialist. It is important to do everything right. The main goal: to strengthen the neck muscles and relax at the same time.
It is important for the patient to strive for recovery, carefully follow the recommendations of specialists, the prescriptions of doctors.