Dizziness, pressure fluctuations, fainting, heart pain - all this often comes from problems with the spine.80% of the population suffers from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of varying severity, and according to statistics, men experience it earlier than women: at 45-50 years old.If treatment is not started at an early stage, the pathology becomes irreversible.
What is osteochondrosis
The pathology is associated with degenerative changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, in which the soft tissue becomes hard and depreciation decreases.
Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic, lumbar, but most often the cervical region.The reason is high loads on vertebrae 1-7, weak muscles, poor nutrition and choosing the wrong pillow for sleeping.
Mechanism of injury to the cervical vertebrae
Osteochondrosis develops when the process of nutrition of cartilage tissue and mineral metabolism are disrupted.The strength of bones and joints decreases, ligaments lose elasticity.The shape and structure of the disc change, and under the influence of loads it collapses.The vertebrae are brought closer together, their surfaces are erased.Pathology causes the following complications:
- Compression of the vessels passing through the 1st-7th vertebrae causes hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain.
- Development of problems in the functioning of the respiratory system, blood vessels, heart, loss of vision.
- Poor blood circulation in the brain leads to neurocirculatory (vegetative-vascular) dystonia.
- Decreased mobility of the neck – due to the formation of bone formations on the vertebrae.
- Impaired cerebellar function and compression of the spinal cord lead to death in advanced stages of the disease.
Stages of cervical osteochondrosis
Pathology develops slowly.At the preclinical stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, they put pressure on the soft disc.Further it becomes thinner, the fibrous ring is destroyed, its core bulges.A protrusion forms, then a hernia.The vertebrae rub against each other, change shape, and growths appear on them.Nerves and blood vessels are pinched.
Initial stage of cervical osteochondrosis
Cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, the capsule ruptures, and the nucleus pulposus is damaged.Cervical osteochondrosis makes itself felt when turning the head, when nerve endings are pinched, blood vessels narrow and blood flow is affected.Pain appears in the back of the head, and the back muscles quickly get tired.
Stage 2 pathology
The degenerative process in the discs develops, the capsular ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae decreases, they become unstable and pinch the nerve roots of the spinal cord.Neck flexibility and mobility decrease.At this stage, the disease can still be treated without surgery.
The last stages of osteochondrosis of the neck
At stage 3 of the pathology, disc protrusion develops, which leads to a hernia; the pulpous ring protrudes and bulges.The cervical vertebrae and their axis are displaced, and the nutrition of the brain suffers.In addition, at the last (3 and 4) stages of the pathology, the following processes begin:
- intervertebral discs are destroyed, which are replaced by connective tissue;
- mobility of the neck and shoulder joints disappears;
- from friction, growths form on the surface of the vertebrae and nerve fibers are injured;
- The sensitivity of the hands decreases due to problems with their innervation.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The patient's condition depends on the stage of the disease.First, rare pain appears when turning or lowering the head, and tension in the back muscles.Afterwards the person experiences constant fatigue.The pain becomes stronger and more frequent.Then weakness, dizziness, ringing in the ears are added, and visual acuity decreases.All signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are divided into 3 groups:
- Irritative-reflex syndromes– neurodystrophic, muscular-tonic and vegetative-vascular manifestations.
- Compression-radicular– are associated with compression of nerve endings; one of the key symptoms is acute pain when turning the head.
- Vertebral artery syndrome– occurs when a vessel that supplies the brain structures narrows.
Neurotic disorders
The brain is poorly supplied with blood, its functioning and the state of the nervous system are disrupted.I often have headaches and suffer from insomnia, which causes a state of fatigue and apathy.Then the following symptoms occur:
- increased sweating;
- emotional lability (mood instability);
- increased irritability;
- dizziness;
- depression;
- impaired concentration;
- tinnitus;
- “flies” before the eyes;
- anxiety;
- tremor (shivering) of the limbs;
- panic attacks;
- disorders of the vestibular system: nausea, vomiting, gait instability, disorientation in space, loss of coordination.
General clinical signs
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae causes headaches and visual disturbances.At stage 2 of the pathology, patients complain of ringing in the ears, a lump in the throat, weakness of the arm muscles, and numbness of the tongue.When turning the neck and tilting the head, a crunching sound is heard, and black dots appear before the eyes.With vertebral artery syndrome, other symptoms appear:
- migraine that goes from the back of the head to the forehead;
- darkening before the eyes;
- sore scalp;
- hearing loss;
- rise in blood pressure;
- tingling of fingers.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women
The clinical picture does not depend on gender, but women aged 45-65 years are more likely to experience numbness of the limbs during sleep, tingling and pain in the arms.The attacks are repeated several times at night.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The pathology develops under the influence of high load on the vertebrae, which causes muscle spasm.Sedentary work often leads to this - at a computer, in a vehicle.
People with poor posture are at risk.Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis:
- nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
- physical inactivity – lack of physical activity, low activity;
- neck muscle weakness;
- hereditary predisposition;
- spinal injuries;
- rheumatism;
- excessive physical activity, heavy lifting;
- poor nutrition;
- metabolic disorders;
- frequent hypothermia of the neck;
- age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, cartilage tissue;
- congenital anomalies of the cervical spine;
- autoimmune pathologies that affect cartilage tissue;
- overweight;
- vertebral instability.
Diagnostics
The doctor examines the patient’s complaints, assesses posture and muscle tension.The diagnosis is clarified using an X-ray of the neck in 4 projections: the image shows the position of the vertebrae and displacements.The stage of the disease and hidden pathologies are revealed by the following methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging– the most effective method, it shows in detail degenerative changes in bones, hernias, protrusions, ruptures of the fibrous ring.It can be prescribed instead of x-rays, but the examination is expensive.
- Ultrasound duplex scanning– to assess blood flow disorders in the arteries.
- Computed tomography– does not reveal the size and zones of hernias, is prescribed in the early stages to determine narrowing of the vertebral space, displacement of cervical segments, and marginal growths of bone tissue.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
The goals of therapy are to restore blood flow and tissue nutrition, remove symptoms of hypoxia, and stop the destruction of vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen the muscle corset that supports the neck and restore mobility to the joints.Treatment tactics are chosen according to the stage of the disease:
- Initial – massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors and medications that improve blood circulation.
- Osteochondrosis stages 2-3 – drug treatment, therapeutic exercises, massage.
- Irreversible degenerative changes with destruction and deformation of the vertebrae - surgical intervention and symptomatic drug therapy.
- Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondrosis - injections or tablets of drugs that relieve pain and spasms.
Help with severe pain
Locally apply pepper patch or warming ointments to the neck.Active heating of a separate area distracts from pain and increases blood flow in the tissues.The ointments are applied in a very thin layer using an applicator.Other ways to relieve pain from osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics in tablets - have average effectiveness, are contraindicated for problems with blood clotting.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - tablets are taken if there is no result from analgesics, since this group of drugs negatively affects the stomach and liver.
- Injections - given for intense acute pain, the effect appears after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injections, NSAIDs and myotropic antispasmodics are used.In severe cases, a blockade is performed.
Conservative methods of therapy for neck osteochondrosis
At stages 1-2 of the disease without symptoms of brain hypoxia, treatment is carried out at home.The basis of therapy is gymnastics and massage.They improve blood flow and strengthen muscles.Other methods:
- Drug therapy - oral medication and injections during exacerbations, ointments and creams at other times.
- Physiotherapy – courses of 7-10 procedures during remission.
- Folk remedies - as an additional method of treating osteochondrosis.
- Diet therapy - foods rich in fatty acids, magnesium, and calcium are introduced into the diet.Avoid salt, smoked foods, pickled and spicy foods, and fast food.
Medication
Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis during an exacerbation is aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms, stimulating blood flow and tissue nutrition.
During the period of remission, drugs are used that improve the quality of cartilage and prevent the vertebrae from collapsing.Medicines are used internally and locally.The main groups of funds are:
- Muscle relaxants– relieve muscle spasms, reduce pain, use for a month.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)– applied locally and internally, relieves pain and swelling.Tablets are used for no longer than 10 days.
- Analgesics– relieve pain, but do not relieve inflammation and are weaker in effect than NSAIDs.
- Chondroprotectors– protect and restore cartilage tissue.
- Sedatives– often prescribed to women in whom osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is complicated by severe neurotic disorders.
- Nootropics– affect cerebral circulation, help fight dizziness.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes– improve metabolism in nervous tissue.
Non-drug
During remission, treatment of neck osteochondrosis is based on local procedures that improve blood flow, metabolism, relieve pain and inflammation.The patient does gymnastics every day, the plan of which is drawn up by the doctor.The main treatment methods are:
- Manual therapy– straightening the position of the vertebrae and strengthening them with massage.A course of 5-10 sessions is held 2-4 times a year.At home, a light massage with stroking and rubbing the neck and collar area from top to bottom for 7-10 minutes is allowed to relieve muscle spasm.
- Electrophoresis with drugs– drugs are used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation, which with current quickly reach the desired point.
- Magnetotherapy– aimed at relieving swelling.
- Acupuncture– improves blood flow, relieves inflammation.Conducted in courses of 8-10 sessions every 1-2 days.
- Shants collar- a controversial method of eliminating the symptoms of osteochondrosis, since the load is removed from the muscles, but they are not strengthened.The product fixes the neck and stretches the spine, increasing the distance between its segments.They wear the collar 3 hours a day for a month.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Outside periods of exacerbation, the patient is advised to perform therapeutic exercises.Strong head tilts forward and backward, and rotations are prohibited.Each exercise is done for no longer than a minute, without sudden movements or jerks.If discomfort or pain occurs, stop the activity.Proven exercises for the cervical spine:
- Slowly turn your head to the right and left, constantly looking at a point in front of you: this way you control the small amplitude of movement.Do 10-15 times in each direction, gradually increase to 30.
- Place your palm on your forehead and press it, while trying to tilt your head forward.Count to 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
- Place your right palm over your left temple and press down to tilt your head toward your shoulder.Count to 5, release.Do 10 times on each side.
- Lying on your stomach, extend your arms along your body.Raising your head slightly, slowly turn it so that your ear touches the floor.Do 10 movements on each side.
Surgical methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis
If the nerve roots are affected, there is a hernia with a ruptured ring, the vertebrae are destroyed and there is no result from the main therapy, surgery is performed.
Symptoms of a serious condition: paralysis of the arms, muscle atrophy, stroke.
Main methods of treatment:
- Facetectomy– endoscopic removal of the joints with subsequent fastening of the vertebrae, which will be immobile.
- Disectomy with spinal fusion– prescribed for serious deforming changes.During the operation, the soft disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused to stop their destruction.Cons: mobility of the cervical spine is limited, rehabilitation is long.
- Spinal fusion– removal of fragments of the destroyed disc, bone processes, introduction of an artificial graft and fastening of the vertebrae with screws.The recovery period is one year, the patient is advised to wear a corset.
- Corpectomy– removal of a destroyed vertebra and nearby discs is carried out if other methods have no effect.
Folk remedies for cervical osteochondrosis
For severe pain, take 1 tsp.alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and rub the areas to the left and right of the spine (do not touch the column itself) for 3-5 minutes.This is done 1-2 times a day.Other folk recipes in addition to basic therapy:
- Pour 500 g of knotweed with water (2 l), boil and leave.Pour the cooled broth through gauze into the prepared bath, take it for 15-20 minutes.The procedure is carried out at night, it relaxes and soothes.Course – 7-10 sessions.
- Mix 1 tbsp.l.birch buds, St. John's wort, mint leaves.Grind, add a glass of water, boil for 5 minutes.Strain, mix with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply a thin layer of ointment to the neck, cover with polyethylene and a scarf.Keep for an hour.The procedures are carried out every day for 2 weeks.
- Pour 100 g of elderberries with vodka (600 ml).Leave for a week in a cold place.Rub your neck with this remedy 2 times a day for 10-15 days.
Prevention
Patients over 40 years of age should take courses of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and magnesium supplements every six months - they improve the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.The diet includes fatty fish, shrimp, mussels, nuts, legumes, spinach, cheeses, and milk.Other preventive measures:
- when working sedentarily, change the position of your neck more often, stretch it every hour;
- choose a comfortable pillow;
- do swimming, yoga;
- avoid weightlifting, sports with jumping, running;
- Avoid hypothermia of the neck.