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 resolve the problem on their own, without consulting a doctor.
Causes 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 spinal column. First the fibrinous ring is destroyed, then there is protrusion and prolapse of the intervertebral disc nucleus. Pathology is accompanied by pain, dysfunction.
Causes that adversely affect the spine and the development of various degrees of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Physical inactivity (sedentary work, minimal physical activity);
- Genetic predisposition to the disease;
- Immune response problems;
- An unbalanced diet, against which there is a deficiency of a specific group of minerals, trace elements or vitamins;
- Frequent hypothermia, a tendency to inflammatory processes;
- Systematic failures of the endocrine system;
- Obesity at any stage;
- Spinal injuries;
- Heavy physical labor.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second and all subsequent degrees is considered the most severe. The reason is the close location of the nerves and blood vessels responsible for nutrition, the innervation of the brain.
More often, the pathology is found in people over the age of 50, diagnosed with grade 3 cervical osteochondrosis.
What are the signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic process that has a devastating effect on the bones and cartilage that form the spinal column, the soft tissues that are located nearby.
With the development of degenerative-destructive cervical pathology, the discs lose their protective properties.
Gradual destruction of anatomical elements, displacement leads to negative consequences:
- Cartilage partially or completely loses depreciation properties;
- Disk deformation;
- Destruction of the fiber ring (starting at the initial stage);
- Osteophyte formation - Bone growths on the surface of the spine.
Each degree of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by special manifestations. If at the initial stage (first and second stage) a person suffers from mild discomfort, then in the distant form the disease causes a number of complications.
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Grade I osteochondrosis of the cervix can occur without clinical manifestations. The patient's main complaint is neck pain.
Massage helps to remove discomfort. On palpation the patient feels muscle strength, strong or moderate tension in the neck area. If you start treatment on time, you can stop the initial process of first and second degree osteochondrosis abnormalities.
Second degree
Symptoms of grade 2 cervical spine osteochondrosis are more pronounced. The period of aggravation is accompanied by severe discomfort. Immediate and complex treatment with injections is required.
Main manifestations:
- Constant headaches;
- Discomfort while moving;
- Firmness of movement in the neck-neck area;
- During the period of exacerbation it is possible to stop the pain syndrome for a short time;
- Lethargy;
- Sleep problems;
- Increased fatigue;
- Reduction of the level of working capacity;
- Posture suffers, a person can not freely assume a comfortable position;
- Dizziness.
Manifestations depend on which artery, vein, or nerve has been bundled. The muscles of the cervical area and the face, ears, head can be numb. A person may be disabled.
Third degree
The third degree is characterized by active damage to the fiber ring.
The disorder causes the formation of a rash, an intervertebral hernia.
The progression stage of cervical disease is characterized by a pronounced pain syndrome, which can not always be stopped with strong analgesics. Neurological disorders gradually progress.
Fourth degree
In the last stage, degenerative-destructive processes reach their peak. Patients find it difficult to move, stiffness is maximized. Sometimes the pain can be reduced, but it is a dangerous sign. Bone tissue begins to grow between the elements of the spine, leading to even greater aggravation, deteriorating well-being.
Stage diagnostics
Instability of the spinal discs, questions about the elimination of the consequences of tissue destruction are discussed by a neurologist. The doctor checks the neck reflexes with a hammer, coordination tests.
Instrumental research:
- Radiography;
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound of the vertebral arteries.
X-rays are taken from the front and side.
MRI and CT are informative research methods. The only drawback is the high cost of the procedure.
An ultrasound is done if it is necessary to determine the degree of damage to the vertebral arteries, to assess the condition of the cervical region of the spine. The results will help to shape the prognosis of the disease.
Second-degree therapy of osteochondrosis of the cervical region
The basis of any therapeutic effect in cervical osteochondrosis is the use of medications that help to get rid of the manifestations of the disease. The treatment regimen is determined by several specialists - therapist, neurologist.
Anesthesia of patients
Treatment of patients with second-degree osteochondrosis of the neck begins with a complex of analgesics. The doctor chooses analgesics in terms of their effectiveness, the presence of contraindications in the patient.
Fighting foci of inflammation
Anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate inflammatory foci and reduce pain levels in patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have one negative effect - they act aggressively on the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed in tablets or injections as an exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the second and third stages of development. Gels, ointments, creams are often used for external treatment.
Chondroprotectors
Cartilage and bone tissue protectors play a special role in the treatment regimens of second degree cervical osteochondrosis.
Surgery
If second- and sometimes third-degree cervical osteochondrosis is treated with medication at home, then radical treatment requires hospitalization of the patient. Operation Indications:
- Spinal column 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 degree of cervical osteochondrosis and partly second degree) simple folk methods, therapeutic exercises will help you. 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 second or third degree osteochondrosis of the neck, gymnastics and exercise therapy are recommended. Exercises are conducted 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 that the patient recovers, carefully follows the recommendations of specialists, the prescription of doctors.