Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is known and well studied. At present, most of the working population suffers from this disease. This type of osteochondrosis develops not only in the adult population, but is quite common in adolescents, the so-called juvenile osteochondrosis.
The cervical region is the most mobile part of the spine, so the load on this region is quite large. The disease develops gradually, is characterized by frequent exacerbations, which can lead to a significant decrease in the patient's quality of life.
Causes of the disease
The causes of the disease are generally different and may depend on the age of the patient. We highlight the most frequent:
- violation of calcium-phosphorus metabolism of any etiology;
- various traumatic back injuries;
- unbalanced load on the spine (physical inactivity or, conversely, the effect of increased load);
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- congenital malformations of the spine;
- change of posture, including the scoliotic type;
- circulatory disorders that lead to poor nutrition of the intervertebral disc;
- Age-related dystrophic disorders of bone tissue.
In adolescence, injuries, unbalanced physical activity (training process) are considered the main causes of the development of the disease. In older patients, the main reason is a long-term habitual position at work, a violation of the hormonal background.
Additional predisposing factors for the development of the disease may be:
- inheritance;
- hypothermia;
- exacerbation of poorly or incompletely treated osteochondrosis;
- stressful situations and overwork.
Osteochondrosis develops gradually. A person who is constantly involved in sports may not realize that they are susceptible to this disease.
Most of this condition occurs in people over the age of twenty-five. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by the fact that the process develops from the upper sections. However, if you don't get medical help, the process can gradually affect the lower segments of the spine.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in adults and children
As the disease develops over the years, in many cases the process is asymptomatic. Sometimes it happens that by chance, by means of X-ray images, it is possible to determine the first signs of the disease, while there will be no active complaints. It should be remembered that the older the patient is, the more varied the complaints he will present.
The main complaints of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- frequent headaches and dizziness;
- numbness of the fingertips and weakness of the arms;
- vegetative manifestations;
- increased blood pressure;
- discomfort with neck movements;
- constant aching or burning pains along the spine;
- frequent myositis of the neck muscles;
- posture changes;
- restrictions on head movements;
- may also develop a forced position of the head;
- tinnitus;
- time dependence;
- crunch in the neck during the execution of the movements;
- sleep disorders.
These are the most frequently expressed symptoms a patient can present. Unfortunately, the process can begin to develop from adolescence, and teenagers will present similar complaints.
Most of these symptoms occur together. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs with episodes of exacerbation and remission. This is due to the effect of provoking factors on the body. We must not forget that if a similar diagnosis is made, rehabilitation therapy and a rehabilitation course must be performed every six months to avoid an acute period.
Considering that the main reason for the development of the disease is a decrease in the trophism of the intervertebral disc and the lack of adequate therapy, the process can end with the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Complaints and clinical picture of the disease - photo
Vascular manifestations in the form of dizziness or headache are aggravated during the performance of elementary motor tasks (tilting or turning the head). In the ensemble of all complaints, the patient also tries to take a forced position to reduce symptoms, which worsens the nutrition of the intervertebral disc.
It is these complaints that most often prompt the patient to consult a doctor. If the treatment is not carried out, the complaints will intensify and will be more persistent, that is, they will not go away on their own.
Pain in cervical osteochondrosis, as a rule, constant, aching, burning character. The disease can be accompanied by periodic "back pain", caused by sudden movements.
An increase in blood pressure against the background of osteochondrosis prompts the patient to be examined by a therapist. If adequate treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, the increase in blood pressure will become permanent, which contributes to the development of secondary hypertension. In these situations, a properly collected medical history is of great importance.
When the process is localized in the cervical spine, the discomfort spreads along the back of the neck, the constant tension of the musculoskeletal system contributes to the limitation of movements and the formation of a forced position of the head.
Pain in cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by reduced sensitivity. Due to the constant discomfort, a muscle roller gradually forms in the shoulder area, palpation of the patient feels discomfort in this area.
In addition to constant discomfort, the patient may experience a sharp, stabbing pain in the neck. The occurrence of such ailments suggests that the patient should be allowed complete rest to reduce pain. In some cases, the pain is so severe that a person cannot perform the simplest actions (turn your head, take a deep breath, straighten your back). In all cases, the patient must be examined by a doctor and the diagnosis of osteochondrosis must be confirmed.
Changes in hormone levels also play a significant role in the development of cervical spine disease. Therefore, a well-chosen physical activity will reduce the general clinical symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition. Due to the fact that neck pain is constantly disturbing, secondary sleep disturbances occur. It is difficult for a person to take a comfortable position in bed, worries, which lead to psycho-emotional stress.
Also, the patient pays attention to the violation of sensitivity. They are described as "goosebumps" that are felt on the fingertips. In some cases, the discomfort can be located throughout the arm and muscle strength decreases.
Diagnosis of the disease
It is quite difficult to make a diagnosis on the basis of an examination. Basically, to clarify the diagnosis, the following activities are carried out:
- complete collection of complaints;
- consultations of specialized specialists (cardiologist, endocrinologist, neurologist);
- X-ray examination of the cervical spine;
- magnetic resonance imaging.
Examinations by specialized doctors are required to rule out acute cardiological and other conditions. With the exclusion of acute somatic pathology, one can speak of the diagnosis of osteochondrosis. In addition to the general clinical manifestations, the diagnosis can be confirmed using an x-ray examination of the spine.
X-rays are the most convenient and easiest to perform searches that help make a diagnosis. The image shows a narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, indicating intervertebral disc dystrophy. Bone growths can be distinguished along the edges of the vertebrae. If osteochondrosis is complicated by instability of the cervical spine, the displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other can be noted on the x-ray.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that can show radiographically which area is most damaged. Even when examining a cervical segment, you can see that the process is not evenly distributed.
In particularly difficult cases, MRI is performed, which helps diagnose a complication of osteochondrosis - intervertebral hernia. Thanks to the layer-by-layer MRI image, even the smallest hernial changes can be determined and immediately indicated the level of the lesion.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Only a doctor knows how to treat cervical osteochondrosis in the acute and interictal period. Therapy prescribed for this condition should be complete. With an exacerbation of the disease, it includes:
- drugs;
- complex rehabilitation therapy (physiotherapy exercises, gymnastics, massage, acupuncture, manual therapy);
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF, magnetotherapy, laser therapy);
To prevent exacerbation of osteochondrosis, resort to:
- thermal treatments;
- traditional medicine;
- wears special bandages and corsets;
- lifestyle changes (weight loss, balanced physical activity).
Medicines for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are as follows:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- drugs that improve blood circulation;
- vitamin complexes;
- in acute situations, analgesics;
- means it reduces muscle tension.
In addition to pills and injections, creams, ointments and gels are actively prescribed, which are applied to the affected area. By their effect, they contribute to skin irritation in a certain area, which improves blood circulation in small vessels, thereby ensuring the supply of nutrients to damaged segments and reducing muscle tension.
After an acute period, physiotherapy, massages and physiotherapy exercises are planned. Rehabilitation therapy is an addition to traditional medical treatment. As the condition improves, nutrition and trophism of the intervertebral disc will also pass better.
During the treatment, the patient will notice an improvement in well-being, an increase in efficiency and mood. If the treatment is stopped, without completing it, then the exacerbations of osteochondrosis will pass quite often.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis in the recovery period will be explained by a rehabilitator. Before talking about the complex of rehabilitation therapy, it should be noted that any treatment should be accompanied by the correction of the litter box. These include orthopedic mattresses and pillows.
Experts also recommend wearing a Shants collar permanently or for a certain period of time. This method is especially widely used in children's practice, when patients wear it for homework period. The Shants collar is selected individually in orthopedic salons.
An orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis is selected for each patient. It should fit the size of the bed and be selected according to the patient's constitution. It shouldn't be very small or very large, the main guideline is the person's shoulder width.
A pillow for extended sleep and rest should be of medium firmness and resemble a square or rectangle in shape. Other pillows are suitable for short breaks. Depending on the activity of the degenerative process, the orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondrosis should change.
Exercise and gymnastics (lfk)
Rehabilitation therapy should include gymnastics. The main task of the exercises is to strengthen the muscles of the neck and back, the upper shoulder girdle, improve the mobility of the spine and eliminate muscle clamps. Also, exercises for cervical osteochondrosis affect the muscles located deep down.
As a result of gymnastics in cervical osteochondrosis, physiological curves are gradually restored and the load on the intervertebral discs decreases. We must not forget that exercises for cervical osteochondrosis should also cover the thoracic segments.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis is performed with an instructor. Help patients understand which areas need to be emphasized most. The load and volume of activities are selected individually and depends on:
- from the age of the patient;
- on the prevalence of the process;
- by the presence of further comorbidities;
- on the efficacy of drug therapy.
At first they perform simple and not difficult tasks, as the body begins to adapt to new conditions and the muscles perform their work in sufficient volume, the exercises become more difficult and the duration of the sessions increases.
Physical therapy for cervical osteochondrosis includes simple actions. These are tilting the head back and forth, gradually adding circular movements of the head. It should be borne in mind that even for physiotherapy exercises there may be contraindications. As a rule, the whole of a lesson includes tasks aimed at developing and influencing all segments of the spine.
After the exercises on the cervical spine, tasks are gradually added to improve the work of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Physiotherapy exercises for cervical osteochondrosis can be performed in a standing or sitting position. Activities are performed gradually, at a low pace, this will allow for additional breathing exercises.
Contraindications to physiotherapy exercises:
- acute pain syndrome;
- increased blood pressure and the presence of heart disease in the acute phase;
- coordination disorders and diseases of the vestibular apparatus;
- increase in temperature;
- exacerbation of other chronic pathologies;
- status after surgical treatment.
Exercises in special techniques
This technique is based on the gradual restoration of the normal activity of the musculoskeletal system. Gymnastic exercises, performed on a specialized simulator, allow you to gradually restore the work of the structures of the cervical spine.
First, the pain is relieved, then blood circulation is restored, muscle tension is removed, and classes are conducted to expand motor activity in the cervical spine. The method is also supported by massage courses, lessons in the pool.
Massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
In addition to general strengthening exercises, massage has a very good effect. Massage for cervical osteochondrosis can be used in different ways (classic, segmental, point). In some cases, a combination of several techniques is allowed in one session.
We must not forget that the massage for cervical osteochondrosis is performed on a hard surface, face down, and its duration can vary from ten sessions or more. The frequency of repetition of the course is also determined by the attending physician. The effectiveness of the massage will last longer if the patient sleeps on the correct pillow.
Physiotherapy treatments such as magnet or electrophoresis have a local irritating effect. Magnetotherapy is a painless procedure that is well tolerated by adults and children. Manipulation takes several minutes, the patient must remain still, so it is more often recommended for older patients.
Electrophoresis is a manipulation that is performed using a special device. During the procedure, the patient feels a slight tingling sensation, which is created with the help of currents. The frequency and impulsivity of the signal is different for each age.
With this technique a drug is injected that has a positive effect. This manipulation is more aggressive than magnetotherapy, so there must be strict indications for its implementation.
A balanced diet is essential in this disease. Patients are advised to eat fruits, vegetables, meat, herbs, fish. You should limit the consumption of salt and all kinds of spices, seasonings, smoked or fried foods, sugar. It is better to drink herbal decoctions and tea, it is recommended to avoid drinking coffee and alcohol.
Traditional medicine is used to reduce pain. Most often, compresses and mixtures are used, which are applied to the affected area. Success in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine largely depends on the patient's consciousness. You shouldn't stop starting classes and therapy as soon as you feel better. It is irrational to constantly use pain relievers that bring temporary relief and the disease itself does not cure.