Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage, which is one of the main causes of pain in the neck with characteristic radiation to the arms. With this disease, there is a change in the structure of nearby cartilage and muscle-ligament structures.
As cervical osteochondrosis progresses, it can cause a number of serious complications, including the patient's disability, so its timely diagnosis and treatment is one of the urgent tasks of modern medicine.
Stages of development of pathology and typical symptoms
The disease goes through 4 successive stages of development with corresponding changes in the body and accompanying symptoms:
The first stage is the initial morphological changes in the intervertebral discs. The core of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) gradually dries up and cracks form in the structure of the fibrous ring. It is accompanied by pain or discomfort in the neck that worsens when turning or bending over. There is also a slight flattening of the cervical lordosis and almost constant muscle tension.
In the second stage, the destruction of the fibrous ring continues, which is accompanied by the first signs of pathological mobility of the vertebrae and their instability. The distance between the vertebrae decreases, protrusion occurs. At this time, the patient feels that the pain increases and radiates to the arm or shoulder area. In addition, severe headaches appear, a person complains of a feeling of weakness and decreased performance.
The third stage is characterized by the complete destruction of the fibrous ring, due to which the unstabilized nucleus protrudes from the vertebrae and penetrates into the area of the spinal canal, forming a herniated protrusion. It, in turn, puts pressure on the nerves and elements of the vascular bed, which causes disruption of blood flow in the cervical region. At this stage, patients complain of severe, persistent pain in the neck that spreads to the arms and shoulders. Muscles weaken and numbness of the upper limbs is systematically noted. Episodes of dizziness, difficulties with spatial orientation and stiffness of movements are added to the clinical picture.
The fourth stage is represented by the replacement of the intervertebral disc cartilage with a connective tissue structure and the involvement of the spinal segments adjacent to the pathological changes. Due to the fusion of the joints, their immobility occurs. For the patient, this is the most difficult stage, because he feels constant severe pain between the neck, arms, chest and shoulder blades. Added to this are signs of impaired blood supply to the brain, sensitivity disorders, and the likelihood of a stroke increases significantly.
It should be noted that in addition to the main clinical picture accompanying cervical osteochondrosis at different stages, additional symptoms may be noted:
decreased visual acuity;
episodes of anxiety caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain;
hearing loss and tinnitus;
the appearance of a crackling sound when moving the head;
sleep disorders up to insomnia;
the appearance of dots before the eyes;
cases of fainting;
paralysis of facial muscles;
pain in the arms that occurs at night.
If compression of the spinal cord occurs, myelopathy may develop, accompanied by:
difficulties in moving the limbs;
problems with coordination or balance;
loss of bowel or bladder control;
weakness or numbness in any part of the body below the neck;
shooting pains in extremities, increased by bending forward.
Causes of the disease
The main factor in the development of cervical osteochondrosis is an unbalanced and excessive load on this part of the spine. In most cases, the pathology is formed against the background of involutional degenerative changes accompanying the aging process. Osteochondrosis can also occur due to neck injury or metabolic disorders.
In addition, there are a number of other factors that contribute to the increase in neck load, muscle spasm and the development of chronic diseases:
congenital or acquired spinal anomalies;
overweight;
complex heredity (for example, congenital and genetically determined weakness of connective tissues);
long or frequent overloading of the spine (forced sitting, physical inactivity);
vitamin deficiency;
autoimmune pathologies accompanied by damage to connective tissue structures (collagenosis);
lack of micro or macroelements;
intense physical activity, sports with a high risk of spinal cord injury (for example, professional wrestling);
smoking, which prevents the flow of nutrients to the intervertebral discs;
metabolic disorders;
an unbalanced diet with an excess of carbohydrates and fats with a lack of proteins;
frequent stressful situations;
pathologies of the musculoskeletal system that cause a decrease in the mobility of the cervical spine;
repeated or severe hypothermia of the neck.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis?
The first problem characteristic of most patients who develop cervical osteochondrosis is severe and frequent pain in the head and neck area. For this reason, people are forced to look for the most comfortable position where the pain is weakened or completely absent. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in performance.
As the disease progresses, a herniation occurs (a partial protrusion of the disc tissue outside the intervertebral space), the tissue between the vertebrae begins to collapse, and the space narrows. With the final stage of the pathological process, the disc is completely destroyed and replaced by a connective tissue structure. This leads to restriction of motor activity, as the patient loses the ability to turn or tilt the head.
In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can cause the following complications:
torn;
cervicocranialgia (a localized pain sensation in the region of the base of the skull);
formation of osteophytes;
compression of veins;
radiculopathy (compression of spinal cord roots);
chronic pain syndrome.
In the most severe and advanced cases, cervical osteochondrosis causes compression of the spinal cord, paralysis and disability of the patient.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of a patient with suspected cervical osteochondrosis begins with the appointment of a doctor who conducts a thorough interview, clarifying the symptoms and history of the disease, as well as conducting a physical examination. During the examination, the doctor focuses on identifying areas of pain, evaluating the mobility of the spine and the quality of reflexes.
After receiving the initial data, the specialist creates a plan for additional diagnostics, which may include:
multi-slice computed tomography;
positron emission and magnetic resonance imaging;
radiography;
duplex scanning of vessels in the region of the pathological process.
Imaging methods allow the doctor to determine the genesis of the clinical picture, identify signs of degenerative processes or other conditions that may provoke the appearance of symptoms that bother the patient. Duplex scan allows to assess the quality of blood flow and detect vasoconstriction.
In addition to the basic diagnostic program, consultations with relevant specialists (vertebrologist, endocrinologist, orthopedic traumatologist, neurosurgeon, oncologist) can be conducted and the following can be prescribed:
ultrasound examination of nearby organs;
electrocardiography;
standard and advanced studies of biomaterials (blood, urine).
Only after the diagnosis is confirmed and the causes and severity of the disease are clarified, the doctor begins to work on the optimal and most effective treatment program.
Treatment Options
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is selected based on the stage at which the disease was detected, as well as taking into account the patient's age, current condition and existing complications or accompanying pathologies.
Conservative approach
When cervical osteochondrosis is identified in the initial stages, conservative therapeutic methods are chosen. They aim to prevent the development of the disease, eliminate unpleasant symptoms and restore spinal mobility.
As part of conservative therapy, the doctor combines drug treatment with physiotherapeutic procedures and gymnastics. He can prescribe drugs from the following categories:
chondroprotectors;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
pain relievers;
angioprotectors;
B vitamins;
hormones;
muscle relaxant;
vasodilators;
nootropics.
Physiotherapy procedures are used in addition to drugs, and the doctor may prescribe, taking into account the patient's condition:
acupuncture;
kinesio taping;
massage sessions;
photodynamic therapy;
the use of ultrasound or diadynamic currents;
electrophoresis;
magnetotherapy.
At the same time, it may be recommended to wear an orthopedic collar during cervical osteochondrosis in the acute period. This medical accessory is necessary to straighten bones and joints, reduce the load on the affected area of the spine and relieve pain. The neck collar for osteochondrosis, the price of which varies depending on the manufacturer, type and material, is selected individually for each patient only by the doctor.
The last but most important part of conservative therapy is gymnastics. The doctor prepares a series of special exercises for the patient aimed at strengthening the muscle frame, correcting posture and improving blood flow in the upper part of the spine.
Surgical approach
If conservative methods fail or cervical osteochondrosis is detected in later stages, treatment is carried out by surgical intervention. The doctor may prescribe one of the following operations to the patient:
laminectomy;
endoscopic or percutaneous decompression;
radiofrequency ablation;
endoscopic removal of hernia, tumor process or area of degenerative-dystrophic changes;
epidural lysis of adhesions;
stabilization of the spine;
endoscopic foraminotomy;
laser nucleoplasty with puncture puncture.
Preventive measures
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology for which no special preventive measures have been developed. Doctors give a number of recommendations to significantly reduce the likelihood of the occurrence, recurrence or development of complications. According to them, patients need:
adhere to healthy lifestyle principles;
eliminate lifting and carrying heavy objects;
use orthopedic mattresses and pillows to sleep;
engage in regular physical activity and swimming;
eat a balanced diet;
exclude situations where hypothermia of the cervical spine is possible;
continuously monitor your posture;
systematically take breaks during sedentary work for short sessions of therapeutic exercises;
be careful when turning and tilting your head;
undergo regular examination by a specialist for preventive purposes.
How is the rehabilitation going?
The supervising doctor draws up a plan for the rehabilitation period taking into account several aspects:
cervical osteochondrosis was detected at what stage;
general health and well-being of the patient;
age category and body weight of the patient;
existing accompanying pathologies or complications of the disease.
Depending on the situation, the doctor may include massage procedures, gymnastics and physiotherapy sessions in the rehabilitation program. Such comprehensive measures will not only speed up the recovery process and eliminate complications or relapses, but also help improve the patient's overall health.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious problem for which the patient needs timely and correct medical assistance. If symptoms of this disease appear, you can undergo diagnostics and get further treatment at a medical center. All specialists choose an individual approach to each patient, are guided by modern methods of treatment of osteochondrosis and provide a wide range of services, the price of which is comfortable for patients.
Question and answer
Cervical osteochondrosis has been identified, how long does it take to treat this pathology?
The duration of treatment directly depends on the stage at which the patient with cervical osteochondrosis seeks help. Only a doctor who assesses the severity of the pathological process and monitors the dynamics of progress during treatment can determine the most likely period.
Which doctor should I see if I suspect cervical osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is identified by a neurologist and subsequently treated, but in some cases a traumatologist-orthopedic can monitor the patient.