Cervical chondropathy: causes, symptoms and treatment

Cervical osteochondrosis is a progressive process of malnutrition and disc rupture.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are severe pain in the neck, head, and shoulders, which affect everyone regardless of age.

Description of Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the neck became much younger. Young people suffer from puberty. The neck is the weakest part of the spine. The seven vertebrae are very closely adjacent to each other, and the bones of the muscles are worse than the bones of other parts. The neck is under a lot of pressure because it supports the skull and is in constant motion.

What is cervical osteochondrosis? The intervertebral disc gets nourishment by spreading from adjacent tissues. The deterioration of the blood supply to the tissues around the vertebrae leads to a lack of nutrients and water. Starvation of the nucleus and annulus fibrosus leads to the degenerative process.

Overgrowth of bone tissue near the vertebrae, squeezed intervertebral discs, squeezed nerves and ligaments are the first signs of performance degradation. High-intensity pain initially concentrates on the neck, head, shoulders, heart, arms, upper chest, and moves to the lower extremities. Each of the seven vertebrae sends signals to other departments. Compression of nerve roots affects the state of other body systems.

Osteochondrosis is particularly dangerous to the brain. The vertebral artery that runs here performs the function of providing blood supply to the back of the brain. Pinching it can cause headaches, which usually develop into migraines without the use of painkillers. Osteochondrosis of the neck may be accompanied by dizziness, visual and hearing impairment, nausea and vomiting. Later, pharyngeal symptoms appeared, and due to lack of oxygen in the brain, he fainted suddenly. Compression of the vertebral artery can cause spinal cord and cerebral ischemia. Exacerbations can lead to spinal strokes.

The basic process of disease

Cervical osteochondrosis should be considered from the perspective of the interaction of physiological and pathological factors:

• Physiological process:The aging of spinal cartilage is caused by natural irreversible reasons. The change occurs in the central part of the disc. The age-related change process in the human body causes the pulp to be replaced by fibrous tissue;
• Pathological process:The intervertebral structure undergoes degenerative changes, destroying the surrounding blood vessels and nodules. The changes occur outside the cartilage itself. There is compression of blood vessels, which stimulates nerve endings. A person feels bad breath, local and reflex pain symptoms.

When physiological aging is replaced by pathological processes, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine acquires a pathological form. First, trigger the body's compensation and protection mechanisms to eliminate diseases. Therefore, osteochondrosis can only pass or occur sporadically. But this feature is not permanent.

Disease progression expressed as compression of blood vessels and nerve structures is accompanied by the following process:

• Lumbar spondylolisthesis, in which the intervertebral disc slips. Even a slight displacement can lead to the development of paralysis. Severe displacement can be fatal.
• The nucleus pulposus is impregnated with calcium salt. This can lead to malnutrition of the intervertebral discs, leading to the formation of hernias; A herniated disc is caused by a herniated disc. Neglect of treatment can lead to flaccid paralysis;
• The appearance of microcracks on the fiber ring, prominent development. Herniated disc exceeds its limit;
• Spondylosis means wear and tear of the vertebrae. Osteophytes-growths of bone tissue in the form of hooks and spines appear on the side of the vertebral body. Severe pain, so exercise stiffness.

Causes of cervical ossification

Increased cervical spine load will cause the body to try to compensate for this condition. This is how muscle cramps start, blood circulation deteriorates, and deformity occurs. The structure of the vertebra itself changes. The reason may also be a progressive disc herniation due to prolonged physical exertion.

The main factors that cause the onset of cervical osteochondrosis:

• Underpowered;
Weakened immune system;
• Excessive physical exercise;
• The existence of spinal injury;
• Lack of nutrients, obesity;
• Posture problems (scoliosis, flat feet, rheumatism);
• genetic factors;
• Autoimmune diseases that cause cartilage degeneration;
• Stress, long-term nervousness;
• Climatic factors, cold and humid;
• Congenital abnormalities of the spine.

The main cause of osteochondrosis is the unbalanced load distribution of the spine and the weak waist muscle. People over 30 are at the greatest risk, especially if they sit for long periods of the day.

Development stage

The progression of cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into several stages:

• First, pre-clinical.It is characterized by mild deformity of the vertebrae and smooth cervical lordosis. Sudden head movement will cause pain and fatigue. The development of diseases can be prevented without drugs. You need to eat a balanced diet, choose exercise and take precautions;
• seconds.An unstable state is established between the vertebrae. The vertebrae move relative to each other, twisting-rotating around the spine. The pain that is aggravated by the occasional movement of the neck spreads to the shoulders and arms. The height of the intervertebral disc is reduced, which can cause nerve compression. It is characterized by distraction, fatigue, and headache;
• The third stage.The height of the intervertebral disc is reduced by a quarter relative to the upper intervertebral disc. The intervertebral segments began to appear deformed. The foramen, the lumen of the spinal canal, is reduced. I have been feeling severe pain. Because of the herniated disc, the arm muscles began to become numb. The cervical spine loses its elasticity. The patient felt dizzy and weak.

The height of the intervertebral disc is significantly reduced. The intervertebral disc is destroyed and replaced by connective tissue. Large osteophytes form on the back of the cervical spine. The spinal canal is very narrow, causing the development of myelopathy. The patient's condition deteriorated, accompanied by decreased coordination, dizziness, severe pain, and tinnitus.

Symptoms

The symptom pictures of neck lesions are different from other diseases. This is due to the dense arrangement of the vertebrae relative to each other. Due to the small height of the intervertebral disc, even in the case of mild disease, the clinic began to show it. The signs of injury will vary, depending on which of the eight nerve roots are affected. There is a nerve under the seven vertebrae, and its compression has its own symptoms.

Problems in the first two vertebrae affect the sensitivity of the occipital bone. The pain is confined to the parietal lobe and occipital region. Failure of the nerve endings of the third vertebra is rare. Symptoms are numbness in the pinched area, tongue, and language disorder. The fourth root suggests clavicle, shoulder pain and numbness. Can cause breathing difficulties and heart pain. The fifth disease causes shoulder pain and lower limb sensitivity.

Lesions of the sixth and seventh vertebrae are the most common among patients. The neck, shoulder bones, forearms, lower back, and back suffer. Numbness in hands and fingers. The pathological change of the eighth nerve root is characterized by the spread of pain in the lower limbs. The skin sensitivity decreases, and the little fingers on the hands and feet become numb. Disorders of blood circulation can cause blueness in the feet and hands.

The common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• Pain spreads to the upper body and lower body;
• Weakness, reduced sensitivity of hands;
• Difficulty in exercise, sit-ups;
• Impaired coordination, accompanied by ringing, tinnitus, disorientation, weakness, dizziness;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Numbness of tongue, fingers and toes, hearing loss, and vision loss.

Diagnose cervical spondylosis

In order to determine the damaged intervertebral disc and the extent of its disease, doctors need to perform a series of examinations: X-ray, MRI, CT (computed tomography), duplex ultrasound scan. The most accurate way to check the health of the cervical spine is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of MRI is to find out the pathological changes of spinal tissue, especially spinal cord and intervertebral hernia. After examining and questioning the patient, after the examination, the attending neurologist makes a preliminary diagnosis and prescribes a treatment plan.

Treatment

If you suspect osteochondrosis, you should consult a neurologist. The duration of treatment depends on the age of the patient, the severity of cervical osteochondrosis, the type of treatment and the patient's compliance with all doctors’ recommendations. The severe form of osteochondrosis cannot be completely cured. The purpose of complex treatment is to slow down the ongoing pathological process and eliminate symptoms. Treatment can be conservative, surgical or a combination of both. If headaches become more frequent, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible.

There are two main treatment methods for cervical osteochondrosis:

• Medicine, through taking medicine;
• Physical therapy includes UHF, electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetic therapy, laser therapy and other courses. They have a stimulating effect on blood flow, metabolism, and relieve muscle spasms.

In order to reduce the compression of the area around the central nervous system (CNS) and relieve the pain syndrome when the disease worsens, medication is used. After the acute manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are eliminated, treatment cannot be stopped. Prescribe physical therapy. It is necessary to massage the neck regularly. Folk remedies are also used.

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis

Medication has full effect only when combined with other methods (such as physical therapy (exercise therapy), massage). These drugs are designed to relieve pain, restore cartilage tissue regeneration and activate blood circulation in the affected neck tissues.

Many doctors prescribe injections to be more effective on nerve endings. But it is best to take vitamins in pill form, because injections can be very painful. In order to provide anti-inflammatory effects, the doctor gave an intramuscular injection.

The main types of treatment drugs:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).They have analgesic effects and can eliminate aseptic inflammatory processes and root edema. With obvious signs of disease, these drugs are injected twice a day. Topical cream;
• Cartilage protector.Activate metabolism and regenerate cartilage tissue. Eliminate the damage to the intervertebral disc. There are injectable drugs inside the joints and muscles. The course of treatment is up to 4 months;
The
• vitamins in the B group (B1, B2, B6), E, ​​A, C, and D groups help to improve the metabolism in the tissue and promote its recovery;
• Muscle relaxants.Used to relax spastic muscles. The tablets are used within one month. In the severe form of this disease, various injectable drugs are used.
• Drugs can activate blood flow in the brain,the rheological properties of blood.

The following other medicines used to accelerate recovery:

• Vasoprotective agent-Injection is designed to activate venous blood flow and enhance vascular tension;
• Glucocorticoids-Reduce edema and inflammation in the form of injections;
• Biological stimulants.Accelerate the metabolic process and help restore damaged tissues.

Physical Therapy

Physiotherapy supplements medical treatment, which significantly improves the recovery rate, prolongs the remission period, and reduces the frequency of exacerbations.

Physiotherapy method:

• Exercise therapyis ​​one of the most effective ways to treat osteochondrosis. Regular exercise will activate blood circulation and help restore damage;
• MassageImprove nerve conduction and restore muscle tone;
• Magnetic therapyReduce tissue edema;
• Laser therapyacts on a concentrated beam. Initiate the recovery process in the body;
• Reflexology-Activate certain points. Strengthen the immune system, relieve cramps and neck pain;
• UltrasoundHas analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects;
• Electrophoresis with herbs.Electric current promotes the penetration of drug ions to specific locations.

In order to get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, manual therapy, heat therapy, and mud therapy are also used. All these methods slow down the progression of the disease.

Herbal medicine cannot cure osteochondrosis, but with the main treatments, they can help relieve the disease. Mix 2 teaspoons of bee honey with two kinds of mummies. Heat the mixture, apply it on a warm scarf, and tie the scarf around your neck at night. Honey is biologically irritating and can be a perfect match for treatment. To grind, use a tincture made of radish, vodka and honey in a ratio of 1. 5: 1. 5: 1 (measured in a glass). You can use a meat grinder with four garlic cloves to twist three large lemons. Pour boiling water into the mixture in a two-liter jar. After mixing the contents, drink half a cup on an empty stomach. You can also add mustard cream and pepper cream to relieve pain.

Exercise

During the recovery period, you can perform a series of therapeutic exercises on the neck. Exercise therapy is based on several dynamic movements. Please refrain from gymnastics during the worsening period. When exercising, it is recommended to monitor the appearance of discomfort, which is unacceptable.

From the prone position, raise the upper body with your arms. Delay 1-2 minutes. Lower to the starting position and repeat 2-3 times. Then you need to stretch your arms along the body. Rotate your head from side to side 6 to 7 times, trying to reach the floor with your ears. sit down. When you inhale, lean forward and your head toward your chest. When you exhale, bend back and throw your head back. The inclination is 10-15. Now, you need to place your palms on your forehead and apply pressure to each other for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. Rotate the head 10 times in each direction. If the head starts to rotate, the exercise must be interrupted.

Complications

The cervix is ​​rich in blood vessels, which provide nerve endings for the brain. Squeezing them slightly can damage the whole body, disrupt the blood circulation of the brain and cause neurological diseases: migraine, abnormal heart function, respiratory system, vision, hearing, high blood pressure. Vertebral artery syndrome, cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke and other particularly dangerous complications caused by carotid artery disease syndrome. When radiculopathy occurs, mobility is lost. Spinal cord compression is fatal.

To avoid surgical intervention in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, there should be no delay in seeking medical attention when the first symptoms appear. All available treatments and lifestyle, nutritional changes must be used.