Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic process in the area of the cervical vertebrae and surrounding tissues, associated with gradual thinning, dehydration of the intervertebral discs and the formation of spinal deformities.All this impairs mobility, causes inflammatory changes in surrounding tissues, pain and complications.A more current name for the disease is Dorsopathy.The term “osteochondrosis” itself does not correspond to modern criteria, but is strongly rooted to refer to different processes and causes of pain in different parts of the spine.
Osteochondrosis affects the intervertebral discs, vertebrae and surrounding soft tissues.As a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes against the background of aging and excessive stress, changes occur in the composition of the gelatinous substance of the disc and the dense fibrous tissue surrounding it, forming an elastic membrane.Gradually, the height of the disc decreases, its shock-absorbing properties deteriorate.
The metabolism inside the nucleus suffers, microcracks form, the disc is deformed, protrusions (protrusions) and hernias are formed.As the process progresses, the surrounding part of the cartilage and bone tissue of the vertebrae suffers, and osteophytes are formed - bony growths that limit mobility and cause pain.
Changes occur near the spinal cord and its membranes, the roots of the spinal nerves, which can form irritation, inflammation of the surrounding tissues, reflex muscle spasms, which cause typical manifestations of the disease.Nearby vessels where blood flow is interrupted may suffer.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis in the predominantly cervical spine area can occur against the background of a number of existing health problems.Each makes the process even worse.Among the main provocateurs are:
Obesity, overweight;
Inactivity, lack of physical activity;
Mainly sedentary work or prolonged standing;
Bad posture, stooping;
Problems with the musculoskeletal system (flat feet, scoliosis), due to which the load on the spine is distributed unevenly;
Back and neck injuries, congenital malformations of the spine;
Excessive stress on the neck and back;
Predisposition to the pathology.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The manifestations of the disease are varied, they are not always recognized immediately and are mistaken for other pathologies.Among the most typical are:
Attacks of dizziness of a systemic nature occur in the form of attacks.
Pain in the back of the head, neck area, neck.The severity and intensity of the pain depends on the development of the process.Initially mild and periodic, as the pathology develops it becomes constant, spreading to the entire head.
Whistling, ringing in the ears when changing position after sitting or lying down for a long time can be accompanied by an attack of dizziness.
Nausea with vomiting due to circulatory disorders in some areas of the brain, worse when you turn your head.
Vision impairment, fog, blurred vision, flickering spots.
Pressure spikes, fainting.
Sensation of lump in the throat, dryness, swallowing problems.
Shoulder pain, numbness in the hands.
In addition to these disorders, typical syndromes that arise only against the background of damage to the cervical spine are also possible.
Spinal syndrome: reduced mobility of the neck, pain when trying to turn the head, crunching of the vertebrae.
Vertebral artery syndrome with tinnitus, dizziness, blood pressure changes and drowsiness.
Radicular syndrome with numbness and pain in the back of the head, reduced sensitivity of the tongue, hiccups, problems swallowing, pain in the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, numbness in the little finger.
Possible complications and risks
Long-term osteochondrosis in the cervical region leads to disorders in the area of \u200b\u200bthe nerve trunks and arteries.This threatens the development of strokes, thyroid disorders, hand sensitivity problems, difficulty swallowing food and vision problems.Additionally, neck mobility is significantly limited.
Diagnostics
To diagnose the pathology, you need to contact an orthopedist and a neurologist.A comprehensive examination helps to make a diagnosis:
X-ray and CT of the cervical spine, magnetic resonance imaging for visualization of bone structures and soft tissues.
Duplex scanning of the arteries of the neck and head evaluates blood circulation in the brain and neck.
Reflexes, neck mobility and soft tissue conditions are evaluated.
Furthermore, to exclude other pathologies, ultrasound, ECG, blood pressure monitoring and consultation with an ENT specialist are necessary.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Basically, the doctor treats osteochondrosis of the cervical spine depending on the underlying cause.If, for example, the cause of the symptoms is muscle tension or poor posture, the doctor will usually start with conservative treatment.These include, for example, exercises to strengthen the neck muscles, physical therapy and manual therapy, and painkillers with medications.
In some cases, the doctor recommends surgery.This is necessary, for example, in case of severe herniated disc or injury to the cervical spine.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is aimed at long-term pain relief and restoring the body's flexibility.It includes muscle strengthening exercises, massage and physical measures (e.g. applications of heat, cold, light or electrical stimuli).The therapist massages the affected muscles, for example by irradiating them with red light or applying warm compresses.In this way tensions and blocks in the vertebrae are dissolved and the mobility of the vertebral joints is no longer limited.
Your physical therapist will also select specific therapeutic exercises to meet your individual needs and health conditions.He will tell you exactly how to perform these exercises and, if necessary, correct the movements that you are performing incorrectly.The main thing here is that you are learning techniques that will help you relax your muscles and improve the mobility of your head and neck.Exercise also helps improve blood circulation in the body, relieve tension and strengthen muscles.
If the symptoms manifest themselves acutely or if exercise does not help, the doctor also treats osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with medications.If necessary, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.They relieve pain for a while and allow patients to move their head and neck better.
If your symptoms are severe and/or particularly painful, your doctor will also prescribe drugs that relax your muscles (called muscle relaxants).
Pharmaceutical ointments or patches that have an analgesic effect also relieve the symptoms of cervical syndrome.
In some cases (for example in the case of a herniated disc), the doctor uses the so-called minimally invasive injection therapy.This method is often used for pinched nerves.To do this, the doctor injects a local anesthetic with a needle directly into the affected area of the spine (infiltration).It soothes irritated nerves, relieves pain and relaxes muscles.Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor will administer the treatment one to ten times.
If conservative treatment is not effective, your doctor will consider surgery.This is the case, for example, with herniated disc: when a person suffers from very severe pain, symptoms of paralysis occur.Today the operation is usually microsurgical, that is, through a small incision.The doctor removes intervertebral disc tissue that is pressing on the nerves and causing symptoms.The procedure is generally short (about 30-60 minutes).The patient is usually under general anesthesia during the surgery and remains in hospital for observation for approximately three days.
Prevention
You have the power to relieve your symptoms and prevent neck strain on your own.The following measures are possible for this purpose:
Physical therapy and swimming in many cases improve the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
Under certain circumstances, stress and psychological tension can contribute to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or intensify its symptoms.Therefore, try to avoid stressful situations.