Osteochondrosis is a pathological process that leads to dystrophic and structural disorders first in the intervertebral discs, and then in the vertebrae themselves the spinal nerves, muscles, blood vessels and internal organs located nearby.
It can hit all parts of the spine - cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon and in terms of frequency it is less for lumbar osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis in the cervical region takes place in a stadium.Like any other pathology, without proper treatment, it progresses.Functional and structural changes in the bones and cartilage tissues are becoming more pronounced, leading to complex forms of the disease with sensitivity and restriction of movements.
Stages and degrees
In total, 4 stages (degrees) of the osteochondrosis of the cervical region are distinguished.At the same time, the concepts of "degree" and "stage" are very often confused.Although they mean the same thing, they are not completely identical.The scene shows structural disorders in the cervical spine, in the nearby organs and tissues.And it means symptoms of osteochondrosis and patient complaints.With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, clinical signs of 1 degree are minimal, but may be completely absent.The patient complains of mild neck pain (cervical), intensifying as the head is rotated.The study noted the local tension of the cervical muscles.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of 2 degrees is accompanied by a discogenic radiculitis.As a result of further degenerative dystrophic changes in the nucleus and the fibrous capsule of the intervertebral disc, the height of the gap between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result, the roots of the cervical spinal nerves are disturbed.Patients are worried about point pain, strengthened with bends and tilting their heads.Pain syndrome can exceed the cervical region and be accompanied by general weakness, reducing efficiency.
As a result of more pathological processes leading to the displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs, the disc hernias are formed in the cervical region.The pain and the feeling of general weakness increase, sensitive and motor disorders in the area of the affected segment, join them.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of grade 3 is developed.
In the future, with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the fourth degree of destroyed intervertebral disc is replaced with fibrous connective tissue.Due to the involvement of the spinal artery in the pathological process of pain with sensitive and motor disorders, the brain disorders that are joined, impaired coordination and the sensation of ringing in the ears.
Etiology
Before the causes or etiological factors of cervical osteochondrosis, some anatomical and physiological characteristics of this spine must be clarified.
These features are as follows:
- The neck is a removable structure while bordering on a relatively static chest spine.
- Cervical vertebrae 7 and segments 8. The segment "surplus" appears due to atlantoa treatment.
- The cervical vertebrae have an anatomically different structure that is especially monitored on the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, the Atlanta and the axis.
- Life communications pass into the neck - trachea, esophagus, large vessels, including the spinal artery that supplies the brain.
The etiological factors that lead to pathological changes in the cervical region with the subsequent transition to cervical osteochondrosis of 2nd degree are as follows:
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- Irrational nutrition with a deficiency of trace elements and vitamins;
- Constant violation of the posture by students, students, office workers;
- Frequent hypothermia, adverse microclimate of the house and in production;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Heredity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of grade 2, in addition to the pain, include tension of the cervical and spinal muscles.Neck pain (cervikagia) with a degree of osteochondrosis can be either a point or spilled, spread beyond the neck to other anatomical areas - the back and shoulder belt.Due to the shortening of the intervertebral gaps, muscles and ligaments, they peeled.The action of the muscle frame weakens and is formed by subluxation of the cervical region, resulting in the disc shifts in one direction or another.At the same time, the pain can be acute and severe, according to the type of shutter (cervical) after rotation of the head or extension of the neck.
In addition to the pain, as already stated, the tension of the cervical and spinal muscles is noted.Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae do not displace in the back, but on the side, such stress is most often asymmetrical in nature and leads to impaired posture.In turn, the impaired posture leads to a more impairment of metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are designed to transition osteochondrosis to stage 3.
At 2 stages of cervical osteochondrosis, the spinal artery has not yet been affected.Nevertheless, at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of a feeling of weakness, rapid fatigue and collapse.Possible sleep disorders are possible due to pain.
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of 2 degrees includes:
- Medical therapy,
- Physiotherapy procedures,
- Therapeutic gymnastics,
- Massage,
- Manual therapy.
MedicationIt is aimed at eliminating cervical, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and the normalization of metabolic processes in the cervical discs.Anesthesia is achieved by taking painkillers orally.But this is the most inefficient way to eliminate pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.With severe pain you can wear a special Chantsa collar.
AnesthesiaIt can be achieved by eliminating the inflammatory process in the cervical roots.In this regard, non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in various dosage forms -trablets, ointments, injections and compresses.In this regard, injections, ointments are very effective.A good anti -inflammatory effect is given by steroid hormones.
In order to restore the affected cartilage, it is recommended to obtain chondroprotectors.For the same purpose, the use of vitamin mineral complexes containing vitamins of group B, C, E, together with zinc, iron calcium.Although brain disorders at the 2nd stage of cervical osteochondrosis have not occurred, the use of neuroprotectors will not be unnecessary.
Physiotherapy proceduresWith cervical osteochondrosis, every degree is designed to reduce pain and inflammation, to improve local blood flow.For this purpose, phonophoresis, laser and magnetic resonance therapy, ultrasound treatment are used.Physiotherapy procedures are contraindicated by the period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
MassageIn osteochondrosis, it is also performed in an inter -aged period.Massage procedures are performed in the position of the patient who sits or lies on the side.At the same time, the massage therapist with smooth movements towards the back of the head to the neck is mixed, hits and rubs the tense muscles.Subsequently, the muscles of the back, neck, breasts are massaged.In this case, a self -massage is possible with the help of the Kuznetsov applicator.This is a needle roller with plastic spikes.It is enough to put this roller around the neck for half an hour each day - an hour and the result will not be long in the coming.
Medical physical educationIt is designed to consolidate the effect of the above methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck.At the same time, optimal loads of different muscle groups are created, leading to the strengthening of the muscles and eliminating the spine.Manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the neck should be performed with great caution.Due to the high risk of injuries to the cervical spine, it is associated with high risk not only to health but also to the patient's life.
Prevention measures
The prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is designed to eliminate the causes of this disease and prevent the transition to stage 2 of 3.
In this regard, the following requirements must be met:
- Active lifestyle;
- Full meal;
- Normal conditions in everyday life and production, with the exception of drafts and hypothermia;
- Proper stand with "stuck" work and research;
- Hardening, sports;
- Treatment of concomitant chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis - a timely visit to the doctor.