Neck pain is an alarming sign.Maybe it's just overvoltage and you just have to relax and relax.But what if the pain is associated with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?It is important to carefully take into account symptoms and treatment, because complications can affect the most important organ - the brain.
What is cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative disease of the bone cherry system of the body.This leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of bone tissue of the vertebrae, the formation of growths on their surfaces.
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which is articulated with the skull.The anatomical and functional unit of the spine is the segment of the spinal motor.This is a joint complex that causes the spinal column moving.The complex consists of two vertebrae, the intervertebral disc, the joint surfaces of the vertebrae (veneer), nerves, ligaments and muscles.
Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to a violation of the biomechanics of the spine as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, hernias of intervertebral discs, nerve roots and blood vessels can form.
The pathological processes in the intervertebral disc are conducted four stages: diet, weakening of connections, discomfort and nerve compression.
- Stage 1SThe conditions of the force and metabolism of the intervertebral disc are disturbed.Due to the characteristics of the structure, the disks are eaten only during movement.If not, changes in dystrophic tissue begin: the disc is starving and dehydrates.Water loss leads to the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot perform the functions of depreciation.The load on the fibrous ring intensifies, cracks and tears appear in it.A little pain may occur at this point.
- Stage 2SIn the second stage, the ligamentary apparatus of the spinal segment appears.The connection becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process in the disc worsens, the hernia (prolapse) begins - penetrating the pulpus nucleus through cracks into the fibrous ring.The pain becomes periodic.
- Stage 3SIn addition, the intervertebral disc is completely damaged.The palpus core of the disk exceeds the fibrous ring.The resulting hernia can disrupt the roots of the nerves.The inflammatory process develops.This is manifested by exacerbation of pain, the so -called radicular syndrome.
- Stage 4SIn the fourth stage, the lesion affects the tissues nearby.It is possible to extract the radicular artery, which leads to the lack of blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, the spine can be completely immobilized.
The first signs and main symptoms
At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical region, discomfort, restriction of movement, soreness of the neck.Often this does not attach importance.
Over time, the pain intensifies, becomes pain, burning, head, neck, shoulder blades, shoulders injures - perhaps this develops the vertebral artery syndrome.The artery is drained or spasmodic, blood flow is impaired.
In 1-2 stages of cervical osteochondrosis, ophthalmic problems associated with spasm in the vessels often occur.Durling in the eyes, flickering, the appearance of "flies", colored spots in front of the eyes - all these are symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Migraines, dizziness, nausea and cough.
- Hearing damage, ear pain, face.
- Motor disorders in the hands, legs.The sensitivity of the scalp may be a gap.
- Pain in the arm.If a nerve spine is pressed, then the entire area in which it sends pulses can harm or "fall out".
In addition to the above symptoms, you can distinguish three major pain syndromes accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms.Determining the leading pain syndrome is important as the whole treatment regimen is built on the elimination of pain.And it is impossible to remove it without knowing origin.
- Myofasal syndrome- Pain in the skeletal muscles and the adjacent fascia.The disorder is associated with overload, in which spasm, hypertension, painful nodes inside the muscles (trigger points) occur.
- Rook syndrome- The pain caused by prolonged draining the roots of the spinal nerves.The process of formation of hernia for osteochondrosis of the spine leads to the pinching of the nerve fibers and the subsequent inflammatory reaction.The pain spreads to the nerve.
- Veneer syndrome- Pain in vertebrates.The vertebrae of the second cervical have joint processes that are interconnected by vaulted (veneers) joints.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases and this leads to the fact that the capsules of the joints of the curved joints are in constant tension.This causes pain.In addition, the pain increases until the end of the day, especially with a long -term forced position.
The causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine One of the key causes of osteochondrosis is the evolution of the spine to a high vertical load.People's ancestors walked four legs like other mammals.They do not suffer from osteochondrosis, as in the horizontal position of the internal body pressure is half as in the vertical.By the standards of evolution, the transition to straightening happened not so long ago and the spine simply did not have time to adapt to a high vertical load.So, along with straightening, one also acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
An even more vulnerable neck of a person makes its structure.The cervix department of a person consists of seven small mobile vertebrae, which are articulated by the type of baby pyramid.This design can hardly be called stable outside the rest of the rest.In addition, the muscle frame in this area is weak and the loads can be high - all this makes the neck vulnerable.Each injury is fraught with consequences.Even if the damage was in another spine, the load redistribution could cause osteochondrosis.
Another factor is aging.The formation of the skeleton and cartilage tissue ends with 21 and then the irreversible process of aging (degeneration) begins.Cartilage foods are made only because of diffusion and if the intervertebral disc does not receive nutrients, it begins to collapse gradually.
In addition, the development of cervical osteochondrosis contributes to:
- Autoimmune diseases.These include their own body cells in the pathological process of destruction of cartilage tissue.
- Infections, hormonal insufficiency, delay in metabolism - all these blood disorders can also serve as factors for the development of osteochondrosis.
- A sedentary lifestyle, working conditions in which a person spends the greater part of the time in a forced static situation.
- High loads leading to injury can lead to compression.
- Genetic defects associated with the weakness of the musculoskeletal system and the inferiority of cartilage tissue.
The spinal canal in the cervical spine is very narrow, so that high loads, any disorder or injury can lead to compression of the spinal cord.And that's very dangerous.
In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass into this area.If the blood stops flowing into the brain in the appropriate volume, a stroke can occur.
Diagnostics
In the primary diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor collects the patient's history.He discovers that and how it hurts, with what intensity, with load or at rest, at what time of day it hurts more strongly, whether the cervical spine occurs.
During the neck examination, the doctor feels the cervical vertebrae and muscles, lymph nodes;Assesses the volume of movements, excludes or confirms Rooser syndrome.
A laboratory diagnosis is then prescribed to rule out autoimmune diseases: general blood test, ESR, rheumatoid factor, antigen HLA B27.
The main role in the diagnosis is given to radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
- RntgenographyIt helps to evaluate the condition of the bone structures, the soft tissues and the cartilage of the photos are not displayed.To visualize these structures, a contrast environment is introduced: angiography, discography, myelography.
- Computed tomography (CT)SThis method also uses the principle of radiography, but with the help of computer processing you can get a series of pictures of longitudinal and transverse sections on which you can see bones and cartilage.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)SThis is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissues.The MRI gives an idea not only about the structure of organs and tissues, but also of their functioning.In the case of osteochondrosis, with a frequent complication there is a hernia of the spine.The MRI allows you to diagnose the hernia formation process in the early stages.
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is reduced to conservative methods.Initially, the pain syndrome was eliminated and different procedures were prescribed.But in the most final cases, when the pain does not pass for more than three months and the medicines do not help, the surgery becomes the only way out.
Methods of non -surgical treatments
Osteochondrosis has hit the bone system for more than one year and therefore it will take time.Patience must be won.Conservative Treatment Tasks:
- Eliminate the pain.
- Remove inflammation.
- Restore the function of spinal roots.
- Strengthening the muscle corset and connections.
Conservative treatment includes drug therapy and physiotherapy.The preparations help relieve pain during exacerbation and physiotherapy - to start the processes of self -healing of the body.
During severe pain with radicular syndrome, SO "block" is performed: the drug is administered in the immediate vicinity of the inflamed spine of the spinal nerve.
Physiotherapy treatment is based on natural and artificially recreated physical factors: cold, heat, electrical current, magnetic radiation, laser and others.Special devices, devices, manual methods are used for their reconstruction.
- Laser therapy- biological activation of the regeneration processes of the intervertebral discs.The body begins to commit suicide.
- Plasmotherapy (PRP therapy)- Injections of plasma isolated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors, hormones.After injection, local immunity increases, the regeneration processes are started.
- Acupuncture- Stimulating nerve endings with special needles.Improves metabolism in the affected areas, relieves pain.
- Shock therapy- exposure to high frequency waves.Allows you to start natural recovery processes.
- Kineshitheap- Traffic therapy.It can be active (exercise therapy) and passive (massage, grip).LFK strengthens the posterior muscles, grip relieves tension and pain.It is chosen taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
- Manual therapy and massage- Exposure to soft tissues and joints to restore balance in the body and synchronize the processes.Return mobility and eliminate the pain.
- Adhesion- Bonding special plasters on the skin in places where it is necessary to respond to the receptors of stretching and compression of the muscles.It can relax and increase the tone.
In the period of acute pain, the patient is advised to wear special dressings and collars to the neck.
The positive effect of conservative treatment is achieved for 2-3 months.If no result, the patient is recommended.
Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis
Work in the case of cervical osteochondrosis is an exceptional measure that requires special indications.The operation is recommended if:
- The pain cannot be removed through therapeutic treatment for more than 3 months.
- There is hernia on the intervertebral disc.
- The sensitivity in the limb disappears
Postoperative rehabilitation also takes time and may include therapeutic treatment.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.You can't treat it.Such serious disorders in the musculoskeletal system can lead to damage.Neck pain can become chronic, osteochondrosis will spread to several parts of the spine.Timely prevention can prevent the development of this disease.
Prevention
Daily physical activity is required to maintain the health of the cervical spine.The food of the intervertebral discs appears on the move, so it is essential.It is important that the loads are optimal and regular.
If the work is related to constantly finding in a static position, periodic heat -Up is required.And at home, after a working day, you can lie on your back on a flat surface for a while by placing a roller under your neck.This method will help to restore the cervical bend of the spine, eliminate muscle tension.
Proper posture during sleep is important when preventing cervical osteochondrosis is important.If a person in the morning rises from neck pain, then the muscles did not have time to relax and recover.
Here an orthopedic pillow, which has been selected individually, will help in 3-5 years.
Do not delay the treatment
A doctor will help you choose a recovery program.It will evaluate the condition of the spine of MRI images, will report the likelihood of absorption and the possibility of treatment.