Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disorder in the tissues of the articular cartilage, which most often occurs in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, because they are more often exposed to heavy loads, which results in a decrease in elasticity, flattening and thinning of the discs located between the vertebrae, followed by their replacement by bone tissue. As the degenerative process progresses, the surrounding structures become involved. This causes the development of a whole complex of symptoms that deprive the patient of a pleasant life.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathological change in the tissues of the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae themselves. Due to the thinning of the soft tissues, the effect of the depreciation of the vertebrae is reduced, nerve fibers and blood vessels are compressed, the mobility of the cervical spine is reduced, and the rotation of the head is limited. As a result of this disease, circulation and blood flow to the brain deteriorates, migraines, headaches, tension, cluster headaches, heart rhythm disorders, breathing rhythm disorders, deterioration of memory, vision, coordination and attention, intervertebral hernias, incoming brain disorders and develophaving a stroke.

Causes of osteochondrosis

What causes cervical osteochondrosis?

A number of factors lead to cervical osteochondrosis, each of which worsens the course of the disease:

• Sedentary lifestyle (sedentary work);
• Excess body weight;
• Improper posture;
• Chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet, deformities of the lower extremities in the form of the letters x and o), contributing to the uneven distribution of the load on the spine;
• Congenital pathologies of the development of the spinal column;
• Excessive, repetitive stress on the spine;
• Hereditary predisposition;
• Injuries.

Signs and symptoms

• Systemic dizziness;
• Pain in the back of the head, neck, collarbone area;
• Noise or ringing in the ears;
• A feeling of lack of air develops, inability to take a deep breath, severe shortness of breath;
• Nausea and vomiting, worse on trying to turn the head;
• Decreased visual acuity, flickering spots or fog before the eyes;
• Fluctuations in blood pressure that are difficult to correct with medication;
• Fainting caused by vasospasm;
• Feeling of a lump in the throat, pain, dryness, problems swallowing, pain in the shoulder joint;
• Numbness of the fingers.

The degree of development of osteochondrosis

In the process of development of cervical osteochondrosis, there are four consecutive stages that determine the severity of the symptoms and the general condition of the patient.

• Phase 1. The thickness of the intervertebral discs decreases slightly. There are practically no symptoms, sometimes there is slight discomfort in the neck, for example, when staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
• Phase 2.The height of the disc becomes even smaller, the pathological growth of cartilage tissue begins and protrusions appear. The patient feels constant pain, weakness, numbness of the face and stiffness of the cervical spine.
• Phase 3.The fibrous ring that surrounds the core of the disc ruptures and an intervertebral hernia is formed. The spinal column is noticeably deformed, which increases the risk of dislocation and subluxation of the vertebrae. The pain becomes permanent and is accompanied by other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
• Phase 4.Irreversible changes occur in the spinal column: bone growths appear, the intervertebral disc is replaced by scar tissue and loses its ability to absorb the load. Symptoms become serious and significantly affect the patient's lifestyle and well-being. The quality of life decreases.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach; there are non-drug, medical and surgical methods of treatment.

Depending on the clinical situation, they are used:

• Massage (specialized, neurological to remove spasms and blockages);
• Therapeutic exercise (to improve blood circulation);
• Osteopathy (thanks to this procedure, blockages and spasms are removed, blood circulation is restored and metabolic processes of the brain are improved);
• Manual therapy;
• Computer traction;
• Physiotherapy.

Treatment without drugshelps reduce the severity of symptoms and reduces the frequency and severity of exacerbations, improves blood supply to the affected area, improves metabolism and regeneration processes.

• Strengthens the effect of drugs;
• It helps to strengthen the muscle frame and stabilize the spine;
• Removes spasms and muscle blocks

Non-drug treatment also includes wearing a Shants splint.

Shantsa rubber

Shants splint or Shants collar is a soft bandage of a certain degree of fixation of the cervical spine, which is used for the prevention and treatment of injuries and diseases of the cervical spine. Field of application: urgent and urgent medical assistance in case of traffic accidents, injuries at home and at work, treatment of patients after surgical interventions on the cervical spine.

By design, the Shants splint can be rigid, semi-rigid, ring-shaped, with or without closure, but all are removable and easily replaced, easy to use and care, affordable and have a modern design that plays an important role in wearing around the neckduring the period of rehabilitation or outpatient treatment.

Drug treatmenthelps relieve pain, resolve dizziness, restore normal functioning of nerve roots and, if possible, stop or slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(aimed at relieving pain and inflammation) are used in the form of tablets, injections, ointments, plasters;
• Muscle relaxants:drugs that remove reflex muscle spasms, thus reducing pain and improving blood circulation;
• B vitaminsin the form of tablets, they help improve the conduction of nerve impulses;
• chondroprotectors:drugs that promote the renewal of cartilage tissue.

Depending on the symptoms, drugs can be prescribed to improve microcirculation in the blood vessels of the brain, drugs that block nausea and dizziness, etc.

Operation

The help of a surgeon is necessary in advanced cases of the disease, when medical methods are no longer effective.

• Surgical removal of a herniated disc(microdiscectomy, endoscopic or transfacet surgery);
• laminectomy:removal of spinous processes or arches of the spine, thereby reducing the load on the roots of the spinal cord;
• Nucleoplasty:elimination of the hernia by removing part of the core of the intervertebral disc.

Prevention of osteochondrosis

• Avoid physical inactivity and lead an active lifestyle;
• Diversify your diet with foods rich in potassium and magnesium;
• Reduce heavy lifting;
• Sleep on an anatomical pillow and anatomical mattress;
• Warm up regularly.

FAQ

1. How to understand that osteochondrosis of the cervical spine begins?

   • Headache
   • Limiting head rotation
   • Impaired concentration
   • Noise in the ears
   • Vertigo

2. How to diagnose?

   • Only a doctor can make a diagnosis
   • MRI, MSCT

3. How to relieve pain in cervical osteochondrosis?

   If you have pain in the cervical part of the spine, you should consult a doctor. The doctor can prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, antispasmodics and other drugs with an analgesic effect.

4. How to avoid osteochondrosis?

   • Start an active lifestyle
   • Do preventive exercises every day (at least 10 minutes a day)
   • Develop a daily routine
   • Massage of the neck area (2 times a year)

5. Which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?

   First of all, you should visit a general practitioner who will issue a referral for the necessary examinations and make a preliminary diagnosis. As a rule, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of osteochondrosis must consult a neurologist.