Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

26 August 2020

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs, and the cervical region is the most vulnerable part of the spine, which has an anatomically distinct vertebral structure that is very close to each other and a weak muscle corset. Therefore, even with small additional loads on the neck, a displacement of the vertebrae can occur, which leads to a compression of the blood vessels and nerves.

And since the vertebral arteries, which are involved in the blood supply to the brain, pass through the holes in the transverse processes of the vertebrae in this section, pinching the vertebrae in this section or compressing the holes by overgrown osteophytes is with very serious consequencesconnected.

What is that?

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a polyetiologically progressive disease that manifests itself in a degeneration of the intervertebral discs and a degeneration of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine.

reasons for

The main causes and conditions for the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra are:

Curvature of the spine, scoliosis.
Stress and nervous tension have a negative effect on the general condition of the body and can cause cervical osteochondrosis.
Previous infectious diseases often become the main cause.
Incorrect, uncomfortable posture during sleep (e. g. uncomfortable pillow).
Congenital problems or the presence of hereditary diseases of the cervical spine.
Bad posture among young people and teenagers.
Overweight, obesity to varying degrees. Extra pounds increase the load on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, which leads to degenerative processes.
Back injuries that may have occurred during childhood or adolescence.
Disruption of metabolic processes.
Work related to physical labor which, in its various parts, can cause diseases of the spine.
Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work, improper exercise.

For the successful treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is first necessary to identify and eliminate the cause of its occurrence and the prerequisites for its development. Until recently, the disease only occurred in people over the age of 45. Now young people are affected, the age range is between 18 and 25 years.

Features of the cervical spine

Let's consider how the cervical spine differs from the rest of the spine and that during the development of osteochondrosis is a prerequisite for the development of these syndromes.

In the cervical area there are important ganglia (nodes) of the autonomic nervous system.
In the transverse processes of the vertebrae there are holes that form a channel through which the vertebral artery runs, which supplies the brain, the cerebellum, the auditory organs and also the vertebral nerve with oxygen and nutrients. These are prerequisites for frequent clamping of the artery and nerve.
The cervical spine is most flexible. He is fully distinguished by all kinds of movements. These are prerequisites for frequent violations and subluxations.
The intervertebral foramen of the lower three vertebrae is not round, but triangular. These are prerequisites for the pinching of the nerve roots by bone growth that occurs in osteochondrosis.
The intervertebral discs are not located between the vertebral bodies over their entire length. Instead, in the front part there are protruding edges of the vertebrae, which are connected by joints. These are prerequisites for the occurrence of a joint subluxation.

Development stages

The degree of osteochondrosis is determined by the clinical picture and the patient's complaints. The concept of degree should not be confused with the stages of osteochondrosis. The stages are discussed below.

First degree. The clinical manifestations are minimal. The patient may complain of low intensity pain in the cervical spine that may worsen when the head is turned. Physical exam may show slight muscle tension in the neck
Second degree. The patient is concerned about pain in the cervical spine, its intensity is much greater, there may be irradiation of the shoulder, arm. It happens due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc and pinching of the nerve roots. Pain sensations increase when tilting and turning the head. The patient may experience decreased performance, weakness and headache.
Third degree. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis intensify and the pain becomes constant with radiation to the arm or shoulder. Numbness or weakness occurs in the muscles of the arm when herniated discs form. Worried about weakness, dizziness. The examination reveals limited mobility of the cervical spine and pain when palpating the cervical spine.
The fourth degree. The intervertebral disc is completely destroyed and replaced by connective tissue. Dizziness increases, tinnitus occurs, coordination deteriorates as the process affects the vertebral artery that supplies the cerebellum and the occipital lobe of the brain.

symptoms

The severity of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis depends on the degree of destruction of the vertebral structures. Symptoms are exacerbated by the growth of bone tissue with the formation of osteophytes, radicular syndrome (radicular pain when a nerve is pinched), intervertebral hernia (protrusion of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal).

The first signs of the disease are periodic headaches in the back of the head, pain in the neck, crunching and clicking in the vertebrae when turning the head, sometimes a slight tingling sensation in the shoulders. Over time, the symptoms increase and the intensity of the pain increases.

Pain syndrome is the main manifestation of osteochondrosis. The neck pain is either dull, constant or sharp, with lumbago lying below the back of the head when the head is turned. The entire neck region or the projection area of the modified vertebra, as well as the collarbone, shoulder, scapula, and heart area can be injured. Irradiation of pain in the lower jaw, teeth, arm, ear and eye area cannot be ruled out. The muscles of the neck and shoulders are tense and painful to palpate. Difficulty lifting the arm from the side of the lesion - immediately there is lumbago in the shoulder or neck. Restriction of head movements due to pain often occurs in the morning after sleeping in an uncomfortable position.

The disease causes compression of the roots of the peripheral nerves (radicular syndrome) and causes pain in the course of these nerves. Possibly numbness of the hands or fingers, impairment of the sensitivity of certain areas of the skin innervated by the pinched nerve.

Some characteristic symptoms indicate which vertebrae are affected:

C1 - impaired sensitivity in the occipital area;
C2 - pain in the occiput and crown area;
C3 - decreased tenderness and pain in the half of the neck where the spinal nerve was injured, possibly impaired sensitivity of the tongue, impaired speech due to loss of control of the tongue;
C4 - impaired sensitivity and pain in the shoulder-shoulder area, decreased tone of the head and neck muscles, possible respiratory diseases, pain in the liver and heart;
C5 - pain and sensory disturbance in the outer surface of the shoulder;
C6 - pain from the neck to the shoulder blade, forearm, outer surface of the shoulder, radial surface of the forearm to the thumb;
C7 - Pain extending from the neck to the shoulder blade, the back of the shoulder, from the forearm to the II-IV fingers of the hand impaired sensitivity in this area.
C8 - Pain and sensory disturbances spread from the neck to the shoulder, from the forearm to the little finger.

Cervical osteochondrosis is always associated with headaches. Severe, persistent pain is made worse by twisting the neck or making sudden movements. Some patients complain of heaviness in the head. The compression of the vertebral artery leads to dizziness and nausea. There are sounds that ring in the ears and black dots flicker in front of the eyes. A deterioration in brain circulation leads to a progressive decrease in hearing and visual acuity, numbness of the tongue and a change in taste.

Clicks or crunches during neck movements are almost always associated with cervical osteochondrosis, which is observed in every patient. The crunch occurs during a sharp turn of the head or when throwing back.

Syndromes due to cervical osteochondrosis

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into specific groups called syndromes. Their presence and severity may indicate a pathology in the cervical spine with a certain localization.

A group of common syndromes:

Vegetative-dystonic syndrome. The subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with displacement can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia. VSD is not a clear diagnosis because it has no pronounced symptoms. Neurological symptoms, symptoms of impaired cerebral blood flow, an increase in intracranial pressure and muscle spasms may occur. As a result, the patient's symptoms are reduced to dizziness, decreased visual acuity, loss of consciousness, headache and nausea.
irritating - reflexive. Burning and sharp pain in the back of the head and neck, sometimes with a return to the chest and shoulder, occurring at the time of a change in the position of the head and neck, with sneezing and a sharp turn of the head.
Radicular. Otherwise known as cervical radiculitis, it combines symptoms associated with an injury to the nerve roots of the cervical vertebrae. Characterized by "chills" in the affected area, tingling in the fingers, forearms, pasty skin, spread to certain fingers.
heart. Almost the same picture with angina pectoris often leads to incorrect diagnosis and treatment. The syndrome occurs due to irritation of the receptors of the phrenic nerve, in which the main muscles of the pericardium and pectoralis are involved in part. Therefore, spasms in the heart area are more reflexive, like a response to irritation of the cervical nerves.
vertebral artery syndrome. It develops directly both with compression of the artery itself and with irritation of the sympathetic nerve plexus around it. The pain in this pathology is burning or throbbing in the occipital area with spread to the temples, upper arches, crown. Occurs on one and both sides. Patients usually associate an exacerbation with the condition after sleeping in a non-physiological position, traveling in transportation, and walking. If symptoms are severe, hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and high blood pressure are possible.

diagnosis

As with any diagnosis in medicine, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made on the basis of the patient's complaints, medical history, clinical examination, and methods of auxiliary research. Radiography of the cervical spine is performed in frontal and lateral projections, if necessary in special positions (with the mouth open). At the same time, specialists are interested in the height of the intervertebral discs, the presence of osteophytes.

Modern research methods use NMR and CT studies, which allow the most accurate verification of the diagnosis. In addition to the methods listed for additional research, you may need to consult related specialists (cardiologists, ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons), and the examination by a neurologist is simply vital. A neurologist is busy treating osteochondrosis. Therefore, after examining the patient, he will, at his own discretion, prescribe the required minimum examination.

How do you treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?

The complex treatment of cervical osteochondrosis can include the following traditional and non-traditional methods: drug treatment, massage, acupressure, manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, folk remedies, etc.

The main treatment regimen for osteochondrosis is the same for all localizations of this disease:

First you need to relieve the pain.
Then the swelling is relieved.
At this stage it is necessary to normalize blood circulation.
Strengthening the muscle corset.
Improving tissue nutrition and regeneration.

The list of medicines and medicines for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is very extensive:

Anti-inflammatory (steroid). These are hormonal drugs that reduce inflammation and thereby eliminate pain;
analgesics (non-steroidal drugs that relieve pain). They are usually prescribed as tablets or capsules. It should be remembered that most of these drugs cause irritation of the lining of the digestive tract;
Muscle relaxants are drugs that relax muscle tone. They are used in surgery and orthopedics as an aid to pain relief. These drugs are administered parenterally and are therefore always under medical supervision. There is an extensive list of contraindications:

Chondroprotectors are drugs that contain substances that replace components of the cartilage tissue. In order to achieve a lasting positive effect, such drugs must be taken for a very long time:
Ointments and gels for external use. This is the most accessible group of drugs for home use. They are divided into inflammation relief, warming, and pain relievers. Such funds are often advertised. With cervical osteochondrosis, not all ointments are effective, in addition, due to their availability, they are sometimes used inappropriately and without taking into account the peculiarities of the pathogenesis.
vitamins. With osteochondrosis, vitamins are prescribed that have a positive effect on the peripheral nervous system and improve conductivity. Water-soluble vitamins: B1, B6, B12, fat-soluble vitamins: A, C, D, E. In recent years, combination preparations containing both pain relievers and vitamin components have been prescribed more often.

Only a team of good specialists can select the most appropriate therapy, which includes a neurologist, a physiotherapist, a massage therapist, a surgeon and a vertebral neurologist.

Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis should be performed outside of an acute exacerbation. The greatest efficiency of this technique is during the recovery phase. There should be no discomfort and pain during the execution of the complex!

Exercise 1. Lie on your stomach, put your hands on the floor, lift your head and upper body, your back should be straight. Remain in this position for 1-2 minutes. Slowly lower yourself to the floor. Repeat 2-3 times.
Exercise 2. Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms over your body, turn your head to the left, touch the floor with your ear and turn your head to the right. Repeat 6-7 times in each direction.
Exercise 3. In a sitting position, bend forward while inhaling and try to touch your chest with your head. Then, exhale, bend back, and tilt your head back. Repeat 10-15 times.
Exercise 4. While sitting, place your palms on your forehead, apply pressure with your palms on your forehead and your forehead on your palms. Continue this exercise for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times.
Exercise 5. Slowly turn your head first in one direction and then in the other. 10 turns in each direction. Watch out for dizziness. When it appears, the exercise will stop.

Massage therapy

Massage can be done at home, but very carefully so as not to aggravate and injure the patient. The patient should lie on their prone position, place their forehead on their hands and extend their chin toward their chest. The neck muscles must be completely relaxed.

stroking. It is necessary to start the massage with these movements: stroking the collar zone in the direction from the lymph to the supraclavicular and axillary nodes. Then flat and comb strokes are applied.
pushups. To perform push-ups, the masseur places one hand over the neck (index and thumb should be together) and moves down the spine. Push-ups can also be done with the edge of the palm up to the shoulder joints.

Therapeutic massage for chondrosis of the cervix

rubbing. Rubbing warms up, relaxes the muscles and improves blood flow to the area. Massage should be started from the base of the skull, making circular and straight movements with your fingers. You can also make sawing movements with palms parallel to the ribs.
knead. The neck should be kneaded in circular motions.
vibration. The massage ends with shocks and vibrations performed by shaking and tapping.

Massage is necessary to strengthen muscle tone and relieve pain. Depending on the stage of osteochondrosis, a massage technique is selected. However, in neck massage, specialists use all the techniques of classical massage: rubbing, caressing, kneading, etc. In cases where the patient has pain only on one side, the massage begins in the healthy part of the neck and gradually moves to the partthe collar area where painful sensations appear.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy helps with acute and chronic pain, increases freedom of movement and improves posture. The main methods of manual therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

Relaxing and segmental massage. It is used to warm up muscles and relieve tension.
mobilization. Influences on restoring joint function through traction.
manipulation. A sharp push aimed at the patient's pathological areas. The procedure is accompanied by a characteristic crunch (return of the joint to its normal position).

The chiropractor should be fluent in these techniques. Otherwise, an error could result in personal injury.

Orthopedic pillows

Orthopedic sleeping pillows are an effective prevention tool. In many cases, osteochondrosis is made worse by additional compression of the cervical artery and nerve roots when sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow. The orthopedic product ensures a uniform horizontal position of a person during sleep and thus guarantees a physiologically adequate blood supply to the brain.

When choosing a pillow, the individual anatomical features of a person should be taken into account and correlated with the volume and properties of the filler. A properly selected pillow offers tangible benefits to a patient with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedure for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

electrophoresis. It should be used with pain relievers (anesthetics) injected under the skin with electronic pulses.
ultrasound. It has a beneficial effect on the metabolic processes in the tissues of the cervical spine, due to which the swelling is eliminated and the pain disappears.
magnetotherapy. A safe treatment method that exposes damaged cells to a low frequency magnetic field. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
laser therapy. Improves blood circulation in the affected area, relieves tissue swelling and pain.

Physiotherapy procedures have a positive effect on intervertebral discs and vertebrae in cervical osteochondrosis. In combination with the use of medication, combined treatment will help get rid of the symptoms of the disease. The operations are carried out in a hospital or in special rooms in the polyclinic. Before starting the course, you need to consult a doctor, determine the duration of physical therapy, types. It is strictly forbidden to pass it during an exacerbation.

Trench collar

The Shants collar is a soft and comfortable device that is attached to the back with a Velcro fastener and is used for cervical osteochondrosis. But not for treatment, but for temporary relaxation and relief from fatigue. It cannot be worn without removing it, otherwise the neck muscles will no longer function and will soon atrophy. If the collar of shants is chosen correctly, the patient feels comfortable and protected.

The collar is selected strictly according to size in the pharmacy or in the orthopedic shop. Better in a business because the people who work there usually know their business and the characteristics of the product quite well, which means they can help in any specific case.

folk remedies

When the pain from osteochondrosis of the spine becomes unbearable and regular, you agree to everything to stop it, and this is where the traditional complex treatment is successfully complemented with alternative methods.

insist on celery root (5 grams per 1 liter of boiling water) for 4 hours and drink a tablespoon before each meal;
honey compress, for which we take 2 teaspoons. Honey and 1 tablet mummy. We heat the components in a water bath, spread them on a cloth and apply to the neck region, that is, the neck at night;
Growing horseradish in the country helps me with acute pain. I just wash its sheet, pour boiling water over it, cool it a little, put it on my neck and wrap it up with a thin scarf for the night - in the morning you can live and work;
We insist that chamomile blooms in vegetable oil for two days, preheat for boiling (for 500 ml of oil, 30 grams of a plant is needed), rub into sore spots;
Honey-potato compress also helps, for this the root plant must be rubbed and mixed with honey in the same amount, applied to the sore throat at night and used regularly, at least once a week.

Prevention

As usual, proper prophylaxis will help prevent cervical osteochondrosis. Of course, all physical exercises should be done regularly, otherwise "regular" exercises are of little use.

There are simple rules to follow:

Eat lots of calcium and magnesium. These are fish, peas, legumes, nuts, cheese, herbs, but it is better to do without sugar, flour, smoked and spicy.
regularly engages in sports, especially swimming, aqua aerobics, and gymnastics to stretch, and the flexibility of the vertebrae is also great for preventing osteochondrosis, which can be practiced at home.
If you are sedentary, do a specific set of exercises at least a few times a day.
Choose a good orthopedic mattress and pillow that is ideal for the neck and supports the head in the correct anatomical position while you sleep (yes, your favorite huge down pillows won't go away with spinal problems! )

If you already have such a diagnosis, the patient should spare his spine, namely:

Be very careful when lifting and carrying weights. Better to go to the store twice than pulling heavy bags with both hands and putting an incredible amount of strain on the neck and shoulder girdle.
Don't overcool, avoid drafts and cold air from the air conditioner (some people like to cool off on a hot day and have their backs to the fan);
When you bend your trunk forward, think of osteochondrosis;
Avoid local overheating of the muscles that can occur in excessively hot baths;
Do not forget to detach yourself from the monitor regularly, to change your body position, not to sit for hours or days;
Rest your neck by buying a shants collar;
If possible, take a steam bath if the condition of the cardiovascular system allows it.

In conclusion, I would like to say that a child who is at risk of osteochondrosis (the father and mother already have it) and an adult who has acquired the disease in the course of life only need to take preventive measures, so as not to be hindered and not to land on the operating table. After all, this operation is quite complicated and requires long-term rehabilitation. In addition, this is not always possible as there are inoperable cases. Therefore, it is better to protect your health from a young age, as long as the intervertebral discs are intact and unnecessary growth does not squeeze the blood vessels.