Osteochondrosis of the cervix is a common form of the disease that affects the upper part of the spine, causing specific symptoms at each stage of development. Most patients let the problem go away on their own, without going to the doctor for help.
Reasons for the development of neck osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second and third degree causes degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the spine. First, the fibrin ring is destroyed, followed by elongation and prolapse of the intervertebral disc nucleus. Pathology is associated with pain, dysfunction.
Causes that negatively affect the spine and the development of cervical osteochondrosis to varying degrees:
- physical inactivity (sedentary work, minimal physical activity);
- genetic predisposition to disease;
- problems with the immune response;
- unbalanced food, against the background of which there is a lack of minerals, trace elements or a special group of vitamins;
- frequent hypothermia, a tendency to inflammatory processes;
- systematic failures in the work of the endocrine system;
- obesity at any stage;
- spinal cord injuries;
- hard physical work.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second degree and of all subsequent degrees is considered the most severe. The reason is the close location of the nerves and blood vessels responsible for nourishment, innervation of the brain.
Most often, the pathology is found in people over 50 years, diagnosed cervical osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree.
What is the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic process that has a destructive effect on the bones and cartilage that form the spine, in the soft tissues located nearby.
With the development of degenerative-destructive pathology of the cervix, the discs lose their protective properties.
Gradual destruction, displacement of anatomical elements leads to negative consequences:
- cartilage loses partially or completely the qualities of depreciation;
- disc deformation;
- destruction of the fibrous ring (begins in the initial stage);
- osteophyte formation - bone growth on the surface of the vertebrae.
Each degree of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by distinct manifestations. If in the initial stages (first and second stages) a person suffers from mild anxiety, then in an advanced form the disease causes a number of complications.
First step
Osteochondrosis of the first degree of the cervix can occur without clinical manifestations. The main complaint of the patient is neck pain.
Massage helps relieve discomfort. On palpation, the patient feels muscle stiffness in the collar area, strong or moderate tension. If you start treatment on time, you can stop the initial process of first- and second-degree osteochondrosis abnormalities.
The second degree
The symptoms of grade 2 cervical spine osteochondrosis are more pronounced. The period of deterioration is accompanied by severe discomfort. Immediate and complex treatment with injections is required.
Main manifestations:
- persistent headache;
- discomfort when moving the head;
- stiffness of movements in the neck-collar area;
- during the period of deterioration, it is possible to stop the pain syndrome for a short period of time;
- lethargy;
- sleep problems;
- increased fatigue;
- reduction of the level of work capacity;
- posture suffers, a person can not freely take a comfortable position;
- dizziness.
Manifestations depend on which artery, vein or nerve bundle is constricted. The muscles of the cervical area and the face, ears, head can be numb. The person may be disabled.
Third degree
The third degree is characterized by an active lesion of the fibrous ring.
Violation leads to the appearance of extensions, intervertebral hernias.
The progression stage of cervical disease is characterized by a pronounced pain syndrome, which is not always possible to stop with strong analgesic. Neurological disorders progress gradually.
fourth degree
In the final stage, degenerative-destructive processes reach their peak. It is difficult for patients to move, stiffness reaches maximum. Sometimes the pain can go down, but this is a dangerous sign. Bone tissue begins to grow between the vertebral elements, which will cause an even greater deterioration, deterioration of well-being.
Phase diagnosis
Spinal disc instability, questions regarding the elimination of the consequences of tissue destruction are examined by a neurologist. The doctor checks the neck reflexes with a hammer, coordination tests.
Instrumental research:
- radiography;
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound of the vertebral arteries.
X-rays are taken from the front and side.
MRI and CT are informative research methods. The only drawback is the high cost of the procedure.
Ultrasound is done if it is necessary to determine the degree of damage to the vertebral arteries, to assess the condition of the cervical region of the spine. The results will help in shaping the prognosis of the disease.
Therapy of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second degree
The basis of any therapeutic effect in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the taking of medications that help eliminate the manifestations of the disease. The treatment regimen is determined by several specialists - a therapist, a neurologist.
Anesthesia of patients
Treatment of patients with second degree osteochondrosis of the neck begins with a complex of sedatives. The doctor chooses analgesics from the point of view of their effectiveness, the presence of contraindications in the patient.
Fight against foci of inflammation
Anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate foci of inflammation and reduce the level of pain in patients with osteochondrosis of the cervix.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a negative effect - they aggressively affect the mucosa of the digestive tract.
Anti-inflammatory analgesics of the non-steroidal group can be prescribed in tablets or injections, as in the exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the second and third stage of development. Often, gels, oils, creams are used for external treatment.
Chondroprotectors
In schemes for the treatment of second-degree neck osteochondrosis, a special role is assigned to the protectors of cartilage and bone tissue.
Surgery
If the therapy of second- and sometimes third-degree cervical osteochondrosis with medication is performed at home, then radical treatment requires hospitalization of the patient. Indications for surgery:
- spinal instability;
- spinal cord compression;
- hernia formation.
It is impossible to completely solve the problem of pathological destruction of the neck with the progression of osteochondrosis.
Therapeutic gymnastics and exercise therapy
If it is impossible to fully restore the functional potential of the spine, then it is possible to stop the progression of the disease.
In the early stages (first and partly second degree of cervical osteochondrosis), simple folk methods, therapeutic exercises will help. Such recreational activities are not expensive, easy to perform, do not cause pain, do not cause discomfort.
In the later stages of the formation of second or third degree neck osteochondrosis, gymnastics and exercise therapy are recommended. Exercises are performed under the supervision of a specialist. It is important to do everything right. The main goal: to strengthen the neck muscles and relax at the same time.
It is important that the patient strives for recovery, carefully follows the recommendations of specialists, doctors' prescriptions.