Ostelife Premium Plus Official site
Share this

Cervical osteochondrosis - causes, symptoms and treatment methods

Dizziness, pressure fluctuations, fainting, heart pain - all this often comes from spinal problems.80% of the population suffers from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of varying severity, and according to statistics, men suffer from it earlier than women: between 45 and 50 years old.If treatment is not started at an early stage, the pathology becomes irreversible.

What is osteochondrosis

The pathology is associated with degenerative changes in the cartilage between the vertebrae, in which the soft tissues become hard and depreciation decreases.

Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic, lumbar, but most often cervical region.The reason is high loads on vertebrae 1-7, weak muscles, poor diet and choosing the wrong pillow for sleeping.

Mechanism of injury to the cervical vertebrae

Osteochondrosis develops when the process of nutrition of cartilage tissue and mineral metabolism are disrupted.The strength of bones and joints decreases, ligaments lose their elasticity.The shape and structure of the disk changes and under the influence of loads it collapses.The vertebrae come closer together, their surfaces fade away.The pathology leads to the following complications:

  1. Compression of the vessels passing through the 1st to 7th vertebra causes hypoxia (lack of oxygen) of the brain.
  2. Development of problems in the functioning of the respiratory system, blood vessels, heart, loss of vision.
  3. Poor blood circulation in the brain leads to neurocirculatory (vegetative-vascular) dystonia.
  4. Decreased neck mobility – due to the formation of bone formations on the vertebrae.
  5. Impaired cerebellar function and spinal cord compression lead to death in advanced stages of the disease.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis

The pathology develops slowly.At the preclinical stage, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, they exert pressure on the soft disc.In addition, it becomes thinner, the annulus fibrosus is destroyed, its core bulges.A protrusion forms, then a hernia.The vertebrae rub against each other, change shape and growths appear on them.Nerves and blood vessels are pinched.

Initial stage of cervical osteochondrosis

Cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, the capsule ruptures and the nucleus pulposus is damaged.Cervical osteochondrosis is felt when turning the head, when nerve endings are pinched, blood vessels narrow and blood flow is affected.Pain appears in the back of the head and the back muscles quickly tire.

Stage 2 pathology

The degenerative process develops in the discs, the capsular ring is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae decreases, they become unstable and pinch the nerve roots of the spinal cord.Flexibility and mobility of the neck decrease.At this stage, the disease can still be treated without surgery.

The final stages of osteochondrosis of the neck

At stage 3 of the pathology, a disc protrusion develops, which leads to a herniation;the pulpy ring protrudes and bulges.The cervical vertebrae and their axis are displaced and the nutrition of the brain suffers.Additionally, at the last (3 and 4) stages of pathology, the following processes begin:

  • the intervertebral discs are destroyed and replaced by connective tissue;
  • mobility of the neck and shoulder joints disappears;
  • due to friction, growths form on the surface of the vertebrae and nerve fibers are injured;
  • Hand sensitivity decreases due to innervation problems.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The patient's condition depends on the stage of the disease.First, rare pain appears when turning or lowering the head, as well as tension in the back muscles.Then the person experiences constant fatigue.The pain becomes stronger and more frequent.Then, weakness, dizziness, ringing in the ears are added and visual acuity decreases.All signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are divided into 3 groups:

  • Irritant reflex syndromes– neurodystrophic, musculo-tonic and vegetative-vascular manifestations.
  • Root compression– are associated with compression of nerve endings;one of the main symptoms is sharp pain when turning the head.
  • Vertebral artery syndrome– occurs when a vessel that supplies brain structures becomes narrowed.

Neurotic disorders

The brain is poorly supplied with blood, its functioning and the state of the nervous system are disturbed.I often have headaches and suffer from insomnia, which causes a state of fatigue and listlessness.Then the following symptoms appear:

  • increased sweating;
  • emotional lability (mood instability);
  • increased irritability;
  • dizziness;
  • depression;
  • impaired concentration;
  • tinnitus;
  • “flies” before the eyes;
  • anxiety;
  • trembling (shivering) of the limbs;
  • panic attacks;
  • disorders of the vestibular system: nausea, vomiting, gait instability, disorientation in space, loss of coordination.

General clinical signs

Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae causes headaches and visual disturbances.At stage 2 of the pathology, patients complain of ringing in the ears, a lump in the throat, weakness of the arm muscles and numbness of the tongue.When turning the neck and tilting the head, a cracking sound is heard and black dots appear in front of the eyes.With vertebral artery syndrome, other symptoms appear:

  • migraine that goes from the back of the head to the forehead;
  • darkening before the eyes;
  • painful scalp;
  • hearing loss;
  • increased blood pressure;
  • tingling of fingers.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women

The clinical picture does not depend on gender, but women aged 45 to 65 years are more likely to experience numbness in the limbs during sleep, tingling and pain in the arms.The attacks are repeated several times during the night.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Pathology develops under the influence of high load on the vertebrae, which causes muscle spasms.Sedentary work often leads to this - at a computer, in a vehicle.

People with poor posture are at risk.Other causes of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • nervous tension, frequent stressful situations;
  • physical inactivity – lack of physical activity, low activity;
  • neck muscle weakness;
  • hereditary predisposition;
  • spinal injuries;
  • rheumatism;
  • excessive physical activity, lifting heavy objects;
  • poor diet;
  • metabolic disorders;
  • frequent neck hypothermia;
  • age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, cartilaginous tissue;
  • congenital anomalies of the cervical spine;
  • autoimmune pathologies that affect cartilage tissue;
  • overweight;
  • spinal instability.

Diagnosis

The doctor examines the patient's complaints, assesses posture and muscle tension.The diagnosis is clarified using an x-ray of the neck in 4 projections: the image shows the position of the vertebrae and the movements.The stage of the disease and hidden pathologies are revealed by the following methods:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging– the most effective method, it shows in detail the degenerative changes of the bones, hernias, protrusions, ruptures of the annulus fibrosus.It can be prescribed instead of x-rays, but the test is expensive.
  • Ultrasonic duplex scanning– to assess blood circulation disorders in the arteries.
  • CT scan– does not reveal the size and areas of hernias, is prescribed in the early stages to determine the narrowing of the vertebral space, displacement of cervical segments and marginal outgrowths of bone tissue.
MRI as a method of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The goals of therapy are to restore blood circulation and tissue nutrition, eliminate symptoms of hypoxia, and stop the destruction of vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen the muscular corset that supports the neck and restore mobility to the joints.Treatment tactics are chosen depending on the stage of the disease:

  • Initial – massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectors and drugs that improve blood circulation.
  • Osteochondrosis stages 2-3 – drug treatment, therapeutic exercises, massage.
  • Irreversible degenerative changes with destruction and deformation of the vertebrae - surgical intervention and symptomatic drug treatment.
  • Exacerbation of the chronic form of cervical osteochondrosis - injections or tablets of drugs that relieve pain and spasms.

Help with severe pain

Apply pepper patch or warming ointments locally to the neck.Active heating of a separate area distracts attention from pain and increases blood flow to the tissues.The ointments are applied in a very thin layer using an applicator.Other ways to relieve pain caused by osteochondrosis:

  • Analgesics in tablets - have average effectiveness, are contraindicated in cases of blood clotting problems.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - tablets are taken if there is no result from painkillers, since this group of drugs negatively affects the stomach and liver.
  • Injections - administered for severe acute pain, the effect appears after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injections, NSAIDs and myotropic antispasmodics are used.In severe cases, a blockade is carried out.

Conservative methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck

At stages 1-2 of the disease without symptoms of cerebral hypoxia, treatment is carried out at home.The basis of therapy is gymnastics and massage.They improve blood circulation and strengthen muscles.Other methods:

  • Drug therapy - oral medications and injections during exacerbations, ointments and creams at other times.
  • Physiotherapy – course of 7-10 procedures during remission.
  • Folk remedies - as an additional method of treating osteochondrosis.
  • Diet therapy - foods rich in fatty acids, magnesium and calcium are introduced into the diet.Avoid salt, smoked foods, pickled and spicy foods, and fast food.

Medicine

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis during an exacerbation is aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms, stimulating blood circulation and tissue nutrition.

During the remission period, medications are used to improve the quality of the cartilage and prevent the collapse of the vertebrae.The drugs are used internally and locally.The main groups of funds are:

  • Muscle relaxers– relieve muscle spasms, reduce pain, use for one month.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)– applied locally and internally, relieves pain and swelling.Tablets are used for no more than 10 days.
  • Painkillers– relieve pain, but do not relieve inflammation and have a weaker effect than NSAIDs.
  • Chondroprotectors– protect and restore cartilaginous tissue.
  • Sedatives– often prescribed to women in whom osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is complicated by severe neurotic disorders.
  • Nootropics– affect cerebral circulation, help fight dizziness.
  • Vitamin and mineral complexes– improve the metabolism of nervous tissue.

Non-medicated

During remission, treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is based on local procedures that improve blood circulation, metabolism, relieve pain and inflammation.The patient practices daily gymnastics, the plan of which is established by the doctor.The main treatment methods are:

  • Manual therapy– straighten the position of the vertebrae and strengthen them by massage.A course of 5 to 10 sessions takes place 2 to 4 times a year.At home, a light massage with stroking and rubbing of the neck and collar area from top to bottom for 7-10 minutes is allowed to relieve muscle spasms.
  • Electrophoresis with drugs– drugs are used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation, which, together with the current, quickly reach the desired point.
  • Magnetotherapy– aimed at relieving swelling.
  • Acupuncture– improves blood circulation, relieves inflammation.Takes place over 8 to 10 sessions every 1 to 2 days.
  • Shant necklace- a controversial method for eliminating the symptoms of osteochondrosis, since the load is removed from the muscles, but they are not strengthened.The product fixes the neck and stretches the spine, thereby increasing the distance between its segments.They wear the collar 3 hours a day for a month.

Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

Outside of periods of exacerbation, the patient is advised to perform therapeutic exercises.The strong head tilts forward and backward and rotations are prohibited.Each exercise lasts no more than a minute, without sudden movements and jerks.If you experience discomfort or pain, stop the activity.Proven exercises for the cervical spine:

  • Slowly turn your head to the right and left, constantly looking at a point in front of you: this way you control the small amplitude of the movement.Do 10 to 15 times in each direction, gradually increasing to 30.
  • Place your palm on your forehead and press it, while trying to tilt your head forward.Count to 5 and relax.Repeat 10 times.
  • Place your right palm on your left temple and press to tilt your head toward your shoulder.Count to 5, release.Do 10 times on each side.
  • Lying on your stomach, extend your arms alongside your body.Raising your head slightly, slowly turn it so that your ear touches the floor.Do 10 movements on each side.

Surgical methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis

If the nerve roots are affected, there is a hernia with a ruptured ring, the vertebrae are destroyed and the main treatment does not give any results, surgery is performed.

Symptoms of a serious condition: paralysis of the arms, muscle atrophy, stroke.

Main treatment methods:

  • Facetectomy– endoscopic removal of joints with subsequent fixation of the vertebrae, which will be immobile.
  • Disectomy with spinal fusion– prescribed for severe deforming changes.During the operation, the soft disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused to stop their destruction.Disadvantages: mobility of the cervical spine is limited, rehabilitation is long.
  • Spinal fusion– removal of fragments of the destroyed disc, bone processes, introduction of an artificial graft and fixation of the vertebrae with screws.The recovery period is one year, the patient is advised to wear a corset.
  • Corpectomy– removal of a destroyed vertebra and neighboring discs is carried out if other methods have no effect.

Folk remedies for cervical osteochondrosis

In case of severe pain, take 1 tsp.alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and rub the areas on the left and right of the spine (do not touch the spine itself) for 3-5 minutes.This is done 1 to 2 times a day.Other folk recipes in addition to basic therapy:

  1. Pour 500 g of knotweed with water (2 l), boil and leave.Pour the cooled broth through cheesecloth into the prepared bath, take it for 15-20 minutes.The procedure is carried out at night, it relaxes and soothes.Course – 7 to 10 sessions.
  2. Mix 1 tbsp.L.birch buds, St. John's wort, mint leaves.Grind, add a glass of water, boil 5 minutes.Filter, mix with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply a thin layer of ointment to the neck, cover with polyethylene and a scarf.Keep it for an hour.The procedures are carried out every day for 2 weeks.
  3. Pour 100 g of elderberry with the vodka (600 ml).Leave to rest for a week in a cool place.Rub your neck with this remedy 2 times a day for 10 to 15 days.
elderberry tincture for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Prevention

Patients over 40 years old should take calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and magnesium supplements every six months - they improve the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.The diet includes fatty fish, shrimp, mussels, nuts, legumes, spinach, cheeses and milk.Other preventive measures:

  • when working sedentary, change the position of your neck more often, stretch it every hour;
  • choose a comfortable pillow;
  • do swimming, yoga;
  • avoid weightlifting, sports with jumping, running;
  • Avoid neck hypothermia.