Neck pain is a warning sign.Maybe it's just overexertion and you should relax.But what if the pain is related to cervical osteochondrosis?It is important to pay close attention to symptoms and treatment because complications can affect the most important organ - the brain.
What is cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the body's osteochondral system.It causes the destruction of cervical discs, the growth of bone tissue in the vertebrae, and the formation of growths on their surfaces.
The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae, the first of which is connected to the skull.The anatomical and functional units of the spine are spinal motion segments.This is the joint complex that moves the spine.This complex consists of two vertebrae, the intervertebral discs, the articular surfaces (facets) of the vertebrae, nerves, ligaments, and muscles.
Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all surrounding tissue.Over time, this process leads to disruption of the biomechanics of the entire spine.As osteochondrosis progresses, herniated discs can form and compress nerve roots and blood vessels.
The pathological process of the intervertebral disc goes through four stages: malnutrition, weakened ligaments, disc damage, and nerve compression.
- first stage
The nutritional and metabolic conditions of the intervertebral disc are destroyed.Due to its structure, the disc is only powered when it is moving.If it is not present, the tissue begins to undergo degenerative changes: the discs starve and become dehydrated.Loss of water causes the discs to be unable to perform their shock-absorbing function.The load on the annulus fibrosus increases, cracks and tears appear in it.At this point, mild pain may occur.
- second stage
In the second stage, the ligamentous apparatus of the spinal motion segments weakens.The connection becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process of the intervertebral disc worsens and begins to herniate (prolapse) - the nucleus pulposus leaks through the cracks in the annulus fibrosus.The pain becomes cyclical.
- The third stage
Next, the discs become permanently damaged.The nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc extends beyond the annulus fibrosus.The resulting hernia can affect the nerve root.An inflammatory process occurs.This manifests itself as increased pain, a so-called radiculopathy syndrome.
- Stage 4
In the fourth stage, the lesions affect nearby tissue.May compress the radicular artery, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, part of the spine becomes completely immobile.
Initial signs and main symptoms
In the early stages of cervical osteochondrosis development, neck discomfort, limited mobility, and pain may occur.Often this is not taken seriously.
Over time the pain intensifies and becomes soreness, burning, headache, neck, shoulder blade, shoulder pain - maybe this is developing vertebral artery syndrome.The arteries become squeezed or spasmed, and blood flow is disrupted.
In stages 1-2 of cervical osteochondrosis, ophthalmic problems related to vasospasm often occur.Dark eyes, twinkling eyes, "floaters", spots in front of the eyes - all are symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Migraines, dizziness, nausea, and cough;
- Hearing impairment, ear, facial pain;
- Movement disorders of arms and legs.Sensitivity of the skin on the head may disappear;
- Hand pain.If a nerve root is pinched, the entire area where it sends impulses may become injured or "dislodged."
In addition to the above symptoms, three main pain syndromes can be distinguished:With cervical osteochondrosis.A syndrome is a group of symptoms.Determining the predominant pain syndrome is important because the entire treatment program is based on eliminating pain.But without knowing its origins, it's impossible to eliminate it.
- myofascial syndrome- Pain in skeletal muscles and adjacent fascia.The disease is associated with overload, causing cramps, hypertonia, and pain at nodes (trigger points) within the muscles.
- radiculopathy syndrome- Pain caused by long-term compression of spinal nerve roots.The process of hernia formation in spinal osteochondrosis results in compression of nerve fibers and subsequent inflammatory response.Pain spreads along the nerves.
- facet joint syndrome- Pain in the joints of the spine.The vertebrae of the second cervical vertebra have articular processes that connect to each other through facet joints.In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed and their height is reduced, which causes the joint capsules of the facet joints to be under constant tension.It can cause pain.Additionally, the pain can worsen at the end of the day, especially if the posture is forced for long periods of time.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the key causes of osteochondrosis is the evolutionary inadaptation of the spine to high vertical loads.Human ancestors walked on four legs like other mammals.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis because in the horizontal position of the body the intradiscal pressure is two times less than in the vertical position.By evolutionary standards, the transition to an upright posture occurred so recently that the spine simply did not have time to adapt to high vertical loads.Therefore, in addition to walking upright, a person can suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
The structure of the human neck makes it even more fragile.The human neck area is made up of seven small movable vertebrae that articulate with each other like a child's pyramid.This structure can hardly be called stable outside of the resting state.Additionally, the muscle framework in this area is weak, and loads can be high - all of which make the neck susceptible to injury.Any harm has consequences.Even if the injury occurs to another part of the spine, redistribution of load may be the cause of osteochondrosis.
Another factor is aging.The formation of bone and cartilage tissue is completed by the age of 21, after which the irreversible aging (degeneration) process begins.Nutrition of cartilage tissue can only occur through diffusion, and if the disc does not receive enough nutrients, it will begin to gradually deteriorate.
In addition, the following factors may contribute to the development of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Autoimmune diseases.They involve pathological processes in which the body's own cells destroy cartilage tissue.
- Infections, hormonal imbalances, slow metabolism – all these circulatory disorders can also be factors in the development of osteochondrosis.
- Sedentary lifestyle, i.e. working conditions in which a person spends most of the time in a forced static posture.
- High loads that lead to injury may cause compression.
- Genetic defects associated with weakness of the musculoskeletal system and poor quality of cartilage tissue.
The spinal canal in the cervical spine is very narrow, so high loads, any disorder or injury can lead to compression of the spinal cord.This is very dangerous.
Additionally, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass through this area.A stroke may occur if blood stops flowing to the brain in the proper amount.
diagnosis
During the initial diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor takes the patient's medical history.He finds out the cause of the pain, its level, intensity, during exercise or at rest, what time of day it hurts more, and whether the cervical spine is injured.
When examining the neck, the doctor will feel the cervical spine, muscles, and lymph nodes; assess range of motion to rule out or confirm radiculopathy syndrome.
Thereafter, in order to exclude autoimmune diseases, laboratory diagnosis is required: general blood count, ESR, rheumatoid factor, HLA B27 antigen.
Radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging play a major role in diagnosis.
- radiographyHelps assess the condition of bone structures; soft tissue and cartilage are not shown on the image.To visualize these structures, contrast media are injected: angiography, discography, myelography.
- Computed tomography (CT).This method also uses radiographic principles, but with the help of computer processing, a series of images of longitudinal and transverse slices are obtained in which bone and cartilage tissue can be seen.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).It is the "gold standard" for diagnosing pathologies including cartilage and soft tissue.MRI can provide insight into not only the structure of organs and tissues, but also their function.In the case of osteochondrosis, a common complication is spinal hernia.MRI allows you to diagnose the process of hernia formation at an early stage.
treat
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis boils down to a conservative approach.First, the pain syndrome is relieved, then various treatments are carried out.But in the most extreme cases, when the pain doesn't go away for more than three months and medications don't help, surgery is the only option.
Non-surgical treatment methods
Osteochondrosis affects the osteochondral system for many years, so treatment takes time.You need to be patient.The purpose of conservative treatment:
- Eliminate pain.
- relieve inflammation.
- Restores function at the base of the spine.
- Strengthens muscle corsets and ligaments.
Conservative treatment includes medication and physical therapy.Medications can help relieve pain during exacerbations, and physical therapy can help kickstart the body's self-healing process.
During severe pain associated with radicular syndrome, a so-called "blockade" is performed: drugs are injected near the inflamed spinal nerve roots.
Physiotherapy is based on physical factors of natural and artificial reconstruction: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser, etc.In order to recreate them, special equipment, devices and manual techniques are required.
- laser treatment— Biological activation of the intervertebral disc regeneration process.The body begins to repair itself.
- Plasma therapy (PRP therapy)- Injection of plasma separated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors and hormones.After injection, local immunity increases and the regeneration process is initiated.
- Acupuncture- Stimulation of nerve endings using special needles.Improves metabolism in the affected area and relieves pain.
- shockwave therapy- Exposure to high frequency waves.Allows you to initiate the natural recovery process.
- exercise therapy- Exercise therapy.It can be active (physical therapy) and passive (massage, traction).Exercise therapy can strengthen back muscles, and traction can relieve tension and pain.The patient's individual characteristics should be taken into consideration when selecting.
- Manual therapy and massage- Effects on soft tissues and joints to restore balance and synchronization processes in the body.Restore mobility and eliminate pain.
- braid- A special patch is adhered to the skin where it needs to affect the muscle's stretch and compression receptors.It can both relax your mood and enhance your tone.
During acute pain, patients are advised to wear special bandages and collars around the neck to reduce the load on the spine.
Positive results can be achieved with conservative treatment for 2-3 months.If there are no results, the patient is advised to undergo surgery.
Surgical methods for treating osteochondrosis
Surgery for cervical osteochondrosis is an extreme measure that requires special indications.Surgery is recommended if:
- Treatment for more than 3 months still failed to relieve the pain.
- There is a herniated disc.
- Loss of sensation in limbs.
Postoperative recovery also takes time and may include therapeutic treatments.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.It cannot be ignored.Such serious disorders of the musculoskeletal system can lead to disability.Neck pain may become chronic, and osteochondrosis may spread to multiple parts of the spine.Timely prevention can prevent the occurrence of this disease.
prevention
To keep your cervical spine healthy, daily physical exercise is necessary.Nutrition of the intervertebral disc occurs during exercise, so this is extremely necessary.What is important is that the load is optimal and regular.
If your job requires you to be in a static position frequently, you will need to warm up regularly.After a long day at work, you can lie down on a flat surface at home for a while with a cushion under your neck.This method will help restore the cervical curve of the spine and eliminate muscle tension.
Correct sleeping posture is important in preventing cervical osteochondrosis.If a person wakes up with neck pain in the morning, it means that the muscles have not had time to rest and recover.Orthopedic pillows can help, chosen individually for 3-5 years.