Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage, which is one of the main causes of neck pain with characteristic radiation to the arms. With this disease, there is a change in the structure of cartilage and muscle-ligamentous structures located nearby.
Since cervical osteochondrosis progresses, it can lead to a number of serious complications, including the patient's disability, its timely diagnosis and treatment are among the urgent tasks of modern medicine.
Stages of pathology development and typical symptoms
The disease goes through 4 successive stages of development with corresponding changes in the body and accompanying symptoms:
The first stage is the initial morphological changes in the intervertebral discs. The core of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) gradually dries up and cracks appear in the structure of the fibrous ring. This is accompanied by tolerable pain or discomfort in the neck, which intensifies when turning or tilting the head. There is also a slight softening of the cervical lordosis and almost constant muscle tension.
In the second stage, the destruction of the fibrous ring continues, which is accompanied by the first signs of pathological mobility of the vertebrae and their instability. The distance between the vertebrae decreases and elongation appears. At this time, the patient notices an increase in pain and its radiation in the area of the arm or shoulder. Along with this, severe headaches appear, the person complains of a feeling of weakness and decreased performance.
The third stage is characterized by the complete destruction of the fibrous ring, due to which the unfixed nucleus extends beyond the vertebrae and penetrates into the area of the spinal canal, forming a hernial protrusion. It, in turn, puts pressure on the nerves and elements of the vascular bed, which causes interruption of blood flow in the cervical region. Patients in this stage complain of severe, continuous pain in the neck that radiates to the arms and shoulders. Muscles become weaker and numbness of the upper extremities is systematically observed. Dizziness episodes, spatial orientation difficulties and stiffness of movements are added to the clinical picture.
The fourth stage is represented by the replacement of intervertebral disc cartilage with a connective tissue structure and the involvement of adjacent spinal segments in pathological changes. Due to fusion of the joints, their immobility occurs. For the patient, this is the most difficult stage, as he feels constant severe pain in the neck, arms, chest and the area between the shoulder blades. Added to this are the signs of damaged blood supply to the brain, sensitivity disorders and the likelihood of stroke increases significantly.
It should be noted that in addition to the main clinical picture that accompanies cervical osteochondrosis in different stages, additional symptoms can be observed:
decrease in visual acuity;
anxiety episodes that occur due to insufficient blood supply to the brain;
hearing loss and tinnitus;
the appearance of a cracking sound when moving the head;
sleep disorders up to insomnia;
the appearance of drops before the eyes;
cases of loss of consciousness;
paralysis of facial muscles;
pain in the arms that occurs at night.
If compression of the spinal cord occurs, myelopathy may develop, accompanied by:
difficulty in limb movements;
problems with coordination or balance;
loss of bowel or bladder control;
weakness or numbness in any area of the body below the neck;
shooting pains in extremities, increasing on bending forward.
Causes of the disease
The main factor due to which cervical osteochondrosis develops is an unbalanced and excessive load on this part of the spine. In most cases, the pathology is formed against the background of degenerative involutional changes that accompany the aging process. Osteochondrosis can also occur due to traumatic neck injury or metabolic disorders.
In addition, there are a number of other factors that contribute to increasing the load on the neck, muscle spasms and the development of chronic diseases:
anomalies of the spine, congenital or acquired;
overweight;
complicated inheritance (for example, congenital and genetically determined weakness of connective tissues);
prolonged or frequent overload of the spine (standing in a forced position, physical inactivity);
lack of vitamins;
autoimmune pathologies associated with damage to connective tissue structures (collagenosis);
lack of micro- or macroelements;
intense physical activity, sports with an increased risk of spinal cord injury (for example, professional wrestling);
smoking, which prevents the flow of nutrients to the intervertebral discs;
metabolic disorders;
unbalanced diet with an excess of carbohydrates and fats combined with a lack of protein;
frequent stressful situations;
pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, leading to reduced mobility of the cervical spine;
repeated or severe hypothermia of the neck.
What is the risk of osteochondrosis?
The first problem, typical for most patients who have developed cervical osteochondrosis, is severe and frequent pain in the head and neck area. Because of this, people are forced to look for the most comfortable position in which the pain weakens or disappears completely. This, in turn, leads to reduced performance.
As the disease progresses, a protrusion is formed (partial release of disc tissue beyond the intervertebral space), the tissue between the vertebrae begins to collapse, and the gap narrows. With the last stage of the pathological process, the disc is completely destroyed and replaced by a connective tissue structure. This leads to the limitation of motor activity, as the patient loses the ability to turn or tilt the head.
In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can lead to the following complications:
hernia;
cervicocranialgia (painful sensation localized in the area of the base of the skull);
the formation of osteophytes;
compression of the arteries;
radiculopathy (compression of the roots of the spinal cord);
chronic pain syndrome.
In the most severe and advanced cases, cervical osteochondrosis causes compression of the spinal cord, paralysis and disability of the patient.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of a patient with suspected cervical osteochondrosis begins with a meeting with a doctor, who conducts a complete interview, explains the symptoms and the history of the development of the disease, as well as performs a physical examination. During the examination, the doctor focuses on identifying areas of pain, evaluating the mobility of the spine and the quality of reflexes.
After receiving the initial data, the specialist creates a plan for further diagnostics, which may include:
multislice computed tomography;
positron emission and magnetic resonance imaging;
radiography;
duplex scanning of vessels in the area of the pathological process.
Imaging techniques allow the doctor to determine the genesis of the clinical picture, identify signs of degenerative processes or other conditions that may provoke the appearance of symptoms that concern the patient. Duplex scanning allows you to assess the quality of blood flow and detect vasoconstriction.
In addition to the main diagnostic program, consultations with related specialists (vertebrologist, endocrinologist, orthopedic traumatologist, neurosurgeon, oncologist) can be performed and the following can be prescribed:
ultrasound scan of nearby organs;
electrocardiography;
standard and advanced studies of biomaterials (blood, urine).
Only after the diagnosis is confirmed and the causes and severity of the disease are clarified, the doctor starts working on the optimal and most effective treatment program.
Treatment options
Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is selected based on the stage at which the disease was detected, as well as taking into account the patient's age, his current condition and existing complications or accompanying pathologies.
Conservative approach
When cervical osteochondrosis was identified in the initial stages, conservative therapeutic methods are chosen. They are aimed at preventing the progression of the disease, relieving unpleasant symptoms and restoring the mobility of the spine.
As part of conservative therapy, the doctor combines drug treatment with physiotherapeutic procedures and gymnastics. He can prescribe medications from the following categories:
chondroprotectors;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
pain relievers;
angioprotectors;
B vitamins;
hormones;
muscle relaxants;
vasodilators;
nootropics.
Physiotherapy procedures are used as an addition to medications, and taking into account the patient's condition, the doctor may prescribe:
acupuncture;
kinesio taping;
massage sessions;
photodynamic therapy;
the use of ultrasound or diadynamic currents;
electrophoresis;
magnetic therapy.
At the same time, in case of cervical osteochondrosis in the acute period, wearing an orthopedic collar may be recommended. This medical accessory is necessary to adjust the bones and joints, reduce the load on the affected area of the spine and relieve pain. A cervical collar for osteochondrosis, the price of which varies depending on the manufacturer, type and material, is selected exclusively by the doctor individually for each patient.
The last but not least part of conservative therapy is gymnastics. The doctor prepares a set of special exercises for the patient aimed at strengthening the muscular frame, correcting posture and improving blood flow in the upper part of the spine.
Surgical approach
If conservative methods were unsuccessful or cervical osteochondrosis was detected in later stages, treatment is carried out through surgical intervention. The doctor may prescribe one of the following operations to the patient:
laminectomy;
endoscopic or percutaneous decompression;
radiofrequency ablation;
endoscopic removal of hernia, tumor process or area of degenerative-dystrophic changes;
epidural lysis of adhesions;
stabilization of the spine;
endoscopic foraminotomy;
laser nucleoplasty with puncture puncture.
Preventive measures
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology for which specific preventive measures have not been developed. In order to significantly reduce the possibility of the occurrence of the disease, its recurrence or the development of complications, doctors give a number of recommendations. According to them, patients should:
respect the principles of a healthy lifestyle;
eliminate lifting and carrying heavy objects;
use orthopedic mattresses and pillows to sleep;
regularly take dosed physical activity and swim;
eat a balanced diet;
exclude situations in which hypothermia of the cervical spine is possible;
constantly monitor your posture;
systematically take breaks for short sessions of therapeutic exercises in case of sedentary work;
be careful when turning and tilting your head;
undergo regular examinations by a specialized specialist for preventive purposes.
How is the rehabilitation going?
The supervising doctor draws up a plan for the rehabilitation period, taking into account several aspects:
at what stage was cervical osteochondrosis discovered;
the patient's general health and well-being;
age category and body weight of the patient;
existing accompanying pathologies or complications of the disease.
Depending on the situation, the doctor may include massage procedures, gymnastics and physiotherapy sessions in the rehabilitation program. Such comprehensive measures will not only speed up the recovery process and eliminate complications or relapses, but will also help improve the patient's overall health.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious problem in which the patient needs timely and correct medical care. If signs of this disease appear, you can undergo diagnosis and receive subsequent treatment at a medical center. All specialists choose an individual approach for each patient, are guided by modern methods of osteochondrosis treatment and offer a wide range of services, the price of which is in a comfortable range for patients.
Question answer
Cervical osteochondrosis has been identified, how long does it take to treat this pathology?
The duration of treatment directly depends on the stage at which the patient with cervical osteochondrosis sought help. Only a doctor who has assessed the severity of the pathological process and monitors the dynamics of progress during treatment can determine the most likely period.
Which doctor should I contact if I suspect I have cervical osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is identified and then treated by a neurologist, but in some cases a traumatologist-orthopedic can supervise the patient.