Cervical Osteochondrosis - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Dizziness, pressure fluctuations, fainting, heartache—all are often caused by spinal problems.80% of the population suffers from cervical osteochondrosis to varying degrees. According to statistics, men suffer from cervical osteochondrosis earlier than women: at the age of 45-50.If treatment is not initiated early, the pathology will become irreversible.

What is osteochondrosis

This pathology is associated with degenerative changes in the cartilage between vertebrae, in which the soft tissue becomes harder and depreciates.

Osteochondrosis affects the thoracic and lumbar spine, but most commonly the cervical region.The causes are overloading vertebrae 1-7, muscle weakness, poor nutrition and choosing the wrong sleeping pillow.

Cervical spine injury mechanism

Osteochondrosis occurs when the nutritional processes and mineral metabolism of cartilage tissue are disrupted.The strength of bones and joints decreases, and ligaments lose their elasticity.The disk changes shape and structure and collapses under the influence of load.The vertebrae are brought closer together and the surface is erased.Pathology can lead to the following complications:

1. Compression of the blood vessels passing through the first to seventh vertebrae can cause a lack of oxygen (oxygen deficiency) in the brain.
2. There are problems with the respiratory system, blood vessels, and heart function, and vision loss.
3. Poor blood circulation to the brain can lead to neurocirculatory (vegetative) dystonia.
4. Decreased mobility in the neck - due to the formation of bony structures on the vertebrae.
5. Impaired cerebellar function and spinal cord compression can lead to death late in the disease.

Stages of cervical osteochondrosis

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

Early stage of cervical osteochondrosis

Cracks appear in the annulus fibrosus, the capsule ruptures, and the nucleus pulposus is damaged.Cervical osteochondrosis can be felt when the head is turned, the nerve endings are squeezed, the blood vessels are narrowed, and the blood flow is affected.Pain develops in the back of the head, and the back muscles quickly tire.

Stage 2 pathology

The intervertebral disc degenerates and the annulus is completely destroyed.The height between the vertebrae decreases, becoming unstable and pinching the nerve roots of the spinal cord.Decreased neck flexibility and mobility.At this stage, the disease can still be treated without surgery.

The final stages of osteochondrosis of the neck

In the third stage of pathology, the intervertebral disc herniates, causing hernia; the medullary ring protrudes and bulges.The cervical spine and its axis are displaced, and the nutrition of the brain is affected.Furthermore, in the final (3 and 4) stages of pathology, the following processes begin:

• The intervertebral discs are destroyed and replaced by connective tissue;
• Loss of mobility in neck and shoulder joints;
• Due to friction, growths can form on the surface of the vertebrae and nerve fibers can be damaged;
• Decreased sensitivity in the hand due to innervation problems.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The patient's condition depends on the stage of the disease.First, there is rare pain when turning or lowering the head, and tension in the back muscles.After that, the person will feel persistent fatigue.The pain becomes stronger and more frequent.Symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, and vision loss may then appear.All symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into three groups:

• irritant reflex syndrome– Neurodystrophies, myotonic and vegetative vascular manifestations.
• Compress the apex– Associated with compression of nerve endings; one of the main symptoms is severe pain when turning the head.
• vertebral artery syndrome– Occurs when blood vessels supplying brain structures narrow.

neurosis

The blood supply to the brain is insufficient, its functions and the state of the nervous system are disturbed.I suffered from frequent headaches and insomnia, resulting in a state of fatigue and apathy.The following symptoms will then appear:

• increased sweating;
• Emotional instability (emotional instability);
• increased irritability;
• Dizziness;
• frustrated;
• lack of concentration;
• tinnitus;
• "Fly" in front of your eyes;
• anxiety;
• Tremors (tremors) in the limbs;
• Panic attacks;
• Vestibular system disorders: nausea, vomiting, unsteady gait, spatial disorientation, loss of coordination.

General clinical signs

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause headaches and visual disturbances.In the second stage of pathology, the patient complains of tinnitus, a lump in the throat, weakness of the arm muscles and numbness of the tongue.When you turn your neck or tilt your head, you will hear a crunching sound and black spots will appear in front of your eyes.There are other symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome:

• Migraine pain extending from the back of the head to the forehead;
• Darkening of vision;
• Scalp pain;
• hearing loss;
• increased blood pressure;
• Fingers tingle.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women

Clinical manifestations do not depend on gender, but women aged 45 to 65 are more likely to experience numbness in their limbs, tingling, and pain in their arms during sleep.Nighttime attacks are repeated several times.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

This pathology occurs under the influence of high loads on the vertebrae, causing muscle spasms.This is often the case with sedentary jobs - in front of the computer, in the car.

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

• Nervousness, often in stressful situations;
• Physical inactivity – lack of physical activity, low activity level;
• Weak neck muscles;
• genetic predisposition;
• spinal injuries;
• Rheumatism;
• Excessive physical activity, heavy lifting;
• malnutrition;
• Metabolic disorders;
• Frequent hypothermia in the neck;
• Age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system and cartilage tissue;
• Congenital cervical spine anomalies;
• Autoimmune pathologies affecting cartilage tissue;
• overweight;
• The spine is unstable.

diagnosis

The doctor examines the patient's complaints and assesses posture and muscle tone.The diagnosis is confirmed by 4 projections of the neck X-ray: the images show the position and displacement of the vertebrae.Reveal the stages and hidden pathology of the disease through:

• magnetic resonance imaging– The most effective method, which shows in detail degenerative changes in bones, hernias, herniations, rupture of annulus fibrosus.It can be used instead of X-rays, but the tests are expensive.
• Ultrasonic double-sided scanning– Assess arterial blood flow disorders.
• computed tomography– Does not show the size and area of the hernia and is used in the early stages to identify intervertebral space narrowing, cervical segment displacement and marginal growth of bone tissue.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The goals of treatment are to restore blood flow and tissue nutrition, eliminate symptoms of hypoxia, and halt the destruction of vertebrae and discs.It is important to strengthen the muscle bundles that support the neck and restore mobility to the joints.Treatment strategies are chosen based on the stage of the disease:

• Initial – Massage, gymnastics, physiotherapy, taking chondroprotectants and medications to improve blood circulation.
• Osteochondrosis stage 2-3 – medication, therapeutic exercises, massage.
• Irreversible degenerative changes leading to destruction and deformation of the vertebrae - surgical intervention and symptomatic medical treatment.
• Exacerbation of chronic cervical osteochondrosis - injections or tablets of drugs to relieve pain and spasm.

Help relieve severe pain

Apply pepper patch or warm ointment to the area of your neck.Active heating of individual areas can disperse pain and increase blood flow in the tissues.Use an applicator to apply the ointment in a very thin layer.Other ways to relieve osteochondrosis pain:

• Tablet analgesics - moderately effective, not suitable for clotting problems.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - if analgesics do not work, take tablets, as this group of drugs can have a negative effect on the stomach and liver.
• Injection – Used to treat severe acute pain, effects appear after 15 minutes.For intramuscular injection, use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and inotropic antispasmodics.In serious cases, a lockdown will be implemented.

Conservative treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

In stages 1-2 of the disease, when there are no symptoms of cerebral hypoxia, treatment can be carried out at home.The basis of treatment is gymnastics and massage.They improve blood flow and strengthen muscles.Other methods:

• Medication - oral medications and injections when the condition worsens, and ointments and creams at other times.
• Physical Therapy – 7-10 sessions during remission.
• Folk remedies - as an alternative method of treating osteochondrosis.
• Diet Therapy – Introduce foods rich in fatty acids, magnesium and calcium into the diet.Avoid salt, smoked foods, pickled and spicy foods, and fast food.

drug treatment

Treatment during exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis is aimed at relieving uncomfortable symptoms and stimulating blood flow and tissue nutrition.

During remission, medications are used to improve cartilage quality and prevent vertebrae from collapsing.The medication can be taken internally or applied topically.The main fund categories are:

• muscle relaxants– Relieve muscle spasms and reduce pain, use for one month.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)– Apply topically and internally to relieve pain and swelling.Tablets should be used for no more than 10 days.
• analgesics– Relieves pain, but not inflammation, and is less effective than NSAIDs.
• chondroprotectant– Protect and restore cartilage tissue.
• sedative– Usually prescribed to women with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine complicated by severe neurosis.
• Nootropics– Affects brain circulation, helping to combat dizziness.
• vitamin and mineral complex– Improves metabolism of nervous tissue.

non-drug

During remission, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is based on local surgery to improve blood flow, metabolism, relieve pain and inflammation.The patient does gymnastics every day, and the plan is drawn up by the doctor.The main treatments are:

• manual therapy– Straighten the position of the vertebrae and strengthen them through massage.Courses are held 2-4 times a year, 5-10 times each time.At home, gently stroking the neck and collar area from top to bottom for 7-10 minutes can relieve muscle spasms.
• drug electrophoresis– Using medication to relieve pain and improve circulation, the electrical current can quickly reach the desired level.
• Magnet therapy– Designed to relieve swelling.
• Acupuncture– Improves blood flow and relieves inflammation.8-10 sessions every 1-2 days.
• saint collar- A controversial method of eliminating symptoms of osteochondrosis, since the load on the muscles is relieved, but the muscles are not strengthened.The product immobilizes the neck and stretches the spine, increasing the distance between segments.They wore the collars for three hours a day for a month.

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

Outside of periods of exacerbation, patients are advised to engage in therapeutic exercises.Strong head tilt forward and backward, no rotation allowed.Do each exercise for no more than a minute and avoid sudden movements or twitches.If discomfort or pain occurs, stop the activity.Proven cervical spine exercises:

• Slowly turn your head from side to side, constantly looking at a point in front of you: this way you can control small movements.Do 10-15 times in each direction, gradually increasing to 30 times.
• Place your palms 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 down, tilting your head toward your shoulders.Count to 5 and release.Do 10 reps on each side.
• Lie on your stomach and extend your arms along your body.Lift your head slightly and slowly turn your head so that your ears touch the floor.Do 10 reps on each side.

Surgical methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis

Surgery is performed if the nerve roots are affected, a hernia with a ruptured ring occurs, the vertebrae are destroyed, and there are no results from primary treatment.

Severe symptoms: arm paralysis, muscle atrophy, stroke.

Main treatments:

• facet resection– Endoscopic removal of the joint and subsequent tightening of the vertebrae so that they cannot move.
• Discectomy and spinal fusion– Specified for severe deformation changes.During surgery, the floppy disk is removed and the vertebrae are fused to stop their destruction.Disadvantages: Limited cervical spine mobility, long recovery time.
• spinal fusion– Damaged disc fragments, bony prominences are removed, artificial grafts are introduced and the vertebrae are tightened with screws.The recovery period is one year and patients are advised to wear a corset.
• corpectomy– If other methods fail, the damaged vertebrae and nearby discs are removed.

Folk remedies for cervical osteochondrosis

For severe pain, take 1 teaspoon.Alcohol and camphor, add 2 drops of iodine and wipe the left and right sides of the spine (without touching the post itself) for 3-5 minutes.Do this 1-2 times a day.In addition to basic therapies, other folk remedies:

1. Pour 500 g of knotweed into water (2 liters), bring to a boil and leave to stand.Pour the cooled broth through the gauze into the prepared bath solution and soak for 15-20 minutes.This procedure is performed in the evening and can be relaxing and soothing.Courses – 7-10 lessons.
2. Mix 1 tbsp.Lake birch buds, St. John's wort, mint leaves.Grind, add a cup of water and cook for 5 minutes.Strain and combine with butter and vegetable oil (75 g each).Apply a thin layer of ointment to the neck and cover it with polyethylene and a scarf.Leave it on for an hour.The procedure is performed once a day for two weeks.
3. Pour 100 g of elderberries into vodka (600 ml).Leave in a cold place for a week.Rub your neck with this remedy 2 times a day for 10-15 days.

prevention

Patients over 40 should take calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and magnesium supplements every six months - they can improve the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.The diet includes fatty fish, shrimp, mussels, nuts, beans, spinach, cheese and milk.Other precautions:

• When working sedentary, change the position of your neck frequently and stretch every hour;
• Choose a comfortable pillow;
• swimming, yoga;
• Avoid lifting, jumping, running and other exercises;
• Avoid neck hypothermia.