Osteochondrosis refers to a Progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesion of the intervertebral discs in the area of the vertebrae 1-7 connection with the Department.
As a result of cervical degenerative disc appearance, deformation, abrasion, and then the defeat of the vertebral body diseases. This disrupts the normal blood supply and nerve conductivity in the area of the neck and in those areas innervated by the roots of the nerves of the cervical spine.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be both isolated, and in connection with osteochondrosis of other departments – thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
Causes
Causes of dystrophic not been studied, and degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs still have enough. The assumption that the osteochondrosis – senile appearance of the confirmation is not found. It also occurs in children and adolescents.
A number of predisposing to the development of osteochondrosis factors, characterized. These include:
- Inactivity and lack of exercise,
- sessile types of work with static load on the neck,
- overweight, insufficient physical development,
- dysplastic processes of the connective tissue,
- Circulatory disorders in the area of the neck,
- Neck injury,
- Scoliosis, a faulty posture, uncomfortable pillows and mattresses,
- genetic predisposition, defects of metabolism.
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
Cervical spine because of the peculiarities of the skeleton, upright posture, but also due to the large size of the head is particularly disease prone to the development of degenerative disc – vertebra in him, the smaller pronounced in comparison with other departments of the spine and muscle-skeletal is not strong.
The most characteristic Symptom, to the claims of the sick – pain in the neck area. Depending on the affected area, the pain may be localized
- in the collarbone and the shoulder;
- after the whole of the spine;
- on the front surface of the Thorax.
Pain spine in the cervical osteochondrosis due to the peculiarities of the neck.
The first signs of cervical degenerative disc disease are low, and little specific:
- Pain in the area of the neck until the evening,
- Feeling of heaviness in the head, headache in the occipital area,
- Feeling of numbness or tingling in the shoulders and hands,
- Grinding in neck when turning the head, snapping vertebrae.
Leading Symptoms:
Vegetative-dystonic
- pretty strong neck pain, and especially in the area just below the neck;
- the pain occurs after a long stay in one Position (e.g., after sleeping);
- Neck muscles are tense all the time;
- way there are difficulties with the redirection in the hands;
- on the affected side a thumbs up shackled in the movements.
Since the compression of the vertebral arteries, happens neurological symptoms: headaches, nausea, seizures occur, frequent fainting.
Spine Symptom
Chest pain localized on the left side.
To distinguish this type of pain of pain in Angina pectoris (Angina pectoris nitroglycerin relieves, in the case of the osteochondrosis – no).
In the case of the gradual violation of the structure of the intervertebral discs in your compression (compression) is incurred and the impairment of the nerve roots, as well as a constriction or injury of the arteries and veins in the area of the vertebral body.
This leads to the formation of specific syndromes – the arrangement of the edge and ischemic.
- Lesion of the nerve roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): injuries affect the head, reduce the sensitivity of the skin;
- the defeat of the C2 pain syndrome in the area of the head and neck;
- the defeat of C3 is neck pain on the part of the infringement, decreased sensitivity in the language and sublingual the muscles, in some cases with interference and loss of control over the tongue, language;
- the defeat of C4 and C5 pain in shoulder and collarbone, the reduction of the Tonus of the muscles of the head and neck, hiccups, respiratory disorders and pain in the heart;
- the defeat of the C6 is done mostly by the pain from the neck to the shoulder blade, forearm, up to the large fingers, the sensitivity of the skin suffering:
- the defeat of the C7 have similar symptoms with pain in the neck, back of the shoulder, to the back of the brush, the violation of the strength of the Hand, and decreased reflexes.
Disorders of blood circulation due to compression of the blood vessels in the area of the cervical vertebrae give headaches to migraines, severe dizziness, blurred vision, and Tinnitus, flickering flies before the eyes, disturbances of the vegetative functions.
May be cardiovascular symptoms of the syndrome with the compress of the pain of the heart, lack of air and heart palpitations, heart rhythm disorders.
Complications
Serious complications of cervical degenerative disc disease
- Protrusion of the intervertebral disc with the formation of the herniated disc (protrusion);
- the gap herniated disc with impingement of the nerves and vessels, perhaps, compression of the spinal cord, which can lead to death;
- can also roots radiculopathy (lesion of the nerves), the formation of osteophytes (spikes on the bodies of the vertebrae) with the Manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
Diagnosis
The presence of the above-mentioned complaints to be the necessary treatment to a doctor, orthopedist or neurologist.
Especially, the doctor will assess the mobility and pain in the neck, sensitivity and other disorders of the functions. You will then have to the x-ray of the cervical spine in multiple projections, if necessary, a computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance scan for a suspected hernia.
In the case of disorders of blood circulation rheoencephalography, and Fundus may require.
Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
The same symptoms may be signs of various diseases, and the disease may not go according to the textbook. Try not to be self-treated — talk to your doctor.
Today, there are both traditional and unconventional methods of treatment of degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine.
Especially conservative methods used:
- symptomatic therapy analgesics for the relief of the pain syndrome
- the intake of anti-inflammatory drugs in the Steroid series – for the relief of inflammation and edema
- for elimination of spasms of the muscles antispasmodics used medications to improve the blood circulation.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease substances, a reducing agent, the structure of the intervertebral discs apply.
Shows a course of Vitamin therapy-group, the external agent for the therapy gels and ointments, creams containing anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving components. Shows stimulants Regeneration of the intervertebral discs.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease wearing the special collar is recommended.
Complications of cervical degenerative disc disease with intervertebral animals hernias, violation of the sensitivity and the circulation of blood, can be treated surgically.
The duration of treatment depends on the condition of neglect, such as the osteochondrosis is a progressive chronic disease. The treatment can be lengthy, and preventive courses of life are carried out.
Clearly state to relieve in the case of osteochondrosis, the right diet. More about the principles of diet in osteochondrosis in our separate article.
Exercises for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease:
- Self-renewal: in the Position with a straight back, the shoulders fall as low as possible, the neck pull should be upward. You need to commit at least 10 approaches a minimum of 3 times a day.
- Self-massage: conclude with a towel the neck, took him to the ends and pull alternately with each other, flexing the muscles of the neck. It is important to ensure that the towel slid over the neck (not you) RUB.
- Gymnastics for the cervical spine osteochondrosis: there is little flexion of the neck, as well as the rotations and inclinations of the head. For once, is on 5-7 tilting in any direction. Particularly helpful to perform this exercise, after the self-massage of the cervical spine.
Prevention
The basis for the health of the cervical spine is a strong and healthy back, physical activity, a comfortable bed with anatomical pillows and mattress, the right posture and the right diet.
Is lifting the prevention of injury to the neck and weight. Only the combination of long periods of sitting with periods of rest and warm up.