Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage, which is one of the main causes of neck pain with characteristic irradiation to the arms. With this disease, a change occurs in the structure of the cartilage and musculo-ligament structures located nearby.
Since cervical osteochondrosis progresses can lead to a number of serious complications, including disability of the patient, its timely diagnosis and treatment are among the urgent tasks of modern medicine.
Stages of development of the pathology and typical symptoms
The disease passes through 4 successive stages of development with corresponding changes in the body and associated symptoms:
The first stage is the initial morphological changes in the intervertebral discs. The nucleus of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) gradually dries out 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 smoothing of the cervical lordosis and an almost constant muscular tension.
In the second phase, the destruction of the fibrous ring continues, accompanied by the first signs of pathological mobility of the vertebrae and their instability. The distance between the vertebrae decreases and protrusion occurs. At this time, the patient notices an increase in pain and its irradiation to the arm or shoulder area. Along with this, severe headaches appear, the person complains of a feeling of weakness and reduced performance.
The third stage is characterized by the complete destruction of the fibrous ring, as a result of which the unfixed nucleus extends beyond the vertebrae and penetrates into the area of the spinal canal, forming a hernial protrusion. In turn, it puts pressure on the nerves and elements of the vascular bed, causing disruption of blood flow in the cervical region. Patients in this phase complain of intense and continuous pain in the neck that radiates to the arms and shoulders. The muscles weaken and numbness in the upper limbs is systematically noted. Added to the clinical picture are episodes of dizziness, difficulty orientating in space and rigidity of movements.
The fourth stage is represented by the replacement of the cartilage of the intervertebral disc with a connective tissue structure and the involvement of the adjacent spinal segments in pathological changes. Due to the fusion of the joints, their immobility occurs. For the patient, this is the most difficult stage, as he feels constant strong pain in the neck, arms, chest and the area between the shoulder blades. Added to this are signs of reduced blood supply to the brain, sensitivity disorders, and the likelihood of a stroke increases significantly.
It should be noted that in addition to the main clinical picture accompanying cervical osteochondrosis in various stages, additional symptoms can be noted:
decreased visual acuity;
episodes of anxiety that occur due to insufficient blood supply to the brain;
hearing loss and tinnitus;
the appearance of a creaking sound when moving the head;
sleep disturbances up to insomnia;
the appearance of spots before the eyes;
cases of loss of consciousness;
paralysis of the facial muscles;
arm pain that occurs at night.
If compression of the spinal cord occurs, myelopathy may develop, accompanied by:
difficulty moving the limbs;
coordination or balance problems;
loss of bowel or bladder control;
weakness or numbness in any area of the body below the neck;
shooting pains in the extremities, which increase when bending forward.
Causes of the disease
The key factor due to which cervical osteochondrosis develops is an unbalanced and excessive load on this part of the spine. In most cases, pathology is formed against the background of involutive degenerative 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 increased load on the neck, muscle spasms and the development of chronic diseases:
spinal anomalies, congenital or acquired;
overweight;
complicated heredity (for example, congenital and genetically determined weakness of connective tissues);
prolonged or frequent overload of the spine (remaining in a forced position, physical inactivity);
vitamin deficiencies;
autoimmune pathologies accompanied by damage to connective tissue structures (collagenosis);
deficiency of micro or macro elements;
intense physical activity, sports with an increased risk of spinal injury (for example, professional wrestling);
smoking, which prevents the flow of nutrients into the intervertebral discs;
metabolic disorders;
unbalanced diet with excess carbohydrates and fats combined with protein deficiency;
frequent stressful situations;
pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, which lead to reduced mobility of the cervical spine;
repeated or severe hypothermia of the neck.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis?
The first problem, typical of most patients who have developed cervical osteochondrosis, is severe and frequent pain in the head and neck area. For this reason, people are forced to look for the most comfortable position in which the pain subsides or disappears completely. This, in turn, leads to decreased performance.
As the disease progresses, a protrusion forms (partial release of the disc tissue beyond the intervertebral space), the tissue between the vertebrae begins to collapse, and the space narrows. By the last stage of the pathological process, the disc is completely destroyed and replaced by a connective tissue structure. This leads to limitation of motor activity, as the patient loses the ability to turn or tilt his 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);
osteophyte formation;
compression of the arteries;
radiculopathy (compression of the roots of the spinal cord);
chronic pain syndrome.
In more severe and advanced cases, cervical osteochondrosis causes spinal cord compression, paralysis and patient disability.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of a patient with suspected cervical osteochondrosis begins with a visit to the doctor, who conducts a thorough interview, clarifies the symptoms and history of the development of the disease, and also 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 diagnoses, which may include:
multislice computed tomography;
positron emission and magnetic resonance;
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 could cause the appearance of symptoms that bother the patient. The duplex scan allows you to evaluate 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 carried out and the following can be prescribed:
ultrasound scan of nearby organs;
electrocardiography;
standard and advanced studies of biomaterials (blood, urine).
Only after confirmation of the diagnosis and clarification of the causes and severity of the disease, the doctor begins to work on the optimal and 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 concomitant pathologies.
Conservative approach
When cervical osteochondrosis is identified in the early stages, conservative treatment methods are chosen. They are aimed at preventing the progression of the disease, alleviating 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 drugs from the following categories:
chondroprotectors;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
painkillers;
angioprotectors;
B vitamins;
hormones;
muscle relaxants;
vasodilators;
nootropics.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are used in addition to medications, and taking into account the patient's condition, the doctor may prescribe:
acupuncture;
Kinesiotaping;
massage sessions;
photodynamic therapy;
the use of ultrasound or diadynamic currents;
electrophoresis;
magnetotherapy.
At the same time, in case of cervical osteochondrosis in the acute period, the use of an orthopedic collar may be recommended. This medical accessory is necessary to repair 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 for the patient a set of special exercises aimed at strengthening the muscle structure, 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 the later stages, treatment is carried out by surgical intervention. The doctor may prescribe one of the following operations to the patient:
laminectomy;
endoscopic or percutaneous decompression;
radiofrequency ablation;
endoscopic removal of a hernia, tumor process or area of degenerative-dystrophic changes;
epidural lysis of adhesions;
spinal stabilization;
endoscopic foraminotomy;
Laser puncture nucleoplasty.
Preventive measures
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology for which no specific prevention measures have been developed. To significantly reduce the likelihood of the disease occurring, its recurrence or the development of complications, doctors give a number of recommendations. According to them, patients must:
adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle;
eliminate lifting and carrying heavy objects;
use orthopedic mattresses and pillows to sleep;
receive regular dosed physical activity and go swimming;
eat a balanced diet;
exclude situations in which hypothermia of the cervical spine is possible;
continuously 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 checks by a specialized specialist for preventive purposes.
How is the rehabilitation going?
The attending physician draws up a plan for the rehabilitation period, taking into account several aspects:
at what stage cervical osteochondrosis was detected;
general health and well-being of the patient;
patient's age category and body weight;
existing concomitant pathologies or complications of the disease.
Depending on the situation, the doctor may include massage procedures, gymnastics sessions and physiotherapy in the rehabilitation program. Such comprehensive measures will not only speed up the recovery process and eliminate complications or relapses, but 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 select an individual approach for each patient, are guided by modern methods of treating osteochondrosis and provide a wide range of services, the price of which is within a comfortable range for patients.
Question Answer
Once 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 probable period.
Which doctor should I contact if I suspect I have cervical osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is identified and subsequently treated by a neurologist, but in some cases a traumatologist-orthopedist can supervise the patient.