Cervical osteochondrosis.

The neck pain is an alarming sign.Maybe this is just an overvoltage and you just have to relax and relax.But what if the pain is connected to osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?It is important to take into account symptoms and treatment carefully, since complications can affect the most important organ - the brain.

What is cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae is a degenerative disease of the body's bone chirmer system.It leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of the bone tissue of vertebrae, to form growth on their surfaces.

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which is articulated with the skull.The anatomical and functional unit of the spine is the segment with a spine engine.This is a joint complex on which the spine moves.The complex consists of two vertebrae, the intervertebral disc, the articular surfaces of the vertebrae (facets), nerves, ligaments and muscles.

Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to a violation of the spine's biomechanics as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, hernia of intervertebral discs, squirts of nerve roots and blood vessels can form.

Pathological processes in the intervertebral disc take place: Nutrition, weakening of the ligaments, damage to the disc and the compression of the nerves.

• Level 1.The conditions of the power and metabolism of the intervertebral disc are violated.Due to the characteristics of the structure, slices are only eaten during movement.If this is not the case, the changes in the dystrophic tissue begin: the pane is hungry and dehydrated.Water loss means that the intervertebral disc cannot perform the functions of the depreciation.The load on the fibrous ring strengthens, cracks and tears occur in it.At that moment, slight pain can occur.
• Level 2.In the second stage, the spine segment the band apparatus occurs.The connection becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process in the pane is worsened, the hernia (prolapse) begins - the pulpoose edge penetrates through cracks in the fibrous ring.The pain becomes periodic.
• Level 3.In addition, the intervertebral disc is completely damaged.The powder of the pane goes beyond the fibrous ring.The resulting hernia can violate the nerve roots.The inflammatory process develops.This manifests itself by worsening the pain, the so -called radicular syndrome.
• Level 4.In the fourth phase, the defeat near fabrics is nearby.It is possible to press the radicular artery that leads to the lack of blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, the spine can be fully immobilized.

The first signs and main symptoms

At the beginning of the development of the osteochondrosis of the cervix region, the symptoms, the restriction of movement, the pain of the neck.This often does not combine any meaning.

Over time, the pain intensifies, becomes painful, burns, head, neck, shoulder blades, shoulders injured - this may develop the syndrome of vertebral artery.The artery is pressed or convulsive, the blood flow is disturbed.

Ophthalmological problems in the vessels often occur in 1-2 stages of cervical osteochondrosis.Darkling in the eyes, flickering, the appearance of "flying", colored spots in front of the eyes - all of these are symptoms of osteochondrosis.

The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. Migraines, dizziness, nausea and cough.
2. Hearing disability, pain in the ear, face.
3. Motor disorders in the hands, legs.The sensitivity of the skin on the head can be a gap.
4. Pain in the hand.If a nervous spine is trapped, the entire area in which it sends impulses can violate, violate or "fail".

In addition to the above symptoms, you can differentiate three main pain syndrome that accompany the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.The syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms.The determination of the leading pain syndrome is important because the entire treatment scheme is built exactly on the elimination of pain.And it is impossible to eliminate it without knowing the origin.

• Miofascial syndrome- Pain in skeletal muscles and adjacent fascia.The injury is associated with an overload in which pain nodes in the muscles (trigger points) occur strokes, hypertension and painful nodes.
• Rook syndrome- The pain caused by the roots of the vertebral nerves for a long time.The process of hernial education for osteochondrosis of the spine leads to a clamping of the nerve fibers and the subsequent inflammatory reaction.The pain spreads along the nerve.
• Facet syndrome- Pain in the vertebrates.The vertebrae from the second cervix have articular processes that are connected by arched (faceted) connections.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases and this means that the joint capsules of the arched joints are in constant tension.This causes pain.In addition, the pain increases until the end of the day, especially with a long -term forced position.

The causes of osteochondose in the cervical spine

One of the most important causes of osteochondrosis is the development of the spine to a high vertical stress.The ancestors of the people went on four legs like other mammals.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis, since the horizontal pressure in the horizontal position in the horizontal is half as strong as in vertical.According to the evolution standards, the transition to smoothing not too long ago occurred, and the spine simply had no time to adapt to a high vertical load.Together with the smoothing, a person also acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

An even more endangered neck of a person structured.The cervix department of a person consists of seven small mobile vertebrae, which are articulated by the type of child pyramid.This design can hardly be described as stable outside of the rest of the rest.In addition, the muscle frame in this zone is weak and the loads can be high - all of this makes the neck susceptible.Each injury is affected.Even if the damage was in another spine, the load redistribution can lead to osteochondrosis.

Another factor is aging.The formation of the skeletal and cartilage tissue ends at 21 and then the irreversible process of aging (degeneration) begins.Food of the cartilage is only carried out on the basis of the diffusion, and if the intervertebral disc does not receive any nutrients, it gradually catches up.

In addition, the development of cervical osteochondrosis is added:

1. Autoimmune diseases.They involve their own body cells in the pathological process of destroying the cartilage tissue.
2. Infections, hormonal failure, delay in metabolism - all of these circulatory diseases can also serve as factors for the development of osteochondrosis.
3. A sitting lifestyle, working conditions under which one person spends most of the time in a forced static position.
4. High loads that lead to injuries can lead to compression.
5. Genetic defects associated with the weakness of the musculoskeletal system and the inferiority of the cartilage tissue.

The spine canal in the cervical spine is very narrow, so that high loads or injuries can lead to compression of the spinal cord.And that is very dangerous.

In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels in this area happen.If the blood no longer flows into the brain in the right volume, a stroke can occur.

Diagnosis

In the primary diagnosis of a neck osteochondrosis, the doctor collects the patient's medical history.He finds out that and how it hurts, with what intensity, with a load or in peace, at which time it does, whether the cervical spine has occurred.

During the exam of the neck, the doctor feels the cervical vertebrae and muscles, lymph nodes;Evaluates the volume of the movements, the hack syndrome closes or confirms.

After that, a laboratory diagnosis is prescribed to rule out autoimmune diseases: a general blood test, ESR, rheumatoid factor, antigen hla B27.

The main task in diagnosis is radiography, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

• RntgenographyIt helps not evaluate the condition of bone structures, soft tissues and cartilage in the pictures.In order to visualize these structures, a contrast medium is introduced: angiography, discography, myelography.
• Computer tomography (CT).This method also uses the principle of radiography.With the help of computer processing, however, you can get a number of images of longitudinal and cross sections on which you can see bones and cartilage.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).It is a "gold standard" in diagnosing pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissues.MRI not only gives an idea of the structure of organs and tissues, but also about the functionality.With osteochondrosis with a frequent complication there is half of the spine.With MRI you can diagnose the trial of hernia formation in the early stages.

Treatment

The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is reduced to conservative methods.First, pain syndrome is removed and then different procedures are prescribed.In the most extreme cases, if the pain does not run for more than three months and medication does not help, surgery becomes the only way out.

Non -surgical treatment methods

Osteochondrosis has hit the bone system for more than a year, and therefore treatment will take time.Patience must be won.Conservative treatment tasks:

1. Eliminate pain.
2. Remove inflammation.
3. Restore the functions of spine roots.
4. Strengthen the sore muscles and the ligaments.

Conservative treatment includes drug therapy and physiotherapy.The preparations relieve pain during deterioration and physiotherapy to start the process of self -heating the body.

In the case of severe pain with radicular syndrome, the so -called "blockade" is carried out: the drug is administered in the immediate vicinity of the inflamed spine of the vertebral nerve.

The physiotherapeutic treatment is based on natural and artificially reproduced physical factors: cold, heat, electrical current, magnetic radiation, laser and others.Special devices, devices and manual methods are used for your reconstruction.

• Laser therapy- Biological activation of the regeneration processes of the intervertebral discs.The body begins to score itself.
• Plastotherapy (PRP therapy)- Plasma injections that have been isolated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors, hormones.After the injection, local immunity increases, regeneration processes are started.
• acupuncture- Stimulation of nerve ends with special needles.Improves the metabolism in affected areas, relieves pain.
• Shock wave therapy- Exposure to high frequency waves.Allows you to start natural recovery processes.
• Kine therapy- Movement therapy.It can be active (training therapy) and passive (massage, traction).LFK strengthens the back muscles, traction relieves tension and pain.It is selected taking into account the patient's individual characteristics.
• Manual therapy and massage- Exposition towards soft tissues and joints to restore the balance in the body and synchronize processes.Give back mobility and eliminate pain.
• Recordings- Glue special plasters on the skin in places where it is necessary to influence the receptors for stretching and compressing the muscles.It can both relax and increase the sound.

At the time of acute pain, it is recommended that the patient wear special bandages and collar on the neck.

The positive effect of conservative treatment is achieved in 2-3 months.If there is no result, the patient is recommended.

Surgical treatment methods of osteochondrosis

Operation with cervical osteochondrosis is an extreme measure for which special indications are required.The operation is recommended if:

1. The pain cannot be removed for more than 3 months due to therapeutic treatment.
2. There is a hernia of the intervertebral disc.
3. Sensitivity in the member disappears

Postoperative rehabilitation also takes time and can include therapeutic treatment.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.You cannot treat it.Such serious violations in the musculoskeletal system can lead to disabilities.The pain in the neck can become chronic, osteochondrosis spreads to several parts of the spine.In timely prevention can prevent the development of this disease.

prevention

Daily physical activity is required to maintain the health of the cervical spine.The food of the intervertebral discs starts moving, so it is extremely necessary.It is important that the loads are optimal and regular.

If work is related to a constant finding in a static position, a periodic warm up is required.And at home after a working day you can lie on a flat surface on your back for some time and put a scooter in your neck.This method will help restore the cervical spine, to remove muscle tension.

When preventing cervical osteochondrosis, the right pose is important in sleep.When a person rises with pain in the morning, the muscles had no time to relax and recover.

An orthopedic pillow helps here that is selected individually.

Do not move the treatment

A doctor will help you choose a recovery program.He will evaluate the condition of the spine on MRI images, report the probability of the absorption and the possibility of treatment.