Osteocondrosis is a pathological process that leads first to dystrophic and structural disorders in the intervertebral discs, and then in the vertebrae themselves, the spinal nerves, the muscles, the blood vessels and the internal organs located nearby.
It can affect all parts of the spine: cervical, chest, lumbar and sacral.Cervical osteochondrosis is a very common phenomenon and in terms of frequency is lower only to lumbar osteochondosis.
Osteocondrosis in the cervical region proceeds the stadium.Like any other pathology, without adequate timely treatment, it progresses.Functional and structural changes in the bone and cartilage tissue become more and more pronounced, leading to complicated forms of the disease with sensitivity and limitation of movements.
Phase and degrees
In total, 4 phases (degrees) of osteochondosis of the cervical region are distinguished.At the same time, the concepts of "graduation" and "stadium" are very often confused.Although they mean about the same thing, they are not entirely identical.The stage shows structural disorders in the cervical column, in the organs and fabrics nearby.And level means symptoms of osteochondrosis and patient complaints.With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the 1st degree clinical signs are minimal, but they can be completely absent.The patient complains of pain weakly expressed in the neck (cervical), intensifying when he turns his head.At the exam, the local tension of the cervical muscles is observed.
The osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree cervical region is accompanied by record -breaking root.Due to further degenerative dystrophic changes in the fibrous nucleus and capsule of the intervertebral disc, the height of the gap between the cervical vertebrae decreases.As a result, the roots of the cervical spinal nerves are violated.Patients are worried about punctual pain, the intensification with the curves and the inclination of the head.Pain syndrome can go beyond the cervical region and be accompanied by general weakness, a decrease in performance.
As a result of further pathological processes, leading to the movement and destruction of the intervertebral discs, the hernias of the disc are formed in the cervical region.Pain and general sense of weakness intensify, motor and motors disorders in the area of the segment concerned come together.The osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 3rd degree is developing.
In the future, with osteochondosis of the cervical region, the 4th degree of the destroyed intervertebral disc is replaced by fibrous connective tissue.Due to the involvement of the vertebral artery in the pathological process of pain with sensitive disorders and engines, cerebral disorders join the dam, compromised coordination and a feeling of ringing in the ears.
Etiology
Before talking about the causes or etiological factors of the cervical osteocondrosis, some anatomical and physiological characteristics of this spine should be clarified.
These characteristics are as follows:
- The neck is a mobile structure, while it borders on a relatively static chest column.
- Cervical vertebrae 7 and segments 8. The "excess" segment appears due to Atlantois -treaty.
- The cervical vertebrae have an anatomically different structure, which is particularly traced on the example of the first two cervical vertebrae, Atlanta and Axis.
- Vital communications pass in the neck - trachea, esophagus, large vases, including the vertebral artery that provides the brain.
The etiological factors that lead to pathological changes in the cervical region with the subsequent transition to cervical osteochondosis of the 2nd degree, are as follows:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Irrational nutrition with a deficiency of trace elements and vitamins;
- Constant violation of the posture from schoolchildren, students, employees;
- Frequent hypothermia, adverse microclimate of the house and in production;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Weak immunity;
- Inheritance.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the osteocondrosis of the 2nd degree cervical region, in addition to pain, include the tension of the cervical and spinal muscles.Neck pain (cervicalgia) with a certain degree of osteochondrosis can be both points or poured, spread beyond the neck to other anatomical areas: the back of the back and shoulder strap.Due to the shortening of intervertebral gaps, the muscles and ligaments drop.The action of the muscle frame weakens and is formed by the subluxation of the cervical region, following which the disc moves in one direction or the other.At the same time, the pain can be acute and strong, according to the type of shutter (cervical) after turning the head or extension of the neck.
In addition to pain, as already indicated, the tension of the cervical and spinal muscles is noted.Due to the fact that the cervical vertebrae are not moved from behind, but on the side, such a stress is often of asymmetrical nature and leads to a compromised posture.In turn, the compromised posture leads to further deterioration of metabolic processes in the cervical region.All conditions are created for the transition of osteochondrosis to the third stage.
In 2 phases of the cervical osteocondrosis, the vertebral artery is not yet influenced.However, already at this stage, in addition to pain and muscle tension, patients complain of a feeling of weakness, rapid fatigue and rupture.Sleep disorders are possible due to pain.
Types of treatment
The treatment of osteocondrosis of the 2nd degree cervical region includes:
- Medicine therapy,
- Physiotherapy procedures,
- Therapeutic gymnastics,
- Massage,
- Manual therapy.
Pharmacological treatmentIt aims to eliminate cervicalgia, inflammation in the roots of the cervical segments and the normalization of metabolic processes in cervical discs.Anesthesia is obtained by taking oral pain relievers.But this is the most ineffective way to eliminate pain.In this regard, intramuscular injections are more effective.With severe pain, you can wear a special bante collar.
AnesthesiaIt can be obtained by eliminating the inflammatory process in the cervical roots.In this regard, non -steering anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in various forms of drug: tablets, ointments, injections and compressed.In this regard, the injections, the ointments are very effective.A good anti -inflammatory effect is administered by steroid hormones.
To restore the interested cartilage, it is recommended to receive chondroprotectors.For the same purpose, the use of vitamin mineral complexes containing B vitamins is shown, C, and together with zinc, iron kick.Although there are no brain disorders in the second phase of the cervical osteochdrosis, the use of neuroprotectors will not be superfluous.
Physiotherapy proceduresWith cervical osteochondrosis, any degree is designed to reduce pain and inflammation, improve local blood flow.To this end, sounds are used, laser therapy and magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound treatment.The physiotherapy procedures are contraindicated by the period of exacerbation of osteochondosis.
MassageWith osteochondrosis, it is also performed in a pitched period.The massage procedures are performed in the position of the patient sitting or lying on the side.At the same time, the masseur with soft movements in the direction from the back of the head to the neck kneaded, strokes and rubs the tense muscles.Subsequently, the muscles of the back, neck, chest are massaged.In this case, the car -massage is possible using the Kuznetsov applicator.It is a needle roller with plastic peaks.Just put this roller around the neck for half an hour every day - an hour and the result will not be long coming.
Medical physical educationIt is designed to consolidate the effect of the aforementioned methods of treatment of the osteochondrosis of the neck.At the same time, optimal loads are created on various muscle groups, which leads to strengthening the muscles and eliminating the spine.Manual therapy for osteochondosis of the neck should be carried out with great caution.Due to the high risk of lesions of the cervical column, it is associated with a great risk not only for health, but also for the patient's life.
Prevention measures
The prevention of cervical osteochondosis is designed to eliminate the causes of this disease and prevent the transition of stadium 2 of 3.
In this regard, the following requirements should be observed:
- Active lifestyle;
- Complete nutrition;
- Normal conditions in everyday life and production, excluding drafts and hypothermia;
- Correct posture with work and "sedentary" study;
- Hardening, sport;
- Treatment of concomitant chronic diseases;
- At the first signs of osteochondrosis, a timely visit to the doctor.