Cervical osteochondrosis is a common form of the disease that affects the upper spine, causing specific symptoms at each stage of development. Most patients leave the problem on their own without seeking medical help.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the neck
Second and third degree cervical osteochondrosis causes degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the spine. First, the fibrinous ring is destroyed, then there is a bulge and prolapse of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc. The pathology is accompanied by pain, dysfunction.
Causes that adversely affect the spine and the development of cervical osteochondrosis to varying degrees:
- lack of physical activity (sedentary work, minimal physical activity);
- genetic predisposition to the disease;
- immune response problems;
- unbalanced diet, against which there is a deficiency of minerals, trace elements or a specific group of vitamins;
- frequent hypothermia, prone to inflammatory processes;
- systemic failures of the endocrine system;
- obesity at every stage;
- spinal injuries;
- heavy physical work.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the second and all subsequent stages is considered the most severe. The reason is the close location of the nerves and blood vessels responsible for nutrition, the innervation of the brain.
More often the pathology is found in people over the age of 50, cervical osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree is diagnosed.
What are the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck
Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic process that has a destructive effect on the bones and cartilage that form the spine, on the soft tissues located nearby.
With the development of degenerative-destructive cervical pathology, the discs lose their protective properties.
Gradual destruction, displacement of anatomical elements leads to negative consequences:
- cartilage partially or completely loses its cushioning properties;
- disc deformation;
- destruction of the fibrous ring (begins in the initial stage);
- the formation of osteophytes - bone growths on the surface of the vertebrae.
Each degree of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by special manifestations. If in the initial stages (first and second stages) a person is worried about mild discomfort, then in the advanced form the disease causes a number of complications.
First degree
Grade 1 osteochondrosis of the cervix may occur without clinical manifestations. The patient's main complaint is neck pain.
Massage helps to relieve discomfort. On palpation, the patient feels muscle stiffness in the collar area, severe or moderate tension. If you start treatment on time, you can stop the initial process of first and second degree osteochondrosis abnormalities.
Second specialty
The symptoms of grade 2 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are more pronounced. The period of exacerbation is accompanied by severe discomfort. Immediate and comprehensive treatment with injections is needed.
Main manifestations:
- constant headache;
- discomfort when moving the head;
- stiffness of movements in the neck and collar;
- during the period of exacerbation it is possible to stop the pain syndrome for a short period of time;
- lethargy;
- sleep problems;
- increased fatigue;
- reduction of the level of working capacity;
- posture suffers, one cannot freely take a comfortable position;
- dizziness.
Manifestations depend on which arteries, veins or nerve bundles have been compressed. The muscles of the neck and neck and face, ears, head may tingle. The person may be disabled.
Third degree
The third degree is characterized by active damage to the fibrous ring.
The disorder leads to the appearance of protrusions, intervertebral hernias.
The stage of progression of cervical disease is characterized by a pronounced pain syndrome, which is not always possible to stop with strong analgesics. Neurological disorders gradually progress.
fourth degree
At the last stage, the degenerative-destructive processes reach their peak. It is difficult for patients to move, stiffness reaches its maximum. Sometimes the pain may go away, but this is a dangerous sign. Bone tissue begins to grow between the vertebral elements, which will lead to even greater deterioration, deterioration of well-being.
Stage diagnostics
The instability of the discs of the spine, the issues of eliminating the consequences of tissue destruction are considered by a neurologist. The doctor checks the neck reflexes with a hammer, coordination tests.
Instrumental research:
- radiography;
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance;
- Ultrasound of the vertebral arteries.
X-rays are taken in front and on the side.
MRI and CT are informative research methods. The only drawback is the high cost of the procedure.
Ultrasound is done, if necessary, to determine the degree of damage to the vertebral arteries, to assess the condition of the cervical region of the spine. The results will help shape the prognosis of the disease.
Treatment of second-degree cervical osteochondrosis
At the heart of any therapeutic effect in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the use of drugs that help get rid of the manifestations of the disease. The treatment regimen is determined by several specialists - therapist, neurologist.
Anesthesia of patients
Treatment of patients with second-degree osteochondrosis of the neck begins with a complex of painkillers. The doctor chooses analgesics in terms of their effectiveness, the presence of contraindications in the patient.
Fighting foci of inflammation
Anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate foci of inflammation and reduce pain levels in patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
Non-steroidal drugs have one negative effect - they aggressively affect the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics may be prescribed in tablets or injections, as in the exacerbation of osteochondrosis in the second and third stages of development. Gels, ointments, creams are often used for external treatment.
Chondroprotectors
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck of the second degree a special role is given to the protectors of cartilage and bone tissue.
Surgery
If the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the second and sometimes third degree with drugs is carried out at home, then radical treatment requires hospitalization of the patient. Indications for surgery:
- spinal instability;
- spinal cord compression;
- hernia formation.
It is impossible to completely solve the problem of pathological destruction of the neck with the progression of osteochondrosis.
Therapeutic gymnastics and exercise therapy
If it is impossible to fully restore the functional potential of the spine, then it is possible to stop the progression of the disease.
In the early stages (first and partially second degree of cervical osteochondrosis) will help simple folk methods, therapeutic exercises. Such recreational activities are not expensive, easy to perform, do not cause pain, do not cause discomfort.
In the later stages of the formation of second or third degree osteochondrosis of the neck, gymnastics and exercise are recommended. The exercises are performed under the supervision of a specialist. It is important to do everything right. The main goal: strengthening the muscles of the neck and relaxing at the same time.
It is important for the patient to strive for recovery, to carefully follow the recommendations of specialists, the prescriptions of doctors.