How is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine treated? Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis is a disease that is one of the most common in the world. Most people after 35 years of age have osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in one form or another. Recently, there has been a tendency to increase the number of people suffering from severe forms of the disease and to rejuvenate the disease, lowering its lower age threshold. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of people around the world are engaged in sedentary work and lead a sedentary lifestyle. Meanwhile, the disease is quite dangerous, and any person should know what it is - osteochondrosis, how it manifests itself and how it is treated, be able to recognize its symptoms and begin treatment in a timely manner.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is one of the few diseases that are characteristic only of humans. This disease does not occur in other animals. The reason for this is such a distinctive feature of man as upright walking. The vertical position of the spinal column leads to the fact that the vertebrae press on each other and the osteochondral tissue of the spine gradually degrades and becomes deformed.

The human spine starts from the cervical region. There are a total of seven vertebrae in this section - from the first to the seventh. The vertebrae are separated from each other by intervertebral discs. The cervical spine is a particularly vulnerable part of it, which is associated, first of all, with the increased mobility of the vertebrae in this area. In the cervical region, the disease is reflected primarily in the discs, which are a weak point in the structure of the spine.

The prevalence of cervical osteochondrosis is also facilitated by factors such as the small size of the vertebrae and the relative weakness of the neck muscles. Also, the development of cervical osteochondrosis is greatly influenced by insufficient blood supply to cartilage tissue.

Thus, the development of the disease is a complex and lengthy process and does not have a single cause. Although a connection has been established between a person’s sedentary work and the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, nevertheless, the disease often occurs in trained people, especially athletes, due to the increased load on the cervical spine when lifting weights.

In older people, as a rule, degradation of vertebral structures is an inevitable process associated with the aging of the body and the weakening of its defenses. However, the most common pathological type of cervical osteochondrosis occurs, in which external or internal negative factors play a major role.

Factors contributing to the development of neck osteochondrosis:

• Poor posture
• Rachiocampsis
• Back injuries
• Overweight
• Hard physical work
• Sedentary work
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Metabolic disorders
• Frequent hypothermia
• Uncomfortable position while sleeping
• Stress, overwork
• Hereditary factors
• Infectious diseases
• Individual body structure features, for example, a neck that is too long or too short

Degree of development of cervical osteochondrosis

The disease has four stages. It is not always easy to determine the stage of the disease by analyzing symptoms, since sometimes the degree of degradation of osteochondral tissue may not correspond to the symptoms observed in the patient.

First degree

Destructive processes begin in the osteochondral tissue of the vertebrae. As a rule, at this stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms are mild. Patients either do not notice them at all or do not associate them with diseases of the spine, but attribute them to stress and overwork.

Second degree

The height of the disk begins to decrease, and cracks appear on its surface. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis at this stage manifest themselves in constant pain, weakness, and numbness in certain areas of the face.

Third degree

Disc herniations form, cervical vessels and muscles are damaged. The patient experiences dizziness and pain in the back of the head.

Fourth degree

Osteophytes appear - growths of bone tissue that protect the vertebrae from stress, which leads to pinched nerves. This leads to stiffness of movement and damage to neighboring joints.

Cervical osteochondrosis: symptoms

The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

• Neck and shoulder pain
• Muscle weakness
• Increased sweating
• Numb hands
• Loss of coordination
• Dizziness
• Deterioration of vision and hearing
• Increased blood pressure
• Headache

These symptoms, typical for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, can be present at all stages of the disease. In most cases, only a few symptoms from the list are observed, and the rest may be absent. A person who first encounters such signs of the disease does not always suspect that he has cervical osteochondrosis. Therefore, he can contact various doctors - therapists, cardiologists, neurologists, surgeons. And as a result, the correct diagnosis can be made with a significant delay.

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Syndromes

With cervical osteochondrosis, several syndromes occur, that is, typical conditions that have a complex of characteristic signs. They manifest themselves depending on which nerves and arteries are affected as a result of the disease:

• vertebral artery syndrome
• cardiac syndrome
• hypertensive syndrome
• radicular syndrome
• cervical migraine syndrome

Vertebral artery syndrome is one of the most unpleasant and dangerous complications of cervical osteochondrosis. It is caused by decreased blood flow through the artery that runs along the spine and supplies the brain. The syndrome manifests itself in symptoms such as systemic or periodic dizziness, weakened hearing and vision. In some cases, fainting may occur. A variation of the syndrome is often observed, in which in normal conditions the blood flow in the artery is normal, but when the head is turned in one direction or another, it can drop sharply.

Cardiac syndrome develops when the roots of the nerves innervating the diaphragm or pectoral muscle are compressed. As a result, the patient may experience pain reminiscent of cardialgia, although there is no direct effect on the heart. However, the syndrome may be characterized by such phenomena as tachycardia, hypotension and arrhythmia.

Hypertension syndrome is also one of the most dangerous complications. Unlike vertebral artery syndrome, it is caused by compression of veins rather than arteries, which impedes the flow of blood from the head. The syndrome leads to an increase in intracranial pressure, which can manifest itself in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and headache.

Cervical migraine syndrome has little in common in its etiology with classic migraine. It manifests itself in severe pain in the back of the head. The pain is paroxysmal, lasts up to ten hours and is accompanied by vomiting.

Radicular syndrome is the most common syndrome in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Caused by compression of individual nerve roots in the cervical vertebrae. It can be expressed in pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder blades, shoulders, numbness and weakening of the tone of certain areas of the arms (up to the inability to perform any manipulations) and neck.

Very often, several syndromes or individual symptoms characteristic of different syndromes can be observed at once.

As you can see, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the manifestations of the disease are multifaceted and the patient is not always able to correctly recognize the cause of their occurrence. If you encounter similar symptoms, then this is a reason to consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

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The following types of studies are used for diagnosis:

• Radiography
• CT scan
• Magnetic tomography
• Ultrasound scanning of neck vessels

X-ray allows you to determine the displacement of the vertebrae, the presence of growths - osteophytes and salt deposits, and compaction of the discs. Computed tomography involves creating a series of x-rays that give a three-dimensional view of an organ, in this case the cervical spine. It allows you to detail the degree of the pathological process - the nature of nerve compression, the structure of osteophytes, the height of the discs, etc. Magnetic resonance imaging, based on the physical effect of nuclear magnetic resonance, provides an even more detailed structural picture of the spine. Ultrasound of the neck vessels helps to identify changes in blood flow in the great vessels of the neck caused by the disease.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home

How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home and is it treatable at all? To combat the disease, medicine has developed many methods. Some treatments can be used at home. But this process is long and complete recovery is unlikely, especially in old age. However, it is possible to slow down and stop destructive processes in the spine at any stage of the disease.

At the initial stages of the disease, methods are usually conservative. Several methods are used to treat cervical osteochondrosis:

• Medications
• Physiotherapy
• Physiotherapy
• Massage
• Special means for fixing the spine

If the disease has progressed to the last stage, and serious destruction of the osteochondral structure of the spine occurs, then surgical intervention can be used to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Drugs

The following types of drugs are used:

• Chondroprotectors
• Vitamins
• Analgesics
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Antispasmodics

In case of acute pain syndrome associated with osteochondrosis, the first priority is its elimination. As a rule, oral drugs are used, such as Analgin or Baralgin, but if they are ineffective in severe cases, novocaine blockade is used.

For muscle spasms, antispasmodics are used. Mydocalm demonstrates the greatest effectiveness for osteochondrosis, although the use of other muscle relaxants is also possible. As anti-inflammatory and painkillers, you can use ointments containing non-steroidal drugs - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Butadione or their analogues.

In the presence of syndromes associated with impaired circulation and blood supply to the brain - hypertensive and vertebral artery syndrome, drugs are taken that relieve the undesirable effects of these syndromes - blood pressure lowering agents and nootropic drugs.

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy is the simplest and most accessible type of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis and, at the same time, quite effective. Physical therapy can also be done at home. With osteochondrosis, the intensity of exercise does not play a decisive role; only regularity is necessary. First of all, physical education is intended to strengthen the neck muscles, which compensate for the insufficient functionality of the spine and help it support weakened vertebrae.

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Daily exercises are recommended to strengthen the neck muscles. They can be very simple, consisting of turning and tilting the head in different directions, or more complex, including assistance to the neck muscles from the hands. They can be performed both at home and at work. For example, if the work is sedentary, then it is useful to do such exercises after an hour of sitting at a desk or monitor. However, they can only be performed outside the period of exacerbation of the disease and in the absence of pain. Otherwise, they can only worsen the condition.

Strengthening the muscles of the shoulder girdle is no less effective, for example, through regular exercise with light dumbbells. However, lifting heavy objects (weights, barbells) is contraindicated. Regular swimming, which relieves stress on the spine, is also useful.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a method of treatment that uses certain physical fields and radiation to influence the body. A positive property of physiotherapy is that it has a minimal number of contraindications.

The following physiotherapy methods are used to treat osteochondrosis:

• Ultrasonic exposure
• Laser therapy
• Impact of magnetic field
• Exposure to electric current (electrophoresis)

The magnetic field has a positive effect on damaged tissues of the body and has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Ultrasound improves metabolic processes in tissues and relieves swelling. The same can be said about laser therapy. Electrophoresis is most often used in conjunction with medications, since the use of electric current accelerates their absorption by the body.

Massage

Massage reduces increased muscle tone, which causes spasm, and reduces the flow of lymph, which causes swelling. The procedure helps improve blood circulation in the affected area, which stops the process of destruction of intervertebral discs.

Other treatments

What to do with cervical osteochondrosis if classical home treatment methods do not help? To reduce the load on the cervical spine, a special device is used - a Shants collar, which fixes the neck in a constant normal position. It is recommended to wear it during exacerbations of pain or during prolonged sedentary work.

In order to avoid exacerbations, you should also organize a place to sleep. The pillow should not cause neck curvature, and the mattress should be firm and even. In some cases, special sleep aids - an orthopedic mattress and pillow - can help.

Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic-degenerative disease during which the structure and function of the intervertebral discs are disrupted. Osteochondrosis of the neck is a lesion of the cervical spine.

During the pathological process with osteochondrosis of the neck, the pulp of the intervertebral disc (its central, soft part) ossifies, eventually losing its shock-absorbing properties. The cervical spine loses flexibility and mobility, and blood vessels and nerve endings are pinched in the canals between the vertebrae. The peculiarity of this pathology is that its symptoms may resemble signs of other diseases, as a result of which diagnosis of the disease is difficult and adequate treatment is prescribed too late, when irreversible changes have already begun in the cartilage tissue.

Cervical osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described below, as well as cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, develop in middle and older age, earlier in men, and somewhat later in women, and in recent years there has been a significant “rejuvenation” of neck osteochondrosis. Of course, over the years, even in a healthy spine, the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs is eventually replaced by fibrous fibers, becomes denser and hardens. This is a natural process, it leads to a decrease in the mobility of the spine, but, as a rule, is not accompanied by pain, since fibrosis processes do not in any way affect the nerve endings and do not provoke their infringement. In contrast to natural physiological ones, pathological changes in the intervertebral discs, characteristic of osteochondrosis, spread beyond the cartilage, which provokes compression of blood vessels and nerve endings, pain and vascular syndromes.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

The upright posture of modern humans and the corresponding distribution of loads along the spinal column, as well as the natural processes of aging of body tissues, are partly to blame for the development of neck osteochondrosis; in addition, there are a number of provoking factors that contribute to the development and progression of this pathology:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• staying in the same position for a long time while working;
• excess body weight;
• previous spinal injuries in the neck area;
• chronic stress, constant nervous tension;
• regular hypothermia of the muscles of the collar zone (for example, when being near the air flow from an air conditioner);
• congenital anomalies of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.

Why is osteochondrosis of the neck dangerous?

First of all, neck osteochondrosis complicates a number of movements, makes them painful, contributing to the patient’s physical inactivity, which in itself is harmful. A vicious circle arises: low physical activity provokes osteochondrosis, which makes the patient even less physically active, which in turn contributes to the progression of the disease.

In addition, the canals along the vertebrae of the cervical spine contain the most important nerve plexuses and vessels, irritation and infringement of which causes reflex headaches, chronic dizziness, destabilization of blood pressure, which can make the patient incapacitated and significantly reduce his quality of life.

A particular danger of neck osteochondrosis lies in its difficult diagnosis and the high probability of incorrect, inadequate treatment.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are erased, which greatly complicates diagnosis. As a result, the patient, as a rule, consults a doctor only when the processes in the intervertebral joints have become irreversible. The most important symptoms of neck osteochondrosis include:

• dizziness;
• headache;
• sudden changes in blood pressure.

All of the listed signs are nonspecific; they can indicate not only cervical or cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, but also many other diseases. Therefore, it is very important for any of the listed symptoms to consult a doctor and undergo a full medical examination to find out the true cause of the condition.

In addition, osteochondrosis of the neck is characterized by cervicalgia, or neck pain. It can either be localized in the back, “deep” of the neck, or radiate to the shoulder or arm. A sudden onset of a painful attack is typical - immediately after waking up, after sneezing or coughing, laughing, or sudden movement. The pain, as a rule, is moderate, combined with a crunch in the cervical vertebrae when trying to turn the head, and, if the process has not yet become irreversible, it subsides on its own after some time.

Separately, it should be said about fluctuations in blood pressure with cervical osteochondrosis. This is a nonspecific symptom, but there are some signs according to which it is possible to establish a connection between blood pressure surges and osteochondrosis. This connection is characterized by fluctuations in blood pressure throughout the day. Long-term hypertension, on the contrary, is not typical for osteochondrosis. The reason for pressure fluctuations is a reflex reaction of nerve endings in the walls of blood vessels in response to their irritation and compression. As a rule, surges in blood pressure during osteochondrosis are accompanied by headaches, pain in the limbs, and impaired sensitivity of muscles and skin in the collar area.

In addition, cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by a number of syndromes (combinations of several symptoms):

• vertebral- a number of symptoms associated with damage to the bone tissue of the vertebrae (pain in the neck when trying to turn the head, impaired mobility of the cervical spine, morphological changes in the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs visually noticeable on the radiograph);
• vertebral artery syndrome- a number of symptoms indicating a connection between the pathological process and the vertebral arteries. If there is insufficient blood flow in the artery when it is compressed, tinnitus, dizziness, changes in blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, and a feeling of stupor are disturbing. Irritation of the nerve endings in the walls of the arteries is manifested by migraines, flickering “floaters in the eyes,” and a temporary decrease in visual acuity. Oxygen starvation of the brain tissue that feeds the vertebral arteries is manifested by fainting, chronic drowsiness, mild constant headache, a feeling of weakness, decreased concentration and performance. The syndrome is characteristic not only of osteochondrosis, but also of atherosclerosis and other pathologies occurring with impaired circulation in the vertebral arteries;
• radicular - occurs due to compression of the roots of the spinal nerves, a unilateral lesion is typical. Typical symptoms: pain, sensory disturbances, paresis and paralysis of the arms, face and neck;
• cardiac - a number of symptoms that arise as a result of reflex disorders of the heart (pain, burning behind the sternum, shortness of breath, tachycardia).

Degrees of neck osteochondrosis

First degree- characterizes the initial stage of the disease, clinically manifested by pain in the neck after sudden movements, sneezing. The pain is sharp, reminiscent of an electric current. In this case, damage to the capsule of the intervertebral disc is morphologically noted, which provokes irritation of the nerve endings. Neck pain may be accompanied by pain in the back of the head, tinnitus, and flickering of spots before the eyes.

Second degree- period of disease progression. At this stage, pain in the neck becomes constant, there is a narrowing of the intervertebral foramina and, in connection with this, regular infringement of the roots of the spinal nerves and the vessels passing through them. The capsule of the intervertebral joint becomes thinner, and pathological mobility of the spine occurs in this area. The muscles atrophy. Fluctuations in blood pressure are characteristic. In severe cases of the disease, a “falling head symptom” may appear - the need to support the head with your hand to relieve pain and fix it in a certain position.

Third degree characterized by the destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, as a result of which complications of osteochondrosis may develop: vertebral dislocations, intervertebral hernias, spinal curvature. The pain is intense, radiating to the shoulder, arm, in addition to pain in the neck, headaches, dizziness, sudden jumps in blood pressure are disturbing, the patient loses his ability to work.

Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis

The diagnosis of “neck osteochondrosis” is made based on examination and questioning of the patient; the degree of morphological changes in the intervertebral discs can be determined by X-ray examination and magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, it is important to exclude other diseases with similar symptoms: heart attack, hypertension, organic brain damage, migraine, which requires consultation with related specialists.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The scope of therapeutic measures for osteochondrosis of the neck directly depends on the degree of the pathological process. Treatment will be more effective the earlier it is started, so it is especially important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, at the first episodes of neck pain or dizziness, without hoping that the painful symptoms will go away on their own.

At the initial stage of the disease, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is reduced to eliminating pain using NSAIDs and local (ointments, creams) or systemic (tablets, injections) painkillers. In addition, the restoration of normal metabolic processes in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc plays a huge role, for which chondroprotectors are used - drugs that stimulate metabolism in cartilage tissue and normalize its structure. In particular, the drug Dona® has shown its effectiveness in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis - its active ingredient, crystalline glucosamine sulfate, is a source of valuable components of cartilage tissue. It stimulates the production of proteoglycans in cartilage tissue, which form the structure of cartilage. At the same time, glucosamine sulfate suppresses inflammation and destructive processes in cartilage tissue.

As the pathological process progresses, antispasmodics and muscle relaxants can serve as an addition to the described therapy to eliminate muscle spasms. A doctor may recommend novocaine blockades to relieve pain, but this method can be classified exclusively as palliative, allowing the elimination of painful symptoms, but in no way affecting the course of neck osteochondrosis itself. In case of advanced osteochondrosis, the only effective treatment may be surgical treatment, since the possibilities of conservative treatment at this stage have been exhausted.

Well proven: electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy, mud therapy. Traditionally, massage and manual therapy are considered important parts of the complex treatment of osteochondrosis. It should be remembered that all physiotherapy methods must be used only if neck osteochondrosis is in remission, otherwise the pathological process can only be intensified. Any manipulations during massage should be as gentle as possible.

Physical therapy (physical therapy) for cervical osteochondrosis

It plays an important role in the treatment of osteochondrosis. The methods of physical therapy are different, but their general essence is unchanged: careful restoration of healthy mobility of the affected area of ​​the spine and the associated stimulation of blood supply and nutrition of cartilage tissue. If you are diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis, exercises should be as gentle as possible and the load on the spine should be minimal. Sharp turns, rotational movements, and deep bends are unacceptable, which can damage the capsule of the intervertebral joint and aggravate the pathological process.

Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis

Cartilage tissue is not restored, and therefore it is advisable to prevent its progression rather than try to treat the consequences later. The basis for the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis is a healthy lifestyle, reasonable mobility, balanced nutrition, body weight control, short breaks for gymnastics during sedentary professional activities. In addition, at the first signs of trouble in the cervical spine, you should consult a doctor and, if indicated, start taking chondroprotectors, for example, which will help normalize metabolism in cartilage tissue and significantly slow down the progression of the disease.

Update: October 2018

In the modern world, almost all people over 25 years old have this disease. Cervical osteochondrosis occurs much more often than in other parts of the spine. The relevance of this topic is difficult to overestimate.

In this article we will look at why this disease occurs, how it manifests itself, how to treat cervical osteochondrosis, what medications are effective in treating it, what non-drug methods exist, and also find out the answers to the most common questions from patients with a similar diagnosis.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion (progressive) of the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. For this reason, changes occur both in the intervertebral discs themselves and in the vertebrae and joints of the cervical spine.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

As a result of the action of the factors listed below, an increase in the load on the cervical spine occurs, the neck muscles try to compensate for the excess load, their spasm occurs, blood circulation in this area is disrupted, which causes degenerative changes. Due to a number of factors, changes occur in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, their structure changes, their nutrition is disrupted, changes occur in the small joints between the vertebrae, bone growths of the vertebral bodies appear due to the increased load on the altered intervertebral discs.

Click to enlarge - Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis of any part of the spine

Factors contributing to the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

• Poor posture and scoliosis
• Overweight
• Physical inactivity, sedentary work
• Previous spinal injuries
• Metabolic disease
• Great physical activity
• Stress and constant nervous tension
• Low level of physical fitness
• Hereditary predisposition
• Habitual incorrect body positions, such as holding a telephone receiver with your shoulder
• Constant tension in the back and neck due to the nature of work (tense state in a sitting position) among drivers and office workers.
• Developmental anomalies in the cervical spine

Degree of development of cervical osteochondrosis

The degree of osteochondrosis is determined by the clinical picture and complaints of the patient. The concept of degree should not be confused with the stages of osteochondrosis. The stages will be discussed below.

First degree

clinical manifestations are minimal; the patient may complain of low-intensity pain in the cervical spine, which may intensify when turning the head. Physical examination may reveal slight tension in the neck muscles.

Second degree

The patient is concerned about pain in the cervical spine, its intensity is much greater, the pain can radiate to the shoulder or arm. This occurs due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc and pinching of the nerve roots. The pain intensifies when tilting and turning the head. The patient may notice decreased performance, weakness, and headache.

Third degree

the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis intensify, the pain becomes constant, radiating to the arm or shoulder. Numbness or weakness appears in the muscles of the arm, as herniated intervertebral discs form (see). I am worried about weakness and dizziness. Upon examination, limited mobility in the cervical spine and pain on palpation of the cervical spine are revealed.

Fourth degree

The intervertebral disc is completely destroyed and replaced with connective tissue. Dizziness increases, tinnitus appears, and coordination is impaired, since the vertebral artery that supplies the cerebellum and the occipital lobe of the brain is involved in the process.

Clinical picture of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - symptoms, signs

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine differ from the manifestations of this disease in other parts of the spinal column. This is due to the fact that in the cervical region the vertebrae are located closer to each other, the intervertebral discs have a relatively small height, which leads to the appearance of a clinic even with the most minor pathological processes. Also in the cervical region, compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord occurs more often.

The most common signs of cervical osteochondrosis are symptoms:

• Pain syndrome

pain can have different localizations, they can be in the neck, in the occipital region, in the shoulder or upper limb. Pain in the shoulder or arm appears when the root of the nerve innervating the upper limb is involved in the process. Pain in the occipital part of the head is caused by spasm of the neck muscles, which are attached to the occipital bone and poor circulation in this area.

• Weakness in the arms

occurs when the root, which contains motor nerves innervating the muscles of the arm, is damaged.

• Decreased sensitivity in the hand

occurs when the root, which contains sensory nerves innervating the skin of the upper limb, is damaged.

• Limitation of movements in the cervical spine and crunching when moving

occurs due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, the appearance of bone growths on the vertebral bodies and damage to small joints between the cervical vertebrae.

• Dizziness, loss of coordination, weakness

all these symptoms are caused by the involvement of the vertebral artery in the process, which runs in its own canal located in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. As a result of the development of cervical osteochondrosis, the formation of fibrous tissue, and displacement of the vertebrae, the blood flow in these arteries worsens, which leads to a deterioration in the blood supply to the occipital lobe of the brain and the cerebellum.

• Numbness of the tongue, decreased hearing and vision

occur in severe cases with severe deterioration in blood supply to the occipital lobe of the brain, cerebellum and brainstem.

Symptoms depending on the damaged vertebra

Separately, we can distinguish radicular syndromes that lead to certain sensory and motor disorders. They differ depending on which vertebra compresses the spinal root:

• C1: leads to numbness and loss of sensitivity in the back of the head;
• C2: pain in the parietal region and the back of the head;
• C3: impaired speech, sensitivity of the tongue, pain and decreased sensitivity in the side where the spinal nerve is pinched;
• C4: pain in the heart, left hypochondrium, shoulder, scapula, respiratory disorders, decreased neck muscle tone;
• C5: shoulder pain in the outer area;
• C6: pain radiating from the forearm to the thumb, as well as from the neck to the shoulder blade;
• C7: pain in the back of the shoulder, from the neck to the shoulder blade, radiating to the forearm up to 2-4 fingers;
• C8: pain from neck to shoulder, from forearm to little finger.

Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis

Basic diagnostic methods:

• X-ray of the cervical spine. It is a low-informative method, especially in the later stages of the disease.
• CT scan. It shows changes in the vertebrae better, but it is difficult to determine the size and presence of intervertebral hernias, as well as the presence of disc-medullary conflict (compression by a herniated spinal cord).
• Magnetic resonance imaging. The most informative method. Not only bone structures are clearly visible, but also intervertebral discs, hernias, their size, and the direction of their growth.
• If a violation of blood flow in the vertebral arteries is suspected, use Ultrasound duplex scanning. This method allows you to accurately determine whether there is a decrease in blood flow speed or whether there are obstacles to normal blood flow.

X-ray stages of cervical osteochondrosis.

• Stage 1 – minimal changes in the configuration of the vertebrae, smoothing of the cervical lordosis (curvature).
• Stage 2 – instability between the vertebrae, possible displacement of one vertebra relative to another, torsion (rotation around the axis of the spinal column), slight decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc.
• Stage 3 – reduction in the height of the intervertebral disc by ¼ relative to the disc located above it, changes in the intervertebral joints, posterior osteophytes (bone outgrowths), narrowing of the intervertebral foramina and narrowing of the spinal canal in which the spinal cord with its membranes is located.
• Stage 4 – significant reduction in the height of the intervertebral disc, significant changes in the intervertebral joints, huge posterior osteophytes, significant narrowing of the intervertebral foramina and significant narrowing of the spinal canal with the formation of myelopathy.

Principles of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The main methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are drug treatment, physiotherapy, massage of the cervical-collar area, therapeutic exercises are especially effective for cervical osteochondrosis. The main groups of drugs used for this disease include:

Group name	Action	Dosage forms
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)	reduce pain, help relieve aseptic inflammation and swelling of the root of the damaged nerve.	Voltaren, Nise, Movalis, Ketonal, Ketanov, Nimesulide and others (see the full list in the article).
B vitamins	improve metabolic processes in nervous tissue.	combilipen, unigamma, neurobion (see)
Drugs that improve blood rheological properties and blood flow	improve nutrition of damaged nerve roots and improve blood flow to the brain.	aminophylline, trental.
Chondroprotectors	drugs that restore cartilage tissue, including in damaged intervertebral discs.	(glucosamine and chondroitin) arthra, teraflex, doppelhertz, toad stone, condronova, structuvite, alflutop.
Muscle relaxants	drugs that relieve muscle spasms.	, sirdalud, tizalud, tizanidine, etc.

Attention! These medications are not prescribed and are presented for informational purposes only.

Physiotherapy in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy for cervical osteochondrosis should be carried out outside of acute exacerbation. This technique is most effective during the recovery period. There should be no discomfort or pain during the complex!

Exercise No. 1	Lying on your stomach, place your hands on the floor, raise your head and torso, your back should be straight. Stay in this position for 1-2 minutes. Slowly lower yourself to the floor. Repeat 2-3 times.
Exercise No. 2	Lying on your stomach, stretch your arms along your body, turn your head to the left, try to touch your ear to the floor, then turn your head to the right. Repeat 6-7 times in each direction.
Exercise No. 3	In a sitting position, while inhaling, lean forward and try to touch your chest with your head, then exhaling, lean back and throw your head back. Repeat 10-15 times.
Exercise #4	While sitting, place your palms on your forehead, apply pressure with your palms to your forehead, and with your forehead on your palms. Continue this exercise for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times.
Exercise #5	Slowly rotate your head, first in one direction, then in the other direction. 10 rotations in each direction. Watch out for dizziness. When it appears, the exercise stops.

The most common questions from patients with cervical osteochondrosis and answers to them

Is surgery required for cervical osteochondrosis?

Indications for surgical intervention are the lack of effectiveness of conservative treatment for 6 months, accompanied by constant pain and signs of damage to the nerve roots, as well as myelopathy. In all other cases, the operation is not performed.

How long can NSAIDs be used?

Since most NSAIDs have side effects on the gastric mucosa, long-term and frequent use of these drugs is not recommended. When taking this group of drugs, you must strictly follow the recommendations of your doctor; the duration of use can be individual, it depends on the stage of osteochondrosis, the patient’s complaints and his concomitant diseases.

How effective is taking chondroprotectors?

At the moment, there is no evidence of the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of these drugs. In such cases, doctors are of the opinion that the drug is not advisable to use.

What is the best way to get vitamins – in the form of tablets or by injection?

There is no difference in the level of drug absorption with these two routes of administration. Considering the pain of injection and the frequency of complications, it is recommended to take B vitamins in tablet forms.

What measures should be taken outside of exacerbation?

It is best to engage in physical therapy at home, attend a massage of the cervical-collar area twice a year and limit excessive stress on the cervical spine.

Pain appears when you don't expect it. Even the most confident person in such cases can become confused and scared. The cause of pain is often the cervical spine at home and how effective will the treatment be? Let's find out more.

What is osteochondrosis

Official medical sources interpret osteochondrosis as a degenerative disease that affects the intervertebral disc, involving neighboring vertebrae and joints. The elasticity of the intervertebral joint is impaired - and the disc becomes thinner. It is necessary to understand how nutrition and metabolic processes occur in the intervertebral discs. This structural element is formed by cartilage tissue; there are no blood vessels here. Nutrition occurs diffusely, like a pump. When the pressure is applied, a lubricating fluid is released and then reabsorbed. If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appears, exercise therapy, massage and the entire range of therapeutic techniques should be prescribed as quickly as possible.

What changes occur in the spine and their symptoms

The following processes occur in the affected joint:

The nucleus pulposus of the disc loses physiological moisture;

Cartilage loses its shape;

Loses elasticity;

Changes color;

Dries out;

Turns yellow;

Loses resistance to damage.

The consequence of this is a violation of the synchrony of movement in adjacent segments of the spinal column, pinching of the nerve roots. The main symptoms will be pain, limited mobility, some forms of paresthesia (“pins and needles”, tingling).

All of these changes suggest the presence of osteochondrosis. We will talk further about how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or any other spine is treated.

Why does osteochondrosis occur?

The causes of the disease include everything that disrupts the nutrition of the disk:

Stagnation caused by static loads.

Prolonged retention of unfavorable positions, especially sitting. There is a good proverb: “If you can stand, don’t sit; if you can lie down, don’t stand.”

Traumatic effects on endplates, fibers of the fibrous ring.

Common reasons include unbalanced nutrition, physical inactivity, and insufficient development of deep muscles that form the muscular corset. The stability of the spine is due to the complex interaction of bone, muscle and nerve structures of the skeleton. The abdominal and back muscles are antagonists, balancing each other. Therefore, the postulate “movement is life” remains relevant as never before. Exercises can effectively influence osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Exercise therapy is used both in a clinic and at home. Since the spine consists of several sections, the disease can occur in any of them. The cervical and lumbar regions are most often affected.

How does cervical osteochondrosis manifest?

Manifestations of osteochondrosis of various localizations are combined into syndromes:

Cervicalgia syndrome (impaired mobility of the shoulder joint, pain of various types);

Cervicocranialgia (pain in the back of the head, discomfort in the neck, tinnitus, dizziness, palpitations, nausea may occur);

Cervicobrachialgia or scapulohumeral syndrome (pain in the neck that spreads to the shoulder and arm).

If you are bothered by aching pain, often at night, with numbness, the diagnosis will most likely be confirmed - osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. Pain syndrome associated with disorders of this department is called thoracalgia.

at home

How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with medications is described in many reference books. But in most cases, the effect of the drug is short-term. This is where exercise therapy can come to the rescue.

1. Stand against the wall and rest your head against it. We try to press on the wall with maximum force for several seconds. Then we relax.

2. Sit down at the table, put your elbows on it. We rest our chin on our hands, trying to put pressure on our palms, while trying to tilt our head or turn it to the side.

3. Rest your head on your hands on the back of your head. Alternately press on them with the back of your head, then relax. Perform several repetitions, holding for up to 10 seconds.

4. Grasp your head with your palms, alternately pressing on one hand or the other.

During exacerbations, exercises are performed for no more than 3-4 seconds, and with moderate tension. Exercises will help slow down osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Exercises at home can be started after you are convinced that they are performed correctly in a medical facility.

Massage without the help of a professional

If the spine is confirmed, massage will be one of the necessary treatment methods. In this case, it is not only useful, but also an irreplaceable procedure. Initially, it is better to take a professional course, and then perform simple techniques at home yourself. Such techniques also include the technique of post-static muscle relaxation The peculiarity of the method is the passive stretching of the muscle from a position of overexertion in combination with elements of massage.The technique must be applied after the spasming muscles have been warmed (bath, hot compress, kneading, stroking).

When using self-massage, the same techniques are used as in professional massage. These are stroking, kneading, acupressure, patting, shaking. The massage is performed with warm, warm hands. To improve glide, use massage oil. The sequence of techniques is as follows:

Stroking;

Trituration;

Kneading;

Vibrations (patting, shaking).

Influencing osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the massage begins and ends with stroking.

A little manual therapy

1. Sit on a chair with a high back. We clasp our heads with our hands, placing our thumbs on the cheekbones (more precisely, on the mounds under the eye sockets). We raise our eyes up, take a breath and press the back of our head onto our fingers. We hold for up to a quarter of a minute, then, as we exhale, we lean back on the back of the chair and relax the neck muscles, tilting our head down. We repeat the technique several times. Then we wrap our fingers around the neck, closer to its upper part, and tilt our head forward a little. We press our fingers into the base of the skull, making a slow rotational movement with them. Gradually lower your fingers lower and lower, approaching the trapezius muscle. How osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated using manual therapy can be seen in the following manipulations.

2. Lie on your back, pulling your shoulders down as much as possible. Place the hand on the painful side under the buttock, palm up. Place your other hand under your head, clasping the back of your head and tilting your head in the direction opposite to the problem. While inhaling, press your head against your fingers for 15 seconds. As you exhale, relax and pull your head a little harder, stretching the sore muscle.

A set of measures for the treatment of osteochondrosis

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely overcome osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Treatment at home or in a medical facility should be comprehensive. This includes the use of:

Painkillers;

Muscle relaxants that help relieve muscle spasms;

Drugs with chondroprotective effects;

Physiotherapeutic procedures;

Massage;

Balanced diet.

Having studied the medical literature, one can draw certain conclusions about how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated, but doing without professionally prescribed treatment is a crime against one’s health.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is one of the most dangerous types of neurological diseases. What is this disease and how does it manifest itself? What measures help prevent it? How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine? You will find answers to these questions in this article.

Characteristics of the disease

Osteochondrosis in the general concept is a degenerative modification of the intervertebral cartilaginous discs, which subsequently affects bone tissue and the nervous system. What happens with this disease? In the cartilage disc, which performs a shock-absorbing function in the structure of the spinal column, dehydration, or simply dehydration, begins due to metabolic failure. The nucleus begins to put pressure on the ring surrounding it, and the disc extends beyond the vertebrae. This phenomenon is called protrusion. If the membrane ruptures, an intervertebral hernia appears, which is even more dangerous.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a disease that brings a lot of pain and discomfort into a person’s life. Unlike the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, the cervical ones are more mobile, they are the smallest and are constantly under load. The disease most often affects these segments of the spine. A large number of nerve and blood branches are concentrated in the cervical region. An important large vertebral artery passes through here, carrying nutrients to the brain. The state of compression of this vessel is dangerous for the development of ischemia of the spinal cord or brain, as well as stroke. If this artery and the nerve fibers passing in the cervical spine are affected, then the person loses precise coordination of movements, his hearing and vision are weakened, frequent dizziness and various neurological disorders are observed, which will be discussed below.

Causes

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs even at a young age. What causes the development of the disease? What reasons contribute to the appearance of the disease even in people under 30 years of age? Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the treatment of which requires a lot of time and patience, occurs due to two main factors:

• physical inactivity, or a sedentary lifestyle;
• improper nutrition.

As a result, metabolism (metabolism) is disrupted throughout the body, in particular in bone and cartilage tissues, the level of salts in the blood increases, and they, not finding a way out of the bloodstream, find “refuge” in the tissues of the kidneys, liver and cervical spine . An unbalanced diet leads to a lack of nutrients in the cartilage, resulting in pathological changes in the intervertebral discs. People at risk are especially susceptible to osteochondrosis.

Let us name the factors whose presence increases the likelihood of developing the disease:

• heredity;
• age after 40 years;
• overweight;
• frequent hypothermia (it’s not for nothing that they say “don’t catch a cold on your neck!”);
• disruptions in the endocrine system that disrupt metabolism;
• spinal injuries;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• rheumatism;
• nature of activity - drivers, office workers, cashiers, athletes, people engaged in heavy physical labor.

Symptoms

How does cervical osteochondrosis manifest itself? The symptoms of the disease and the nature of the pain that occurs depend on which segments are damaged. In this regard, the following conditions may develop:

• vertebral artery syndrome;
• hypertension syndrome;
• radicular syndrome;
• cervical migraine syndrome.

Let's look at each of them. With vertebral artery syndrome, severe headaches appear in the early stages. A person often feels dizzy, his gait becomes unsteady, and his vision decreases. Sudden movements of the head can lead to loss of consciousness. Radicular syndrome has a variety of manifestations. These include:

• cervicalgia, or severe neck pain;
• crunching sound when turning the head;
• weakness and tinnitus;
• numbness and pain in the hand;
• disorder of auditory and visual functions;
• noise in ears;
• cervicobrachialgia, or pain spreading from the neck to the arms;
• feeling of swelling and numbness of the tongue.

Cervical migraine syndrome is characterized primarily by impaired blood circulation in the tissues of the brain, which causes hypertension and the development of symptoms such as noise and ringing in the ears, congestion, dizziness, and rapid pulse. The danger of this condition is the possibility of developing a spinal stroke. Hypertension syndrome is accompanied by headaches, aggravated by head movements, nausea and vomiting (especially in the morning), nervousness, sudden changes in pressure, the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, and a faint state. Hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain develops. Cervical osteochondrosis is often manifested by cardiac arrhythmia, in which the uniform rhythm of the heart is disrupted. Due to pinching of the lateral vertebral arteries, vegetative-vascular dystonia develops.

Diagnostics

The first step in diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis is examining the patient. A neuropathologist visually examines the condition of the spinal column, back muscles and posture, and by palpation determines the presence of protruding spinous processes. During palpation, the doctor will be able to understand from the patient’s reaction which parts are affected that are causing the pain. The following hardware diagnostic methods are used:

• radiography;
• CT scan;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• dopplerography.

The first method often involves introducing a contrast agent into one tissue or another (discography, angiography, etc.). This is necessary to obtain more accurate information about the characteristics of the course of the disease.

Treatment

Your attending physician will tell you how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine without harming the body. Below are the basic rules and recommendations for combating this unpleasant disease, but the beginning of successful treatment is a visit to a neurologist. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out using a whole range of methods. Among them:

• drug therapy;
• physiotherapy;
• traditional medicine;
• exercises.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the most dangerous, since important arteries carrying blood to the brain tissue pass through the processes of the vertebrae in this place. Therefore, taking medications and following doctor’s orders must be approached with all responsibility.

Drug therapy

How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine using medications? Drug therapy for the disease includes taking the following medications:

• painkillers;
• anti-inflammatory;
• vitamins;
• chondroprotectors.

Analgesics help relieve symptoms of pain during exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis and are used for a short time. The attending physician may prescribe medications such as Tramadol, Mycodalm, Arcoxia or Spazmalgon as painkillers. For very severe pain, it is possible to use injections of Lidocaine and Milgamma.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are designed to reduce inflammation, among them are the drugs Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Piroxicam. Such products are also used externally. These are various ointments and gels: Diclofenac, Voltaren. Of the vitamins, the most valuable in terms of maintenance therapy for osteochondrosis are B vitamins, which can reduce the sensitivity of tissues and weaken the neurological manifestations of the disease.

Chondroprotectors

They were developed by pharmacologists to restore cartilage tissue. There are two active substances included in such drugs - glucosamine and chondroitin. Both compounds can be part of one drug or each can be used separately. Examples of chondroprotectors: glucosamine patches, Elastanga, Chondroxide ointment, Arthra, Teraflex. The latter is also available in the form of a combination with the drug "Ibuprofen" and more actively reduces inflammation in the cartilage. The French-made chondroprotector Structum has proven itself to be quite good. These remedies must be used for a long time, at least 3-6 months, otherwise you may not achieve the desired result.

Blockade

In case of severe pain, injections of drugs directly into the affected area help relieve the patient's condition. This injection is called a blockade. A mixture of drugs is usually used as a medicine. One of them has an analgesic effect, the other is designed to relieve inflammation. The blockade can only be performed by a highly qualified physician; under no circumstances do this procedure yourself! This can not only harm the patient’s health, but also become a threat to his life. This injection is carried out in two ways:

• injection of medication into the ligaments and tissues surrounding the joint;
• an injection directly into the intervertebral disc.

Physiotherapy

For cervical osteochondrosis, physiotherapeutic procedures are very effective. They speed up recovery and have a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole. Before we talk about them, we list the contraindications to physiotherapy:

• tumors, oncological diseases;
• blood diseases;
• dermatological diseases in acute form;
• taking medications that can enhance the effect of physiotherapy.

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis with physiotherapy? In this regard, the use of many methods has a good effect. For example, shock wave therapy is the application of acoustic waves to the affected area. This reduces inflammation, swelling, pain, stimulates collagen synthesis, and improves tissue metabolism. Laser therapy, magnetic therapy, ultrasound treatment, and vibration therapy are also used. Exposure of the sore spot to pulsed low-voltage currents, or diadynamic therapy, reduces the severity of pain. Electrophoresis with the drug "Novocaine" gives an analgesic effect during an exacerbation. Additional methods of physical therapy are ultraviolet irradiation of the diseased area and spinal traction, or detensor therapy.

Physiotherapy

Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can achieve tangible results. It is important that it is used only at the final stage of treatment, since at the first and intermediate stages active movements in the neck area are strictly prohibited. Gymnastics is performed with a supporting cotton-gauze collar placed on the neck area. Resistance exercises are carried out with the help of a doctor, who tries to tilt the patient’s head with his palm, and he, in turn, makes an effort to overcome the doctor’s action. This strengthens the muscle corset of the neck. The head holding exercise is also helpful. It is as follows. The patient, lying on the couch, raises his head and holds it in this position for 5 seconds. This time increases to 40-60 seconds if the pain and neurological syndrome has already been overcome. Therapeutic gymnastics involves performing each exercise no more than 5 times in one approach.

Gymnastics for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is designed to:

• improve blood supply to the sore spot;
• strengthen the muscles of the back and neck;
• reduce the load on the vertebrae;
• normalize joint mobility;
• accelerate glucose metabolism for active nutrition of intervertebral cartilaginous discs.

For a disease such as cervical osteochondrosis, massage is mandatory. It refers to manual therapy methods and is aimed at relaxing muscles, improving blood circulation and lymph movement at the site of the lesion.

ethnoscience

Treatment of an ailment such as cervical osteochondrosis with folk remedies is considered as an auxiliary measure and in no case as the main therapy. The number of recipes using various herbs and products is very large. They widely use products such as lemon, garlic, burdock or horseradish leaves (as a compress), dandelion root, St. John's wort, yarrow, lavender and many others. The patient himself bears responsibility for his health when using traditional medicine.

Nutritional Features

How to cure cervical osteochondrosis? Many people ask this question. But how to eat with this disease, what foods will be useful? Let's list them:

• dairy products;
• lean meat and fish;
• aspic;
• marmalade;
• jelly;
• fresh fruits and vegetables;
• sources of vitamin B - liver, walnuts, brown rice, broccoli, buckwheat porridge, brewer's yeast, green vegetables, kidneys;
• complex carbohydrates - whole grain bread, cereals, vegetables;
• vegetable fats - olive, sunflower, flaxseed oil.

Don’t forget about products that can be harmful when treating osteochondrosis. Do not overuse sweets, baked goods, alcohol, smoked and salty foods, spicy foods, animal fats, coffee and strong tea. Remove sugar, potatoes and white bread from the menu.

Prevention

Do not neglect morning exercises, as well as warming up your neck during the working day. This helps improve blood circulation, thereby ensuring the supply of nutrients to the cartilage tissue and relaxing the muscles. Move more - regular jogging and fitness classes are considered an important measure for the prevention of osteochondrosis. Excess weight often provokes the development of the disease, so try to monitor the arrow on the scale. Do not overeat, do not abuse high-calorie foods, fatty and sweet foods. Eliminate all old infections in your body. Particular attention should be paid to the correct position of the body during sleep and rest - the neck muscles should not be compressed. For example, every patient should have an orthopedic pillow for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, and its use is also useful in preventing the disease. Resting on it relaxes the neck muscles, and the blood vessels do not experience strong pressure.

Cartilage Health and Diet

Separately, I would like to mention the tendency of girls and women to try out various diets, which are sometimes so cruel and low-calorie that the body begins to use the substances of its own tissues as an energy source. Remember that any diet must be balanced, contain the required minimum of nutrients, primarily protein, and be accompanied by vitamins and minerals. Otherwise, you risk not only becoming the owner of worn-out cartilage, which is very difficult and expensive to restore in the future, but also getting a number of unpleasant diseases. And remember that treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will be successful only if the patient follows all the recommendations and instructions of the attending physician.