Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of articular cartilage, which is one of the main causes of pain in the neck with characteristic radiation to the arm. With this disease, there are changes in the structure of the cartilage and the structure of the muscles-ligaments located nearby.
Since, when cervical osteochondrosis develops, it can lead to a number of severe complications, including the patient's disability, its timely diagnosis and treatment are among the urgent tasks of modern medicine.
Stages of pathological development and typical symptoms
The disease goes through 4 successive stages of development with corresponding changes in the body and accompanying symptoms:
The first stage is the initial morphological changes in the intervertebral disc. The core of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) gradually dries up, and cracks appear in the fibrous ring structure. This is accompanied by acceptable pain or discomfort in the neck, which increases when turning or tilting the head. There is also a slight smoothing of cervical lordosis and almost constant muscle tension.
In the second stage, the destruction of the fibrous ring continues, which is accompanied by the first signs of pathological movement 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 radiation to the arm or shoulder area. Along with this, a severe headache appears, the person complains of weakness and reduced performance.
The third stage is characterized by the complete destruction of the fibrous ring, as the irregular nucleus extends beyond the vertebra and penetrates the area of the spinal canal, forming a hernial protrusion. It, in turn, puts pressure on the nerves and elements of the vascular bed, which causes disruption of blood flow in the cervical region. Patients at this stage complain of severe and persistent pain in the neck that radiates to the arms and shoulders. Muscles become weaker, and numbness in the upper part is systematically noted. Episodes of dizziness, difficulty with orientation in space and stiffness of movement are added to the clinical picture.
The fourth stage is represented by the replacement of intervertebral disc cartilage with connective tissue structures and the involvement of 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, because he feels constant severe pain in the neck, arms, chest and the area between the shoulder blades. Added to this are the signs of impaired blood supply to the brain, sensitivity disorders, and the possibility of a stroke increases significantly.
It should be noted that in addition to the main clinical picture that accompanies cervical osteochondrosis at various stages, additional symptoms can be observed:
decreased visual acuity;
anxiety episodes that occur due to insufficient blood supply to the brain;
hearing loss and tinnitus;
the appearance of a pulsating sound when moving the head;
sleep disorders up to insomnia;
the appearance of dots in front of the eyes;
cases of loss of consciousness;
facial muscle paralysis;
pain in the arm that occurs at night.
If spinal cord compression occurs, myelopathy may develop, accompanied by:
difficulty in limb movement;
problems with coordination or balance;
loss of bowel or bladder control;
weakness or numbness in any part of the body below the neck;
shooting pains in the legs, increased when bending forward.
Cause of disease
The main factor that causes cervical osteochondrosis to develop is an unbalanced and excessive load on this part of the spine. In most cases, pathology is formed against the background of involutional degenerative changes that accompany the aging process. Osteochondrosis can also occur as a result of traumatic injuries to the neck or metabolic disorders.
In addition, there are several other factors that contribute to increased load on the neck, muscle spasms and the development of chronic diseases:
spinal abnormalities, congenital or acquired;
overweight;
complicated heredity (for example, congenital and genetic weakness of connective tissue);
prolonged or frequent load on the spinal column (staying in a forced position, physical inactivity);
vitamin deficiency;
autoimmune pathology accompanied by damage to the structure of connective tissue (collagenosis);
lack of micro or macro elements;
intense physical activity, sports with an increased risk of injury to the spine (for example, professional wrestling);
smoking, which prevents the flow of nutrients into the intervertebral disc;
metabolic disorders;
an unbalanced diet with an excess of carbohydrates and fats combined with a lack of protein;
frequent stressful situations;
pathology of the musculoskeletal system, which leads to a decrease in the mobility of the cervical spine;
repeated or severe hypothermia of the neck.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis?
The first problem, typical for most patients who have suffered from cervical osteochondrosis, is severe and frequent pain in the head and neck area. Because of this, people are forced to find the most comfortable position where the pain is weakened or disappears completely. This, in turn, leads to decreased performance.
As the disease progresses, a protrusion is formed (a partial release of the disc tissue outside the intervertebral space), the tissue between the vertebrae begins to collapse, and the gap narrows. With the last stage of the pathological process, the disc is completely destroyed and replaced by a connective tissue structure. This leads to the 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 at the base of the skull);
osteophyte formation;
arterial compression;
radiculopathy (spinal cord root compression);
chronic pain syndrome.
In the most severe and advanced cases, cervical osteochondrosis causes compression of the spinal cord, paralysis and disability of the patient.
Diagnostic method
The diagnosis of a patient with suspected cervical osteochondrosis begins at an appointment with a doctor, who conducts a thorough interview, explains 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 makes a plan for further diagnostics, which may include:
multi-slice tomography;
positron emission and magnetic resonance imaging;
radiography;
duplex scanning of vessels in the area of the pathological process.
Imaging techniques allow doctors to determine the genesis of the clinical picture, identify signs of degenerative processes or other conditions that can trigger the appearance of symptoms that disturb the patient. Duplex scanning allows you to assess the quality of blood flow and detect vasoconstriction.
In addition to the main diagnostic program, consultations with relevant specialists (vertebrologists, endocrinologists, orthopedic traumatologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists) 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 the diagnosis is confirmed, and the cause and severity of the disease is explained, the doctor begins to work on the optimal and most effective treatment program.
Treatment Options
Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is selected based on the stage at which the disease is detected, as well as taking into account the age of the patient, his current condition and existing complications or concomitant pathologies.
A conservative approach
When cervical osteochondrosis is identified at an early stage, conservative therapeutic methods are chosen. They aim to prevent disease progression, relieve unpleasant symptoms and restore spinal mobility.
As part of conservative therapy, doctors combine drug treatment with physiotherapeutic procedures and gymnastics. He can prescribe drugs from the following categories:
chondroprotector;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
painkillers;
angioprotectors;
B vitamins;
hormones;
muscle relaxants;
vasodilators;
nootropics.
Physiotherapy procedures are used in addition to drugs, and taking into account the patient's condition, the doctor may prescribe:
acupuncture;
kinesio recording;
massage session;
photodynamic therapy;
the use of ultrasound or diadynamic current;
electrophoresis;
magnetotherapy.
At the same time, in the case of cervical osteochondrosis in the acute period, wearing an orthopedic collar may be recommended. This medical accessory is needed to repair bones and joints, reduce the load on the affected spinal area and relieve pain. 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 most important part of conservative therapy is gymnastics. Doctors provide a set of special exercises for patients aimed at strengthening the muscle frame, correcting posture and increasing blood flow in the upper part of the spine.
Surgical approach
If conservative methods are unsuccessful or cervical osteochondrosis is detected at a later stage, treatment is carried out through surgical intervention. The doctor can prescribe one of the following operations to the patient:
laminectomy;
endoscopic or percutaneous decompression;
radiofrequency ablation;
endoscopic removal of hernias, tumor processes or areas of degenerative-dystrophic changes;
epidural lysis of adhesions;
spinal stabilization;
endoscopic foraminotomy;
laser nucleoplasty with puncture.
Preventive measures
Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology for which no specific preventive measures have been developed. To significantly reduce the likelihood of the disease occurring, its recurrence or the development of complications, the doctor gives several recommendations. According to them, patients need to:
adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle;
eliminate lifting and carrying heavy objects;
use orthopedic mattresses and pillows for sleep;
regularly receive dosed physical activity and go swimming;
eat a balanced diet;
excluding situations where hypothermia of the cervical spine is possible;
constantly monitor your posture;
taking systematic breaks for short therapeutic exercise sessions in case of sedentary work;
be careful when turning and tilting your head;
undergo regular check-ups by specialized specialists for preventive purposes.
How is the recovery process?
The supervising doctor makes a plan for the recovery period, taking into account several aspects:
at what stage is cervical osteochondrosis detected;
general health and well-being of patients;
patient age and weight category;
concomitant pathology or complication of an existing disease.
Depending on the situation, the doctor may include massage procedures, gymnastics and physiotherapy sessions in the rehabilitation program. Such comprehensive measures will not only speed up the recovery process and eliminate complications or relapses, but will also help improve the patient's overall health.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious problem in which patients need timely and correct medical treatment. If signs of this disease appear, you can undergo diagnostics and receive further treatment at a medical center. All specialists choose an individual approach for each patient, are guided by modern methods of treating osteochondrosis and provide various services, the prices are in a comfortable range for the patient.
Question answer
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 asks for help. Only a doctor who has assessed the severity of the pathological process and monitored the dynamics of progress during treatment can determine the most likely duration.
Which doctor should I contact if I suspect I have cervical osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is identified and then treated by a neurologist, but in some cases a traumatologist-orthopedic can supervise the patient.