Cervical osteochondrosis.

Neck pain is an alarming sign.Maybe this is only an overvoltage and you just have to relax and relax.What if the pain was associated with the osteochondrosis of the cervical column?It is important to carefully consider symptoms and treatment, since complications can affect the most important organ: the brain.

What is cervical osteochondosis

The osteochondrosis of the cervical column is a degenerative disease of the body's cherry system.It leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, the formation of growths on their surfaces.

The cervical column consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which is articulated with the skull.The anatomical and functional unit of the spinal column is the spinal motor segment.This is a joint complex, due to which the spinal column moves.The complex consists of two vertebrae, the intervertebral disc, the joint surfaces of the vertebrae (facet), nerves, ligaments and muscles.

Osteocondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all the surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to a violation of the biomechanics of the spine as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, hernias of intervertebral discs, nerve roots and blood vessels that tighten.

The pathological processes in the intervertebral disc take place four phases: diet, weakening of ligaments, damage to the disc and compression of the nerves.

• Phase 1.The conditions of the power and metabolism of the intervertebral disc are violated.Due to the characteristics of the structure, the records are eaten only during movement.Otherwise, the changes of the dystrophic tissue begin: the disc is hungry and dehydrated.The loss of water leads to the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot perform the functions of the demort.The load on the fibrous ring intensifies, the cracks and tears appear inside.At this moment, a lesser pain may appear.
• Phase 2.In the second phase the binding apparatus of the vertebral segment occurs.The connection becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process on the disc is aggravated, the hernia (prolapse) begins: filtering the octopus nucleus through the cracks in the fibrous ring.The pain becomes periodic.
• Phase 3.In addition, the intervertebral disc is completely damaged.The octopous core of the disc goes beyond the fibrous ring.The resulting hernia can violate the nerve roots.The inflammatory process develops.This manifests itself from an exacerbation of pain, the root syndrome so called.
• Phase 4.At the fourth phase, the defeat affects the tissues nearby.It is possible to squeeze the root artery, which leads to the lack of blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, the spine can be completely immobilized.

The first main signs and symptoms

At the beginning of the development of the osteochondrosis of the cervical region, discomfort, limitation of movement, in sorting of the neck.Often this does not attribute importance.

Over time, the pain intensifies, becomes painful, burning, head, neck, shoulder blades, wounded shoulders - perhaps this develops the vertebral artery syndrome.The artery is squeezed or spasmodic, the blood flow is disturbed.

In the 1-2 stages of the cervical osteocondrosis, ophthalmological problems associated with spasm in the vessels often occur.Darking in the eyes, trembling, the appearance of "flies", colored spots in front of the eyes: all of these are symptoms of osteochondrosis.

The most frequent symptoms of cervical osteochondosis:

1. Migraine, dizziness, nausea and cough.
2. Impromptu of hearing, ear pain, face.
3. Motor disorders in the hands, legs.The sensitivity of the skin on the head can be a space.
4. Pain in hand.If a nervous vertebral column is pinched, the entire area in which it sends impulses can hurt or "fall".

In addition to the above symptoms, it is possible to distinguish three main pain syndrome, accompanying the osteochondosis of the cervical column.The syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms.The determination of the main pain syndrome is important, since the entire treatment regime is built precisely on the elimination of pain.And it is impossible to eliminate it without knowing the origin.

• Mifascial syndrome- Pain in the skeletal muscles and adjacent band.The violation is associated with overload, in which spasm, hypertonicity, painful knots inside the muscles (trigger points) occur.
• Rook syndrome- The pain caused by the prolonged squeezing of the spinal nerves roots.The Ernian formation process for the osteochondosis of the spine leads to a pinching of the nerve fibers and the subsequent inflammatory reaction.Pain spreads along the nerve.
• Facce syndrome- Pain in vertebrates.The vertebrae of the second cervical have joint processes, which are interconnected from the arched joints (facet).With osteochondrosis, intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases and this leads to the fact that the joint capsules of the arched joints are in constant tension.This causes pain.In addition, the pain increases by the end of the day, especially with a long -term forced position.

The causes of osteocondrosis in the cervical column

One of the key causes of the osteocondrosis is the evolution of the spine with a high vertical load.People's ancestors walked on four legs, like other mammals.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis, since in the horizontal position of the intra -disconnectable pressure of the body it is half as vertically.According to the evolution standards, the transition to straightening did not occur not long ago and the spine simply did not have time to adapt to a high vertical load.So, together with straightening, a person also acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

An even more vulnerable neck of a person makes its structure.The cervical department of a person consists of seven small mobile vertebrae, which are articulated by the type of pyramid for children.This design can hardly be called a building outside the rest.In addition, the muscle frame in this area is weak and the loads can be high - all this makes the neck vulnerable.Any injury is full of consequences.Although the damage was in another spine, the redistribution of the load can cause osteochondrosis.

Another factor is aging.The formation of the skeleton and the cartilage fabric ends by 21 and subsequently begins the irreversible process of aging (degeneration).Cartilage foods are performed only because of the diffusion and if the intervertebral disc does not receive nutrients, it begins to collapse gradually.

In addition, the development of cervical osteochondosis contributes to:

1. Autoimmune diseases.They involve their body cells in the pathological process of the destruction of the cartilage tissue.
2. Infections, hormonal insufficiency, deceleration in metabolism: all these circulatory disorders can also serve as factors for the development of osteochondosis.
3. A sedentary lifestyle, working conditions in which a person spends most of the time in a forced static position.
4. High loads that lead to lesions can lead to compression.
5. Genetic defects associated with the weakness of the musculoskeletal system and the inferiority of the cartilage tissue.

The spinal canal in the cervical column is very narrow, therefore high loads, any violation or injury can lead to the compression of the spinal cord.And this is very dangerous.

In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass in this area.If the blood stops flowing into the brain in the appropriate volume, a stroke may occur.

Diagnostics

In the primary diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor collects the patient's history.He discovers that and how it hurts, with what intensity, with a load or rest, at what time of day it hurts stronger, if the cervical column has occurred.

During the examination of the neck, the doctor feels the cervical vertebrae and muscles, lymph nodes;Evaluate the volume of movements, excludes or confirms the rooser syndrome.

Subsequently, a laboratory diagnosis is prescribed to exclude autoimmune diseases: an examination of general blood, ESR, rheumatoid factor, antigen HLA B27.

The main role in the diagnosis is administered to radiography, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

• RntgenographyIt helps to evaluate the conditions of bone structures, soft tissues and cartilage in the images are not displayed.To view these structures, the contrast medium is introduced: angiography, discography, myelography.
• Computerized tomography (CT).This method also uses the principle of radiography, but using computer processing, it is possible to obtain a series of images of longitudinal and transversal sections on which it is possible to see bone and cartilage.
• Magnetic resonance imaging tomography (MRI).It is a "gold standard" in the diagnosis of pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissues.Magnetic resonance imaging gives an idea not only on the structure of organs and fabrics, but also their functioning.In the case of osteocondrosis with a frequent complication, there is an hernia of the spine.Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to diagnose hernia formation process in the early stages.

Treatment

The treatment of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column is reduced to conservative methods.Initially, pain syndrome is removed and therefore various procedures are prescribed.But in the most extreme cases, when pain does not pass for more than three months and the medicines do not help, surgery becomes the only way out.

Non -surgical treatment methods

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

1. Delete the pain.
2. Remove inflammation.
3. Restores the functions of the spinal roots.
4. Strengthen muscle corset and ligaments.

Conservative treatment includes drug therapy and physiotherapy.Preparations help to alleviate pain during exacerbation and physiotherapy - to launch the car processes - the body washer.

During a severe pain with root syndrome, the "block" is performed as follows: the drug is administered in the immediate vicinity of the inflamed column of the spinal nerve.

Physiotherapy treatment is based on natural and artificially recreated physical factors: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser and others.For their reconstruction, special devices, devices, manual methods are used.

• Laser therapy- Biological activation of the regeneration processes of intervertebral discs.The body begins to Auto -heal.
• Plasmotherapy (PRP therapy)- plasma injections isolated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors, hormones.After the injection, local immunity increases, regeneration processes are launched.
• Acupuncture- Stimulation of nerve endings with special needles.It improves metabolism in affected areas, relieves pain.
• Shock waves therapy- Exposure to high frequency waves.It allows you to start natural recovery processes.
• Kinesitherapy- Movement therapy.It can be active (exercise 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- Exposure to soft tissues and joints in order to restore the balance in the body and the synchronization of processes.Return mobility and eliminate pain.
• Taping- Place special plaques on the skin in places where it is necessary to influence the elongation and compression receptors of the muscles.It can be relaxed and increase the tone.

During the period of acute pain, the patient is recommended to wear bands and special collars to the neck.

The positive effect of the conservative treatment is obtained in 2-3 months.In case of any result, the patient is recommended.

Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondosis

The operation in the case of cervical osteochondrosis is an extreme measure for which special indications are needed.The operation is recommended if:

1. Pain cannot be removed by therapeutic treatment for more than 3 months.
2. There is a hernia of the intervertebral disc.
3. The sensitivity in the limb disappears

Postoperative rehabilitation also requires time and can include a therapeutic treatment.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.You can't treat it.These serious violations in the musculoskeletal system can lead to disability.Neck pain can become chronic, osteochondrosis will spread in different parts of the spine.Timely prevention can prevent the development of this disease.

Prevention

To maintain the health of the cervical column, daily physical activity is required.The food of the intervertebral discs takes place in motion, so it is extremely necessary.It is important that loads are optimal and regular.

If the work is related to constant research in a static position, periodic heat is needed.And at home after a working day you can lie down on the back on a flat surface for some time, putting a roller under the neck.This method will help to restore the cervical curve of the spine, remove muscle tension.

In the prevention of cervical osteocondrosis, the correct installation during sleep is important.If a person in the morning gets up with neck pain, the muscles did not have time to relax and recover.

Here, a orthopedic pillow, which is selected individually, for 3-5 years will help.

Do not postpone the treatment

A doctor will help you choose a recovery program.It will evaluate the conditions of the spine on the images of magnetic resonance imaging, will report the probability of reabsorption and the possibility of treatment.