Compression and destruction of intervertebral discs or cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code - 10 - M42) takes the second place in terms of frequency of cases after damage to the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region.High daily load or, conversely, low physical activity cause negative changes in the vertebral structures.

What are the characteristic signs of cervical osteochondrosis?How dangerous is compression and destruction of intervertebral discs?What are the symptoms and treatment, methods of prevention, consequences of an untreated disease?

Causes

The deformation of the vertebral structures of the cervical spine is a consequence of the action of negative factors and pathological processes:

• poor posture;
• interruptions in metabolic processes due to poor nutrition;
• spinal cord injury;
• wear of vertebral discs during the natural aging of structures in old age;
• genetic predisposition to orthopedic diseases;
• physical inactivity, prolonged use of the computer, causing strain on the neck muscles;
• the development of an infectious-inflammatory process due to hypothermia, exposure to drafts;
• defects in the development of vertebral structures in the cervical area.

Factors that provoke damage to vertebrae, cartilage tissue and discs:

• obesity;
• very intensive training;
• the head is thrown back for a long time or sits on the chest during work;
• flat feet;
• incorrect body position when working in a sitting position;
• frequent microtraumas of the cervical spine due to very intense training.

First signs and symptoms

In the initial stage of the disease, the patient rarely accompanies frequent headaches, discomfort in the shoulders, neck numbness during prolonged standing in a stationary position with damage to the vertebral structures.Most often, there is no effective treatment and the pathology progresses.

In the second to fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the negative manifestations in the cervical area are more pronounced.In advanced cases, negative signs spread to other parts of the body: hearing aid, eyes, upper limbs.

Doctors identify several types of characteristic symptoms:

• radicular.Pain syndrome in the parietal, occipital, neck area, discomfort in the back muscles, shoulder girdle.An important point is the loss of shoulder muscle reflexes.Radicular syndrome is more often observed in the third or fourth stage of the pathology, a significant damage to the condition of the vertebrae and discs and a noticeable decrease in the height of the bone structure;
• muscle-tonic.Painful sensations appear in the area of the chest and heart.Acute symptoms often appear in the muscles of the inner arm;
• neurovascular.When the capillaries and the vertebral artery are compressed, the patient complains of headache and dizziness.

Stages of development:

• first.Under the influence of negative factors, small cracks appear in the intervertebral discs, the integrity of the nucleus pulposus is broken, fluid gradually flows, a decrease in elasticity and shrinkage of the disc is observed.A slight crackling of the vertebrae is heard when moving the head, pain and numbness in the cervical region are disturbing when the body is in one position;
• the second.The pathology progresses, there is a violation of integrity, rupture and a decrease in the density and thickness of the fibrous ring.The result of negative processes: the squeezing of the core in the resulting cracks and fractures.The patient's condition worsens and performance decreases.The strength of headaches increases, stiffness appears in the cervical spine, the face, neck and arms become numb;
• the third.Swelling of the disc, active compression of the structure, loss of elasticity leads to protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.Neurological disorders appear, rupture of the fibrous ring occurs, the clinical picture is clearly expressed: reflex and radicular syndrome are disturbing.Many patients complain of weakness in hands, fingers, decreased hearing and vision;
• the fourth.In advanced cases, the discs flatten, images show the growth of osteophytes, and compensatory phenomena develop to keep the spine in its usual position.The pain syndrome weakens somewhat, but the stiffness of the cervical spine remains.

Diagnosing

The appearance of pain in the cervical area, frequent dizziness, decreased mobility and sensitivity of the fingers, the development of other signs of deforming spondylosis is a reason to visit a vertebrologist, neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist.The doctor reveals the clinical picture, lifestyle, diet, history of spine injuries, chronic diseases.It is important to understand the causes of osteochondrosis and identify the factors that cause degenerative changes in the discs between the vertebrae.

Next, the specialist prescribes an examination:

• tomography – computerized tomography and magnetic resonance;
• Dopplerography of blood vessels is performed in advanced stages, the presence of pronounced neurological disorders, frequent fainting, numbness of the shoulders, hands and fingers;
• X-ray of the cervical spine (in the early stages of the pathology, the method is not very informative).

Effective treatments

In the first stages of the development of deforming spondylosis in the cervical area, special gymnastics and external agents with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are enough.The patient should monitor his posture.You should not stay in one position for a long time, be sure to warm up every hour and do neck exercises every day.

As the pathology progresses, local remedies and gymnastics are not enough to eliminate the complex of negative symptoms.The degenerative-dystrophic nature of the changes affects the mobility of the cervical region, the pain syndrome intensifies, disc protrusions and hernias appear, doctors identify all kinds of radicular and reflex symptoms of deforming spondylosis.

Important!Only an integrated approach to therapy in combination with quitting smoking, alcohol and changing the diet can partially or completely correct the situation.It is important to eat properly, include foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, fresh vegetables, cheeses and drink enough fluids.In the absence of timely and competent therapy, there is a risk of the patient's disability.

MEDICINES

The doctor chooses medications to eliminate negative manifestations of various types:

• the fight against pain syndrome.Names with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are effective.The best option is NSAIDs in the form of tablets, injections, gels and ointments.In addition, you can take analgesics as prescribed by your doctor;
• elimination of swelling.Fluid retention in tissues is eliminated by diuretics, dehydrating compounds and hormonal drugs.Take medications of this group strictly as prescribed by your doctor: powerful diuretics can cause serious problems with the heart and blood pressure;
• chondroprotectors to restore cartilage quality.When the elastic tissue is damaged, the friction between adjacent vertebrae increases, the density of the layer decreases, and possible bulging of the disc and rupture of the annulus fibrosus due to compression of the vertebrae.Doctors prescribe drugs with a combined effect.The formulations contain not only glucosamine and chondroitin, but also anti-inflammatory ingredients.Different products with many components give a good effect;
• increased blood circulation in problematic vertebral structures.The doctor chooses medications that thin the blood and ingredients that dilate blood vessels;
• fight against muscle spasm.Against the background of weakened bone structures and ruined cartilage tissue, the muscles try to maintain the correct position of the spine;excessive overexertion provokes severe pain.To relax the tissues, muscle relaxants are prescribed;
• activation of metabolism, increase of local immunity.The patient receives vitamin and mineral complexes, calcium dietary supplements, biostimulants and antioxidants.

Physiotherapy procedures

Increased impact on problem areas, activation of blood circulation, delivery of drug components to the affected area, nutrition, reduction of inflammation - this is not a complete list of beneficial properties of physiotherapy sessions.The doctor prescribes a number of procedures in addition to taking medications and therapeutic exercises.

Effective types of influence:

• laser therapy;
• darsonval;
• electrophoresis with drugs;
• diadynamic current;
• infrared radiation;
• electrical stimulation of the affected muscles.

Therapeutic gymnastics

With osteochondrosis, it is important to maintain the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and strengthen the muscles and ligaments.After examining and clarifying the condition of the affected structures, the doctor prescribes special exercises for the cervical spine.Simple actions preserve the elasticity and flexibility of structures.

Therapeutic exercises for neck muscles:

• turn your head to the left, then to the right;
• head tilt with a gradual increase in amplitude, forward and backward;
• circular movements.At first, the amplitude is minimal, gradually increasing the "circle", but without the appearance of a pronounced crackle of the cervical vertebrae.

Perform all movements smoothly, jerking is prohibited.During exercise, you should not allow your vertebrae to crack too much or cause acute pain.The amplitude should be increased gradually, otherwise injuries to the cervical spine are possible.Simple but effective exercises should be performed not only during therapy, but also to prevent osteochondrosis.The frequency of classes is two to three times a day, the duration of gymnastics is no more than five to seven minutes.Doctors recommend mandatory, daily implementation of the complex for people who have a "sedentary" job.

Manual therapy

Doctors are cautious about rearranging the cervical vertebrae.Most experts do not recommend manual therapy for osteochondrosis of this area.The smallest deviations during the procedure, the most unexpected movements, incorrect application of the technique - and the session can end in paralysis or a fracture of the cervical vertebrae with serious consequences, including death.

Osteochondrosis becomes "younger" every year.To prevent damage to bones and elastic structures, you should pay daily attention to an important part of the spine, perform simple exercises, change your body position more often during the work process, do not smoke and eat properly.If characteristic signs of deforming spondylosis appear, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebrologist.