In the modern world this disease almost all of the people, under 25 years of age. Cervical back pain occurs much more frequently than in other parts of the spine. Relevance of this issue is difficult to overestimate.
In this article we will look at why there is this disease than manifests itself, how to treat cervical osteochondrosis, which drugs are effective in treating some non-drug methods there are, as well as to find out the answers to the most frequently asked questions of patients with a similar diagnosis.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is degenerative-degenerative defeat (progressive) of the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. For this reason, the changes are both in the same of the intervertebral discs, and the vertebrae and joints of the cervical spine of the.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine of the
As a result of the following factors occurs increase in the load on the cervical portion of the spine, the neck muscles are trying to compensate excessive stress, occurs spasm of the, impaired blood circulation in this region, which results in degenerative changes. By a number of factors resulting in changes of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, it changes the structure of them, disturbed by their food, changes occur in small joints between the vertebrae, there are bone growth of the body of the vertebrae, due to pressure of modified intervertebral discs.
Factors that contribute to the development of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine:
- The wrong posture and the presence of scoliosis
- Excess weight
- The lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle and work
- Previously transferred injury of the spine
- Metabolic
- Large exercise
- The anxiety and constant nervous tension
- The low level of fitness
- Hereditary predisposition
- The usual wrong position of the body, for example, by keeping the handset off the shoulder
- Standing voltage of the back, of the neck due to the characteristics of the work (the tense situation in sitting position) drivers, office employees.
- Abnormalities in the cervical spine
Degree of development of cervical degenerative disc disease.
The degree of degenerative disc disease is determined by the clinical picture and complaints of the patient. You don't should sense a degree of confused with stages of degenerative disc disease. About the stages I'll talk about below.
The first degree
clinical manifestations are minimal, the patient may complain of pain in the cervical spine of low intensity, may be exacerbated when you turn your head. When the physical examination examination can be detected with a small voltage of the muscles of the neck.
Second grade
the patient's mind the pain in the cervical spine, the intensity of the much more, the pain can be radiation to the shoulder, in the hand. Occurs that as a consequence of the reduction of the height of the intervertebral disc and damage the nerve roots. The pain is enhanced during tilt and turns of the head. The patient can mark a reduction in the efficiency, the weakness of the, headache.
Third grade
the symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease increases, the pain becomes permanent with radiation to the arm or shoulder. Occurs numbness or weakness in the muscles of the hands, as it formed a herniated intervertebral disc. Mind the weakness of the, dizziness. During the inspection it is the restriction of mobility of the cervical spine, pain on palpation of the cervical spine of the.
Fourth grade
is the complete destruction of the intervertebral disc and replacement of the connective tissue. Strengthens dizziness, appears tinnitus, disturbances of coordination, as well as in the process involved the vertebral artery, supply the cerebellum and in the occipital lobe of the brain.
The clinical picture of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine — symptoms, signs
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine differ from the symptoms of this disease in other parts of the spine. This is due to the fact that for vertebrae are closer to one another, intervertebral discs have a relatively small height, which leads to the appearance of clinical even with the most minor pathological processes. Also, for more often than not, nerve root compression and spinal cord.
The most common symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine — symptoms:
- Pain syndrome: the pain may have different localization, can be in the neck, in the occipital area, shoulder or upper extremity. Pain in the shoulder or arm are shown when in the procedure involved clipping of the nerve, Innervate the upper limb. Pain in the occipital part of the head is caused by spasm of the neck muscles attached to the occipital bone, and reduced blood circulation in this area.
- Weakness in hands arises, when from the ridge, in whose composition there are motor nerves, Innervating the muscles of the hand.
- Reduction of sensitivity in the hand occurs, when from the ridge, in whose composition there are sensitive nerves, Innervate the skin of the upper limb.
- The limitation of motion of the cervical spine and critical moment, when movements occurs due to a reduction of the height of the intervertebral disk, the appearance of bone razrastani in the bodies of the vertebrae and the defeat of small joints between the cervical vertebrae.
- Dizziness, violation of coordination, the weakness - all of these symptoms are due to participation in the process of vertebral artery passing in your own channel, which is located in the cross processes of cervical vertebrae. As a result of the development of cervical degenerative disc disease, formation of fibrous tissue, the displacement of the vertebrae, the worse it gets the blood flow in these arteries, which leads to poor perfusion of the occipital lobe of the brain and of the cerebellum.
- The numbness of the tongue, reduction of hearing and vision
occur severe cases with marked deterioration of the blood supply to the occipital lobe of the brain, the cerebellum and the stem.
The symptoms, depending on the damaged vertebra
Separately, you can choose radicular syndromes which lead to one or other of the sensitive and motor disorders. Vary depending on which vertebra presses on the spinal bifida:
- C1: it leads to numbness and violation of the sensitivity on the back of the head?
- C2: pain in the parietal area and back of the head?
- C3: speech disorder, the sensitivity of the language, the pain and the reduction of sensitivity on the other side, where disadvantaged spinal nerve?
- S4: pain in the heart, the left hypochondrium, shoulder, blade, breathing disorders, reduction of muscle tone of the neck;
- C5: shoulder pain, in the external sector?
- C6: pain, giving from the forearm into the big finger of the hand, as well as the neck and between the shoulder blades?
- C7: pain in the rear surface of the shoulder, from the neck to the blade, gives the forearm up to 2-4 thumb?
- With 8: pain from the neck to the shoulder, the forearm in the.
The diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease.
Basic diagnostic techniques:
- X-ray of the cervical spine. It's still technical, especially in the later stages of the disease.
- Ct. Better shows the changes in the vertebrae, but it is difficult to determine the size and the availability of the intervertebral hernia, as well as the presence of disco-medullary conflict (compression-herniation of the spinal cord).
- Magnetic resonance imaging. The most informative method. Fine is visible not only bony structures but also the spinal disks, a hernia, the size, the direction of their development.
- If you suspect that a disturbance of blood flow in vertebrate arteries used ultrasonic duplex scanning. This method allows you to determine if there is a decrease in the speed of blood flow, if there are obstacles in the flow of blood is normal.
Radiographic stage of cervical degenerative disc disease.
- 1 stage – minimal changes in the configuration of the vertebrae, normal cervical lordosis (flexion).
- Stage 2 – instability between the vertebrae can shift of one vertebra on the other, torsion (rotation around the axis of the spine), the small decrease of the height of the intervertebral disc.
- 3 stage – the reduction of the height of the intervertebral disc in the ¼ on the above situated disk, changes of the facet joints, posterior osteophytes (the bony προεκβολών), the narrowed intervertebral holes and stenosis of the spinal canal in which lies the spinal cord with the membrane.
- 4 stage – a significant reduction of the height of the intervertebral disc, significant changes of the facet joints, huge rear osteophytes of significant stenosis of intervertebral holes, and significant stenosis of the spinal channel with the formation of cervical myelopathy.
Principles of treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease.
The main methods of treatment is osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is the medication, physical therapy, massage cervicofacial neck region, particularly effective therapeutic exercise in cervical osteochondrosis.. The basic groups of medicines used in this disease, refer to:
| The name of the group | Action | |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) | reduces pain syndrome, contribute to the relief of aseptic inflammation and edema of the root of the damaged nerve. | |
| B vitamins | it improves the metabolic processes in the nervous tissue. | |
| Drugs that improve the flow properties of blood and blood flow | improve the nutrition of the damaged nerve roots and improves the circulation of blood to the brain brain. | |
| Chondroprotectors | drugs, rejuvenating of cartilage fabric, including in a damaged intervertebral disc. | |
| Muscle relaxants | drugs, relieving spasm of the muscle. |
Attention! Drugs are not the appointment, shown are for reference only.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease.
| Electrophoresis with drugs. | Under the effect of electric current ions of drugs fall into the desired position. About novocaine for the pain or with the use of èufillinom to improve the flow of blood. |
| Ultrasound | it has anti-inflammatory, painkillers effect, and also improves the metabolic processes in the space of the exhibition. |
| Magnetic therapy | it has an analgesic effect due to relief of the swelling of the tissues. |
| Laser treatment | due to the light exposure is achieved anti-inflammatory action and improves the circulation of blood. |
Physical therapy
Physical THERAPY with cervical osteochondrosis. must be performed outside of acute deterioration. Greater effectiveness of this technique during the period of recovery. During the execution of the complex does not have to be a hassle and the pain!
| Exercise no 1 | Located in the stomach, the rest with hands on the floor, lift the head and torso, the back should be direct. Stay in this position for 1-2 minutes. Slowly sinking to the floor. Repeat 2-3 times. |
| Exercise no. 2 | Lying on the stomach, pull the hands along the body, the head, rotate it to the left, try to touch the ear to the floor, then turn your head to the right. Repeat 6-7 times on each side. |
| Exercise no. 3 | In a sitting position, during inhalation, leaning forward and the head try to touch your chest then exhale, bend the back and I was surprised. Repeat 10 to 15 times. |
| Exercise no 4 | Sitting apply the palm of your hand to the forehead, apply pressure on your palms on the forehead and the forehead with the palm of your hand. Continue this exercise for 30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. |
| Exercise no. 5 | Slowly rotate the head, first in one direction then in the other side. 10 spins on each side. Be careful not to appear dizziness. When you receive the exercise stops. |
The most common questions from patients with cervical osteochondrosis. and their answers
May require surgery in the cervical osteochondrosis.;
Indications for surgery are the lack of effectiveness of conservative treatment for 6 months, accompanied by constant pain syndrome and the symptoms of the lesion of the nerve roots, as well as myelopathy. In all other cases, the surgery is not carried out.
How long can be applied to NSAIDS;
So as most of the NSAIDS have side effects on the mucous membrane of the stomach, then the prolonged and frequent intake of these drugs is not recommended. When taking this group of medicines should strictly follow the recommendations of the attending physician, the period of shooting can be an individual, depends on the stage of degenerative disc disease, complaints of the patient and comorbidities.
How effective decision chondroprotectors;
At this time there is no evidence for the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of these drugs. In such cases, doctors are of the opinion that the drug is impractical.
How it is better to take vitamins in pill form or injection?
No difference in the level of intake of drugs in these two routes of administration no. Taking into account the sensitivity of the infusion and the frequency of complications, it is recommended to take b vitamins "In" in treatment regimens.
What measures need to be taken out of the deterioration;
It is better to do with therapeutic exercise at home 2 times a year visiting massage cervicofacial neck area and to limit excessive load on the cervical section of the spine.