Cervical osteochondrosis so-called progressive dystrophic-degenerative defeat of the intervertebral discs in the area of 1-7 vertebrae, related to cervical department.
As a result of cervical degenerative disc disease occurs deformity, exhaustion, and then the defeat of the vertebral bodies. It disrupts the normal blood flow and nerve conductivity in the area of the neck and in those sections, which are innervated by the nerve roots of the cervical.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be both isolated and in combination with osteochondrosis of the other divisions – thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
Reasons
The causes of dystrofickéx and degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc are still explored insufficiently. The assumption that osteochondrosis – a senile phenomenon of confirmation is not gotten. It occurs also in children and adolescents.
Excels a number of predisposing to the development of degenerative disc disease of factors. To them can be attributed to:
- inactivity and a sedentary way of life,
- sedentary types of work with static load on the neck,
- overweight, insufficient physical development,
- dysplastic processes of the connective tissue,
- violation of blood circulation in the neck area,
- neck injury,
- scoliosis, defects of posture, uncomfortable pillows and mattresses,
- hereditary predisposition, defects of metabolism.
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
The cervical department of the spine due to the characteristics of the skeleton, bipedalism, and also due to the large size of the head is particularly sensitive for the development of degenerative disc disease – the vertebrae in it the most small in comparison with other departments is the spine and the muscular skeleton is not very pronounced.
The most characteristic symptom that you complain of vomiting – pain in the cervical region. Depending on the area of the lesion, the pain can be localized
- on the clavicle and shoulder;
- throughout the cervical spine;
- on the front surface of the chest.
Pain in the cervical osteochondrosis due to the characteristics of cervical.
The first symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease is negligible and little specific:
- pain in the neck area in the evening,
- a feeling of heaviness in the head, headache in the occipital region,
- a feeling of numbness or tingling in the shoulders and hands,
- the crunch in the neck when turning the head, the click of the vertebrae.
Head symptoms:
Vegetative-dystonic
- quite severe pain in the throat, especially in the area just below the neck;
- the pain occurs after a prolonged stay in one position (e.g., after sleep);
- neck muscles are constantly strained;
- observed problems with the redirection hand side;
- on the affected side fingers limited in movement.
Because of the compression of the vertebral artery, are observed neurological manifestations: headaches, nausea, there are a lot of fainting.
Spinal symptom
pain localized behind the breastbone on the left.
This type of pain is to be distinguished from the pain in angina pectoris (in angina brings relief nitroglycerin, when osteochondrosis – not).
The progressive violation of the structure of the intervertebral disc there is compression (squeezing) and arise from retention of the roots of the nerves, as well as narrowing or violation of the arteries and veins, which take place in the area of the vertebral bodies.
This leads to the creation of specific syndromes – radicular, and ischemic.
- the defeat of the roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): disorders affecting the neck, which reduces any skin sensitivity;
- the defeat of the C2 gives painful in the crown area and the nape;
- the defeat of the C3 gives a pain in the neck from the side of the retention, reducing the sensitivity in the tongue and sublingual muscles, in some cases, with impaired speech and loss of control over language;
- the defeat of the C4 and C5 gives pain in my shoulder and collarbone, lowering the tone of the muscles of the head and neck, hiccups, respiratory disorders and pain in the heart;
- the defeat of the C6 most frequently by the pain from my neck to my shoulder, forearm, and up to large fingers on the hands can suffer the sensitivity of the skin:
- the defeat of the C7 gives similar symptoms with pain in the neck, back of the shoulder, and up into the rear of the brush, a violation of the manual force and reducing reflexes.
Violation of blood supply due to compression of blood vessels in the area of the cervical vertebrae give headaches to migraine, severe dizziness, blurred vision and ringing in the ears, flashing flies before the eyes, disturbances of vegetative functions.
They may be manifestations of a cardiac syndrome is compression of the pain of the heart, lack of air and the pounding of the heart, disorders of the rhythm.
Complications
Severe complications of cervical degenerative disc disease are
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc with the formation of herniation (extrusion);
- rupture of the intervertebral disc with the infringement of the nerves and blood vessels, perhaps compression of the spinal cord, which can be fatal;
- also can be a radiculopathy (lesion of nerve roots), the formation of osteophytes (the thorns on the bodies of the vertebrae) with the manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
Diagnosis
In the presence of the above complaints is the need to appeal to the doctor-a podiatrist or a neurologist.
Firstly, the doctor will assess the mobility and soreness in the neck area, sensitivity and other disorders of the functions. Then you will need a chest x ray of the cervical in several planes, if necessary – computed tomography or magnetic-resonance imaging scan on a suspected hernia.
When violations of blood circulation, it will need a rheoencephalography and research of the fundus.
Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
The same symptoms can be symptoms of various diseases, and the disease can progress not according to the textbook. Do not try to treat yourself, consult with your doctor.
Today there are both traditional and non-traditional methods of treatment of degenerative disc disease in the cervical region of the spine.
Basically applying conservative methods:
- symptomatic therapy with analgesics to remove the pain syndrome
- reception anti-inflammatory drugs is not steroid series – for alleviation of inflammation and swelling of the tissues
- for removal of spasm of the muscles of applying antispasmodics, medications to improve blood circulation.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease applied a substance, revitalizing the structure of the intervertebral discs.
Shows a course of vitamin therapy groups, to use external remedies for therapy – gels and ointments, creams with anti-inflammatory and painkillers components. Displayed stimulators of regeneration of the intervertebral disc.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease it is recommended to wear a special collar.
Complications of cervical degenerative disc disease between vertebrates hiatal, or sensitivity and blood circulation can be treated immediately.
The duration of treatment depends on the condition of neglect, such as osteochondrosis – is a progressive chronic disease. Treatment can be long-term and preventive courses take place throughout life.
Significantly alleviate the condition in osteochondrosis of the help of proper nutrition. Read more about the principles of diet in osteochondrosis in our separate article.
Exercises for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease:
- Self traction: in the position with a straight back it is necessary to omit the shoulders as possible, while the neck is the need to drag up. You need to no less than 10 approaches of at least 3 x times a day.
- Self-massage: clasp a towel around his neck, that it in the end and pull for them, alternately, the flexing of the muscles of the neck. It is necessary to take care that the towel does not slip on the neck (not rubbing it).
- Gymnastics for the neck in osteochondrosis: show a small bending of the neck, as well as twists and tilts of the head. For time is carried out after 5-7 sails on each side. Very useful is the exercise to perform after the self-massage of the cervical spine.
Prevention
The basis of the health of the cervical spine – it is a strong and healthy back, physical activity, comfortable bed with anatomical pillows and mattresses, correct posture and proper nutrition.
It is worth it to avoid a neck injury and weight lifting. It is necessary to combine long periods of sitting with periods of rest and warming up.