Symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

13 September 2020

Currently, medical statistics show that almost every person over the age of 25-30 complains of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. The disease affects this part of the spine more often than others. Pathology is a progressive degenerative process that affects the intervertebral discs and vertebrae in the neck. The disease is common in both men and women.

This is a dangerous and complex form of osteochondrosis because there are large blood vessels in the neck that supply the brain and there are a large number of nerve endings. Disorders of innervation and blood flow lead to a deterioration in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

Signs of Illness

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are even more pronounced with minor injuries than in other parts of the spine. This is due to the fact that the vertebrae in the neck are close together and the intervertebral discs are low in height. This anatomical feature contributes to the fact that in osteochondrosis, nerve endings, spinal cord, and blood vessels become more frequently constricted.

General symptoms:

pain syndrome;
weakness and decreased sensitivity in the upper extremities;
restriction of neck mobility;

disorder of movement coordination;
frequent dizziness;
general weakness;
Deterioration of the sensory organs (hearing, sight, touch, taste).

The pain is more often localized in the neck, radiating to the back of the head, shoulders, arms. The upper limbs hurt when the nerve root responsible for their innervation is damaged by the injured vertebra. Back headache is caused by spastic contractions of the neck muscles that attach to the occipital bones, and blood circulation in this area is impaired.

Weakness in patients is observed when a pathological process involves a nerve root that innervates the muscle structures of the upper limbs.

Restriction of movement and characteristic cracking when the neck is turned or tilted occurs when bone growths appear in the cervical vertebrae, the height of the intervertebral discs decreases, and the joints between the vertebrae are affected.

The vertebrae in the neck have transverse processes that form a channel in which the artery that feeds the brain runs. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the vertebrae move and connective tissue grows on them. This leads to a constriction of the carotid artery, a deterioration in the blood supply to the cerebellum and the back of the brain. As a result, the person has frequent dizziness, impaired coordination of movements, and general weakness. In advanced cases, if the artery is involved in an abnormal process or is severely constricted, the blood supply to the cerebellum, occipital region, and brainstem is significantly impaired. In this case, the functionality of the organs of hearing and vision decreases, numbness of the tongue and fingers is observed.

Symptoms of the disease also depend on which of the eight vertebrae is affected by a degenerative or inflammatory process. Disorders of sensitivity and movement are caused by damage to the roots of the spine, which are affected by certain vertebrae. Depending on this, the following manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis can be observed:

first vertebra - the occipital part of the neck and head becomes numb, their sensitivity decreases;
second - pain in the crown and cervical region;
third - pain is felt and sensitivity decreases in the part of the neck where the compressed spinal root is located, the intensity of taste sensations decreases, speech disorders are present;
fourth - painful sensations radiate to the shoulder, shoulder blade, the patient is worried about heart pain, respiratory disorders, the tone of the neck muscles decreases;
fifth - pain is observed in the neck, which is given to the outer surface of the shoulder;
sixth - neck pain radiating to the shoulder blade, felt on the forearm and thumb;
seventh - pain in the shoulder blade, back of the shoulder, forearm and fingers (second to fourth);
Eighth - Pain extends from the neck to the shoulders, forearms and little fingers.

Cervical osteochondrosis has four stages, depending on the extent of the lesion. These are not the stages of the disease, but the severity of the symptoms, the prevalence of the pathological process that affects the vertebrae.

In the first instance, clinical symptoms are absent or minimal. Patients complain of mild pain exacerbated by head movement. Treatment started at this stage of the disease will be effective. However, people often ignore the alarm symptoms or don’t feel them, so they don’t go to the doctor.
Exacerbation of the pathological process exacerbates the symptoms. In the second stage, the pain becomes more pronounced, given to the upper limbs, the shoulder blades. At this stage in the development of the degenerative process, the height of the intervertebral disc decreases, resulting in nerve fiber constriction. This becomes the cause of increasing pain. The second degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by headache, deteriorating health, and decreased performance.
The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the development of a hernia in the affected intervertebral disc. The mobility of the neck is limited, the patient feels severe pain when touched. With this spread of the pathological process, the pain becomes permanent, radiating to the upper limbs. Tension is felt in the muscles that connect to the occipital bones. Patients complain of frequent dizziness, general weakness, and numbness of the hands.
The fourth degree of osteochondrosis of the neck is diagnosed when the intervertebral disc is completely destroyed by the degenerative process. It is replaced by fibrous tissue, which leads to significant restrictions on mobility. The spinal cord and cervical blood vessels are affected. Such changes are characterized by a significant deterioration in the blood supply to the occipital part of the cerebellum and brain. Oxygen starvation leads to impaired coordination of movements, impaired hearing, vision, numbness of the tongue, and speech disturbances.

Treatment Methods

Timely visit to the doctor when the first alarming symptoms, neck discomfort, nervous system reactions prevent the progress of degenerative changes. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis consists of a series of therapeutic measures. Including:

taking medications;
massage;
physiotherapy exercises;
physiotherapy procedures.

Treatment is performed at home and on an outpatient basis under medical supervision. In some cases, more radical methods may be needed and then the patient is hospitalized.

Drug therapy

The following classes of drugs are used to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs;
chondroprotectors;
muscle relaxants;
drugs that improve the rheological parameters of the blood;
B vitamins

Doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the intensity of pain, to reduce inflammation and swelling of the nerve root. Chondroprotectors restore damaged cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc. Muscle relaxants relax the neck muscles, relieving cramps. Drugs that improve blood flow help restore the damaged blood supply to the brain. B vitamins activate metabolism in nerve tissue. With intense pain, your doctor may prescribe painkillers. If the patient has severe pain syndrome, the analgesics are administered parenterally after the pain has resolved, switching to tablets.

In addition to pharmacy medications, the patient can use traditional methods to treat cervical osteochondrosis. Before using them, consult a doctor so that there is no conflict between drugs and non-traditional devices. Dill seeds, hop cones, decoctions and infusions of organflowers help stop the inflammatory process and relieve pain.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is an effective way to combat cervical spine osteochondrosis. It is essential to treat the disease with such techniques, which will result in the following results:

decreases the intensity of pain;
restoration of affected bone, cartilage and muscle tissues is activated;
relieves muscle cramps and tension;
the inflammatory process stops;
improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area and the brain.

The following types of procedures are considered most effective in treating osteochondrosis:

drug electrophoresis (an electrical current is applied to the affected area which, in addition to activating blood flow and tissue regeneration, improves the delivery of the drug to the tissues affected by the degenerative process);
ultrasound therapy (metabolic processes are activated in the patient area, pain is reduced, inflammation stops);
magnetotherapy (relieves swelling in the affected area, which helps reduce the intensity of pain);
laser therapy (improves blood circulation in the area of the pathological process, has an anti-inflammatory effect).

Your doctor can also give advice on acupuncture and balneological procedures.

Physiotherapy exercises

Exercises are prescribed during the period when the acute manifestations of the disease stop. It should not cause discomfort or pain during the exercise.

The complex should be performed when stable remission is achieved to prevent relapse.

Take a prone position, lifting your head and body, leaning on your hands. The back is straight, breathing deep and even. Hold your position for a minute or two, then slowly return to your starting position. The number of repetitions is 3.
Position - lying on your stomach, arms along your body. Slowly turn your head and try to touch your ear to the floor. Repeat 6 times on each side.
Sitting or standing, tilt your head while inhaling and try to reach your chest with your chin. When exhaling, gently pull your head back and raise your eyes to the ceiling. The number of repetitions is 10-15.
It is good practice to strengthen the neck muscles by pressing your forehead over your hands. To achieve the effect, you must press your palm on your forehead and your forehead on your palm for 30 seconds. Repeat three times.
Turn your head around. The exercise should be done slowly and smoothly. In all directions - 10 turns. The occurrence of dizziness during the performance of movements is unacceptable. If this happens, stop immediately.

All exercises should be performed smoothly, without sudden movements, stop immediately in case of deterioration, nausea, dizziness.

Massage

The course is prescribed by a doctor in the absence of acute pain and should only be performed by a medical professional. It is not recommended to contact non-specialists in case of such disease.

Healing effects of neck massage:

improves blood and lymph flow in the affected area;
muscles relax, spasm relieves;
decreases the intensity of painful feelings.

Professionals use the full arsenal of massage movements: stroking, rubbing, kneading, squeezing and vibrating.

Surgery

Surgery is recommended if conservative therapy fails within six months, the patient suffers from severe pain, signs of nerve fiber damage, and myelopathy. If there are complications of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there is a risk of stroke, the spinal cord is strongly compressed, then surgery is needed.

The following types of surgery are indicated as indicated:

endoscopic discectomy - removal of part or all of the intervertebral disc;
laminotomy - excision of bone ligaments and ingrown particles of bone tissue (often in combination with laminoplasty - installation of artificial plates to expand the spinal canal);
laser evaporation of the disc core - cleavage of the core of the intervertebral disc with a laser beam simultaneously with the destruction of its destroyed fragments;

cold plasma nucleoplasty - instead of an endoscope, a long and thin hollow needle is used, which is inserted into the intervertebral disc through which an electrode is delivered to the lesion site, which has a cold plasma effect.

The neck is a complex organ that contains large blood vessels, the spinal cord. They can be easily damaged, so surgical interventions are used in up to 5% of cases. Surgical treatment is often accompanied by the development of complications. Among them:

an inflammatory process in the tissues or membranes of the spinal cord;
osteomyelitis;
scarring that results in narrowing of the arteries and spinal canal.

Cervical spine surgery is difficult and requires a long rehabilitation period. It takes at least six months for the patient to recover from surgery.

Prevention

To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis:

observe the position of the spine and neck;
pursue an active lifestyle, move more;
during physical exercise, you should be careful, follow the correct execution, as even minor injuries can affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system;
take care of the correct posture while sleeping, buy an orthopedic or anatomical mattress;
properly equip the workplace where one spends a lot of time;
is regularly involved in physical education;
monitor your diet, provide all the useful minerals needed for strong bones, especially magnesium and calcium;
is undergoing ongoing medical examinations to detect osteochondrosis in a timely manner.

Prevention helps prevent degenerative changes in the cervical spine, protects against painful feelings, dizziness, numbness in the limbs, and other unpleasant symptoms.