The osteochondrosis of cervical — and on the other hand, the degenerative process in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, escorted by replacement of cartilage, bone, and immobilization of the vertebrae. According to the statistics, one or the other atrophic changes in the cervical region of the spinal column are present in approximately half of the people in the age group of 25 to 45 years.
Causes and risk factors
The anatomical features of the cervical spine are created the premises for the development of infants and on the other hand, calcifications of the changes. The cervical vertebrae segment of different maximum mobility, they are all kinds of movements in their entirety, and therefore susceptible to early deterioration.
On the prevention of the degenerative disc disease cervical you should reflect back on the childhood.
The development of the degenerative disease of the cervical disc offers a sedentary lifestyle, in particular custom to be stretching the neck forward, which increases the pressure in the intervertebral discs m? s, leading to the deformation and dehydration polosnyj of the nuclei. The degeneration of the cartilage aggravated violation of trophic due to crushing of the vessels spasserovannye of the muscles. Progressive of the current degenerative disc disease cervical contribute to the following factors:
- congenital anomalies of the structure of the vertebrae;
- endocrine disorders;
- autoimmune connective tissue (rheumatism and systemic lupus erythematosus);
- torticollis in the newborn;
- dysplasia of the head of the hip;
- flat feet;
- the violation of the posture and curvature of the spine;
- the injuries and micro-injuries of the cervical vertebrae;
- smoking and the abuse of alcohol;
- long emotional distress;
- hereditary predisposition.
The development of the degenerative disease of the cervical disc also contributes to the long intoxication of the organism in case of stays in an environment of a dysfunctional town, the regular contact with harmful substances, and the presence of chronic foci of infection in the body.
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease cervical
In the early stages and on the other hand, the degenerative process of the disease passes almost asymptomatic. Discomfort in the neck occur only when the sudden movement, after the long-term conservation of the tense sitting at the table of the pose and the tilt of the head or in response to an excessive exercise. The development of myositis followed by a sense of oppression, and a clear localization of the pain indicates that the spasms in the muscles of the neck.
Decompensated neck osteochondrosis is characterized by the persistence of discomfort in the neck, the usual muscle tension and limitation of the mobility cervical segment; forcing the position of the head, in part, softens the unpleasant sensations. In the curves and slopes of the head, often you will hear the crunch of the vertebrae. Subluxations intervertebral joints accompanied by acute burning pain, in the people called shot, and vegetative disorders: painful headache, dizziness, darkening in the eyes, heart palpitations, etc, Spontaneous reduction of the subluxation brings a quick relief.
In the case of education osteophytes and extrusions in the back of the vertebrae to the total of the manifestations of the degenerative disc disease, cervical later be added to root of the symptoms:
- headaches, localized in the posterior part of the head and parietal area;
- the reduction of the sensitivity of the skin to one side of your neck;
- speech problems and numbness of the tongue;
- the discomfort in the outer surface of the shoulder;
- respiratory disorders.
The defeat of the osteochondrosis of the third cervical vertebra, sometimes there are reflector kardialgichesky syndrome pain behind the sternum with the irradiacin in the paddle and the shoulder, called the association with a heart attack, especially if the painful sensations are accompanied by acceleration of the pulse, palpitations. In the case of the defeat of the three inferior vertebrae of the sensation of pain and paresthesias that are distributed with the neck in the paddle, forearm, hand and fingers. Patients may complain of numbness of the upper extremities, burning sensation, tingling or "chills" by the departure of the nerves.
The development of the degenerative disease of the cervical disc offers a sedentary lifestyle, in particular custom to be stretching the neck forward.
Osteophytes, located on the sides of the surfaces of the vertebrae, and squeeze the vertebral artery, causing the complex of the violations of cerebral circulation, which is called the syndrome of the vertebral artery. This pathology is manifested frequent episodes of oppressive pain of the head that extends from the back of the head, on the crown of the head and the whiskey, giving the eyeballs. In some cases, instead of a headache it is observed the constant feeling of heaviness in the head. At the same time one observes symptoms vegetative:
- changes of the blood pressure;
- the attacks of the beats of the heart and arrhythmias;
- migrenepodobnie the unilateral throbbing headache accompanied by photophobia, nausea and vomiting;
- the violation of the thermal regulation (chills, sweating, cooling of the extremities);
- dizziness, fainting, and drop-attack;
- lack of coordination of movements;
- the noise and congestion in the ears;
- decreased visual acuity and visual disorders: priming and the double vision, blurred sight, the flash, and the multi-color in the spotlight in front of the eyes;
- sleep disorders;
- the increase of the fatigue and emotional lability.
The diagnosis
Due to the low specificity of the symptoms and of the great diversity of manifestations of diagnosis of the degenerative disease of the cervical disc is done in several stages. You should start with the advice of an orthopedic surgeon, a neurologist or a vertebrologist. Presumptive diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient's complaints, anamnestic data and the results of the physical inspection. During the observation of the patient, the doctor draws the attention on the mobility of the neck, the sensitivity of the skin and painful area in the cervical segment and a shoulder belt, the strength and the muscle tone, the expressiveness of suhozhilnih of the reflections.
For the determination of the phase pathologic process and the detection of complications of the patient is directed to mri of the cervical spine. Thanks to the quality of the visualization of solids and of soft tissues in ct well you can see all the signs of the degenerative disease of the cervical disc – the reduction of the height of the intervertebral discs, osteophytes, propeller, extrusion, damage to the nerves and the blood vessels, calcification of the ligaments, the foci of bone resorption, myositis and fenmenos stuck in the muscles.
Doing chores, not much time standing on tiptoe or keep the arms raised above the head; it is best to use a ladder or embark on a stool.
In the case of inactivity of the mri scan is performed the x-ray or ct scan cervical segment in search of osteophytes, osteoarthritis and reduced bone density. The changes of the soft tissues are visualized with the help of ultrasound; for the research of hemodynamics and the assessment of the degree of damage of the blood vessels when you are running an osteochondrosis of cervical prescribed Doppler ultrasound of the vessels of the neck, and if you are suspected of violation of the spinal cord, the contrast, and myelography.
The treatment of the degenerative disc disease cervical
The osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, requires a comprehensive treatment. During the acute episodes of the main task of the therapy is reduced to relieve the pain, the relief of the inflammatory process and recovery of the hair, and the circulation of the blood to the areas. Patients are prescribed analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs media, which are preferable inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase-1 on the basis of diclofenac and nimesulide. When expressed muscle spasms it is recommended to use a neck brace; if necessary, prescribed antispasmodics, and muscle relaxants.
When root treating syndromes with a poor response to the medication turning to the x-ray-controlled locks, disadvantaged roots, and steroid injections. To improve the exchange of substances in the intervertebral discs and nerve structures are shown, the course of vitamins of group S. Complicated extrusion, the violation of the spinal cord, and refractory pain syndrome are the indications of the intervention.
The full recovery of the intervertebral disc to the osteochondrosis it is unlikely, but by using timely and appropriate therapeutic measures can stop or slow the progression of the degenerate-degenerative process.
To measure the attenuation of the acute symptoms begin a course of physiotherapy directed to the activation of the blood circulation in the sections damaged, and the removal of products of inflammation. It is well-established, electrophoresis and phonophoresis, magnetotherapy, amplipuls-therapy shock wave wave therapy, uhf and diadynamic.
The rapid recovery of mobility cervical contribute to the training in group physiotherapy, swimming and aqua fit. Take care of you and the house: the most effective exercises when osteochondrosis cervical do not require special equipment, and flight simulators. Program journal of rehabilitation designed for 15-20 minutes and consists of five simple exercises. Each exercise is repeated 5 times in a slow gentle rhythm, gradually increasing the number of repetitions to 10-12 times.
- The twists and turns of the rotation of the head to the right and to the left, without altering the position of the head and shoulders.
- Convert the pressure of the front and back of the neck in the palm of the hand, with a small amount of tension in the muscles of the neck.
- The tilt of the head, towards the top is a player, go for the throat the pit and on the side. When you lean to the right should be touching your right ear to your right shoulder, and the left ear to the left shoulder.
- The pressure in the left temple in the palm of the left hand, then to the right of the temple on the right side of the palm of the hand.
- The inclination of the chin to the neck with the turn of the head, first to the right, then to the left.
To the means of alternative medicine should be treated with much care and coordinate its implementation with the primary care physician. In the absence of contraindications, you can pass the course, reflexology, osteopathy and hirudotherapy; chiropractic is strictly contraindicated. Regular massage therapy to the uterus osteochondrosis gives more encouraging results, not to subject the patient to unnecessary risk.
The possible complications and effects
In the neck you have to concentrate a great number of nervous-vegetative plexus and of the blood vessels, including the vertebral of the vertebral artery and the nerve. The joints that join the speakers on the front edges of the vertebrae, are prone to separations, and the subluxation, and its triangular-shaped intervertebral holes in the three lower cervical vertebrae increases the likelihood of the infringement of the nerve roots bone of permissions and spasserovannye of the muscles. As a result, the risk of the adhesion of compression syndromes of osteochondrosis cervical upper the of the defeat of other departments of the spinal column.
In the early stages of the disease complications mainly related to the myositis and muscle spasms. The syndrome of the front of the ladder, and the muscles are building up for a long squeeze brachial plexus nervous and subclavio artery spazmirovannah front of the ladder and the muscle. Reflects the irritation of the vegetative nerve fibers and the lack of blood in the muscle tissue reveals the unhealthy state of the forearm and the hand, which is accentuated when the tilted position of the head and lead, paraffin hand-in-hand. When by the displacement of the great vessels is celebrated on the cooling and edema of the extremities.
The appearance of extrusions and osteophytes accompanying radicular syndromes, which, in turn, can exacerbate the denial of the spinal cord. The compression ratio of the spinal cord often becomes the cause of the paralysis of the upper extremities, and in more severe cases it is fatal, after the deposit of the oppression of the respiratory function. Heavy syndrome of the vertebral artery, it flows in the background of the expressed ataxia and decompensated neurocirculatory erectile dysfunction, is threatening to become a disability and increases the risk of ischemic stroke and spinal cord ischemia.
Prognosis
The full recovery of the intervertebral disc to the osteochondrosis it is unlikely, but by using timely and appropriate therapeutic measures can stop or slow the progression of the degenerate-degenerative process, prevent complications, and achieve the maximum conservation of the mobility of the cervix. When you are running an osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, complicated, multiple extrusions and compression syndromes, the forecast more prudent.
The prevention of the
On the prevention of the degenerative disc disease cervical you should reflect back on the childhood. The formation of the correct posture, the consequent strengthening of the corset in the back and nutrition will help to maintain the health of the spine in adulthood. To identify the son of violations of posture, flat feet, and the consequences of injury at birth, such as torticollis or dysplasia of the head of the hip, should not be neglected rehabilitation programs: many of the pathologies of the locomotor system, related to osteochondrosis, a successful heal before the ossification of the skeleton.
If the profession of the patient involves a sedentary lifestyle, it is necessary to pick up ergonomic office chair with the support of the neck, and in the bed linen set include a pillowtop mattress and under the pillow to sign it. Sleeping on sofas and beds with endings of mesh is not recommended; it is best to choose a model with a moderately hard smooth surface. During the time working through every 45-60 minutes convenient to perform exercises for the neck and the leisure to participate in physical activities and more to walk on foot. Good effect give more important to swimming lessons and aquagym, yoga, chi kung and pilates; weights and traumatic sports, it is best to remove. During the most important classes you should avoid sudden movements and keep your back straight. Doing chores, not much time standing on tiptoe or keep the arms raised above the head; it is best to use a ladder or embark on a stool. Two-three times a year is not prevented from making a course of preventive and massage sheyno-nuchal translucency.
In the diet should be a sufficient amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals, if possible, you must enable it in the menu of the jelly, the stopper of fish and seafood source of natural collagen. The waiver of the habits contributing to maintain active circulation of the blood in the intervertebral discs.