Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease that affects the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. Degenerative changes usually occur in the most mobile parts of the spine, so the C5, C6, and C7-level nerve roots most often suffer from damage to the structure of the vertebrae in the cervical region.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck
One symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is a severe, depressing headache that often radiates to the temple.
Clinical manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis can be divided into reflex and radical.
Reflex symptoms
Patients are worried about the so-called lumbago - a sharp, sharp pain in the cervical spine that is aggravated by movement. Perhaps the appearance of a crack when the head is turned, sometimes patients are forced into a head position due to severe pain.
People with osteochondrosis of the neck often complain of a depressing or astringent headache that can radiate to the temple and eyeball. Sometimes visual acuity can decrease, patients say everything is floating in front of their eyes.
Irritation of the vertebral artery in the vertebral artery can lead to vertebral artery syndrome, which is often misdiagnosed as a violation of the cerebral circulation in which the patient causes dizziness. They can occur with sharp movements of the head accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
One of the reflex syndromes in the clinical osteochondrosis clinic is cardiac, in which the patient has feelings similar to an attack of angina pectoris. This phenomenon is usually combined with other signs of the disease and therefore rarely causes difficulty in the differential diagnosis of heart disease.
Radical syndromes
Radical syndromes result from compression of the spinal root. The motor and sensory disorders that occur in this case depend on which nerve root is involved:
- C1 - violation of sensitivity in the occipital region;
- C2 - pain in the occipital and parietal regions;
- C3 - decreased sensitivity and pain in the half of the neck where the spinal nerve is damaged, possibly a violation of the sensitivity of the tongue, loss of speech due to loss of control over the tongue;
- C4 - decreased sensitivity and pain in the shoulder-shoulder region, decreased tone in the muscles of the head and neck, possible breathing problems, pain in the liver and heart;
- C5 - pain and decreased sensitivity on the outer surface of the shoulder;
- C6 - pain from the neck to the scapula, the outer surface of the forearm, the shoulder, the radial surface of the forearm to the thumb;
- C7 - pain from the neck to the scapula, the back of the shoulder, from the forearm to the fingers II-IV of the hand, impaired sensitivity in this area.
- C8 - pain and sensory damage ranges from neck to shoulder, from forearm to little finger.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex disease that requires long-term, systematic, and gradual treatment. The goal of therapy is to relieve pain and overcome the inflammatory process in the affected area.
Patients are prescribed painkillers. Recently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are effective in eliminating pain syndrome and helping to reduce the activity of the inflammatory process, have become increasingly popular in the treatment of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck, the appointment of chondroprotectors is recommended - drugs that slow the destruction of cartilage tissue. Many doctors believe that the use of these drugs also promotes cartilage tissue regeneration.
The use of external ointments and gels containing irritants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is ineffective. The drug that is part of their composition is unlikely to reach the affected area due to the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle barrier. Nevertheless, it makes sense to use these external agents, as a neck massage is done when rubbed into the skin.
To improve the regeneration and metabolic processes of the affected nerve root, patients are prescribed group B vitamins. Very often, doctors recommend a combined vitamin preparation for patients to be administered intramuscularly.
Non-drug methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis include acupuncture, hirudotherapy, physiotherapy, exercise, massage, and manual therapy.
In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required.
Prophylaxis
Cervical spine daily exercise is a good prevention for osteochondrosis.
Preventing the development of cervical osteochondrosis is not difficult. We recommend that you lead an active lifestyle, play sports, or at least exercise in the morning.
The correct organization of the workplace, the way you work and rest play an important role in preventing the disease. Sedentary workers should perform a small warm-up several times during the working day and pay attention to posture and head posture during work.
It is also important to choose a good, comfortable mattress and pillow for sleeping. The use of special orthopedic products is recommended for people with spinal disease.
Which doctor to go to
Patients with spinal osteochondrosis are monitored by a neurologist. They also help sufferers in a number of other fields: physiotherapists and massage practitioners, osteopaths, chiropractors and reflexologists, physiotherapists and others.