Osteopondrosis is called an abnormal process in the cartilage of intervertebral discs and nearby tissues. The disease can occur in any part of the spine, however, the cervical spine is more susceptible to osteochondrosis. This is due to the anatomical features of the body. The vertebrae in the neck are smaller than those in the chest and lumbar regions and are very close together. In addition, the neck is characterized by increased mobility and is subjected to regular stress while holding its head.
Why the disease appears
The development of the disease is mainly associated with changes due to age. Other reasons are mentioned:
- lack of physical activity;
- spinal diseases;
- excessive overload;
- improper posture;
- adverse inheritance;
- increased body weight;
- autoimmune disorders in which cartilage is damaged.
Nutrition severely affects the condition of bone and cartilage tissue. The development of pathology is promoted by diet in the absence of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, vitamins A and E, vitamin D. The high-risk group includes office workers, professional athletes, and people who do heavy physical work.
Identification of cervical osteochondrosis
The symptoms of the disease depend on the clinical case and the stage of development. The most common signs are:
- pains that affect not only the neck and head but also other parts of the body;
- weakness, decreased sensitivity of the hands, numbness of the face;
- crackling in the neck when you have to turn your head;
- dizziness, weakness, darkening of the eyes caused by pinched blood vessels;
- impairment of vision and hearing.
Pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae bothers almost every patient. With pathology, the vessels, the bundles of nerve endings, are pinched in the neck area. As a general rule, the pain is most noticeable in the head, neck, shoulder region, and radiates toward the shoulder blades and chest.
Heart disease may be disturbed in the background of the disease. There are several arteries in the neck that are responsible for supplying blood to the brain. When the blood vessels are constricted, the patient faces problems such as impaired coordination of movements, arrhythmia, and ischemic heart disease. In severe cases, blockage of the bloodstream leads to stroke and other life-threatening conditions.
Stages of the disease
The progression of the disease is divided into four stages:
- In the initial stage, the bone and cartilage tissue is just beginning to break down. The pathology manifests itself as mild pain and fatigue, which patients associate with stress.
- In the second stage, the appearance of cracks in the plate decreases. The pain increases, numbness of the face and decreased sensitivity of the limbs may occur.
- In the third stage, intervertebral hernias begin to form. The process affects the muscles and blood vessels. The patient experiences not only pain but also dizziness.
- In the last stage, there is an increase in bone tissue, the nerve endings become constricted. The disease presents with pronounced symptoms: pain, dizziness, numbness. Many patients had impaired motor activity.
Diagnostics
If osteochondrosis of the cervix is suspected, the patient should consult a neurologist and diagnose him. Its task is to assess the condition of bone and cartilage tissue. Spinal diseases have previously been diagnosed with X-rays. More advanced research methods are now preferred:
- CT scan;
- MRI;
- duplex scanning of cervical spine vessels.
Most often, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive diagnosis. This makes it possible to determine the presence and location of hernias, the rate of blood flow, the presence of obstacles to normal blood circulation.
Treatment
A patient diagnosed with cervical spine osteochondrosis should rethink their lifestyle, ensure regular physical activity, and eat right. To improve the condition, it is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a comfortable pillow to relieve stress caused by the spine.
Medicines
In cervical osteochondrosis, the patient is presented with medications that relieve inflammation, improve blood flow, and reduce pain. The doctor prescribes vasodilation, muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that improve cerebral circulation, chondroprotectors - it means the restoration of cartilage tissue. To slow down the breakdown of bone tissue, the body needs B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, niacin.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the main method of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Those skilled in the art use a number of procedures designed to improve metabolic processes in bone and cartilage tissues, reduce pain, relieve convulsions, and improve blood circulation. Here are the basic techniques:
- Shockwave therapy. . . Low-frequency acoustic waves affect the cartilage of the cervical spine. They help to restore tissues, slow down the growth of osteophytes - the bones that tighten nerve endings and blood vessels. The source of low frequency waves is a special device, so the SWT course can only be taken in a medical institution.
- Massage. . . This is the most common method for conservative therapy of cervical osteochondrosis. Massage helps to improve blood circulation, relieves muscle cramps. The technique of therapeutic massage is chosen depending on the stage of the disease and the clinical picture. This is a very important condition, because if the massage is performed improperly, it can harm the patient and worsen the well-being. It is worth giving up the massage in case of vascular diseases, high blood pressure. During exacerbation, the massage should be as gentle as possible. Caressing and rubbing is allowed, ie the effect on the upper layers of the tissues.
- Therapeutic gymnastics (gym therapy). . . Exercise helps to strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation. There are special sets of exercises for patients with osteochondrosis. The tournament can be done not only in the office of a medical institution, but also at home. As a general rule, exercise during remission is most effective when the patient is not experiencing severe pain. Wellness exercises should be combined with walks and water treatments.
- Acupuncture. . . This is an additional method for treating osteochondrosis based on the effect of special needles on biologically active sites. Due to this, the metabolism is activated, the pain syndrome is reduced.
- Physiotherapy. . . It is a hardware technique used to treat spinal diseases, rehabilitation after injuries. Thanks to the exercises, the load is removed from the spine, its mobility is improved, blood circulation is restored. Physiotherapy sessions are conducted under the guidance of an instructor. There are many methods and equipment for performing the exercises, so a suitable set of exercises is selected for each patient.
- Laser therapy. . . Thanks to the laser radiation, a positive effect can be achieved, the patient's well-being improves. The procedure reduces inflammation and pain and has a positive effect on metabolic processes.
- Electrotherapy. . . Those skilled in the art use devices that are galvanic, pulsed, alternating current sources. The purpose of the procedure is to reduce pain, relieve and stimulate seizures.
- Aquatic processes. . . Water is the best medicine for osteochondrosis. Patients with this disease are shown therapeutic baths, swimming, underwater massage. Regular visits to the pool are very helpful in preventing and treating pathology.
Surgery for osteochondrosis
Spinal surgery for osteochondrosis is indicated for patients with advanced stages of the disease in which remission cannot be achieved by conservative methods. Surgery is used to remove hernia and affected plates. In addition, operations are performed to extend the diameter of the spinal canal to remove the vertebral arch. Their goal is to eliminate the compression of the nerves and spinal cord, which allows you to get rid of the discomfort.
All manipulations are performed under anesthesia with X-ray and microsurgical control.
In the case of the disc extension, the method of laser discectomy is used. This is a minimally invasive technique that allows the core pulse of the disk to be evaporated using a laser beam, thereby eliminating compression.
Nutrition for osteochondrosis
Malnutrition increases the risk of developing degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including osteochondrosis. To slow down the pathological processes in the bones and cartilage, the body needs to be supplied with enough vitamins and minerals. The diet should include:
- dairy products - a source of calcium;
- fresh vegetables and herbs;
- legumes, nuts, seeds - a source of protein, magnesium, B vitamins;
- cereals, baked goods with the addition of whole grains;
- lean meat;
- Fish and seafood;
- olive and other vegetable oils;
- jelly, jelly meat, jelly dishes.
There are no strict dietary restrictions, but there are foods that are undesirable to consume in large quantities. First, strong tea and coffee, which impair the absorption of calcium and vitamins. High-salt foods are also not helpful.