Osteochondrosis of the cervical region: diagnostics and treatment

The girl has neck pain

Do you feel the pain in the back and numbness of the limbs?These are the first signs of osteochondrosis.The inadequate mobility in the lifestyle, the seated work, the load on the neck and the spine lead to the fact that the cartilage is consumed and loses humidity, due to which they are damaged.

With cervical osteochondrosis, degenerative changes occur in the intervertebral discs.Not only are the records subject to damage, but also the vertebrae and joints in the cervical region.If they are not treated for a long time, the general health of the patient worsens: constant headache, the appearance of vertebrates, the deterioration of brain circulation, following which cognitive functions are reduced.

The reasons for the development of osteochondosis

An incorrect seat position, in which the neck extends forward leads to the development of a cervical disorder.In this case, excessive pressure on intervertebral discs occurs, which leads to changes in the pulpy nucleus and squeeze the blood vessels.This position is a person occupies in the workplace in front of the computer.Therefore, employees are often subject to the development of osteochondosis of the cervical column.

A man on a computer

In addition, the causes of the development of the pathology can be:

  • Distribution of the improper load when wearing bags;
  • A place of sleep too soft (the spine is folded in an unnatural shape);
  • genetic predisposition;
  • Lack of vitamins and trace elements in the diet;
  • Endocrine system disorders;
  • curvature of the spine and violation of posture during the active growth of the body;
  • cervical vertebrae lesions;
  • The presence of bad habits.

Disease phase

To determine whether the symptoms of pain are signs of the development of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column and as a phase of the development of the disease it can be determined by a doctor expert only after examination and palpation.In total, cervical osteochondosis passes four development phases:

  1. Nucleus Polpose - The central part of the intervertebral disc at the first stage is subjected to moderate dehydration.Consequently, the support and shock functions -intervertebral discs are gradually lost.In the first phase, you will have pain with sudden movements, hypothermia and you will remain in a pose for a long time.
  2. The second phase of development is characterized by the appearance of stagnant phenomena and spasms that squeeze capillaries and blood vessels, preventing normal blood circulation.As a result, the intervertebral disc frame is thinner, forming proprimenting (protruding forward or backwards).Under the influence of excess load on the cervical vertebrae, osteophytes are formed.The sensations of pain are located in one place, with acute curves and head inclinations, there may be dislocation of the cervical vertebrae.
  3. The extrusion is formed following thinning of intervertebral discs.The edge of the octopus nucleus breaks the fibrous ring and goes beyond the edges of the vertebral body.The muscles and nerve endings are crushed.It is felt by neck pain, back and limbs.
  4. In the fourth phase of the disease, the intervertebral records are moved and formed by central and lateral hernias.In addition, scars are formed on the discs, which leads to the immobility of the articulation concerned.The patient experiences constant back pain, which is administered to other parts of the body, a constant feeling of fatigue occurs, the asymmetry of the parts of the trunk.
Pain in the neck and in the lower back of the back

Symptoms of cervical osteochondosis

The symptoms of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column occur differently depending on the stage of the development of the pathology.In the early stages, it can occur practically without the presence of signs.Pain in the neck and back can only appear in case of prolonged living room in a pose, a strong inclination or a rotation.

In the subsequent stages of development, a creak is heard in the spine, the pain in the rear is given to other arts, there is numbness of body parts.With the formation of osteophytes and extrusion, there are:

  • headache in the back of the head and the parietal part;
  • compromised speech and numbness of the language;
  • decrease in the sensitivity of the skin of the neck;
  • respiratory disorders;
  • Oath of blood pressure;
  • Heartbeat disorders;
  • noise and stagnation in the ears;
  • Fainting.

The symptoms of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column in women are much more pronounced than men.This is due to the fact that women have a predisposition to vascular diseases and a more fragile structure of the bone segments of the spine.The signs of the disease begin to appear when intervertebral disc changes occur.This leads to a violation of normal blood circulation and causes serious headaches, dizziness and neurosis.An exacerbation of the disease in women often occurs during menopause, when the body is subject to changes on a hormonal background.

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in men are similar to female and erectile dysfunction can be observed separately.

The headache for cervical osteochondrosis is caused by circulatory disorders in the brain and spinal cord.When the vertebrae changes, squeezes the arteries and the oxygen content in the blood decreases.Unfortunately, this pain may not pass even after taking strong painkillers.Therefore, it is important to fully address the solution of the problem.The dizziness for cervical osteochondrosis can be accompanied by darkness in the eyes, the appearance of noise in the ears.This happens because the spasmitous muscles cause a reduction in oxygen access to the brain.

A lump in the throat with osteochondrosis of the cervical column, as well as burning, difficulty breathing and muscle cramps - this is a common event.The disease causes squeezing the nerve fibers of the cervical column to the head and neck.Nervous impulses disorders cause sore throat.

Due to the spasms of the blood vessels and the irritation of nerve endings, leaps to blood pressure occur.The increase in lower pressure in the osteocondrosis indicates that the blood flow to the individual areas of the brain is disturbed, since the vertebral artery has survived by the intervertebral discs.As a result, oxygen hunger occurs and blood pressure increases.

The doctor checks the MRI device

How is the diagnosis of osteochondosis of cervical spinal osteochondrosis?

The diagnosis of pathology begins with a specialist consultation.At the first events of osteochondrosis, contact the rheumatologist, the neuropathologist, the surgeon or the orthodist traumatologist.The doctor will ask for the symptoms and attendance of their event, it is necessary to provide the specialist with the complete story of the disease and the results of the first studies (if present).The specialist will lead a visual inspection and palpation, direct it for the tests.During the exam the doctor pays particular attention to the mobility of the neck, of the muscle tone, of the sensitivity of the skin and reveals the most painful areas.

To identify the condition of the muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, to detect inflammatory processes or tumors, a diagnostic and safe diagnostic method is prescribed: the magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical column.During the osteochondous patient of magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is on a special retractable table with his back.The roles are positioned on the head to the patient to remove muscle tension and the limbs are fixed with belts.Any insignificant movement during the procedure can affect the quality of the result.Subsequently, the table stops in the tomographer.The procedure does not cause pain.The tomographer makes a strong noise during scan, so that he can use headphones so as not to hear discomfort.

If magnetic resonance imaging is contraindicated, there are other diagnostic methods such as computerized tomography and X -ray.X -Ray is only suitable for primary diagnosis and does not provide a level layer image of the fabrics concerned.However, this study is the simplest and cheapest, which allows you to explore the patient's body in different projections.Due to the strong load of radiation on the body, radiography cannot be performed often.

During computerized tomography, the scan is performed using one or more ionizing beams.They pass through the human body and are recorded by detectors.The detectors move along the patient's body in opposite directions and set to 6 million signals.Different tissue density with an accurate determination of the boundaries of the organs and areas concerned in the form of a section are displayed on the image.The procedure allows you to obtain a layered image.

doctor

Treatment of the osteocondrosis of the cervical column

How to treat cervical osteochondrosis, only a doctor will determine after the exam, studying medical history and obtaining the results of hardware diagnostics.If the disease has been diagnosed in an initial phase, the treatment is subjected to conservative ways.In the treatment of osteocondrosis, it is important to adhere to an integrated approach: take medicines, engage in physiotherapy, go to therapeutic massage and avoid strong physical effort.

First of all, you have to stop the pain.For this, analgesic and painkillers of the local action are prescribed.With strong muscle cramps, they are prescribed to wear an orthopedic collar.After pain syndrome has been eliminated, it is necessary to stop the inflammatory process and restore normal blood circulation.For this, antioxidant and anti -inflammatory therapy is performed.As further measures, therapeutic exercises are prescribed, swimming.You can engage in physical education both at home and with a coach.

If osteochondrosis has become serious, the doctor may prescribe surgery.The recurring operation in rare cases in which the pathology develops against the background of other diseases: scoliosis, hernias of the intervertebral discs, curvature or movement of the spine, lesions.

The treatment of cervical osteochondosis in women is not particularly different from the treatment of men.However, doctors often recommend women to make external compressions to warm up and strengthen the muscles of the neck.

Experts recommend from early childhood to prevent various back diseases.To do this, it is necessary to form the correct posture while walking and stay on the desktop.Full nutrition and correct strengthening of the back muscles will help to avoid negative consequences in the future.