cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease of articular cartilage that is one of the leading causes of neck pain and is characterized by radiation to the arms. With this disease, the nearby cartilage and muscle ligament structures change.Since the progression of cervical osteochondrosis can lead to a variety of serious complications, including patient disability, timely diagnosis and treatment are one of the urgent tasks of modern medicine.

Pathological development stages and typical symptoms

The disease goes through four successive stages of development, with corresponding changes in the body and accompanying symptoms:

1. The first stage is the initial morphological change of the intervertebral disc. The core of the disc (nucleus pulposus) gradually dries out and cracks appear in the structure of the annulus fibrosus. This is accompanied by tolerable pain or discomfort in the neck that worsens when the head is turned or tilted. Cervical lordosis is also slightly smoothed and muscle tone is almost constant.
2. In the second stage, destruction of the annulus fibrosus continues, accompanied by the first signs of pathological mobility of the vertebrae and their instability. The distance between the vertebrae decreases and herniation occurs. At this point, patients may notice increased pain and radiation to the arm or shoulder area. At the same time, severe headaches developed, and the patient complained of feeling weak and decreased performance.
3. The third stage is characterized by complete destruction of the annulus fibrosus, with the unfixed nucleus pulposus extending out of the vertebrae and penetrating into the spinal canal area, forming a hernia-like protrusion. In turn, it puts pressure on the nerves and elements of the vascular bed, causing disruption of blood flow in the neck. Patients at this stage complain of severe, persistent pain in the neck that radiates to the arms and shoulders. Muscles weaken, and numbness is noted systematically in the upper limbs. Clinical manifestations also include episodic dizziness, difficulty in spatial orientation, and stiffness of movement.
4. The fourth stage represents the replacement of intervertebral disc cartilage by connective tissue structures and pathological changes in adjacent spinal segments. As the joints fuse, they become immobile. This was the most difficult stage for the patient as he felt constant severe pain in the neck, arms, chest and area between the shoulder blades. In addition to this, there are signs of impaired blood supply to the brain, sensitivity disorders, and a significantly increased likelihood of stroke.

It should be noted that in addition to the main clinical manifestations accompanying the various stages of cervical osteochondrosis, other symptoms may appear:

• decreased vision;
• Anxiety disorders that occur due to insufficient blood flow to the brain;
• hearing loss and tinnitus;
• A crunching sound when moving the head;
• Sleep disturbances up to insomnia;
• A point appears before your eyes;
• a condition of unconsciousness;
• Facial muscle paralysis;
• Arm pain occurs at night.

If the spinal cord is compressed, myelopathy may occur, along with:

• Difficulty moving limbs;
• problems with coordination or balance;
• Loss of bowel or bladder control;
• Weakness or numbness in any part of the body below the neck;
• Severe pain in the extremities, which worsens when bending forward.

disease cause

The key factors in the development of cervical osteochondrosis are imbalance and overloading of this part of the spine. In most cases, the pathology develops against the background of degenerative changes that accompany the aging process. Neck trauma or metabolic disorders may also lead to osteochondrosis.Additionally, there are many other factors that contribute to increased neck load, muscle spasms, and the development of chronic disease:

• Congenital or acquired spinal abnormalities;
• overweight;
• complex genetics (e. g. , congenital and genetically determined connective tissue weaknesses);
• Chronic or frequent overloading of the spine (maintenance of forced postures, lack of physical activity);
• Vitamin deficiency;
• Autoimmune diseases with structural damage to connective tissues (collagen degeneration);
• Micro or macronutrient deficiencies;
• Strenuous physical activity, sports that increase the risk of spinal injury (such as professional wrestling);
• Smoking will prevent nutrients from flowing into the intervertebral disc;
• Metabolic disorders;
• An unbalanced diet with too much carbohydrates and fats but not enough protein;
• Frequent stressful situations;
• Lesions of the musculoskeletal system lead to reduced mobility of the cervical spine;
• Recurrent or severe hypothermia in the neck.

What are the dangers of osteochondrosis?

For most patients with cervical osteochondrosis, the first problem is severe and frequent pain typically in the head and neck area. Because of this, people are forced to find the most comfortable position where the pain diminishes or disappears completely. This in turn can lead to performance degradation.As the disease progresses, a herniation forms (a portion of the disc tissue is released outside the intervertebral space), and the tissue between the vertebrae begins to collapse and the space narrows. In the final stage of the pathological process, the intervertebral disc is completely destroyed and replaced by connective tissue structures. This results in limited motor activity as the patient loses the ability to turn or tilt the head.Additionally, cervical osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can lead to the following complications:

• hernia;
• Cervical pain (pain in the skull base area);
• Osteophyte formation;
• Pressure on the arteries;
• Radiculopathy (compression of spinal cord roots);
• Chronic pain syndrome.

In the most severe and advanced cases, cervical osteochondrosis can lead to spinal cord compression, paralysis, and disability in the patient.

diagnosis method

Diagnosis of a patient with suspected cervical osteochondrosis begins with an appointment with a doctor, who conducts a thorough interview, identifies symptoms and disease history, and performs a physical examination. During the examination, the doctor focuses on identifying areas of pain and assessing the mobility of the spine and the quality of reflexes.After receiving the initial data, experts develop a plan for further diagnosis, which may include:

• multislice computed tomography;
• Positron emission and magnetic resonance imaging;
• radiography;
• A dual scan of the blood vessels in the area of the pathological process is performed.

Imaging technology allows physicians to determine the origin of clinical manifestations and identify signs of degenerative processes or other conditions that may be responsible for the onset of symptoms that bother patients. Duplex scanning allows you to assess blood flow quality and detect vasoconstriction.As a supplement to the main diagnostic plan, consultation with relevant specialists (vertebral surgeons, endocrinologists, orthopedic traumatologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists) can be carried out and the following can be prescribed:

• Ultrasound scans of nearby organs;
• electrocardiogram;
• Standard and advanced studies of biological materials (blood, urine).

Only after a diagnosis has been made and the cause and severity of the condition are known can doctors begin to develop the best and most effective treatment plan.

Treatment programs

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is chosen based on the stage at which the disease is detected, as well as the patient's age, current condition and existing complications or accompanying pathology.

conservative approach

When cervical osteochondrosis is detected early, conservative treatment should be chosen. Their purpose is to prevent the progression of the disease, relieve uncomfortable symptoms and restore spinal mobility.As part of conservative treatment, doctors combine medication with physical therapy and gymnastics. He may prescribe medications from the following categories:

• chondroprotectant;
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• painkiller;
• Vascular protectants;
• B vitamins;
• hormones;
• Muscle relaxants;
• Vasodilators;
• Nootropics.

Physiotherapy procedures complement medications and, taking into account the patient's condition, the doctor may prescribe:

• acupuncture;
• Kinesio Taping;
• massage classes;
• photodynamic therapy;
• using ultrasonic or dynamic flow;
• electrophoresis;
• Magnet therapy.

At the same time, if cervical osteochondrosis is in the acute stage, it is recommended to wear an orthopedic collar. This medical accessory is necessary to stabilize bones and joints, reduce load on affected areas of the spine, and relieve pain. Cervical braces for osteochondrosis, the price of which varies according to manufacturer, type and material, is chosen individually by the doctor for each patient.The last but not least part of conservative treatment is gymnastics. Doctors prepare patients with a special set of exercises designed to strengthen the muscle frame, correct posture and improve blood flow to the upper spine.

Surgical methods

If conservative approaches are unsuccessful or cervical osteochondrosis is detected at a later stage, it is treated by surgical intervention. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following procedures:

• laminectomy;
• Endoscopic or percutaneous decompression;
• radiofrequency ablation;
• Endoscopic removal of hernias, neoplastic processes, or areas of degenerative dystrophic changes;
• epidural adhesiolysis;
• spinal stability;
• Endoscopic foraminotomy;
• Laser nucleoplasty combined with puncture.

Precaution

Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathology for which specific preventive measures have not been established. In order to significantly reduce the likelihood of disease occurrence, recurrence, or complications, doctors have several recommendations. They believe that patients need:

• Adhere to the principles of healthy lifestyle;
• Avoid lifting and carrying heavy objects;
• sleep on orthopedic mattresses and pillows;
• Get regular moderate physical activity and go swimming;
• Balanced diet;
• Rule out conditions that may lead to cervical hypothermia;
• Continuously monitor your posture;
• Systematically take short breaks from therapeutic exercises in the context of prolonged sedentary work;
• Be careful when turning and tilting your head;
• For preventive purposes, undergo regular inspections by specialized experts.

How is recovery going?

When formulating a recovery plan, the attending physician will consider the following aspects:

• At what stage is cervical osteochondrosis detected?
• the patient's general health and well-being;
• Patient’s age category and weight;
• Existing accompanying pathology or complications of the disease.

Depending on the situation, the doctor may include massage procedures, gymnastics, and physical therapy sessions in the rehabilitation plan. These comprehensive measures not only speed up the recovery process and eliminate complications or recurrences, but also help improve the patient's overall health.Cervical osteochondrosis is a serious problem and patients require prompt and correct medical care. If signs of this disease appear, you can be diagnosed and receive subsequent treatment at a medical center. All specialists select personalized treatments for each patient, guided by modern osteochondrosis treatment methods and offer a wide range of services at prices within the comfort range of the patient.

FAQ

Cervical osteochondrosis has been diagnosed, how long does it take to treat this condition?

The duration of treatment directly depends on the stage at which the patient with cervical osteochondrosis seeks help. Only a doctor who assesses the severity of the pathological process and monitors the dynamics of progression during treatment can determine the most likely period.

Which doctor should I contact if I suspect I have cervical osteochondrosis?

Cervical osteochondrosis is recognized and subsequently treated by a neurologist, but in some cases, an orthopedic traumatologist can supervise the patient.