cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease of articular cartilage tissue, most commonly seen in the cervical intervertebral discs because they are often subjected to high loads, causing the discs between the vertebrae to become less elastic, flatten and thin, and subsequently replaced by bone tissue. As the degradation process progresses, surrounding structures are affected. This can lead to the development of a complex set of symptoms, depriving the patient of a comfortable life.

Why is cervical osteochondrosis dangerous?

Cervical osteochondrosis is a pathological change in the intervertebral disc and vertebrae themselves. Due to the thinning of soft tissue, the old effects of vertebral fractures are weakened, nerve fibers and blood vessels are compressed, the mobility of the cervical spine is reduced, and head rotation is limited. Due to this disease, blood circulation and blood supply to the brain deteriorate, migraines, headaches, tension, cluster headaches, heart rhythm disorders, respiratory rhythm disorders, memory, vision, coordination and concentration decrease, intervertebral hernias, afferentbrain disease and stroke.

Causes of osteochondrosis

What causes cervical osteochondrosis?Many factors can cause cervical osteochondrosis, each of which can worsen the condition:

• sedentary lifestyle (sedentary job);
• Being overweight;
• Incorrect posture;
• Chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet, x- and o-shaped deformities of the lower limbs), leading to uneven load distribution on the spine;
• Congenital disorders of spinal development;
• Excessive, repetitive stress on the spine;
• genetic predisposition;
• Injuried.

signs and symptoms

• Generalized dizziness;
• Pain in the back of the head, neck, and collar;
• Noise or ringing in the ears;
• Feeling of lack of air, inability to take deep breaths, severe shortness of breath;
• Nausea and vomiting, worse when trying to move the head;
• Decreased vision, flickering spots or fog appearing in front of the eyes;
• Fluctuations in blood pressure that are difficult to correct with medication;
• Fainting due to vasospasm;
• There is a lump sensation in the throat, soreness, dryness, difficulty swallowing, and shoulder joint pain;
• Fingers are numb.

The progression of osteochondrosis

The progression of cervical osteochondrosis is divided into four consecutive stages, which determine the severity of symptoms and the general condition of the patient.

• Stage 1. The thickness of the intervertebral disc is slightly reduced. There are almost no symptoms; sometimes there is mild discomfort in the neck, such as when staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
• second stage.The height of the intervertebral disc becomes smaller, the cartilage tissue begins to grow pathologically, and protrusions (bulges) appear. Patients experience persistent pain, weakness, facial numbness, and cervical stiffness.
• The third phase.The annulus fibrosus surrounding the core of the intervertebral disc ruptures, forming an intervertebral hernia. The spine is significantly deformed, increasing the risk of vertebral dislocation and subluxation. The pain becomes permanent and is accompanied by other symptoms of osteochondrosis.
• The fourth stage.Irreversible changes occur in the spine: bone growth occurs, the intervertebral discs are replaced by scar tissue and lose their ability to absorb loads. Symptoms become severe and have a significant impact on the patient's lifestyle and health. Decreased quality of life.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis requires comprehensive treatment, including non-drug, drug and surgical treatments.Depending on the clinical situation, the following methods are used:

• Massage (specialized, neurological, to relieve spasms and blockages);
• Therapeutic exercise (to improve circulation);
• Osteopathy (with this procedure, obstructions and spasms are eliminated, blood circulation is restored and metabolic processes of the brain are improved);
• manual therapy;
• computer traction;
• physiotherapy.

non-pharmacological treatmentHelps reduce the severity of symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations, improve blood supply to affected areas, enhance metabolic and regenerative processes.

• Enhance the effects of medications;
• Helps strengthen the muscular framework and stabilize the spine;
• Eliminates spasms and muscle mass

Non-drug treatments also include wearing a Shants splint.

Shansha Tire

A Shant splint or Shants collar is a soft bandage that has a certain degree of immobilization on the cervical spine and is used to prevent and treat cervical spine injuries and diseases. Areas of application: Emergency and urgent medical care in road traffic accidents, injuries at home and at work, treatment of patients after cervical spine surgery.Depending on the design, Shants splints can be rigid, semi-rigid, looped, with or without fasteners, but they are all removable and easily replaceable, easy to use and care for, affordable and have a modern design, plays an important role. The function of wearing it on the neck during recovery or outpatient treatment.medical treatementHelps relieve pain, eliminate dizziness, restore normal function of nerve roots, and if possible, stop or slow the destruction of cartilage tissue.

• NSAIDs(intended to relieve pain and inflammation) available as tablets, injections, ointments, patches;
• Muscle relaxants:Medications that eliminate reflex muscle spasms, thereby reducing pain and improving circulation;
• B vitaminsAvailable in tablet form, it helps improve the conduction of nerve impulses;
• Chondroprotectant:Drugs that promote cartilage tissue repair.

Depending on the symptoms, medications to improve microcirculation of blood vessels in the brain, medications to prevent nausea and dizziness, etc. may also be prescribed.

Surgery

In cases where the disease is advanced and medical treatments are no longer effective, the help of a surgeon is necessary.

• Surgery to remove herniated disc(Microdiscectomy, endoscopic or articular surface surgery);
• Laminectomy:Removal of spinous processes or vertebral arches to reduce load on the roots of the spinal cord;
• Nucleoplasty:The hernia is eliminated by removing part of the disc core.

Prevent osteochondrosis

• Avoid physical inactivity and maintain an active lifestyle;
• Eat a varied diet and eat foods rich in potassium and magnesium;
• Minimize lifting heavy objects;
• Sleep on anatomically correct pillows and anatomically correct mattresses;
• Warm up regularly.

FAQ

1. How to understand that cervical osteochondrosis has begun?
   • Headache
   • Limit head rotation
   • lack of concentration
   • noise in ears
   • Dizziness
2. How is the diagnosis made?
   • Only a doctor can make a diagnosis
   • Magnetic resonance imaging, multi-slice spiral CT
3. How to relieve pain in cervical osteochondrosis?If you have neck pain, you should consult your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, and other medications with analgesic properties.
4. How to avoid osteochondrosis?
   • Start an active lifestyle
   • Practice preventive exercise every day (at least 10 minutes a day)
   • Develop a daily routine
   • Neck massage (2 times a year)
5. Which doctor treats cervical osteochondrosis?First, you should visit your general practitioner who will refer you for the necessary tests and make a preliminary diagnosis. Typically, patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis need to consult a neurologist.