Degenerative disc disease (low back pain) in the cervical spine is the underlying cause of the symptoms of pain in the neck, and the irradiiruet pain in his hands. The pain symptoms begin to manifest, in the case where one or more of the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine begin to collapse due to degeneration.
The tendency of some people to develop osteoarthritis may have a genetic component. The trauma can also, facilitate, and sometimes lead to the development of degenerative changes in the cervical spine.
The treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine to give good results only if it is periodic in nature, and it is a consistent and systematic manner. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine was included in the list of the most common causes of its symptoms in such patients of working age, who are sitting long at the computer. Often, patients do not pay attention to the pain and do not seek medical assistance , leading to problems.
The risk factors of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine
While almost all of the people, sooner or later, to develop involutional degenerative changes of the cervical spine, there are a couple of factors that you can greater the likelihood of early development of degenerative disc disease or the symptoms. These risk factors include:
- The genetics of. Some of the studies of twins indicate that genetics plays a greater role than lifestyle, with the early development of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine, and the rapid onset of the symptoms.
- Obesity in the eu. The weight associated with the risk of development of degenerative disc disease (osteoarthritis).
- Smoking. This habit can hinder the flow of nutrients into the discs and to facilitate their hydration.
- In addition to this, the injury to the spine can sometimes start or speed up the process of degeneration in the cervical spine.
The symptoms of this
The symptoms of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine may be very different in different people.
When degenerative disc disease becomes symptomatic, pain may develop gradually or occur suddenly. The symptoms can range from neck discomfort to debilitating severe pain radiating to the arm, numbness and / or muscle weakness.
The main symptoms are the following:
- A pain in the neck. The low intensity of the pain is in the background of the hardening of the neck is the most common symptom of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine. However, sometimes the pain may be greatly increased, and the duration of a few hours or days.
- Neuralgia. This type of pain tends to be sharp or with a sense of shock radiating to the shoulder arm, hand and / or fingers. Typically, the neuralgia is felt on only one side of the body.
- Neurological symptoms in the hand, wrist and / or fingers. Maybe you have the impression tingling, needles, numbness and / or weakness, which may be extended across the whole of the upper part of the handle. These types of symptoms can interfere with daily activities, such as, for example, print to dress up or to hold objects.
- The pain is increased with movement. In General, the pain caused by the degenerative disk drive, usually increases with movement and decreases with rest.
- If the pain is coming from the degenerative disc, it is likely that it will go away on its own within a few weeks or months. However, the other symptoms of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine often become chronic, and require medical treatment, for example, if the facet joints in the neck also begin to degenerate and / or compression of the nerve roots.
Less common symptoms of
Several of the cervical spine degenerates, the more likely it is that the spinal canal will narrow and increase the risk of spinal cord compression. If there is spinal cord compression will be developed by the myelopathy and the symptoms appear, such as the following:
- Hard to use your hands and / or feet
- The problem with the co-ordination and / or balance
- The loss of control of bowel and / or bladder
- Weakness and / or numbness anywhere below the neck
- Shooting pains in the extremities, which can increase when you lean forward
Cervical myelopathy is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Typically, this condition occurs in people over the age of 50 years.
The diagnosis of
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be set up on the basis of such information, such as:
- History. For the first time, the doctor needs to examine in detail the symptoms and medical history.
- A physical inspection. Then, the doctor will perform a physical examination to detect the presence of the neck, and checking the range of motion in the neck. During the test, patients need to carry out certain movements, and show an increase or a decrease in the pain in the neck.
- If the pain is severe, or if there are neurological symptoms, such as pain, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder, arm or hand, then the doctor is likely to prescribe medical imaging .
- Medical imaging (radiography, CT, MRI, PET). If the doctor determines that it is necessary to determine the exact origin of the symptoms it is necessary to obtain an image of the tissue (discs), and is likely to be scheduled for an MRI. An MRI, x-ray or perhaps a CT scan can check for any signs of degeneration, and to determine other conditions, such as osteoarthritis or stenosis, which can lead to the symptoms.
- After the confirmation of the precision of the diagnosis of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine, as well as all of the other bound States, it may be possible to understand the Genesis of symptoms and the identification of the efficient programme of treatment.
The condition is associated with the degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine
The degeneration of disc is often accompanied by other pathological conditions that are either the same or, in some cases, one causes the other. Most often, they meet the following criteria:
- A hernia in the cervical spine occurs in the case that disc degeneration leads to disruption of the integrity of the fibrous ring and protrusion of the contents of the generated to the outside of the ring. However, a herniated disc can occur after an injury , which is in the final phase of the accelerating disc degeneration leads to the development of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine .
- Cervical osteoarthritis. As soon as the disk degenerates and the disk in the spinal column, it begins to shrink, the aspect of the joints can be attached to the abnormal movement and cause excessive wear and tear of the cartilage and stimulates the formation of osteophytes in the cervical spine.
- Cervical stenosis of the spine. This is a condition that occurs due to osteophytes or herniated disc and is narrowing of the spinal canal (where the spinal cord or foraminal foramen (where the nerve roots).
But you have to understand that sometimes, some people have been born with a narrowing of the spinal canal, and the development of symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease.
Cervical radiculopathy - symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness and / or weakness radiating to the shoulder arm and hand can occur if one or more of the nerve roots are irritated or zaselyalsya. If stenosis happens when the spinal cord compression by a disc herniation, or osteophytes, that can develop myelopathy. The possible symptoms are pain, tingling, numbness and / or weakness can be felt on the same level in the neck and in any place, which is lower than the level of the compression stroke. For example, a person may be a tingling or weakness in the legs, problems with balance or even the problems of control of bowel and bladder control.
If you have any symptoms of myelopathy, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, as the condition can progress without treatment you may eventually develop paralysis of the limbs, and dysfunction.
The treatment of
As a rule of thumb, when the symptoms of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine to adopt the treatment measures aimed at the reduction of symptoms. In particular, in the treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine uses non-surgical methods of treatment.
In rare cases, when pain and symptoms persist, or worsen, despite a few months of treatment or when there is a risk of injury to the spinal cord, then there is the issue of life.
The options for conservative treatment
For the treatment of pain in the neck, caused by degenerative disc disease, a doctor usually recommends one or more of the following treatment options:
- A vacation or a lifestyle change. Some of the measures may be more painful for the neck, such as neck stretch, forward when you work on your computer. Of Abstinence, or to change some of the activities for a couple of days or weeks generally reduces pain. In addition to this, it is recommended that you maintain a proper posture instead of slouching when sitting, or bending your neck forward while driving, etc.). Eating healthy food, proper hydration, and Smoking cessation are also helpful for the health of the disk.
- Treat the pain with medications or injections. Given the impact they can make an over-the-counter pain relievers. If the pain is severe, you may be assigned to stronger pain medications such as oral steroids, or muscle relaxants, or even an opiate.
Injections such as facet injections, nerve or epidural blockade. This may involve the injection of corticosteroids to a specific structure to reduce local inflammation of the:
- Caudal epidural injections
- Injection into facet joints
- Interlaminar caudal epidural steroid injections
- Transforaminal epidural injections
- Selective blockade of nerve roots
- Blockade of the medial branches of the
- Ice and heat can be used in the treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine.
- LFK. Most of the non-surgical programs for the treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine also includes a special programme of exercises, such as isometric and stretching .A selection of the exercises needs to be carried out by suitably qualified personnel ( doctor, physical therapy) , such as improper training can lead to a deterioration of the . In addition to this ,the exercises have to be chosen taking into account the individual characteristics of each person . In General, it increases strength and flexibility in your neck, you can reduce the risk of pain and can slow down degenerative changes in the discs.
- A guide to a course of treatment. The cervical spine can be manually adjusted by a qualified technician in the area of health to improve range of motion, and / or to reduce the pain. According to the symptoms in individual patients, it is necessary to carry out the inspection and / or visualization of the front of the hand manipulation of the neck.
- Physical therapy, physical therapy
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Corethrogyne
The surgical treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine
Operative treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are usually considered in two cases:
- There are neurological symptoms, such as constant numbness in the hands and / or weakness, or problems with walking or bowel control. If the neurological symptoms caused by the degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine, there is a danger of permanent nerve damage, and surgery can be recommended in order to reduce the pressure on the nerves.
- Chronic pain is severe and does not respond to treatment, and for at least six months of nonsurgical treatment, and activities of daily living become difficult. The best surgical outcome is predicted for patients with chronic pain, in combination with other terms, such as the instability of the motion segments of the neck, and / or radiculopathy.
The main surgical methods for the treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine are:
- An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).
- An artificial disc replacement.
In addition to this, there are a number of other surgical procedures for the treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine:
- Endoscopic decompression
- Endoscopic is a foraminotomy
- Percutaneous decompression
- The inside of the disk is used electrothermal therapy
- The selective endoscopic discectomy
- The stimulation of the spinal cord
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Epidural lysis of adhesions
Surgical procedures on the neck to decompression of nerve roots and / or spinal cord, thereby reducing the neurological symptoms, such as pain or weakness in the hands, it shows that it is a good remote results - the positive, the forecast is for 80% to 90% .