Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms and treatment

In the world there are several diseases that belong to the people, not only because he is a human being. For example, the vascular damage and to the deposition on their walls, cholesterol is also found in the animal world. The symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the neck may be confused with symptoms of other diseases. The increase in arterial pressure, is characteristic of all warm-blooded animals. An improper diet can lead to exhaustion, lack of protein and vitamins, and chicken, and an elephant, and clam, and the wrestler of freestyle. However, osteochondrosis refers to diseases of the that can be proud of-the only person that even his closest relatives – primates, the disease is almost nothing. Let us consider the manifestation of symptoms and methods of treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine.

the pain

Cervical osteochondrosis, what's it all about?

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine — a disease of the bone and the cartilage, which is considered to belong to the dystrophic — degenerative. The underlying disease (poor nutrition of the cartilage, and its destruction or degeneration. In fact, the osteochondrosis in particular suffer from a cartilaginous intervertebral disks, and then "the snowball" is accompanied by a reaction of the bone (osteophytes), the formation of protrusions and hernias of the roots of the symptoms, the onset of instability of the cervical spine, as well as severe headaches and chronic muscle spasm of the deep muscles of the neck, with the interruption of regional blood flow. The cause of osteochondrosis of the intervertebral discs in the cervical or cervical – thoracic one, and only one: it is historically located in the vertical position of the parties. None of the cats, or cows, or hippos, there is such a constant axial load in the vertical, is situated to the back, the spine is in a relaxed, "loose" state, and the intervertebral disks will feel comfortable with. The person in the development of degenerative changes, cervical disc disease, the predisposition to, the following factors:

  • It is often in a vertical position;
  • Of the injury and the speed of movement of the head of the shot, e.g., low ceilings;
  • The amount of goods on their shoulders, and, in some countries – on the head;
  • The lack of active movement. This leads to a weakness in the muscle of the system, which is essential to the cervical spine.

Also, additional factors, which includes the use of over the winter, a heavy-duty, collars and fur hats, with the intent of "to serve" mode, a reduced intake of fluids, which causes dehydration of the underlying cartilage. This increases the vulnerability of the disk, and calls for "the fall" (a narrowing of the thickness), the reduction in the buffer from the elastic properties of the. At a young age, the degenerative disc disease may result in the violation of posture, in written assignments, and computer work. Congenital changes in the spine, for example, a scoliotic deformity in the thoracic spine. Don't forget — the higher the spine the stronger the pulse, which can have a detrimental effect, similar to the "whiplash" injury. Therefore, the failure of or any breach of a compensatory mechanism that protects our skull from the excess of trauma to the brain, and also lead to degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine. Here are the reasons why:

the discomfort
  • A flat foot, so the longitudinal and the transverse. The Arch of the foot, without any padding, not to the intervertebral discs of the cervical from a concussion and a fracture;
  • The underlying degenerative disc disease to the lumbar spine. If the elasticity of the lower back is broken, don't expect a good protection against the cervix.

The symptoms of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine

Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is very diverse, but all of them can be divided into local and remote displays. Local symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease, including the following:

  • The pulling and aching muscles, joint pain, low-intensity, worse after prolonged sitting, for example, if you work in a office and on a computer;
  • Crunching when moving the neck. Most strongly it is felt, after performing the morning exercises, and in this case, if the plug your fingers in your ears. Then the bone conduction of the sound to exceed the air, and turning the neck to the crunch he had heard very well. This is a symptom, which indicates the appearance of osteophytes which violate the matching (fitting accuracy) of the cartilage and vertebrae;
  • A pain in the neck, both during the ride (especially the sharp). This pain is called the Servicio, by analogy with "lumbago" in the back is called lumbago. Take a pain treatment radicular manifestations of osteochondrosis. They arise when a sudden trauma to the brain to the nerves that occurs with laughing, coughing, sneezing, straining. The pain warns of neuralgia, and the like, by an electric shock in its power and suddenness. The most commonly occurs in the thoracic parts of the spinal column;

The remote signs include the following:

  • Headaches osteochondrosis. It comes quietly, resembling a "helmet" or "helmet", there are often symmetric. The intensity is low, they may be associated with the movement, but it's not necessary. Often, they are the "go to the head, the neck, and is accompanied by a sedentary lifestyle.
  • Conductive disorders of sensitivity. They often occur during the night – waking, the person feels that he is numb to the toes. Most often it is the little finger and half the ring finger on the side of the little finger. If you want to recover the sensitivity, you'll need to move the arms, the neck, and to change the situation.

This is due to a pinched nerve of the cervical plexus, in the places of output of nerves. It is important that the roots are not, for the most part spasserovannye neck muscles that are in the vicinity of the vertebrae. Cervical degenerative disc disease, the symptoms of which, we understand, can be complicated due to the instability of the cervical spine. The height of all intervertebral discs in the cervical spine is uniformly reduced, and the necks are "abnormal mobility, or the propensity to joint pain and different types of movement. When this condition occurs, the frequent appearance of a violation of the nerve root and increases the risk of protrusion and hernia.

a pain in the neck

The role of a muscle spasm

There is a muscle spasm called a myofascial — tonic syndrome. This condition can appear in a variety of areas of the spine, where there is striated muscle. Due to the reduction in the height of the intervertebral disks and the growth of marginal osteophytes, the muscles are "tightened", as well as their blood supply is low. Will be reduced accordingly, and the venous outflow. Such a situation leads to the swelling of the muscles and their permanent spasm, which is manifested by pain and stiffness in the neck and back.

The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical

In the typical cases of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine occur with the above symptoms. Therefore, the main phase of the determination was, and remains, the identification of the patient, the presence of muscle spasm associated with simple palpation of the muscles along the spine. To confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis using radiographic study of:

  • An X-ray of the cervical spine with functional tests in flexion – extension, which does not show a cartilage-like tissue in the transmitted x-rays.

In spite of this, the position of the vertebrae, it is possible to draw General conclusions about the level of the intervertebral discs, and the overall management of the physiological curvature of the neck lordosis, as well as the presence of the regional growths on the vertebrae, during the long-term irritation of the respective surfaces of the brittle and dehydrated intervertebral discs. Functional tests allow you to confirm the diagnosis of instability of the cervical spine;

  • Magnetic resonance and x-ray computed tomography is shown in order to clarify the internal structure of the cartilage, and the formation of protrusions and hernias.

Precisely the diagnosis of the complications of the disease, and is the result of the scan is an indication for the operative treatment of hernia in the neurosurgery Department.

The treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease, medicines,

The treatment of degenerative disc diseases of the cervical spine is complex: first you need to remove the acute pain of the drugs, and then after the cervical osteochondrosis (pain reduction) regresses, will join the physiotherapy and massage techniques, at the cupping this acute phase, it starts secondary prevention, that is, the aim is to prevent recurrent exacerbations. Sometimes, the patient is assigned to a Spa treatment. The main group of medicines for the relief of acute pain include:

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cut off an inflammatory component;
  2. The muscle relaxants of Central action . To reduce the tone of spastic muscles, reducing pain and stiffness in the muscles;
  3. B vitamins – contribute to the improvement of the trophic nervous tissue;
  4. Medicine to improve exercise of the blood microcirculation — improve the drainage and normalize the function of muscles.

This means they are assigned to, or inside, or intramuscular injection, for greater efficiency and effectiveness. The purpose is to relieve the acute pain. Then after 2-3 days go to the reception of the tablets, which are actively used ointments or gels, which are rubbed into the neck and the back. In the second stage, they join the physiotherapy – electrophoresis with vitamins or hydrocortisone, massage, underwater traction, and the power of the shower, iglorefleksoterapevta state of the art. Sometimes, the the prescribed drugs – chondroprotectors, but when you have it inside of their efficacy is still not proven. The only intra-articular introduction of the substitutes of the synovial liquid, you can reduce the crunch to facilitate freedom of movement and eliminate pain. However, in osteochondrosis, this technique has worked on large-scale decisions, it is almost never done. The surgical treatment is carried out in a severe compression of the protrusion, or hernia of the sensory or the motor root of the. The indications for surgery are intractable pain, in the course of a month, intractable to medical treatment, or the progression of muscle weakness in the arms, expands the range the lower the sensitivity, and the confirmation of the diagnosis of a protrusion and a herniation by MRI or CT scan.

Exercises with cervical osteochondrosis

Gymnastics in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there is no as a cost-effective engagement, physical activity and maintaining a healthy way of life: the osteochondrosis is found in all without an exception of people from my childhood, and even in some places it is considered to be a "normal variant". Because he is such a person, especially in adult life would not be the signs of degenerative disc disease, the goal of gymnastics is to leave the only goal of the radiological signs of the disease, and to address all of the complaints. It is well known that even the mature and aged people it may not present a grievance to his neck and back, but only if you have plenty of time for questions.

The prevention of cervical degenerative disease of the disk

You might, for example, degenerative disc disease, which can be the bring about of the principles, which are taught to all, and, as a result, we obtained the rules of a healthy way of life. Here they are:

gymnastics
  • The freedom of movement, no excessive weights, and the exercises without any load, just the weight of your own body;
  • Drinking plenty of pure water, of the age of the causes of dehydration of cartilage tissue;
  • The preservation of, or the normalization of body weight.
  • The current of such load, to reduce the load on the back cover (the clean);
  • The prevention of harmful habits;
  • Change of the mental load with physical. Each and every one and a half hour of mental work, it is recommended to change the activities of the physical activity;
  • Prevention of hypothermia of the neck, back, waist, especially in the spring and in the fall.

Just by following these simple recommendations, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the symptoms and the treatment that we are studying, it will not disturb you for years.