Cervical osteochondrosis called progressive dystrophic-degenerative of the defeat of the intervertebral disc in the area of 1 to 7 vertebrae relating to the cervix of the division.
The result of cervical osteoarthritis, the strain, the exhaustion, and then the defeat of the vertebral bodies. This violates the normal of the cardiovascular and the nervous system conduction in the neck and in the areas that are innervated by the nerve roots of the cervical spine.
Osteochondrosis cervical can be both isolated and combined with osteochondrosis of the other divisions of the thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
The reasons
Causes degenerative and degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc are as yet sufficiently studied. The assumption that the osteochondrosis senile phenomenon of confirmation, was not found. It occurs even in children and adolescents.
Stands a number of predisposing to degenerative disease of disc factors. These include:
- inactivity and sedentary lifestyle,
- sit-types of work with static load on the neck,
- excess weight, lack of physical development,
- dysplastic processes in the connective tissue,
- the violation of blood circulation in the neck region,
- a neck injury,
- scoliosis, poor posture, uncomfortable pillows and mattress
- a hereditary predisposition, defects of metabolism.
The symptoms of cervical osteoarthritis
Cervical spine because of the nature of the skeleton, of bipedalism, but also because of the large size of the head is particularly vulnerable to the development of the degenerative disease of the disc – the vertebrae are smaller compared to the other departments of the spine, and the carcass is not very pronounced.
The most characteristic feature is a symptom that complain about the sick, the pain in the cervical region. Depending on the area of the defeat of the pain may be localized
- in the collarbone and the shoulder;
- through the neck of the uterus, division of the vertebral column;
- on the front surface of the thorax.
The pain during osteochondrosis cervical are imposed by the nature of the cervical spine.
The first signs of cervical arthritis are low and are not specific:
- the pain in the neck in the evening,
- a feeling of heaviness in the head, headache in the nape of the neck,
- a sensation of numbness or tingling in the arms and hands,
- a creak in the neck turning the head, by clicking on the vertebrae.
Main symptoms:
Vegetative-dystonic
- a strong enough pain in the neck and, in particular, in the area just below the nape of the neck;
- the pain occurs after a long stay in the same position (e.g., after sleep);
- the neck muscles are constantly strained;
- difficulties to turn back the hands of side;
- on the affected side with the fingers of the hands cuffed in the movements.
Because the compression of the vertebral arteries, one can observe the neurological manifestations: headache, nausea, there is fainting.
Spinal symptom
a localized pain behind the breastbone on the left.
This type of pain is to be distinguished from the pain of the angina (angina pectoris brings relief of nitroglycerin, osteochondrosis not).
To the violation of the structure of the intervertebral disc, the compression effect (compression) and produce damage to the roots of the nerves, as well as the narrowing or disease of the arteries and veins that occur in the region of the vertebrae.
This led to the formation of syndromes, individuals – radicular, and ischemic.
- the defeat of the roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): disorders affecting the neck, reducing skin sensitivity;
- the defeat C2 gives the syndrome of the pain in the area of the crown and nape of the neck;
- the defeat C3 gives a pain in the neck from the frustration, the decrease of the sensitivity to the tongue and sublingual muscles, in some cases, with the word, and the loss of control over the language;
- the defeat of C4 and C5 gives pain in the shoulder and the collarbone, a decrease in the tonus of the muscles of the head and neck, hiccups, difficulty breathing and pain in the heart;
- the defeat of the C6 happens more often than not, giving pain in the neck to left shoulder blade, forearm, to the large fingers of the hand, can suffer from the sensitivity of the skin:
- the defeat of C7 gives similar symptoms with pain in the neck, to the back of the shoulder, up the back of the brush, the violation of the strength of the hands and impairment of reflexes.
Traffic violations due to the compression of the vessels in the area of the cervical vertebrae give headache up to migraine, severe dizziness, vision problems and tinnitus, flashing flies before the eyes, disturbances of autonomic function.
May be the cardiac manifestation syndrome of the compression of the pain of the heart, the disadvantage of air and palpitations, rhythm disturbances.
Complications
Serious complications of cervical arthrosis are
- the protrusion of the intervertebral disc with the formation of a hernia (protrusion);
- the gap disc with involvement of the nerves and blood vessels, may be compression of the spinal cord, which can lead to death;
- can also be radiculopathy (root lesions), the formation of osteophytes (spines on the vertebral bodies) to the manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
The diagnosis
If you have any complaints, you should contact an orthopedic doctor or a neurologist.
First of all, the doctor will assess the mobility and pain in the neck, the sensitivity and other disorders of the functions. Then it will take x-rays of the cervical spine, in some plans, if applicable – a ct scan or mri in case of suspicion of hernia.
When the violation of the cardiovascular need rheoencephalography and study the background.
The treatment of cervical osteoarthritis
The same symptoms can be signs of various diseases and the disease is not in the manual. Do not try to medicate themselves — speak with your doctor.
Today, there are both traditional and methods of treatment of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.
It is mainly used the methods of conservative:
- symptomatic treatment analgesics to relieve the pain
- receive drugs anti-inflammatory non-steroid series – for the relief of inflammation and edema of the tissues
- in order to eliminate the spasms of the muscles use of antispasmodics, medications to improve circulation.
In the treatment of cervical osteoarthritis use of substances that repair the structure of the intervertebral disc.
Shown during the therapy of vitamin group, apply for external funds for therapy gels and ointments, creams with anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic components. View the stimulants regeneration of the intervertebral disc.
In the treatment of cervical osteoarthritis is recommended to wear a special collar.
Complications of cervical arthrosis with vertebrates hernias, in violation of the sensitivity and circulation of blood, can be treated quickly.
The duration of treatment depends on the negligence of the state, such as the osteochondrosis is a chronic and progressive disease. The treatment can be long and prevention of the current place of living.
Great relief low back pain will help you to a good nutrition. More info on the principles of a diet in osteochondrosis in our article.
Exercises for the treatment of cervical osteoarthritis:
- Itself the stretching position with the back straight, you must lower both shoulders, as below, its neck need to get to the top. You must make at least 10 approaches at least 3 times per day.
- Self-massage: wrap it in a towel neck, taking it by the ends and pull its turn, in the kneading of the muscles of the neck. It is necessary to watch, that the towel does not slip on the neck (not rub it).
- The gymnastics of the cervical spine, osteochondrosis: display of small flexion of the neck, and twists and turns and inclinations of the head. The time is from 5 to 7 slopes of each side. The most useful of this exercise is to do it after the self-massage of the cervical spine.
Prevention
The foundation of the health of the cervical spine is a strong and a healthy back, the physical activity, a comfortable bed with anatomical pillows, and a mattress, good posture and a good nutrition.
The money, to avoid injury to the neck, and lifting weights. It is necessary to combine the long periods of sitting with periods of rest and training.