Compression and destruction of intervertebral discs or cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code – 10 – M42) is second only to damage to the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region.High daily load or, conversely, low physical activity lead to negative changes in the vertebral structures.

What signs are characteristic of cervical osteochondrosis?How dangerous is the compression and destruction of the intervertebral discs?What are the symptoms and treatment, prevention methods, consequences of an untreated disease?

Causes

The deformation of the vertebral structures of the cervical spine is a consequence of the action of negative factors and pathological processes:

• bad posture;
• Disturbances in metabolic processes due to poor nutrition;
• spinal injury;
• Wear and tear of the intervertebral discs as structures naturally age;
• genetic predisposition to orthopedic diseases;
• physical inactivity, prolonged use of the computer, which leads to strain on the neck muscles;
• Development of an infectious-inflammatory process due to hypothermia, exposure to drafts;
• Defects in the development of vertebral structures in the neck area.

Factors provoking damage to the vertebrae, cartilage tissue and intervertebral discs:

• Obesity;
• too intense training;
• the head is thrown back or lowered to the chest for a long time during work;
• flat feet;
• incorrect posture when working while sitting;
• frequent microtraumas to the cervical spine due to excessive training.

First signs and symptoms

In the initial stage of the disease, the patient rarely associates frequent headaches, discomfort in the shoulders, numbness in the neck when standing for a long time in a stationary position with damage to the vertebral structures.Most often there is no effective treatment and the pathology progresses.

In the second to fourth stages of osteochondrosis, negative manifestations in the neck area are more pronounced.In advanced cases, negative signs spread to other parts of the body: hearing aid, eyes, upper limbs.

Doctors identify several types of characteristic symptoms:

• radicular.Pain syndrome in the vertex, back of the head and neck area, complaints in the back muscles, shoulder girdle.An important point is the loss of shoulder muscle reflexes.Radicular syndrome is more often observed in the third or fourth stage of pathology, a significant deterioration in the condition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and a noticeable decrease in the height of the bone structure;
• muscle tonic.Painful sensations appear in the chest and heart areas.Acute symptoms often occur on the inside of the arm muscles;
• neurovascular.With compression of the capillaries and the vertebral artery, the patient complains of headaches and dizziness.

Stages of development:

• first.Under the influence of negative factors, small cracks appear in the intervertebral discs, the integrity of the nucleus pulposus is disturbed, fluid gradually leaks out, a decrease in elasticity is observed, and the intervertebral disc shrinks.When moving the head, a slight crunch of the vertebrae is heard, pain and numbness in the neck area bother when the body is in one position;
• second.The pathology progresses, there is a violation of integrity, ruptures and a decrease in the density and thickness of the fibrous ring.The result of negative processes: squeezing out the core into the resulting cracks and fractures.The patient's condition worsens and performance decreases.The intensity of the headache increases, there is stiffness in the cervical spine, the face, neck and arms become numb;
• third.Bulging of the intervertebral disc, active compression of the structure and loss of elasticity lead to protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.Neurological disorders occur, the fibrous ring breaks, the clinical picture is clearly expressed: reflex and root syndrome are worrying.Many patients complain of weakness in the hands, fingers, reduced hearing acuity and vision;
• fourth.In advanced cases, the intervertebral discs become flattened, images show the growth of osteophytes and compensatory phenomena develop to keep the spine in its usual position.The pain syndrome subsides somewhat, but the stiffness of the cervical spine remains.

diagnosis

The appearance of pain in the neck area, frequent dizziness, reduced mobility and sensitivity of the fingers, as well as the development of other signs of spondylosis deformans are a reason to visit a vertebrologist, neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist.The doctor determines the clinical picture, lifestyle, diet, history of spinal injuries and chronic diseases.It is important to understand the causes of osteochondrosis and identify the factors that cause degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae.

Next, the specialist prescribes an examination:

• Tomography – computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging;
• Dopplerography of blood vessels is carried out in advanced stages, in the presence of pronounced neurological disorders, frequent fainting, numbness in the shoulder area, hands and fingers;
• X-ray of the cervical spine (in the early stages of pathology, the method is not very informative).

Effective treatments

In the first stages of the development of deforming spondylosis in the neck area, special gymnastics and external agents with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are sufficient.The patient must monitor his posture.You should not stay in one position for too long, warm up every hour and do neck exercises every day.

As the pathology progresses, local remedies and gymnastics are not enough to eliminate the complex of negative symptoms.The degenerative-dystrophic nature of the changes affects the mobility of the neck area, the pain syndrome increases, protrusions and herniated discs appear, doctors identify all kinds of radicular and reflex symptoms of deforming spondylosis.

Important!Only an integrated therapeutic approach in combination with smoking, alcohol and diet changes can partially or completely correct the situation.It is important to eat right, eat foods rich in calcium and phosphorus, fresh vegetables and cheese, and drink enough fluids.Without timely and competent therapy, there is a risk of the patient becoming disabled.

Medication

The doctor selects drugs to eliminate negative manifestations of various types:

• Fight against pain syndrome.Names with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are effective.The best option is NSAIDs in the form of tablets, injections, gels and ointments.In addition, you can take painkillers as prescribed by your doctor;
• Elimination of swelling.Fluid accumulation in the tissues is eliminated by diuretics, dehydrating compounds and hormonal drugs.Take medications in this group strictly as directed by your doctor: strong diuretics can cause serious heart and blood pressure problems;
• Chondroprotectors to restore cartilage quality.When elastic tissue is damaged, friction between adjacent vertebrae increases, the density of the layer decreases, and protrusion of the intervertebral disc and rupture of the fibrous ring may occur due to compression of the vertebrae.Doctors prescribe drugs with a combined effect.In addition to glucosamine and chondroitin, the formulations also contain anti-inflammatory ingredients.Various multi-component products have a good effect;
• increased blood flow to problematic vertebral structures.The doctor selects drugs that thin the blood and compounds that dilate blood vessels.
• Fight against muscle cramps.Against the background of weakened bone structures and dilapidated cartilage tissue, the muscles try to maintain the correct position of the spine;Excessive overexertion leads to severe pain.Muscle relaxants are prescribed to relax the tissues;
• Activation of metabolism, increase of local immunity.The patient takes vitamin and mineral complexes, dietary supplements with calcium, biostimulants and antioxidants.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Increasing the effect on problem areas, activating blood circulation, delivering drug components to the affected area, nutrition, reducing inflammation - this is not a complete list of the beneficial properties of physiotherapy sessions.In addition to taking medications and therapeutic exercises, the doctor prescribes a number of procedures.

Effective types of influence:

• laser therapy;
• darsonval;
• electrophoresis with medication;
• diadynamic flows;
• infrared radiation;
• electrical stimulation of the affected muscles.

Therapeutic gymnastics

With osteochondrosis, it is important to maintain mobility of the cervical vertebrae and strengthen the muscles and ligaments.After examining and clarifying the condition of the affected structures, the doctor prescribes special exercises for the cervical spine.Simple measures maintain the elasticity and flexibility of structures.

Therapeutic exercises for the neck muscles:

• turn your head to the left, then to the right;
• Tilting the head with a gradual increase in amplitude forward and back;
• circular movements.The amplitude is initially minimal and gradually increases the “circle” without the appearance of a pronounced crunch of the cervical vertebrae.

Perform all movements smoothly; jerking is prohibited.During exercise, you should not allow your vertebrae to crunch too much or cause acute pain.The amplitude must be increased gradually, otherwise injuries to the cervical spine are possible.Simple but effective exercises should be performed not only during therapy, but also for the prevention of osteochondrosis.The frequency of classes is two to three times a day, the duration of gymnastics is no more than five to seven minutes.Doctors recommend the mandatory, daily implementation of the complex for people who have a “sedentary” job.

Manual therapy

Doctors are cautious when realigning the cervical vertebrae.Most experts do not recommend manual therapy for osteochondrosis in this area.The slightest deviations during the procedure, more sudden movements, incorrect application of the technique - and the session can lead to paralysis or fracture of the cervical vertebrae with serious consequences, including death.

Osteochondrosis is becoming “younger” every year.To prevent damage to bones and elastic structures, you need to pay daily attention to an important part of the spine, perform simple exercises, change your posture more often during the work process, do not smoke and eat right.If characteristic signs of deforming spondylosis appear, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebrologist.