Cervical osteochondrosis in women

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (CS) is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Every year, doctors diagnose this disease more and more often, and its course becomes more serious. According to statistics, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the upper spine occur more often in women, especially in postmenopausal patients. The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are pain, limited mobility and cerebrovascular insufficiency, which is dangerous not only for health but also for life. To protect yourself from the dangerous consequences of pathology, you need to start treatment at the early stages. It is important to carry out complex therapy and change lifestyle to stop the destruction of spinal segments and prevent serious complications.

development of the disease

The cervical spine is most susceptible to various injuries and degenerative changes. This is because this segment is the most mobile and the muscles here are weak. Small cervical vertebrae withstand heavy loads every day, which leads to the gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs. The vertebrae put pressure on each other, causing the cartilage pads between them to lose a lot of fluid and begin to break down and deform.

In addition, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to insufficient nutrition of the cartilage tissue. And the spinal canal is narrow in this area, so it often becomes compressed, leading to neurological symptoms.

Pathology in women in the early stages is manifested by a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head, tingling in the hands, etc. Patients often confuse the first signs of the disease with fatigue.

There are numerous blood vessels and nerve roots in the neck area, whose compression can also lead to neurological disorders. It is particularly dangerous when a deformation of the intervertebral disc or vertebra compresses the vertebral artery, which supplies important parts of the brain. When it is squeezed, coordination of movements is impaired, a woman may lose balance, her vision and hearing worsen, and the risk of a stroke increases.

Reference.According to statistics, cervical osteochondrosis most often occurs in patients aged 25 to 40 years. This is due to a massive decline in physical activity and sedentary behavior. Women are diagnosed with the disease more often than men because they have more delicate vertebrae and thinner bone tissue.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• Stage 1– The intervertebral disc loses some of its moisture, its height decreases and cracks can develop in the fibrous ring (outer shell). This is the stage of cervical chondrosis that is difficult to identify because it has unexpressed symptoms. The neck gets tired quickly, there is discomfort, a feeling of heaviness in the damaged area, sometimes there is slight pain that quickly passes.
• Level 2– Cracks on the surface of the intervertebral disc increase, the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like contents of the intervertebral disc) shifts and can protrude through the damaged areas. This creates protrusions in the cartilage layer that can compress the spinal cord and its roots. Severe pain, weakness, and limited mobility occur periodically, and numbness of the face, neck, shoulders, and arms may occur.
• level 3– The protrusion breaks through the outer covering of the intervertebral disc and a hernia occurs. The pain gets worse and there are neurological disorders.
• Level 4– The intervertebral disc is almost completely destroyed, the vertebrae rub against each other and bone growths (osteophytes) form on their edges, which are intended to stabilize the damaged segment. Nerve endings, spinal cord and blood vessels are injured. Adjacent joints begin to be damaged. Clinical symptoms are pronounced.

Degenerative-dystrophic changes are easiest to stop in the first two stages of osteochondrosis of the spine. In the third stage, comprehensive treatment can help prevent further destruction of the spinal segment. In the final stage, surgery cannot be avoided.

causes

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a complex and lengthy process that usually has several causes. In most cases, the pathology arises due to a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition and metabolic disorders. The disease often arises due to an injury or due to the body's natural aging and weakening of its defenses.

Doctors identify the main causes of osteochondrosis of the spine in women:

• Violation of metabolic processes.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Chronic muscle tension in the neck area.
• Postural distortion.
• Lack of fluids and nutrients in the body.
• Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position (neck stretched forward and back bent).
• Overweight.
• Frequent wearing of high-heeled shoes.
• SHOP violations.
• Lifting heavy objects.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.
• Hypothermia.
• Infectious diseases.
• Neck too long or too short etc.

All of these factors lead to malnutrition of the intervertebral discs and their degeneration.

Cervical osteochondrosis in women can be caused by pathologies of the vertebral artery associated with a genetic predisposition, intrauterine disorders and injuries during childbirth. The disease can occur due to rheumatism, endocrine disorders, excessive load on the cervical segment during pregnancy, and local overload.

Important.The main cause of cervical osteochondrosis in women is menopause, as well as the changes associated with it. At this stage, the concentration of progesterone in the body decreases, which is very important for bone tissue. The likelihood of degenerative changes is associated with age-related weakening of the neck muscles and a weakening of vertebral support in this area.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis is characterized by a wave-like course, in which the acute phase is replaced by remission. Exacerbation can be caused by infection, injury, hypothermia, and prolonged strain on the neck.

The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women are headaches, malaise and heaviness in the neck. It is important to timely distinguish pain due to chondrosis from migraine or autonomic dysfunction.

Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis of the spine in women are caused by neurological syndromes:

• Cervical dyscalgia occurs when nerve endings become irritated by fragments of damaged cartilage lining. Then a specific crunch appears in the neck, pain that increases when moving the head and after sleeping.
• Scalenus syndrome is a result of damage to the vessels and nerves of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery. This symptom complex is accompanied by pain from the inner surface of the shoulder to the hand on the injured side. The limb becomes pale, cool, swollen and numb. When the patient turns his head, the neck pain spreads to the back of the head.
• Humeral periarthrosis syndrome – dystrophic changes affecting the tendon fibers surrounding the shoulder. Painful sensations from the neck radiate to the shoulder and shoulder girdle. There is a forced posture of the neck - it is inclined to the affected side and the shoulder is slightly lowered.
• Vertebral artery syndrome – a blood vessel is compressed by fragments of a damaged disc or osteophytes (depending on the stage of the disease). The patient feels dizzy and has a headache, nausea and sometimes vomiting. The pain is localized in the back of the head, crown and temples.
• Heart – the nerve bundles of the spinal cord are damaged. Heart pain and cardiac arrhythmias occur. If C3 is damaged, pain occurs in the half of the neck, the tongue swells, and the patient cannot chew normally. If C4 is injured, discomfort occurs in the shoulder girdle, collarbone and heart areas. When C5 is affected, the pain response spreads from the neck to the pectoral girdle, the inner surface of the shoulder. C6 irritation causes pain from the neck and shoulder blade to the shoulder girdle and spreads down the entire arm to the thumb. With damage to C7, the pain syndrome spreads to the back of the shoulder girdle and affects the entire hand, including the index and middle fingers. When C8 is compressed, the pain spreads from the affected area to the elbow and little finger.

In addition, a woman's emotional sphere may be disturbed, weakness may appear, she becomes anxious and sensitive. Insomnia often occurs and memory and attention are weakened by regular headaches.

Symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident occur when a woman suddenly throws her head back, tilts it, or does work that puts strain on her arms and cervical spine, such as digging, painting a blanket, or carrying heavy objects.

Poor cerebral circulation is manifested by dizziness, unsteady gait, spots in front of the eyes, tinnitus, weakness and nausea. In some patients, the voice becomes hoarse, sometimes it disappears and a sore throat appears.

Osteochondrosis during menopause is accompanied by migraines and increased sweating of the body in the area between the neck and shoulder girdle. When the vertebral artery is compressed, the functioning of the cardiovascular system is disrupted.

If the disease persists for a long time, circulatory failure occurs in important centers that carry out neuroendocrine functions. Due to the increased permeability of the vessel walls, arteriosclerosis of the cerebral and cardiac arteries occurs.

to make a diagnosis

If you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis, go to a therapist. After a visual examination, the specialist will refer you to an orthopedist, vertebral doctor or neurologist.

The following methods are used to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis:

• Through X-rays we can determine that the patient's vertebrae are displaced, there are osteophytes on their edges, the distance between the vertebrae has decreased, etc. For this, the examination is carried out in different planes. In order to show the characteristic changes in detail, the doctor takes specific photos.
• A CT scan of the cervical spine provides detailed information about pathological changes in the vertebrae. This method allows you to obtain three-dimensional images for a more detailed study; it is used in severe diagnostic cases.
• MRI is used to accurately assess the condition of the soft tissue (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles) in the affected area.
• Electromyography allows you to check the conductivity of the nerve fiber.

Doctors may also prescribe an ultrasound scan (Doppler ultrasound of the main arteries of the brain) to determine the condition of blood flow in this area.

Conservative treatment

In the early stages, treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine in women can be carried out at home. However, a doctor must create a treatment plan. It is important to understand that this is a long process and complete recovery is unlikely to be possible (especially in older women).

Complex treatment includes:

• Taking medication.
• Use of orthopedic aids.
• Physical therapy.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.
• Massage, manual action.
• Alternative treatments.

Conservative methods help to relieve pain and inflammation, normalize muscle tone, improve metabolic processes, nourish damaged spinal sections, etc. With timely therapy, it is possible to stop pathological changes.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out with drugs that improve the metabolism of the cartilage pads between the vertebrae and relieve inflammation and pain. For this purpose, the following drugs are used:

• NSAIDs. They help relieve inflammation and pain of mild to moderate severity.
• Analgesics. Relieves pain.
• Drugs to improve cerebral circulation.
• Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasms.
• Chondroprotectors. They help stop the destruction of the intervertebral disc, improve metabolic processes and accelerate recovery.
• Magnesium-based medicines.
• Nootropics. They stimulate the functioning of the brain by normalizing its blood circulation and have a mild sedative effect.

Reference.For severe pain that is not relieved by oral medication, therapeutic blocks are used, for example with an anesthetic solution or NSAIDs.

Treatment can be supplemented with anti-inflammatory and painkillers in the form of gels, creams and ointments. They are effective in the remission stage or in combination with oral medications.

The decision about the choice of medication combinations is made by the doctor. The specialist creates a medication plan and also determines the dosage. It is important to follow his recommendations, as many of the medications described above can lead to dangerous complications.

In the acute stage of osteochondrosis of the spine, a woman should avoid heavy physical activity. To relieve the cervical vertebrae area, you need to wear a special corset (Schants collar) that fixes the vertebrae in the correct position. This device is recommended for use during prolonged sedentary work or heavy physical work.

Physiotherapeutic procedures help relieve pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area:

• Diadynamic therapy.
• Magnetic field therapy.
• Electrophoresis with an anesthetic, glucocorticosteroid, proteolytic agent.
• Electroanalgesia.
• UV irradiation etc.

The therapeutic effect occurs approximately after the third session, then headaches, impaired hearing and vision, dizziness weaken or disappear, sleep normalizes and the general condition improves.

Underwater traction of the cervical segment allows you to increase the distance between the vertebrae, free a nerve or blood vessel from compression and restore the normal position of the vertebrae.

Massage normalizes muscle tone and reduces lymphatic fluid flow, which causes swelling. After several sessions, blood circulation in the damaged area improves.

Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the most effective methods of treating osteochondrosis of the spine. Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen weak neck muscles, which then take some of the load from the spine and help stop or slow down degenerative changes. During training, blood circulation improves, metabolic processes and disc nutrition accelerate, which has a positive effect on your condition.

Women should exercise every day. They consist of simple but effective exercises. The complex consists of twists, head tilts in different directions, as well as neck movements using the arms. These elements can be done at home, but only after approval from a doctor. Physiotherapy is only carried out in the remission stage.

The complex treatment can be supplemented with reflexology (acupuncture), hirudotherapy (leech treatment), swimming, etc.

surgery

The operation is prescribed in the final stages of osteochondrosis of the spinal cord, which are accompanied by severe destruction of the osteochondral structures. Even if conservative methods are ineffective or the spinal canal has narrowed significantly, surgical intervention cannot be avoided.

In the above cases, an anterior cervical discectomy is performed. During the procedure, the doctor immobilizes the damaged segment of the spine and removes the fracture that compressed the spinal nerve. The vertebrae between which the intervertebral disc was removed are then fused together. If necessary, the space between the vertebrae is filled with a plastic insert (cage).

After 3-5 days the patient is discharged home. The rehabilitation period is approximately 12 weeks. To speed up recovery, you need to take medications, wear a corset, lead a healthy lifestyle, undergo physiotherapy procedures and, finally, exercise therapy.

Lifestyle recommendations

To quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis and stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical vertebrae, you need to adjust your lifestyle. To do this, the patient must follow these recommendations:

• Walk every day, avoid running, jumping and other explosive activities.
• Do not carry heavy objects.
• You cannot sit for a long time, in extreme cases, wear a corset and regularly take a horizontal position.
• Perform special physical exercises for the back muscles at home.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow.
• Follow a diet, supplement your diet with foods rich in magnesium, calcium (nuts, dairy products, seafood, legumes), as well as plant fiber and chondroitin (jelly-like meat, jelly). Avoid fatty, fried, salty foods and alcohol. Your doctor will advise you in more detail about the dietary rules. But in any case it has to be right.

Hypothermia should not be allowed; Warming up is helpful if there is no inflammatory process.

Complications

Without timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a woman may experience the following consequences of pathology:

• The likelihood of a protrusion turning into a hernia after a while. The bulge compresses the spinal cord and its nerves, causing neurological disorders.
• Osteophytes occur when the intervertebral disc is severely damaged and irritates the spinal nerves and blood vessels.
• In advanced cases, a severe weakening of the neck muscles or incomplete paralysis is possible, in which case the head involuntarily hangs to the side or forward.
• Compression of the vertebral arteries, impaired blood circulation in the affected area. This condition can cause neuralgia (pain along the nerve) as well as hearing and vision problems.
• Paralysis (incomplete or complete) of the hands.
• brain stroke etc.

If a woman deals with the issue in the early stages of osteochondrosis of the spinal cord, she can prevent the diseases described above.

Precautions

Ideally, prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine should occur during intrauterine development. The expectant mother must exclude factors that have a negative impact on the development of the fetus: infections, lack of oxygen, intoxication. If there is a birth injury, the newborn must undergo treatment.

To reduce the likelihood of osteochondrosis of the spine, a woman should follow the following recommendations:

• Put even pressure on your spine, e. g. B. carry a load with both hands or alternately with the right and then with the left.
• Don't lift too much weight alone.
• Avoid neck injuries and hypothermia.
• When working on garden plots, take a break every 1. 5 hours and lie down to rest for 20 minutes.
• Choose shoes with elastic soles that absorb shock when running or jumping.
• When sitting for long periods of time, use a high-back chair with a headrest or wear a corset.

It is also important to eat properly, control weight, avoid stress, take vitamin preparations for medical reasons and timely treat pathologies that can cause osteochondrosis. During the remission period, it is recommended to visit sanatoriums to undergo treatment.

The most important

As you can see, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs more often in women than in men, since the former have more delicate vertebrae and thinner bone tissue. Patients in the postmenopausal period are particularly susceptible to pathologies. The disease is manifested by pain, neurological disorders, as well as dangerous symptoms of cerebrovascular accident. It is recommended to start treatment in the early stages to avoid dangerous complications of osteochondrosis. To do this, a woman needs to take medications, adjust her lifestyle, participate in physiotherapy procedures, do massage, physiotherapy, etc. Surgical treatment is indicated only in advanced cases. To prevent pathologies, you need to maintain moderate physical activity, promptly treat injuries and diseases that can provoke osteochondrosis, etc.