Pain in the neck is an alarming sign.It may be just overvoltage and you just have to relax and relax.But what happens if the pain is associated with osteochondrosis of the cervical column?It is important to carefully consider symptoms and treatment, as complications can affect the most important organ - the brain.
What is cervical osteochondosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical column is a degenerative disease of the bone Celter system of the body.This leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, the formation of growth on their surfaces.
The cervical column consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which is articulated with the skull.The anatomical and functional unit of the spine is the segment of the spinal engine.It is a joint complex, because of which the spine moves.The complex consists of two vertebrae, intervertebral disc, joint surfaces of the vertebrae (facet), nerves, ligaments and muscles.
Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all the surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to a violation of the biomechanics of the spine as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, the hernias of the intervertebral discs, the nerve roots and the blood vessels can form.
The pathological processes of the intervertebral disc take place four steps: power supply, weakening of ligaments, disc damage and nerves compression.
- Step 1.The conditions of power and metabolism of the intervertebral disc are raped.Due to the characteristics of the structure, the discs are only eaten during movement.If this is not the case, changes in dystrophic fabric begin: the disc is hungry and dehydrated.Water loss leads to the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot fulfill the damping functions.The load on the fibrous ring intensifies, cracks and tears appear there.Right now, minor pain may appear.
- Step 2.At the second stage, the ligament apparatus of the vertebral segment occurs.The connection becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process in the disc is aggravated, the hernia (prolapse) begins - infiltrating the pulpose nucleus through cracks in the fibrous ring.Pain becomes periodic.
- Step 3.In addition, the intervertebral disc is completely damaged.The pulpose core of the disc goes beyond the fibrous ring.The resulting hernia can harm the nerve roots.The inflammatory process develops.This is manifested by an exacerbation of pain, radicular syndrome if called.
- Step 4.In the fourth stage, the defeat affects the nearby fabrics.It is possible to press the root artery, which leads to the lack of blood supply with the spinal cord.As a result, the spine can be completely immobilized.
The first main signs and symptoms
At the start of the development of osteochondrosis in the cervical region, discomfort, limitation of movement, neck pain.Often this does not indicate importance.
Over time, the pain is intensifying, becomes painful, burned, head, neck, shoulder blades, injured shoulders - perhaps this develops vertebral artery syndrome.The artery is pressed or spasmodic, the blood circulation is disturbed.
At 1-2 stages of cervical osteochondosis, the ophthalmological problems associated with spasms in the vessels often occur.Darifying in the eyes, sparkling, the appearance of "flies" and colored spots in front of the eyes - all these are symptoms of osteochondrosis.
The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Migraines, dizziness, nausea and cough.
- Hearing disorder, pain in the ear, face.
- Motor disorders in the hands, legs.The sensitivity of the skin on the head can be a gap.
- Pain in hand.If a nerve spine is pinched, then the whole area in which it sends impulses can hurt or "fall".
In addition to the above symptoms, you can distinguish three main pain syndromes, accompanying osteochondrosis from the cervical column.Syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms.The determination of the main pain syndrome is important because the entire treatment regime is built precisely on the elimination of pain.And it is impossible to eliminate it without knowing original.
- Mifascial syndrome- Pain in skeletal muscles and adjacent fascia.The violation is associated with an overload, in which spasm occur, hypertonicity, the painful nodes inside the muscles (trigger points).
- Rook syndrome- The pain caused by prolonged compression of the roots of the vertebral nerves.The process of hernial formation for osteochondrosis of the spine leads to a pinch of nerve fibers and to the subsequent inflammatory reaction.The pain spreads along the nerve.
- Facets- Pain in vertebrates.The vertebrae of the second cervical have joint processes, which are interconnected by arched joints (facet).With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases, which leads to the fact that the joint capsules of the arched joints are in constant tension.This causes pain.In addition, pain increases by the end of the day, especially with a long -term forced position.
The causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical column One of the main causes of osteochondrosis is the evolution of the spine at a high vertical load.People's ancestors have walked on four legs, like other mammals.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis, because in the horizontal position of the intra-bodily intra-bodily pressure is half as much as in vertical.According to the standards of evolution, the transition to the recovery occurred not so long ago, and the spine simply did not have time to adapt to a high vertical load.Thus, with the recovery, a person has also acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
An even more vulnerable neck of a person makes its structure.The cervical service of a person consists of seven small mobile vertebrae, which are articulated by the type of pyramid for children.This conception can hardly be called stable outside the rest of the rest.In addition, the muscular framework of this area is low and the loads can be high - all of this makes the neck vulnerable.Any injury is responsible for consequences.Even if the damage was in another spine, the redistribution of the load can cause osteochondrosis.
Another factor is aging.The formation of the skeleton and cartilage fabric ends with 21 and after that, the irreversible process of aging (degeneration) begins.Cartilage foods are carried out only due to the broadcast, and if the intervertebral disc does not receive nutrients, it begins to gradually collapse.
In addition, the development of cervical osteochondosis contributes to:
- Autoimmune diseases.They involve their own body cells in the pathological process of destruction of the cartilage tissue.
- Infections, hormonal insufficiency, deceleration of metabolism - All these circulatory disorders can also serve as factors for the development of osteochondosis.
- A sedentary lifestyle, working conditions in which a person spends most of the time in a forced static position.
- High loads resulting in injuries can cause compression.
- Genetic defects associated with the weakness of the musculoskeletal system and the inferiority of the cartilage fabric.
The vertebral channel of the cervical column is very narrow, therefore high loads, any violation or injury can cause compression of the spinal cord.And it's very dangerous.
In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass through this area.If the blood stops flowing into the brain in the right volume, a stroke can occur.
Diagnosis
In the primary diagnosis of cervical osteochondosis, the doctor collects the patient's history.He discovers this and how it hurts, with what intensity, with a load or at rest, at what time of the day it hurts, that the cervical column happened.
During examination of the neck, the doctor feels the cervical vertebrae and the muscles, the lymph nodes;Evaluates the volume of movements, excludes or confirms roofer syndrome.
After that, a laboratory diagnosis is prescribed to exclude autoimmune diseases: general blood test, ESR, rheumatoid factor, HLA B27 antigen.
The main role in diagnosis is given to radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
- RntgenographicIt helps to assess the condition of bone structures, soft tissues and cartilage in the images are not displayed.To visualize these structures, the contrast medium is introduced: angiography, discography, myelography.
- Tomodensitometry (CT).This method also uses the principle of x -ray, but using computer processing, you can get a series of longitudinal and transverse sections images on which you can see the bone and cartilage.
- Magnetic resonance tomography (MRI).It is a "gold stallion" in the diagnosis of pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissues.MRI gives an idea not only on the structure of organs and tissues, but also their functioning.In the case of osteochondrosis with frequent complication, there is a hernia of the spine.MRI allows you to diagnose the hernia formation process in the early stages.
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical column is reduced to conservative methods.Initially, pain syndrome is deleted, then various procedures are prescribed.But in the most extreme cases, when the pain does not pass for more than three months and the drugs do not help, surgery becomes the only way out.
Non -surgical treatment methods
Osteochondrosis has struck the bone system for over a year, and therefore the treatment will take time.Patience must be won.Conservative treatment tasks:
- Eliminate pain.
- Remove inflammation.
- Restore the functions of vertebral roots.
- Strengthen the muscle corset and ligaments.
Conservative treatment includes medication and physiotherapy.Preparations help relieve pain during exacerbation and physiotherapy - to launch the body's self -care processes.
During intense pain with a radicular syndrome, the "blocking" of SO-appeal is carried out: the drug is administered in the immediate vicinity of the fiery spine of the vertebral nerve.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is based on natural physical factors and artificially recreated: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser and others.For their reconstruction, special devices, devices, manual methods are used.
- Laser therapy- Biological activation of the regeneration processes of intervertebral discs.The body begins to self-paste.
- Plasmotherapy (PRP therapy)- Plasma injections isolated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors, hormones.After injection, local immunity increases, the regeneration processes are launched.
- Acupuncture- Stimulation of nerve endings with special needles.Improves metabolism in affected areas, relieves pain.
- Shock waves therapy- Exposure to high frequency waves.Allows you to start the natural recovery processes.
- Kines Nichotherapy- Movement therapy.It can be active (exercise therapy) and passive (massage, traction).LFK strengthens back muscles, traction relieves tension and pain.It is selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
- Manual therapy and massage- Exposure to soft tissues and joints in order to restore balance in the body and synchronization of processes.Return mobility and eliminate pain.
- Registration- Paste special plaster on the skin in places where it is necessary to affect the receptors of stretching and compression of the muscles.It can both relax and increase the tone.
During the period of acute pain, the patient is recommended to wear bandages and special necklaces to the neck.
The positive effect of conservative treatment is obtained in 2 to 3 months.If there is no result, the patient is recommended.
Surgical methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis
Operation in the case of cervical osteochondosis is an extreme measure for which special indications are necessary.The operation is recommended if:
- Pain cannot be eliminated by therapeutic treatment for more than 3 months.
- There is a hernia of the intervertebral disc.
- Sensitivity in the member disappears
Postoperative rehabilitation also takes time and can include therapeutic treatment.
Cervical osteochondosis is a complex degenerative disease.You cannot treat it.Such serious violations in the musculoskeletal system can lead to a handicap.Pain in the neck can become chronic, osteochondrosis will propagate to several parts of the spine.Opposite prevention can prevent the development of this disease.
Prevention
To maintain the health of the cervical column, daily physical activity is necessary.The food of the intervertebral discs occurs in motion, so it is extremely necessary.It is important that the charges are optimal and regular.
If the work is linked to a constant observation in a static position, a periodic warm-up is necessary.And at home after a day of work, you can lie on your back on a flat surface for a while, putting a roll under the neck.This method will help restore the cervical elbow of the spine, will eliminate muscle tension.
In the prevention of cervical osteochondosis, the right pose during sleep is important.If a person in the morning increases in pain in their neck, the muscles did not have time to relax and recover.
Here, an orthopedic pillow, individually selected, for 3 to 5 years will help.
Do not postpone the treatment
A doctor will help you choose a recovery program.It will assess the state of the spine on MRI images, will signal the probability of absorption and the possibility of treatment.