Atosteochondrosis of the cervical spine symptoms and treatmentThey will be different depending on the type of deformation in the cervical vertebrae obtained in connection with a long physical, inflammatory or mental effect on them.
The disease is often chronic, manifested by many clinical symptoms caused by squeezing the nerve roots and blood vessels that go out of the vertebrae. Their compression is due to wear or deformation of the intervertebral discs (reducing their height, loss of elasticity, deformation of the fibrous ring or its rupture). Cervical osteochondrosis is a common ailment that occurs at any age after 20 years.
The reason for the pathology is in destructive changes in the spine. First of all, changes in the intervertebral discs occur: their elasticity, strength and height decrease, their fibrous ring is deformed, protrusions (the initial stage of the intervertebral hernia), and hernias appear. All these changes provoke bone growths on the vertebrae (osteophytes), lead to displacement, and later - to the loss of mobility of the cervical vertebrae. Since the spine is a flexible protective "case" for the spinal cord, destructive changes in the intervertebral discs and the loss of the flexibility of the vertebral vertebrae are detrimental to the nervous and vascular structures of the spinal cord. They are subject to squeezing, displacement, which disrupts cerebral circulation and innervation of not only the cervical and shoulder zone, but also internal organs, the lower extremities.
The older the patient, the more the intervertebral discs were changed under the influence of age -related muscle weakening, long loads on the spine, injuries, slowing down physical activity, the formation of improper posture, stressful situations and increased tension in the neck, shoulder girdle, inflammatory diseases of the spine, etc.
Due to its anatomical structure, the cervical spine is more prone to pathology, since its vertebrae are most mobile and very tightly located in relation to each other. In addition, the cervical vertebrae have weak muscle protection. Most often, degenerative changes develop in intervertebral discs of the most mobile 5. 6, 7 cervical vertebrae.
What are the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Diversity and inconsistency of symptoms
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine symptoms and treatmentIt should be considered comprehensively and in conjunction with the type and severity of the degeneration of the intervertebral discs. Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are diverse and contradictory, since they depend on the localization and strength of the manifestation of the process of deformation of the intervertebral discs, the peculiarities of compression or squeezing of the nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as the location of the muscles and organs, with them innerVated blood.
Therefore, often the complaints of the patients are not directed to a neurologist, but to other specialists: a cardiologist, therapist, otolaryngologist, an optometrist, a rheumatologist, etc. For example, complaints of dizziness, pain in the shoulder joint or noise in his ears, darkening in the eyes, patients do not associate pathology in neck vertebrae. At the same time, a neuropathologist can make a diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis based on the results of an MRI of the brain and spine, ultrasound of the brain of the brain, ECG, etc.
Three sets of signs of impaired function of the nervous system
Experienced specialists know about thirty different options a combination of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. It will not be possible to describe all the signs of manifestations of this common disease, so let's dwell onthree complexesThe main symptoms characterizing a certain impaired functions of the central nervous system.
The first complex of basic symptoms applies to impaired functions of the peripheral section of the nervous system. This department is represented by nerves and other elements that are leaving the brain and spinal cord, and is divided into somatic and autonomic systems.
In short, the first complex of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is presented in the form of various localization of pain. This does not mean that the signs are only painful, often pains are combined with other impaired body functions. But mainly - these are constant or periodically occurring pain in the neck, the appearance of which the patient connects with hypothermia, prolonged stress or in an uncomfortable pose, lifting weights, a sharp turn of the head.
The pains are aching, shooting or similar to a shock. Their localization depends on the tension of certain muscles associated with specific roots of the nerves, which are squeezed by the vertebrae. Therefore, pain can spread in the neck, nape, shoulder, one or both hands, radiate to the chest - to the area of the heart, liver. In addition, there are complaints of crunch or crackle in the vertebrae of the cervical region when the head moves, as well as the stiffness of the rotational movements of the head.
In the acute onset of the disease, the pain and spasm of the neck muscles force the patient to be in a pose with his head inclined and turned aside. Burning pains may appear between the shoulder blades if cervical vegetative formations are compressed and their blood supply is disturbed. Such pains usually increase with physical and emotional stress.
Often there is swelling, pallor and cooling of the hands, their numbness, rapid heartbeat, pain in the heart, narrowing or expansion of the pupils, etc. Due to impaired shoulder innervation and spatular region, symptoms of a dystrophic change in the shoulder joint may occur. Patients complain of pain, the inability to raise and take the hand to the side, the stiffness of the shoulder joint.
The second complex of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occurs due to impaired function of the spinal cord, and is manifested by engine disorders.
Disorders of the functions of the spinal cord occur due to its compression as a result of the loss of a pulpoose nucleus from the disk or injury with solid discs and growths (osteophytes). Depending on the mechanism of exposure to the spinal cord, the following complex of motor disorders is noted: the rigidity of the occipital and cervical muscles, the weakness of the arms and legs, with an increased tone of the leg muscles and reduced tone and weight loss; loss of temperature and pain sensitivity; Strong fatigue of the legs, impaired coordination.
The third set of symptoms characterizes the blood supply disorders in the vessels of the brain and the pathology of the cranial nerves that occur due to deformations in the cervical vertebrae. Symptoms of vascular pathology are manifested.
Characteristic symptoms of vascular disorders:
- neurotic conditions (irritability, longing, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disorders);
- fainting; headache and dizziness; nausea and vomiting;
- noise and ringing in the ears, hearing loss;
- visual disorders (darkening in the eyes, fog, flickering points, visual impairment);
- Glorious mining syndrome (sore throat, a sense of a foreign object, dryness, difficulty swallowing).
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not unambiguous, and should be considered in the complex and depending on pathological processes in the spine.
Only a qualified specialist can deal with the clinical manifestations of this disease, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment of the causes of the detected disorders.
How to treat this ailment
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine symptoms and treatment depend on the condition of the patient, the severity of the disease, the nature of the damage to the cervical vertebrae.
In the acute period, hospitalization and drug treatment may be required. Usually use analgesics, novocaine muscle blockade, muscle relaxants that relieve muscle spasm; Chondroproprotectors for nutrition of cartilage fabric; Sedative drugs that soothe the nervous system, B vitamins, enhancing neuromuscular conductivity. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is always long, and it should be complex.
During periods of remission, when acute symptoms are absent, physiotherapy methods (electrophoresis, ultrasound, etc. ) are widely used, therapeutic physical education, massage, as well as non -traditional procedures, for example, acupuncture, are necessarily prescribed.
Many conservative methods of treatment of osteochondrosis are known, which can stop the progression of the disease. However, each patient needs an individual course of treatment taking into account the stage of the disease, the characteristics of the body, gender and age. The purpose of the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is:
- Elimination of pain and edema at the site of inflammation.
- Relaxation of the tense muscles of the neck.
- The release of clamped nerve roots.
- Increased blood circulation.
- Activation of metabolism.
- Improving the power of intervertebral discs.
The targeted complex treatment can prevent the occurrence of Protrus and intervertebral hernias.
In order for symptoms and treatment osteochondrosis and the treatment is not launched, and the severe complications of the disease must begin to begin timely treatment.