Compression and destruction of intervertebral discs or cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code – 10 – M42) ranks second in the frequency of cases after damage to the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region.High daily workload or, conversely, low physical activity cause negative changes in the structures of the vertebrae.

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

Causes

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

• bad posture;
• disorders in metabolic processes due to poor nutrition;
• spinal column injury;
• wear of vertebral discs during the natural aging of structures in old age;
• genetic predisposition to orthopedic diseases;
• physical inactivity, long-term computer use, causing neck muscle strain;
• development of an infectious-inflammatory process due to hypothermia, exposure to drafts;
• defects in the development of vertebral structures in the cervical region.

Factors that cause damage to vertebrae, cartilage tissue and discs:

• obesity;
• too intense training;
• the head is thrown back for a long time or lowered to the chest during work;
• flat feet;
• improper body position when working in a sitting position;
• frequent microtraumas of the cervical spine due to too intense training.

First signs and symptoms

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

In the second to fourth stage of osteochondrosis, the negative manifestations in the area of the cervix 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 parietal, occipital, neck area, discomfort in the muscles of the back, 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 the pathology, a significant deterioration of the condition of the vertebrae and discs and a noticeable decrease in the height of the bone structure;
• muscle tonic.Painful sensations occur in the chest and heart area.Acute symptoms often occur in the muscles of the inner side of the arm;
• neurovascular.When the capillaries and vertebral artery are compressed, the patient complains of headache 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 impaired, the liquid gradually flows out, a decrease in elasticity is observed and the disc shrinks.When the head is moved, a weak crunching of the vertebrae is heard, pain and numbness in the neck region disturb 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: pushing out the core into the resulting cracks and fractures.The patient's condition worsens and performance decreases.The intensity of the headache increases, stiffness appears in the cervical spine, the face, neck and hands become numb;
• third.Disc protrusion, active compression of the structure, loss of elasticity leads to protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.Neurological disorders appear, the fibrous ring ruptures, the clinical picture is clearly expressed: reflex and radicular syndrome are worrying.Many patients complain of weakness in hands and fingers, reduced hearing and vision;
• fourth.In advanced cases, the discs are flattened, images show the growth of osteophytes, and compensatory phenomena develop that maintain the spine in its usual position.The pain syndrome weakens somewhat, but the stiffness of the cervical spine remains.

Diagnostics

The appearance of pain in the cervical region, frequent dizziness, reduced mobility and sensitivity of the fingers, the development of other signs of deformed spondylosis are reasons for visiting a vertebrologist, neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist.The doctor finds out the clinical picture, lifestyle, diet, history of spinal injuries, chronic diseases.It is important to understand the causes of osteochondrosis and to identify the factors that cause degenerative changes in the discs between the vertebrae.

Then the specialist prescribes an examination:

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

Effective treatments

In the first stages of the development of deforming spondylosis in the cervical region, 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 a long time, be sure to warm up every hour and do neck exercises every day.

As the pathology progresses, local drugs and gymnastics are not enough to eliminate the complex of negative symptoms.The degenerative-dystrophic nature of the changes affects the mobility of the cervical region, the pain syndrome intensifies, disc protrusions and hernias appear, doctors identify all kinds of radicular and reflex symptoms of deforming spondylosis.

Important!Only an integrated approach to therapy combined with quitting smoking, alcohol and changing diet can partially or completely correct the situation.It is important to eat properly, include foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, fresh vegetables, cheeses and drink enough fluids.In the absence of timely and competent therapy, there is a risk of disability for the patient.

Medicines

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

• fight against pain syndrome.Names that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are effective.The best option is NSAIDs in the form of tablets, injections, gels and ointments.Additionally, you can take analgesics as prescribed by your doctor;
• removal of swelling.Fluid retention in the tissues is eliminated with diuretics, dehydrating compounds and hormonal drugs.Take the drugs of this group strictly as prescribed by your doctor: strong diuretics can cause serious problems with the heart and blood pressure;
• chondroprotectors to restore cartilage quality.When the elastic tissue is damaged, the friction between adjacent vertebrae increases, the density of the layer decreases, and disc bulging and rupture of the fibrous ring due to compression of the vertebrae are possible.Doctors prescribe drugs with a combined effect.The formulations contain not only glucosamine and chondroitin, but also anti-inflammatory ingredients.Various multi-component products give a good effect;
• increased blood circulation in problematic vertebral structures.The doctor chooses drugs that thin the blood and compounds that dilate blood vessels;
• fight against muscle spasm.Against the background of weakened bone structures and dilapidated cartilage tissue, the muscles try to maintain the correct position of the spine;excessive overexertion causes severe pain.Muscle relaxants are prescribed for tissue relaxation;
• activation of metabolism, increase of local immunity.The patient takes vitamin-mineral complexes, dietary supplements with calcium, biostimulants and antioxidants.

Physiotherapy procedures

Increasing influence on problem areas, activating blood circulation, delivering drug components to the affected area, nutrition, reducing inflammation - this is not a complete list of beneficial properties of physiotherapy sessions.The doctor prescribes a series of procedures in addition to medication and therapeutic exercises.

Effective types of influence:

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

Therapeutic gymnastics

With osteochondrosis, it is important to maintain the 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 actions maintain the elasticity and flexibility of structures.

Therapeutic exercises for neck muscles:

• turn your head to the left, then to the right;
• tilting of the head with a gradual increase in amplitude, forward and backward;
• circular movements.In the beginning, the amplitude is minimal, gradually increasing the "circle", but without the appearance of pronounced crunching of the cervical vertebrae.

Perform all movements smoothly, jerks are prohibited.During exercise, you must not allow your vertebrae to crack 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 mandatory, daily application of the complex for people who have a "sedentary" job.

Manual therapy

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

Osteochondrosis becomes "younger" every year.In order to prevent damage to bones and elastic structures, it is necessary to pay attention to an important part of the spine every day, perform simple exercises, change the position of the body more often during the work process, do not smoke and eat properly.If characteristic signs of deforming spondylosis appear, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebrologist.