Cervical osteochondrosis confidently occupies the first place in prevalence among diseases of the spine.There is hardly a person who has not heard of this disease, but few people know that osteochondrosis is not a disease, but a condition that includes a whole complex of diseases that occur when the spine tries to adapt to unfavorable conditions.And the treatment of cervical or other osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.
Definition of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs caused by a decrease in the water content they contain.
What we used to call osteochondrosis naturally results from a decrease in the water content in the intervertebral disc.
Mechanics of disease.Stages of osteochondrosis
In the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, the intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies.The intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus - special cartilage and water, and the annulus fibrosus, which is a denser cartilage.The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If the amount of fluid in the nucleus is insufficient, the disc cannot perform this function properly and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine occurs.
When describing the stages of cervical osteochondrosis or other types, it is customary to use the classification of neurosurgeon A.I.The base proposed in 1971.
Stage 1 osteochondrosis
Losing water, the intervertebral disc becomes less elastic and elastic, but is still forced to bear the same loads as before.As a result, the height of the disc decreases, the disc flattens and protrusions appear.
Stage 2 osteochondrosis
With continued pathological exposure, cracks may appear in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.Due to the decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, instability of the entire segment occurs.
Stage 3 osteochondrosis
A complete rupture of the fibrous ring occurs, through which the more liquid nucleus partially escapes (intervertebral disc herniation).
Most often, such changes lead to symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The thoracic region is less susceptible to the formation of hernias, where even with pathology of the intervertebral discs, part of the load is taken on by the sternum and ribs.
A bulging disc or herniated disc can affect the roots of spinal nerves, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and disruption of nerve fiber conduction.
Stage 4 osteochondrosis
Without encountering resistance from the damaged intervertebral disc, the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae come together.Intervertebral joint disorders occur (spondyloarthrosis), and the vertebrae may twist or move relative to each other (spondylolisthesis).
In this phase the body's compensatory forces come into play.To relieve the load from the damaged disc, the vertebra itself flattens, grows in width, increasing its area.Furthermore, the destroyed tissue of the fibrous ring can be partially replaced by bone.
In some cases, these processes can reduce pain, but often the growths on the vertebrae further narrow the spinal foramen and compress the nerve.
Symptoms of the disease.Degrees of osteochondrosis
The classification used by doctors does not include stages, but degrees of osteochondrosis.It most fully describes the symptoms of osteochondrosis and begins from the moment the patient feels pain.
1 degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It occurs when an intervertebral disc ruptures, caused by a sudden movement or excessive strain.It manifests itself as a sudden pain, a sensation of electric current passing through the spine and the muscles are reflexively tense.
2nd degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
The second stage of cervical osteochondrosis can manifest itself in the form of symptoms of intervertebral protrusion and spinal instability.Chronic pain that worsens with exercise.Intervals of remission and exacerbation alternate.The cervical spine is characterized by neck pain that worsens after a long stay in the same position, headache, arm pain, shoulder pain, periodic discomfort or numbness in the fingers.For the lumbar region: pain in the lower back, pain in the gluteal region, periodic pain in the sacrum, frequent fatigue in the legs.
3rd degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of symptoms of a herniated disc (pain along the affected nerve, numbness of the arms or legs, changes in gait, headache) or distant symptoms of a herniated intervertebral disc (in the cervical region: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, decreased vision, hearing, muscle strength in the arms; in the thoracic region: irregular heart rhythm, difficulty breathing; in the department of the regionlower back: kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, sexual dysfunction, numbness or weakness in the legs).
Grade 4 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It is generally accepted that the fourth degree of osteochondrosis begins from the moment the hernia no longer manifests itself, the manifestations of the disease may decrease, but the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis remain, as well as instability of the spine, slipping or twisting of the vertebrae or their complete fixation relative to each other.To them may be added manifestations of vertebral growths, which can also compress the spinal nerves, leading to atrophy, or block the spinal canal (secondary stenosis of the spinal canal) and compress the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).In addition, the fourth degree includes the consequences of surgical intervention if the hernia was removed in a timely manner (various types of innervation disorders, paresis, inflammation).
Prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which every person is at risk.Don't think it will bypass you.If you have not yet discovered the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is time to think about prevention.
- In people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs is often disrupted, which leads to dehydration, so move more.
- People who have bad habits are more likely to suffer from spinal diseases, and the reason for this is dehydration of the body - drink more water and, if possible, switch to a healthy lifestyle.
- Push-ups, pull-ups, dumbbells and fitness once a week are not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.To give your spine a beneficial load, you need to do special gymnastics for the spine.Daily.
- People who do not know how to properly hold their body in space often experience a curvature of the spine, which also has a detrimental effect on the intervertebral discs.– See how you stand in line or sit in a meeting…
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is as complex a process as osteochondrosis itself.Unfortunately, two basic principles do not apply to this problem: “it will go away on its own” and “it cannot be treated yet”.This disease will not disappear on its own and, in the absence of treatment, will turn the spine of its lucky owner into ruin.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis it is important not to miss the beginning of the disease, when everything is still solvable and you can get by with "little blood".About half of very young people are familiar with the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and by the age of 40 almost everyone already knows them firsthand.