Compression and destruction of intervertebral discs or cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code – 10 – M42) occupies the second place in terms of frequency of cases after lesions of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region.High daily load or, conversely, low physical activity cause negative changes in spinal structures.

What signs are characteristic 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 spinal structures of the cervical spine is a consequence of the action of negative factors and pathological processes:

• poor posture;
• disruptions in metabolic processes due to poor nutrition;
• spinal injury;
• wear and tear of spinal discs during the natural aging of structures during old age;
• genetic predisposition to orthopedic diseases;
• physical inactivity, prolonged computer use, causing tension in the neck muscles;
• development of an infectious-inflammatory process due to hypothermia, exposure to drafts;
• defects in the development of spinal structures in the cervical region.

Factors causing damage to vertebrae, cartilage tissue and discs:

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

First signs and symptoms

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

In the second and fourth stages of osteochondrosis, negative manifestations in the cervical region 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 region, discomfort in the back muscles, 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 pathology, with a significant deterioration in the condition of the vertebrae and discs and a noticeable decrease in the height of the bone structure;
• muscle tonic.Painful sensations appear in the chest and heart area.Acute symptoms often occur in the inner arm muscles;
• neurovascular.When the capillaries and the vertebral artery are compressed, the patient complains of headaches and dizziness.

Development stages:

• First of all.Under the influence of negative factors, small cracks appear in the intervertebral discs, the integrity of the nucleus pulposus is disrupted, fluid gradually flows out, a decrease in elasticity is observed, and the disc shrinks.A slight crunch of the vertebrae is heard when moving the head, pain and numbness in the cervical region are worrying when the body is in one position;
• second.The pathology progresses, a violation of the integrity, ruptures and a decrease in the density and thickness of the annulus fibrosus appear.The result of negative processes: crushing the core in the resulting cracks and breaks.The patient's condition worsens and performance decreases.The strength of the headache increases, stiffness appears in the cervical spine, the face, neck and arms become numb;
• third.Bulging of the disc, active compression of the structure, loss of elasticity lead to protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc.Neurological disorders appear, a rupture of the annulus fibrosus occurs, the clinical picture is clearly expressed: reflex and radicular syndromes are disturbing.Many patients complain of weakness in the hands, fingers, decreased hearing acuity and vision;
• fourth.In advanced cases, the discs flatten, images show the growth of osteophytes, and compensatory phenomena develop to maintain the spine in its usual position.The pain syndrome weakens somewhat, but stiffness in the cervical spine persists.

Diagnosis

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

Then the specialist prescribes an examination:

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

Effective treatments

In the early stages of the development of deforming osteoarthritis 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 daily.

As the pathology progresses, local remedies and gymnastics are not enough to eliminate all negative symptoms.The degenerative-dystrophic nature of the changes affects the mobility of the cervical region, the pain syndrome intensifies, protrusions and herniated discs appear, doctors identify all types of radicular and reflex symptoms of spondylosis deformans.

Important!Only an integrated therapeutic approach associated with stopping smoking, alcohol and changing your diet can partially or completely correct the situation.It is important to eat well, consume 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 patient disability.

Drugs

The doctor selects medications to eliminate negative manifestations of different types:

• fight against pain syndrome.Names with 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 pain relievers as prescribed by your doctor;
• elimination of swelling.Water retention in tissues is eliminated by diuretics, dehydrating compounds and hormonal drugs.Take medications in this group strictly as prescribed by your doctor: strong diuretics can cause serious heart and blood pressure problems;
• chondroprotectors to restore the quality of cartilage.When the elastic tissue is damaged, friction between adjacent vertebrae increases, the density of the layer decreases and possible disc bulge and rupture of the annulus fibrosus due to compression of the vertebrae.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 to problem spinal structures.The doctor selects drugs that thin the blood and compounds that dilate blood vessels;
• fight against muscle spasms.Against the background of weakened bone structures and dilapidated cartilaginous tissues, the muscles try to maintain the correct position of the spine;excessive overwork causes pronounced pain.To relax the tissues, muscle relaxants are prescribed;
• activation of metabolism, increase in local immunity.The patient takes vitamin and mineral complexes, dietary supplements containing calcium, biostimulants and antioxidants.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Increasing the impact on problem areas, activating blood circulation, delivering medicinal components to the affected area, nourishing, reducing inflammation - this is not a complete list of beneficial properties of physiotherapy sessions.The doctor prescribes a set of procedures in addition to taking medications and therapeutic exercises.

Effective types of influence:

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

Therapeutic gymnastics

With osteochondrosis, it is important to maintain the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and strengthen the muscles and ligaments.After examination and clarification of 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 the neck muscles:

• turn your head to the left, then to the right;
• tilt the head with a gradual increase in amplitude, forwards and backwards;
• circular movements.At first, the amplitude is minimal, gradually increasing the “circle”, but without the appearance of a pronounced crunch of the cervical vertebrae.

Perform all movements smoothly, jerks are prohibited.During exercise, you should not let your vertebrae crack too much or cause sharp pain.The amplitude should be increased gradually, otherwise injuries to the cervical spine are possible.Simple but effective exercises should be performed not only during treatment, but also to prevent osteochondrosis.The frequency of classes is two to three times a day, the duration of gymnastics does not exceed five to seven minutes.Doctors recommend mandatory daily implementation of the complex for people with “sedentary” work.

Manual therapy

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

Osteochondrosis becomes “younger” every year.To avoid damage to bone and elastic structures, you need to pay attention to an important part of the spine daily, perform simple exercises, change your body position more often during the work process, not smoke and eat right.If characteristic signs of deforming osteoarthritis appear, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebrologist.