Cervical osteochondrosis in women

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (CS) is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Every year, doctors diagnose this disease more and more often, and its course worsens. According to statistics, in women, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the upper part of the spine occur more often, especially in postmenopausal patients. The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are pain, limited mobility and cerebrovascular insufficiency, which is dangerous not only for health, but also for life. To protect yourself from the dangerous consequences of pathology, you should start its treatment in the early stages. It is important to carry out complex therapy and lifestyle changes to stop the destruction of spinal segments and prevent serious complications.

Development of the disease

The cervical spine is most vulnerable to various injuries and degenerative changes. This is due to the fact that this segment is the most mobile and the muscles there are weak. The small cervical vertebrae bear heavy loads daily, which leads to the gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs. The vertebrae put pressure on each other, causing the cartilage pads between them to lose a lot of fluid and begin to break down and become deformed.

In addition, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to insufficient nutrition of cartilage tissue. And the spinal canal in this area is narrow, so it is often compressed, which causes neurological symptoms.

Pathology in women in the early stages is manifested by heaviness in the back of the head, tingling in the hands, etc. Patients often confuse the first signs of the disease with fatigue.

There are a large number of blood vessels and nerve roots located in the neck region; when compressed, neurological disorders may also occur. It's especially dangerous if a deformed disc or vertebra compresses the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to important parts of the brain. When compressed, coordination of movements is impaired, a woman may lose balance, her vision and hearing deteriorate, and the risk of stroke increases.

Reference.According to statistics, cervical osteochondrosis most often occurs in patients aged 25 to 40 years. This is due to a massive decrease in physical activity and sedentary work. Women are more often diagnosed with the disease than men because they have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• Step 1– the intervertebral disc loses part of its moisture, its height decreases and cracks may appear on the fibrous ring (external envelope). This is the stage of cervical chondrosis, which is difficult to identify, because it has unexpressed symptoms. The neck gets tired quickly, there is discomfort, heaviness in the damaged area, sometimes there is a slight pain that quickly passes.
• 2nd step– cracks on the disc surface increase, the nucleus pulposus (the gelatinous contents of the disc) shifts and may protrude through the damaged areas. This is how protrusions of the cartilaginous mucosa appear, which can compress the spinal cord and its roots. Severe pain, weakness, limited mobility appear periodically and numbness of the face, neck, shoulders and arms may occur.
• Step 3– the protuberance passes through the outer shell of the disc, thus forming a herniation. The pain becomes more pronounced and neurological disorders are present.
• Step 4– the disc is almost completely destroyed, the vertebrae rub against each other and bony growths (osteophytes) appear on their edges, intended to stabilize the damaged segment. Nerve endings, spinal cord and blood vessels are violated. Adjacent joints begin to become damaged. The clinical signs are pronounced.

It is easier to stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the first two stages of osteochondrosis of the spine. At stage 3, comprehensive treatment will help stop further destruction of the spinal segment. At the last stage, surgical intervention cannot be avoided.

Causes

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a complex and long process, which most often has several causes. In most cases, the pathology is caused by a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and metabolic disorders. Often, the disease occurs as a result of injury or the natural aging of the body and the weakening of its defenses.

Doctors identify the main causes of osteochondrosis of the spine in women:

• Violation of metabolic processes.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Chronic muscle tension around the cervical segment.
• Posture distortion.
• Deficiency of fluids and nutrients in the body.
• Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position (neck stretched forward and back hunched).
• Excessive weight.
• Frequent wearing of high-heeled shoes.
• BUY injuries.
• Lifting heavy objects.
• Autoimmune pathologies.
• Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.
• Hypothermia.
• Infectious diseases.
• Neck too long or too short, etc.

All these factors cause malnutrition of the intervertebral discs and lead to their degeneration.

Female cervical osteochondrosis can be caused by pathologies of the vertebral artery associated with genetic predisposition, intrauterine disorders and injuries during childbirth. The disease can occur due to rheumatism, endocrine disorders, excessive load on the cervical segment during pregnancy and local overload.

Important.The main cause of cervical osteochondrosis in women is menopause, as well as the changes associated with this period. At this stage, the concentration of progesterone in the body decreases, which is very important for bone tissue. The likelihood of degenerative changes is associated with age-related weakening of the neck muscles and weakening of spinal support in this area.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis is characterized by a wave course, when the acute period is replaced by remission. Exacerbation can be caused by infections, injuries, hypothermia and prolonged strain on the neck.

The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women are headaches, discomfort and heaviness in the neck. It is important to distinguish pain due to chondrosis from migraine or autonomic dysfunction in time.

Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis of the spine in women are caused by neurological syndromes:

• Cervical dyscalgia occurs when nerve endings are irritated by fragments of damaged cartilage. A specific cracking sound then appears in the neck, pain which increases when moving the head and after sleep.
• Scalenus syndrome is a consequence of damage to the vessels and nerves of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery. This symptom complex is accompanied by pain extending from the inner surface of the shoulder to the hand on the injured side. The limb becomes pale, cool, swollen and numbness appears. Neck pain extends to the back of the head when the patient turns their head.
• Humeral periarthrosis syndrome - dystrophic changes affect the tendon fibers surrounding the shoulder. Painful sensations from the neck radiate to the shoulder and shoulder girdle. There is a forced position of the neck - it is tilted towards the affected side and the shoulder is slightly lowered.
• Vertebral artery syndrome - a blood vessel is compressed by fragments of a damaged disc or osteophytes (depending on the stage of the disease). The patient feels dizzy and has headaches, nausea and sometimes vomiting. The pain is localized to the back of the head, crown and temples.
• Cardiac – nerve bundles in the spinal cord are damaged. Heart pain and arrhythmias occur. If C3 is damaged, pain appears in half of the neck, the tongue swells and the patient cannot chew food normally. If C4 is injured, discomfort appears in the shoulder girdle, collarbone and heart. When C5 is affected, the painful response from the neck spreads to the shoulder girdle, the inner surface of the shoulder. C6 irritation causes pain from the neck and shoulder blade to the shoulder girdle and spreads down the entire arm to the thumb. If C7 is damaged, the pain syndrome spreads to the back of the shoulder girdle, affecting the entire hand, including the index and middle fingers. When C8 is compressed, pain spreads from the affected area to the elbow and little finger.

In addition, a woman's emotional sphere may be disturbed, weakness may arise, she becomes anxious and touchy. Insomnia often occurs, memory and attention are weakened due to regular headaches.

Symptoms of a stroke occur when a woman suddenly throws her head back, tilts it, or does work that puts pressure on her arms and cervical spine, such as digging, painting a ceiling, orcarries heavy objects.

Poor cerebral circulation is manifested by dizziness, unsteady gait, spots before the eyes, tinnitus, weakness and nausea. In some patients, the voice becomes hoarse, sometimes disappears, and a sore throat appears.

Osteochondrosis during menopause is accompanied by migraines and increased body sweating in the area between the neck and the shoulder girdle. When the vertebral artery is compressed, the functioning of the cardiovascular system is disrupted.

If the disease lasts for a long time, circulatory failure occurs in important centers that perform neuroendocrine functions. Due to increased permeability of the vascular walls, atherosclerosis of the cerebral and cardiac arteries develops.

Establish the diagnosis

If you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis, consult a therapist. After a visual examination, the specialist will refer you to an orthopedist, a vertebrologist or a neurologist.

The following methods are used to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis:

• The x-ray shows that the patient's vertebrae are displaced, that there are osteophytes on their edges, that the distance between the vertebrae has decreased, etc. For this, the study is carried out in different plans. To detail the characteristic changes, the doctor takes targeted photographs.
• Computed tomography of the cervical spine provides detailed information about pathological changes in the vertebrae. This method allows you to obtain three-dimensional images for more detailed study, it is used in severe diagnostic cases.
• MRI is used to accurately assess the condition of soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles) in the affected area.
• Electromyography makes it possible to check the conductivity of the nerve fiber.

Doctors may also order an ultrasound (Doppler ultrasound of the major arteries in the brain) to determine the status of blood flow in that area.

Conservative treatment

In the early stages, treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine in women can be carried out at home. However, a doctor must establish a treatment regimen. It is important to understand that this is a long process and a full recovery is unlikely to be possible (especially for older women).

Complex treatment includes:

• To take pills.
• Use of orthopedic devices.
• Physiotherapy.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.
• Massage, manual influence.
• Alternative treatments.

Conservative methods will help relieve pain, inflammation, normalize muscle tone, improve metabolic processes, nutrition of damaged segments of the spine, etc. With timely therapy, it is possible to stop pathological changes.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out using drugs that will help improve the metabolism of the cartilaginous pads between the vertebrae, relieve inflammation and pain. The following drugs are used for this purpose:

• NSAIDs. They will help relieve inflammation and pain of mild or moderate intensity.
• Painkillers. Relieves pain.
• Medicines to improve cerebral circulation.
• Muscle relaxers help relieve muscle spasms.
• Chondroprotectors. They help stop disc destruction, improve metabolic processes and speed up recovery.
• Magnesium-based medications.
• Nootropics. They stimulate the functioning of the brain by normalizing its blood circulation and have a mild sedative effect.

Reference.For severe pain that is not relieved by oral medications, therapeutic blockades are used, for example with an anesthetic solution or NSAIDs.

Treatment can be supplemented with anti-inflammatories and pain relievers in the form of gels, creams and ointments. They will be effective in the remission phase or in combination with oral medications.

The decision on the choice of drug combinations is made by the doctor. The specialist will draw up a treatment regimen and also determine their dosage. It is important to follow its recommendations, because many of the drugs described above can lead to dangerous complications.

In the acute stage of osteochondrosis of the spine, a woman should refuse any strenuous physical activity. To relieve the cervical segment, you need to wear a special corset (Schants collar), which will fix the vertebrae in the correct position. This device is recommended for use during prolonged sedentary or intense physical work.

Physiotherapeutic procedures will help relieve pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area:

• Diadynamic therapy.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Electrophoresis with an anesthetic, glucocorticosteroid and proteolytic agent.
• Electroanalgesia.
• Ultraviolet irradiation, etc.

The therapeutic effect appears approximately after the third session, then headaches, hearing and vision disturbances, dizziness weaken or disappear, sleep normalizes and the general condition improves.

Using underwater traction of the cervical segment, you can increase the distance between the vertebrae, free a nerve or blood vessel from compression and restore the normal position of the vertebrae.

Massage will normalize muscle tone and reduce the flow of lymphatic fluid, which causes swelling. After several sessions, blood circulation in the damaged area improves.

Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the most effective methods for treating osteochondrosis of the spine. Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen weak neck muscles, which will then take over part of the load on the spine and help stop or slow down degenerative changes. During exercise, blood circulation improves, metabolic processes and nutrition of the discs are accelerated, which has a positive effect on their condition.

Women should exercise every day. They consist of simple but effective exercises. The complex consists of turns, head tilts in different directions, as well as neck movements, during which the arms are used. These elements can be carried out at home, but only after authorization from a doctor. Physiotherapy is carried out only at the stage of remission.

Complex treatment can be supplemented with reflexology (acupuncture), hirudotherapy (leeching treatment), swimming, etc.

Surgery

The operation is prescribed in the late stages of osteochondrosis of the spinal cord, which are accompanied by serious destruction of osteochondral structures. In addition, surgical intervention cannot be avoided if conservative methods are ineffective or the spinal canal has narrowed significantly.

In the above cases, anterior cervical discectomy is performed. During the procedure, the doctor immobilizes the damaged segment of the spine and removes the hernia that was compressing the spinal nerve. Next, the vertebrae between which the disc was removed are fused. If necessary, the space between the vertebrae is filled with a synthetic insert (cage).

After 3 to 5 days, the patient returns home. The rehabilitation period is approximately 12 weeks. To speed up recovery, you need to take medications, wear a corset, lead a healthy lifestyle, undergo physiotherapeutic procedures, and possibly undergo exercise therapy.

Lifestyle Recommendations

To quickly get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis and stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical segment, you need to adjust your lifestyle. To do this, the patient must follow these recommendations:

• Take walks every day, avoid running, jumping and other explosive activities.
• Do not carry heavy objects.
• You cannot sit for a long time, in extreme cases, wear a corset and periodically take a horizontal position.
• Perform special physical exercises for the back muscles at home.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow.
• Follow a diet, replenish your diet with foods rich in magnesium, calcium (nuts, dairy products, seafood, legumes), as well as plant fiber, chondroitin (jellied meat, jelly). Avoid fatty, fried, overly salty foods and alcohol. Your doctor will advise you in more detail on nutritional rules. But in any case, it must be correct.

Hypothermia should not be allowed, warming up will be beneficial in the absence of an inflammatory process.

Complications

In the absence of timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a woman may experience the following consequences of pathology:

• The likelihood of a protrusion, which after a while turns into a hernia. The bulge compresses the spinal cord along with its nerves, causing neurological disorders.
• Osteophytes appear when the disc is severely damaged and irritate spinal nerves and blood vessels.
• In advanced cases, severe weakening of the neck muscles or incomplete paralysis is possible, causing the head to involuntarily hang to the side or forward.
• Compression of the vertebral arteries, impaired circulation in the affected area. This condition can cause neuralgia (pain along the nerve), hearing and vision problems.
• Paralysis (incomplete or complete) of the hands.
• Stroke, etc.

If a woman addresses the problem in the early stages of osteochondrosis of the spinal cord, she will be able to prevent the conditions described above.

Preventive measures

Ideally, prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine should be carried out during the period of intrauterine development. The future mother should exclude factors that negatively affect the development of the fetus: infections, lack of oxygen, intoxication. In the event of birth trauma, the newborn must undergo treatment.

To reduce the risk of developing osteochondrosis of the spine, a woman should follow these recommendations:

• Load your spine evenly, for example, carry a load with both hands or alternately right then left.
• Don't lift too much weight on your own.
• Try to avoid neck injuries and hypothermia.
• When working in garden plots, take a break every 1. 5 hours and lie down to rest for 20 minutes.
• Choose shoes with elastic soles that will cushion impacts when running or jumping.
• When sitting for long periods, use a high-backed chair with a headrest or wear a corset.

It is also important to eat right, control weight, avoid stress, take vitamin supplements for medical reasons, and promptly treat pathologies that can cause osteochondrosis. During the remission phase, it is recommended to visit sanatoriums for treatment.

Most important

As you can see, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs more often in women than in men, because the former have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue. Patients in the postmenopausal period are particularly susceptible to the pathology. The disease manifests itself with pain, neurological disorders as well as dangerous symptoms of stroke. It is recommended to start treatment in the early stages to avoid dangerous complications of osteochondrosis. To do this, a woman needs to take medications, adjust her lifestyle, attend physiotherapeutic interventions, massage, do physiotherapy, etc. Surgical treatment is only indicated in advanced cases. To prevent pathology, you need to maintain moderate physical activity, promptly treat injuries and diseases that can cause osteochondrosis, etc.