Compression and destruction of intervertebral discs or cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (ICD code – 10 – M42) ranks second in terms of frequency after damage to the intervertebral discs of the lumbar area.A high daily load or, conversely, low physical activity cause negative changes in the vertebral structures.

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

Causes

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

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

Factors that cause damage to the vertebrae, cartilaginous 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;
• incorrect body position when working in a sitting position;
• frequent microtraumas of the cervical spine due to excessively intense training.

First signs and symptoms

In the initial stage of the disease, the patient rarely associates frequent headaches, shoulder discomfort, numbness in the neck during prolonged stay in a stationary position with damage to the vertebral structures.Very often there is no effective treatment and the pathology progresses.

In the second to fourth stages of osteochondrosis, negative manifestations in the cervical area are more pronounced.In advanced cases, negative signs spread to other parts of the body: hearing aid, eyes, upper extremities.

Doctors identify several types of characteristic symptoms:

• radicular.Pain syndrome in the parietal, occipital, neck area, discomfort in the back muscles, shoulder girdle.An important point is the loss of reflexes of the shoulder muscles.Radicular syndrome is most often observed in the third or fourth stage of pathology, 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 phases:

• Before.Under the influence of negative factors, small cracks appear in the intervertebral discs, the integrity of the nucleus pulposus is disrupted, the liquid gradually leaks out, a decrease in elasticity is observed and the disc shrinks.A slight creaking of the vertebrae is heard when the head is moved, pain and numbness in the cervical area are disturbing 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 fibrous ring appear.The result of negative processes: squeezing the core into 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 fibrous ring occurs, the clinical picture is clearly expressed: reflex and radicular syndrome is worrying.Many patients complain of weakness in the hands, fingers, decreased hearing acuity and vision;
• fourth.In advanced cases, the discs are flattened, the images show the growth of osteophytes, and compensatory phenomena develop to keep the spine in its usual position.The pain syndrome weakens slightly, but the stiffness of the cervical spine remains.

Diagnostics

The appearance of pain in the cervical area, frequent dizziness, decreased mobility and sensitivity of the fingers, the development of other signs of spondylosis deformans is a reason to visit 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 identify factors that cause degenerative changes in the discs between the vertebrae.

Next, the specialist prescribes an examination:

• tomography: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging;
• Dopplerography of blood vessels is performed in advanced stages, the presence of pronounced neurological disorders, frequent fainting, numbness of the shoulder, 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 early stages of the development of spondylosis deformans in the cervical area, special gymnastics and external agents with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are sufficient.The patient must monitor his posture.You should not stay in the same position for a long time, be sure to warm up every hour and do neck exercises every day.

As the pathology progresses, local remedies 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 area, the pain syndrome intensifies, disc protrusions and herniations appear, doctors identify all kinds of radicular and reflex symptoms of spondylosis deformans.

Important!Only an integrated approach to therapy in combination with cessation of smoking, alcohol and changing diet can partially or completely correct the situation.It is important to eat well, 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 patient disability.

Medicines

The doctor selects drugs to eliminate negative manifestations of various 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.Fluid retention in the tissues is eliminated by diuretics, dehydrating compounds and hormonal drugs.Take drugs from this group strictly as prescribed by your doctor: powerful diuretics can cause serious problems with the heart and blood pressure;
• chondroprotectors to restore the quality of cartilage.When the elastic tissue is damaged, friction between adjacent vertebrae increases, the density of the layer decreases, swelling of the disc and rupture of the fibrous ring due to compression of the vertebrae is possible.Doctors prescribe drugs with a combined effect.The formulations contain not only glucosamine and chondroitin, but also anti-inflammatory ingredients.Various multicomponent products give a good effect;
• increased blood circulation in problematic vertebral structures.The doctor selects drugs that thin the blood and compounds that dilate the blood vessels;
• fight against muscle spasm.Against the background of weakened bone structures and crumbling cartilaginous tissue, the muscles try to maintain the correct position of the spine;excessive effort 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 with calcium, biostimulants and antioxidants.

Physiotherapy procedures

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

Effective types of flu:

• 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 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, back and forth;
• circular movements.At first, the amplitude is minimal, gradually increasing the “circle”, but without the appearance of a pronounced creak of the cervical vertebrae.

Perform all movements smoothly, jerking is prohibited.During the exercise, you should not allow the vertebrae to creak too much or cause sharp 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 to prevent osteochondrosis.The frequency of lessons is two to three times a day, the duration of gymnastics does not exceed five or seven minutes.Doctors recommend mandatory daily implementation of the complex for people who perform “sedentary” work.

Manual therapy

Doctors are cautious about realigning the cervical vertebrae.Most experts do not recommend manual therapy for osteochondrosis of this area.The smallest deviations during the procedure, most sudden movements, incorrect application of the technique - and the session can end in paralysis or fracture of the cervical vertebrae with serious consequences, including death.

Osteochondrosis becomes “younger” every year.To prevent damage to bone and elastic structures, it is necessary to pay daily attention to an important part of the spine, perform simple exercises, change the position of the body more often during the work process, not smoke and eat well.If characteristic signs of spondylosis deformans appear, it is necessary to contact an orthopedic traumatologist or vertebrologist.