Osteochondrosis of the cervix is a degenerative-dystrophic disease that affects the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. Degenerative changes usually develop in the most mobile parts of the spine, therefore, in the cervical region, due to violations in the structure of the vertebrae, the nerve roots at the level of C5, C6 and C7 most often suffer.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
One of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is a compressive, pressing headache, which often radiates to the temples.
Clinical manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis are divided into reflex and radicular.
Reflex symptoms
Patients are concerned about the so-called lumbago - a sharp sharp pain that appears in the back of the cervix, aggravated by movement. Perhaps the appearance of a crack when turning the head, sometimes patients assume a forced head position due to severe pain.
People suffering from cervical osteochondrosis often complain of pressing or squeezing headaches, which can radiate to the temples and lumps. Sometimes visual acuity can decrease, patients say everything floats before their eyes.
When the nerve plexus of the vertebral artery is irritated, vertebral artery syndrome can occur, which is often misdiagnosed as a cerebral circulation disorder in which the patient develops dizziness. They can occur with a sharp movement of the head, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
One of the reflex syndromes in the cervical osteochondrosis clinic is cardialgic, in which the patient has sensations resembling an attack of angina pectoris. Usually, this phenomenon is combined with other signs of the disease, so it rarely causes difficulties in the differential diagnosis with heart disease.
Radicular syndrome
Radicular syndromes come from spinal cord compression. The motor and sensory disorders that appear in this case depend on which nerve root is affected:
- C1 - violation of sensitivity in the occupational region;
- C2 - pain in the occipital and parietal regions;
- C3 - decreased sensitivity and pain in the half of the neck where the spinal nerve is damaged, possibly a violation of the sensitivity of the tongue, impaired speech due to loss of control over the tongue;
- C4 - impaired sensitivity and pain in the shoulder-scapular region, decreased head and neck muscle tone, possible respiratory distress, liver and heart pain;
- C5 - pain and impaired sensitivity on the outer surface of the shoulder;
- C6 - pain extending from the neck to the scapula, forearm, outer surface of the shoulder, radial surface of the forearm to the thumb;
- C7 - pain extending from the neck to the scapula, the back of the shoulder, forearm to the fingers II - IV of the hand, impaired sensitivity in this area.
- C8 - pain and sensory damage spread from neck to shoulder, forearm to little finger.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervix is a complex disease that requires long-term, systematic and gradual treatment. The therapy aims to eliminate pain and fight the inflammatory process in the affected area.
Patients are prescribed analgesics. Recently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which effectively eliminate pain syndrome and help reduce the activity of the inflammatory process, have become increasingly popular in the treatment of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the appointment of chondroprotectors is indicated - drugs that slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue. Many doctors believe that the use of these drugs also promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
The use of ointments and external gels containing irritants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is ineffective. The medicinal substance that is part of their composition is unlikely to reach the affected area due to obstruction of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle. However, it makes sense to use these external agents, as when they are rubbed into the skin, a neck massage is performed.
To improve regenerative and metabolic processes in the affected nerve root, patients are prescribed group B vitamins. Very often, doctors recommend to patients a combined vitamin preparation, which is administered intramuscularly.
Medication-free methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis include acupuncture, hirudotherapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, manual therapy.
In severe cases, surgical treatment may be necessary.
Prophylaxis
Daily gymnastics for the cervical spine is a good prevention of osteochondrosis.
Preventing the development of cervical osteochondrosis is not difficult. It is recommended to lead an active lifestyle, play sports or at least do exercises in the morning.
An important role in disease prevention plays the correct organization of the workplace and the way of work and rest. People with sedentary jobs should do a little warm-up several times during the work day and during work monitor the posture and position of the head.
It is also important to choose a good and comfortable sleeping mattress and pillow. People with spinal diseases are advised to use special orthopedic products.
Which doctor to contact
Patients with osteochondrosis of the spine are monitored by a neurologist. There are a large number of doctors of other specialties who help patients with this disease: physiotherapy exercises and massage specialists, osteopaths, manual and reflex therapists, physiotherapists and others.