Cervical osteochondrosis safely occupies the first place in prevalence among diseases of the spine.There is hardly a person who has not heard about this disease, but few people know that osteochondrosis is not a disease, but a condition that includes a whole complex of diseases that arise 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 in them.
What we previously called osteochondrosis is naturally due to a decrease in the water content in the intervertebral disc.
Mechanics of the disease.Stages of osteochondrosis
In the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies.The intervertebral disc is made up of the nucleus pulposus, a special cartilage and water, and an annulus fibrosus, which is a denser cartilage.The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If there is an insufficient amount of fluid in the core, 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 the neurosurgeon A.I.The base proposed in 1971.
Osteochondrosis stage 1
By losing water, the intervertebral disc becomes less elastic and elastic, but is still forced to take on the same loads as before.As a result, the height of the disc decreases, the disc flattens and bulges appear.
Osteochondrosis stage 2
With continued pathological exposure, cracks may appear in the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc.Due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, instability of the entire segment occurs.
Osteochondrosis stage 3
A complete rupture of the annulus fibrosus occurs, through which the more liquid nucleus partially emerges (intervertebral disc herniation).
Most often, these changes provoke 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 or herniated disc can affect the roots of the spinal nerves, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and impaired conduction of nerve fibers.
Osteochondrosis stage 4
Without encountering resistance from the damaged intervertebral disc, the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae move closer together.Disorders occur in the intervertebral joints (spondyloarthrosis) and the vertebrae may twist or move relative to each other (spondylolisthesis).
At this stage the body's compensatory forces come into play.To relieve the load on the damaged disc, the vertebra itself flattens, grows in width and increases its area.Additionally, the destroyed tissue of the annulus fibrosus 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 diseaseDegrees of osteochondrosis
The classification that doctors are accustomed to using 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 sudden movement or excessive effort.It manifests itself as a sudden pain, a feeling that an electrical current passes through the spine and the muscles are reflexively tense.
Second degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
The second stage of cervical osteochondrosis can manifest itself as symptoms of intervertebral protrusion and instability of the spine.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 one position, headaches, 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.
Third degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself as symptoms of a herniated disc (pain along the affected nerve, numbness in the arms or legs, changes in gait, headaches) 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 heartbeat, difficulty breathing; in the lumbar region: kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, dysfunctionsexual activity, 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 when the hernia no longer manifests itself, the manifestations of the disease may decrease, but the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as instability of the spine, sliding or twisting of the vertebrae or their complete fixation to each other still remain.They can be joined by manifestations of vertebral growths, which can also compress the spinal nerves, causing their atrophy, or block the spinal canal (secondary spinal canal stenosis) and compress the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).In addition, the fourth degree includes the consequences of surgical intervention if the hernia is removed quickly (various types of innervation disorders, paresis, inflammation).
Prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which everyone is at risk.Don't think it will pass you by.If you have not yet discovered the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it's time to think about prevention.
- In people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs is often disturbed, leading to dehydration and therefore moving more.
- People who have bad habits are more likely to suffer from spinal diseases and the reason is dehydration of the body: drink more water and, if possible, switch to a healthy lifestyle.
- Doing push-ups, pull-ups, dumbbells, and working out once a week is not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.To give your spine a beneficial load, you need to perform special gymnastics for the spine.Daily.
- People who do not know how to properly keep their body in space often experience curvature of the spine, which also has a detrimental effect on the intervertebral discs.– Observe how you stand in line or sit in a meeting…
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a process as complex as osteochondrosis itself.Unfortunately, two basic principles do not apply: “it will go away on its own” and “it cannot be treated yet.”This disease will not go away on its own and, if left untreated, will ruin the spine of its lucky owner.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the beginning of the disease, when everything can still be solved 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.