Cervical spondylosis is a disease that causes soft bone marrow to degenerate into ossified tissue.Pathogenesis also affects nerve roots and blood vessels.This pathology is difficult to diagnose because it disguises itself as different disorders.
Causes of cervical spondylosis
There are many causes for the development of cervical spondylosis, but many of them are associated with changes in cartilage tissue due to the accumulation of salts in the blood and lymph.With a proper diet and constant physical activity, salt is usually consumed and does not accumulate.Otherwise, cartilage tissue will become less mobile, lose flexibility, and the vertebrae will begin to shift, compressing arteries and nerve endings.
With cervical spondylosis, degenerative changes occur, during which bone spurs develop - bone growths in the cervical vertebrae, causing irritation and muscle tension, worsening the patient's condition.
In most cases, changes and disorders in the cervical spine occur due to a sedentary lifestyle.Cervical spondylosis is especially familiar to office workers who have to sit 8 hours a day and do not participate in any sports.
Previously, it was generally accepted that osteoarthritis was a disease that affected people of adult age, but today the disease has become much younger.Young people sometimes begin to feel the first symptoms of cervical spondylosis while still in school or college, which is associated with a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture.
People who do physical work at work also suffer from cervical spondylosis, because the back is exposed to heavy loads, which, combined with uncomfortable body positions and long-term back injuries, adversely affects the health of the neck, causing excessive stress in this area.Experts also give other reasons leading to the development of cervical spondylosis:
- overweight;
- hereditary;
- improper diet;
- disruption of metabolic processes;
- constant stress;
- hypothermia;
- flat feet;
- lifting heavy objects when back muscles are weak;
- spinal injury.
Degree of development of cervical osteonecrosis
Doctors determine the stage of development of cervical spondylosis based on the patient's symptoms and complaints.
First degree
With minimal clinical manifestations, patients may feel low-intensity pain in the neck that gradually increases when turning the head.During the examination, specialists sometimes detect muscle tension.
Second degree
Patients feel more intense pain in the neck area, which can spread to the arms and shoulders.The cause of pain may be worn discs and pinched nerves.The pain increases when turning and tilting the head.A person's performance declines, weakness appears and headaches begin.
Third degree
At this stage, the symptoms of cervical spondylosis intensify, the pain becomes constant and spreads to the upper limbs and shoulders.The arm becomes gradually weaker and numb due to the formation of a herniated disc.The patient suffered from dizziness and weakness. During medical examination, it was diagnosed that limited mobility in the cervical spine and pain when touching the neck were detected.
Fourth degree
The disc is completely destroyed and replaced by connective tissue.Dizziness becomes worse, noise occurs in the ears, and coordination of movements worsens.This is due to the participation in the process of the vertebral artery, which is responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients to the cerebellum and occipital lobe.
Symptoms of cervical spondylosis
- Symptoms of the development of cervical osteochondrosis differ from the manifestations of this disease in other parts of the spine.This is explained by the structural peculiarities of the human body: the vertebrae are located closer to each other and the height of the intervertebral discs is not very large, so symptoms occur even with minor pathologies.
Let's consider the main signs that can diagnose cervical spondylosis:
- Painful.They can be localized in many different places (in the neck, back of the head, shoulders or arms).Pain in the arm and shoulder occurs when the nerve roots that supply the upper extremities are compressed.Pain in the back of the head is related to spasms of the neck muscles attached to the occipital bone.
- Weakness in the limbs.Weakness appears in the arm due to damage to the roots containing the motor nerves that control the muscles of the arm.
- Reduced hand sensitivity This symptom appears when the roots with sensory nerves that control the skin of the hands are damaged.Sometimes, along with loss of sensation, numbness in the fingers or hand can occur due to cervical spondylosis.
- Restricts the mobility of the cervical spine and is brittle.They appear due to worn discs and the appearance of growths on the vertebrae, as well as when the small joints between the cervical vertebrae are affected.
- Dizziness, weakness and poor coordination of movements.These symptoms of cervical spondylosis occur when the vertebral artery passes through a special channel through the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae participating in the process.Fibrous tissue is formed, the vertebrae are displaced, blood flow in the arteries is interrupted - this leads to a decrease in blood supply to the back part of the brain and cerebellum.
- Impaired vision, hearing and tongue numbness.These are signs that the blood supply to the cerebellum and occipital region of the brain is seriously reduced, accompanied by degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.
How to treat cervical osteoarthritis?
Without timely treatment, cervical spondylosis is actively developing and eliminating negative pathologies will be much more difficult.This can only be done with the help of long-term complex treatment.Doctors prescribe different treatments to their patients:
- manual therapy;
- laser exposure;
- vacuum therapy;
- pharmacology;
- dry traction;
- electrical stimulation, etc.
Several treatment sessions provide pain relief, but the treatment process should not be interrupted.
If conservative treatment of cervical cartilage degeneration is unsuccessful, the patient may be referred for surgery.Treatment duration depends on the severity of the vertebral damage and the techniques used.Success also depends on the patient's age.
Conservative treatments include:
- physical therapy;
- therapeutic exercises;
- massage to treat osteoarthritis;
- Other methods (corsets, medicinal baths, herbal remedies for osteoarthritis, etc.)
Doctors use drug treatments during exacerbations to quickly relieve pain and reduce inflammation.You can stimulate metabolism and blood circulation in the body by intravenous and intramuscular injections.
Gymnastics therapy (physical therapy) is a set of special exercises for osteoarthritis, aimed at strengthening muscle tissue and correcting posture.Physical education makes the ligament-muscle system more flexible, normalizes the nutrition of intervertebral discs, contributes to the formation of a muscle coat and reduces the load on the vertebrae.
Physical therapy includes procedures using lasers, ultrasound, magnetic fields, and low-frequency electric currents.The use of these techniques speeds up patient recovery and increases the effectiveness of other procedures.Unlike drug treatment, physical therapy has no side effects.
To treat cervical spondylosis, a special neck corset is sometimes used, which also has an effective preventive effect.A procedure called acupressure, in which experts influence selected areas of the human body, has proven to be excellent.Spinal traction reduces pain in the neck and joints, helps restore anatomical shape and increases the distance between vertebrae.
Preventing cervical spondylosis
After a course of treatment for cervical spondylosis, you must follow your doctor's advice to prevent the development of the disease in the future.First of all, you need to monitor the position of the body so that the spine is not subjected to excessive tension.You can stretch your back muscles.
You cannot stand for long and turn and tilt your head.Do not lift the weight with outstretched arms, but sit down first, hold the weight in your hands and only then lift it up.When carrying heavy bags or other objects in your hands, change hands or distribute the load evenly.
Control your posture while working.Get used to regular exercise by changing your body position.You should sleep on a mattress of moderate firmness and have an orthopedic pillow.When getting out of bed, lean on your arms so you don't strain your back too much.
Before exercising, always drink a glass of water and wear comfortable shoes that support your feet.After sitting for a long time in an uncomfortable position with your body bent, stretched, or hanging from a bar.
Swimming helps strengthen the Corset muscles well, while firming and contrasting baths are also beneficial.Eat a varied diet and avoid fatty and salty foods.Better to rely on lean meat, cereals, dairy products and vegetables.