Cervical osteochondrosis confidently occupies the first place in the occurrence of spinal diseases.There is hardly a person who has not heard of this disease, but few 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 types of osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.
Definition of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic change of the intervertebral discs caused by a decrease in the water content in them.
What we previously called osteochondrosis naturally results from a decrease in the water content of the intervertebral disc.
The mechanics of disease.Stages of osteochondrosis
Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.The intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus - special cartilage and water, and the annulus fibrosus, which is a denser cartilage.The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If there is not enough fluid in the nucleus, 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 or other types of osteochondrosis, the neurosurgeon A.I.classification is usually used.The proposed base in 1971.
Stage 1 osteochondrosis
With the loss of water, the intervertebral disc becomes less elastic and flexible, but it is still forced to take the same load as before.As a result, the height of the disc decreases, the disc flattens, and protrusions appear.
Stage 2 osteochondrosis
In the case of continuous pathological exposure, cracks may appear in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.Due to the decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, the instability of the entire segment occurs.
Stage 3 osteochondrosis
A complete rupture of the annulus fibrosus occurs, through which the more liquid core partially leaks out (herniated intervertebral disc).
Most often, such changes lead to symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The chest region is the least susceptible to the development of a hernia, where even in the case of pathology of the intervertebral discs, part of the load is taken by the sternum and ribs.
A bulging or herniated disc can affect the spinal nerve roots, causing pain, inflammation, swelling and nerve conduction disturbances.
Stage 4 osteochondrosis
Without the resistance of the damaged intervertebral disc, the bodies of adjacent vertebrae move closer together.Abnormalities occur in the intervertebral joints (spondyloarthrosis), the vertebrae can twist or move relative to each other (spondylolisthesis).
In this stage, the body's compensatory forces come into play.In order to relieve the load on the damaged disc, the vertebra itself is flattened, its width increases, increasing its area.In addition, the destroyed tissue of the annulus fibrosus can be partially replaced by bone.
In some cases, these processes can reduce pain, but often the growth of the vertebrae further narrows the spinal opening and compresses the nerve.
Symptoms of the disease.Degrees of osteochondrosis
The classification used by doctors does not include stages, but degrees of osteochondrosis.It describes the symptoms of osteochondrosis in more detail and begins from the moment the patient feels pain.
1st degree osteochondrosis in the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It occurs when an intervertebral disc ruptures due to sudden movement or overuse.It manifests itself in a sudden pain, a feeling of electric current flowing in the spine, the muscles tense reflexively.
2nd degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
The second stage of cervical osteochondrosis can manifest itself in the form of symptoms of intervertebral protrusion and spinal instability.Chronic pain that worsens with exercise.Periods of remission and exacerbation alternate.The cervical spine is characterized by neck pain that worsens after staying in one position, headache, arm pain, shoulder pain, periodic discomfort or numbness in the fingers.In the lumbar region - pain in the lower back, pain in the gluteal region, intermittent pain in the sacrum, frequent fatigue in the legs.
3rd degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of disc herniation (pain along the affected nerve, numbness of arms or legs, change in gait, headache) or distant symptoms of disc herniation (in the neck region: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, reduced vision, hearing, muscle strength in the heart muscle).rhythm, difficulty breathing in the lumbar region: kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, sexual dysfunction, 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 is no longer manifested, the manifestations of the disease may decrease, but the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as the instability of the spine, the slipping or twisting of the vertebrae, or their complete fixation relative to each other, still exist.They can be joined by vertebral growths, which can also compress spinal nerves, leading to atrophy, or they can 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 was removed immediately (various nerve disorders, paresis, inflammation).
Prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease in which all people are at risk.Don't think he's going around you.If you have not yet discovered the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is time to think about prevention.
- In people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs is often disturbed, which leads to dehydration - so move more.
- People with bad habits are more likely to suffer from spinal diseases, and the reason for this is dehydration of the body - drink more water and, if possible, switch to a healthy lifestyle.
- Push-ups, pull-ups, weights and fitness once a week is not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.In order to put a beneficial load on the spine, you need to do special gymnastics for the spine.Daily.
- People who do not know how to properly hold their body in space often experience curvature of the spine, which also has a detrimental effect on the intervertebral discs."Watch how you stand in line or sit in a meeting..."
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is as complex a process as osteochondrosis itself.Unfortunately, two basic principles do not apply to it: "It goes away on its own" and "It still cannot be treated."This disease does not go away on its own and, if left untreated, turns its lucky owner's spine into rubble.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the very beginning of the disease, when everything can still be improved and you can get by with "little blood".About half of very young people get to know the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis up close, and by the age of 40, almost everyone knows about them firsthand.