Cervical osteochondrosis confidently takes the first place in terms of prevalence among spinal diseases.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 complex of all 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 damage of the intervertebral discs caused by a decrease in the amount of water in them.
Osteochondrosis, which we call naturally, occurs as a result of a decrease in the amount of water in the intervertebral disc.
Mechanics of disease.Stages of osteochondrosis
In the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, the intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies.The intervertebral disc consists of a nucleus pulposus - a special cartilage and water - and a fibrous annulus, which is denser cartilage.The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If there is not enough 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 or other types of osteochondrosis, it is customary to use the classification of the neurosurgeon A.I.The base was proposed in 1971.
Stage 1 osteochondrosis
Losing water, the intervertebral disc becomes less elastic and flexible, but still has to take the same loads as before.As a result, the height of the disc decreases, the disc flattens and protrusions appear.
Stage 2 osteochondrosis
With 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 more liquid nucleus partially flows (intervertebral disc herniation).
Often, such changes cause symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The thoracic region is the least susceptible to the formation of hernias, where even with the pathology of the intervertebral discs, part of the load is received by the sternum and ribs.
A bulging or herniated disc can affect the spinal nerve roots, causing pain, inflammation, swelling and impaired nerve fiber conduction.
Stage 4 osteochondrosis
Without resistance from the damaged intervertebral disc, the bodies of adjacent vertebrae move closer together.Disorders occur in the intervertebral joints (spondyloarthrosis) and the vertebrae can twist or move relative to each other (spondylolisthesis).
At this stage, the compensatory forces of the body come into play.In order to remove the load from the damaged disc, the vertebra straightens itself, increases in width and increases its area.In addition, the destroyed tissue of the fibrous ring 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 foramen and compresses the nerve.
Symptoms of the disease.Degrees of osteochondrosis
The classification that doctors are accustomed to use does not include stages of osteochondrosis, but degrees.It describes the symptoms of osteochondrosis more fully and starts from the moment the patient feels pain.
1 degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Occurs when an intervertebral disc ruptures due to sudden movement or excessive strain.This is manifested by a sudden pain, a feeling of electric current passing through the spine, the muscles tense up reflexively.
Grade 2 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 instability of the spine.Chronic pain that worsens with exercise.Remission and exacerbation intervals alternate.Cervical spine is characterized by neck pain, headache, arm pain, shoulder pain, periodic discomfort or numbness in the fingers, which worsens after staying in one position for a long time.For the lumbar region - pain in the lumbar region, pain in the gluteal region, periodic pain in the sacrum, frequent fatigue in the legs.
Grade 3 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
Cervical osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of symptoms of disc herniation (pain along the affected nerve, numbness in the arms or legs, changes in gait, headaches) or remote symptoms of intervertebral disc herniation (in the cervical region: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, muscle weakness in the auditory region, decreased vision).irregular heart rhythm, difficulty breathing in the lower back: kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract disorders, 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 when the tear does not manifest 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 still being completely fixed relative to each other, remain.They can be accompanied by manifestations of spinal cord growths, which can compress the spinal nerves and cause their atrophy, or can close the spinal canal (secondary stenosis of the spinal canal) and compress the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).In addition, the fourth degree includes the consequences of surgical intervention when the hernia is immediately removed (different types of innervation disorders, paresis, inflammation).
Prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that every person is at risk of.Don't think that he will bypass you.If you have not yet detected 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, which leads to thirst - so move more.
- People with bad habits suffer more 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, dumbbells and fitness once a week is not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.To give a useful load to the spine, it is necessary 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 has a harmful effect on the intervertebral discs.– See how you stand in line or sit in a meeting...
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a complex process, like osteochondrosis itself.Unfortunately, two basic principles do not apply to it: "It will go away on its own" and "It is still incurable."This disease will not go away on its own and without treatment it will devastate the happy owner's spine.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the onset of the disease, when everything is still fixed and you can pass with "little blood".About half of very young people are intimately familiar with the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and by the age of 40, almost everyone knows about them firsthand.