As we age, we are more likely to experience pain and fatigue in the neck area. These symptoms can hide a diagnosis of osteochondrosis. Why is it developing? What treatment methods are there? Is it possible to cope with the disease at home? We asked the doctors these questions.
Osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the spine. It is caused by natural aging processes, such as the appearance of gray hair.
In medicine, osteochondrosis refers to various diseases. In the English-language literature, the concept of osteochondrosis is rare and refers to bone damage in children and adolescents during growth due to impaired blood supply. In local literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is typical of the elderly and occurs in almost every person.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main reasons for the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- predisposition to disease,
- increase in static and dynamic loads,
- impaired metabolism,
- unhealthy diet
- hormonal disorders,
- poor posture,
- stress.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis include reflex, myoadaptive and compressive pain syndromes. Let's look at each of them in more detail:
Reflex syndrome
It occurs due to excessive stress on the nerve endings in the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses enter the deep and superficial muscles of the back, which leads to pain and a feeling of tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the neck, which intensifies with every movement of the head. It may not have a clear localization and may be felt in the arms or legs.
Myoadaptive syndrome
It occurs due to muscle overload and manifests itself in the form of muscle spasms. It develops with regular and intense physical activity, as well as in cases where healthy muscles take over the function of affected ones.
Pain in myoadaptive syndrome is localized in trigger points - compressions in the spasm area. Symptoms include nausea, headache and insomnia.
Compression syndrome
Due to osteochondrosis, the cartilage and bones of the spine are displaced, which leads to pressure on the nerve endings. Compression syndrome is characterized by the impact of a pathological structure on the spinal roots, spinal cord or any vessel.
Compression syndrome includes 3 vertebral artery syndromes:
- Radiculopathy - radicular syndrome;
- Myelopathy - spinal syndrome;
- Neurovascular syndrome.
INradicular syndromethe pain is pronounced and is accompanied by clear sensory disturbances in the area of the affected spinal nerve root. Neck pain often worsens at night. Disturbances in movement, such as muscle weakness and absence of one or more reflexes, may occur.
INspinal syndromethe spinal canal compresses the spinal cord - this happens when the vertebrae are dislocated or broken. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. Sensation in the arms and legs decreases and stiffness appears.
Vertebral artery syndromedevelops when its lumen is narrowed, especially if it is compressed by bony structures. This syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headache, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, hearing and vision impairment.
There is another syndrome of osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are often associated with heart disease - this iscardiac syndrome.
It occurs due to damage to the cervical and upper thoracic spine, is characterized by pain in the heart area, imitates or worsens existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, it does not have a clear connection with meals, physical or emotional stress. The pain appears or intensifies during movements, with forced inhalation, coughing, sneezing. Cardiac syndrome can affect blood pressure and heart rate.
The presence of symptoms of cardiac syndrome requires careful diagnosis of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
There are 4 stages of the disease:
- Phase 1- the instability of the vertebrae appears, their displacement and disruption of the cervical lordosis - the curvature of the spine, convexly facing forward.
Symptoms in stage 1 are mild. A person may notice that the neck starts to hurt more often and gets tired faster.
- Phases 2 and 3— the intervertebral space decreases and the vertebrae become compressed. In these stages, protrusions and intervertebral hernias appear, as well as growth of the front bones - osteophytes.
The second and third stages differ in the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by the rupture of the fibrous ring and the development of an intervertebral disc herniation.
- Phase 4- the appearance of posterior osteophytes that threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. The patient's coordination is impaired and frequent dizziness occurs. At this stage, irreversible consequences appear that lead to disability.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on X-ray diagnostics, MRI or CT studies. All the above syndromes, as well as many others, are complications of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
With the development of the reflex syndrome, accompanied by local pain and limited mobility,cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. The patient needs rest, lack of physical and static load for 3-5 days, then the load volume increases individually. During the acute period, pain should be reduced by taking local anesthetic gels and patches, as well as by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with B vitamins. Drugs that improve microcirculation in the affected segment of spinal movement are recommended.
After the pain syndrome has decreased and motor functions have normalized, restorative treatment methods can be used: exercise therapy, massage, manual and physical therapy.
Non-drug treatment methods may be more effective due to direct impact on specific affected muscles and work with them.
In case of numbness, tingling, impaired movements, dizziness, headache and other symptoms that go beyond the reflex syndrome, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment tactics.
Surgery
The decision to undergo surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that may be reasons for surgery:
- The spinal cord is compressed by a hernia, displaced vertebra, osteophytes or other pathological formations.
- The intense pain syndrome continues for a long time.
- Medicinal and physiotherapeutic treatment does not bring results for more than 3 months.
In case of hernial extension, decompression is performed by removing the hernia; in case of displacement of the vertebra - fixation with a metal structure; if we talk about osteophytic complications - bone growths are removed.
Most spinal surgeries performed are traumatic and do not guarantee improvement. Often, a deterioration of well-being and an increase in pain can occur in the adjacent segments of the movement of the spine, so spine surgery is the last resort when the disease is severe and there are no other treatment approaches.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain involves normalization of working and living conditions. It is important to avoid keeping the neck bent for long periods of time. You need to strengthen and stretch the neck muscles and increase its mobility through physical exercises.
AnotherAn effective way to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionrich in protein, healthy fats and foods rich in collagen. It is recommended to reduce the amount of "fast" carbohydrates consumed, as well as compensate for the lack of microelements and vitamins.
Adequate proper sleep, lack of stress and active physical activity are important: cardio, regular exercise therapy, Pilates, yoga, stretching.
The development of osteochondrosis is associated with the natural aging of our body - almost all people are susceptible to the disease. Prevention of osteochondrosis, as well as observation by specialists, will help the spine stay healthy longer.