Osteochondrosis of the neck - symptoms and treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (CS) is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Every year, doctors are diagnosing this disease more and more often, and it's getting harder and harder to progress. According to statistics, degenerative-dystrophic changes of the upper spine are more common in women, especially in patients in the postmenopausal period. The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are pain, restriction of movement, cerebral blood flow insufficiency, and this is dangerous not only for health, but also for life. To protect yourself from the dangerous consequences of the pathology, you need to start treatment at an early stage. It is important to conduct complex therapy, change lifestyle in order to stop the destruction of the segments of the spine and avoid serious complications.

Disease development

The cervical spine is most susceptible to various injuries and degenerative changes. This is because this segment is the most flexible and the muscles here are weak. Small cervical vertebrae withstand heavy loads every day, which leads to the gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs. The vertebrae press against each other, which is why the cartilage pads between them lose a lot of fluid, begin to break down and deform.

In addition, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to insufficient nutrition of the cartilage tissue. And the spinal canal in this area is narrow, so it often gets pinched, which leads to neurological symptoms.

The pathology in women in the early stages is manifested by heaviness in the back of the head, tingling in the hands and so on. Often times, patients mistake the first signs of the disease for overwork.

There are a large number of blood vessels and nerve roots in the neck area, and when they are compressed, neurological disorders can also occur. It is particularly dangerous when a deformed disc or vertebra compresses the vertebral artery that supplies important parts of the brain. When pressed, coordination of movements is disturbed, a woman may lose her balance, her eyesight and hearing deteriorate, and the risk of stroke increases.

Reference. According to statistics, cervical osteochondrosis is most often found in patients aged 25 to 40 years. This is due to a massive decrease in physical activity and sedentary work. Women are more often diagnosed with the disease than men because they have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis SHOP:

• Stage 1 - The intervertebral disc loses some moisture, its height decreases, and cracks can appear on the fiber ring (outer shell). This is the stage of cervical chondrosis, which is difficult to identify as it has unspoken symptoms. The neck quickly gets tired, there are discomforts, a feeling of heaviness in the damaged area, sometimes there is slight pain that quickly passes.
• Stage 2 - cracks on the surface of the intervertebral disc increase, the nucleus pulposus (gel-like content of the intervertebral disc) is displaced and can protrude through the damaged areas. This creates the protrusion of the cartilage lining, which can compress the spinal cord and its roots. Periodically, severe pain, weakness, restricted mobility, numbness in the face, neck, shoulders and arms can occur.
• Stage 3 - the protrusion breaks through the outer covering of the intervertebral disc so that a rupture forms. The pain increases, neurological disorders are present.
• Stage 4 - the intervertebral disc is almost completely destroyed, the vertebrae rub against each other, bone growths (osteophytes) appear on their edges, which are supposed to stabilize the damaged segment. Nerve endings, spinal cord and blood vessels are impaired. Adjacent joints are damaged. Clinical symptoms are pronounced.

The easiest way is to stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the first two stages of osteochondrosis of the SHOP. At stage 3, complex treatment will help stop further destruction of the spinal segment. At the last stage, you can not do without an operation.

The reasons

Osteochondrosis SHOP is a complex and lengthy process that usually has several causes. In most cases, the pathology occurs as a result of a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, metabolic disorders. Often the disease occurs due to injury or due to the natural aging of the body and the weakening of its defenses.

Doctors identify the main causes of osteochondrosis SHOP in women:

• Disruption of metabolic processes.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Chronic muscle tension around the neck segment.
• Posture curvature.
• Lack of fluids and nutrients in the body.
• Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position (neck stretched forward and bent backward).
• Obesity.
• Frequent wearing of high-heeled shoes.
• SHOP injuries.
• Lifting heavy objects.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.
• Hypothermia.
• Infectious diseases.
• Neck too long or too short etc.

All these factors provoke malnutrition of the intervertebral discs and lead to their degeneration.

Female cervical osteochondrosis can be caused by pathologies of the vertebral artery associated with a genetic predisposition, intrauterine disorders, trauma during childbirth. The disease can appear as a result of rheumatism, endocrine disorders, excessive load on the neck segment during pregnancy, local overload.

Important. The main cause of cervical osteochondrosis in women is menopause and the changes that go with it. At this stage, the concentration of progesterone, which is very important for bone tissue, decreases in the body. The likelihood of degenerative changes is associated with age-related weakening of the neck muscles and weakening of the support of the vertebrae in this area.

Symptoms

A wavy course is characteristic of osteochondrosis when the acute period is replaced by remission. Exacerbation can cause infection, injury, hypothermia, and prolonged strain on the neck.

The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women are headaches, discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the neck. It is important to timely distinguish the pain of chondrosis from migraines or autonomic dysfunction.

Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis SHOP in women are caused by neurological syndromes:

• Cervical dyscalgia occurs when nerve endings are irritated by fragments of damaged cartilage lining. Then there is a specific crunch in the neck, pain that increases when moving the head and after sleeping.
• Scalenus syndrome becomes a result of damage to the vessels and nerves of the brachial plexus and the subclavian artery. This complex of symptoms is accompanied by pain from the inside of the shoulder to the hand from the injured side. The limb becomes pale, cool, edematous, numbness appears. Neck pain extends to the back of the head when the patient turns her head.
• Shoulder Scapular Periarthrosis Syndrome - dystrophic changes affect the tendon fibers that surround the shoulder. Painful sensations from the neck radiate to the shoulder and shoulder girdle. There is a forced position of the neck - it is inclined to the affected side and the shoulder is slightly lowered.
• Vertebral artery syndrome - a blood vessel is compressed by fragments of a damaged disc or osteophytes (depending on the stage of the disease). The patient is dizzy and has headache, nausea, sometimes vomiting. The pain is localized in the back of the head, in the crown and in the temples.
• Heart - the nerve bundles in the spinal cord are damaged. There is heartache, arrhythmia. When C3 is damaged, pain occurs in half of the throat, the tongue swells, the patient cannot chew normally. When C4 is violated, discomfort occurs in the shoulder girdle, collarbone and heart area. With the defeat of C5, the pain reaction extends from the neck to the shoulder girdle, the inner surface of the shoulder. C6 irritation manifests itself as pain from the neck and shoulder blade to the shoulder girdle and spreads over the arm to the thumb. When C7 is damaged, the pain syndrome spreads to the back of the shoulder girdle and involves the entire hand, including the index and middle fingers. When C8 is pressed, the pain spreads from the affected area to the elbow and little finger.

A woman's emotional sphere can also be disturbed, weakness develops, she becomes fearful and sensitive. Insomnia is common, and memory and attention are weakened from regular headaches.

Symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident occur when a woman suddenly throws her head back, tilts her head, or does work that places strain on her arms and cervical spine, such as digging, painting the blanket, and carrying weights.

A violation of the cerebral blood flow manifests itself in dizziness, unsteady gait, "flies" in front of the eyes, tinnitus, weakness, nausea. In some patients, the voice becomes hoarse, sometimes disappears, a sore throat appears.

Menopausal osteochondrosis is accompanied by migraines, increased body sweating in the area between the neck and shoulder girdle. When the vertebral artery is compressed, the work of the cardiovascular system is disturbed.

If the disease persists for a long time, there is a circulatory failure of important centers performing neuroendocrine functions. Due to the increased permeability of the vessel walls, arteriosclerosis of the cerebral and cardiac arteries develops.

to make a diagnosis

If you experience symptoms of osteochondrosis, see a therapist. After a visual examination, a specialist will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon, vertebrologist or neurologist.

To diagnose cervical osteochondrosis, the following methods are used:

• By x-ray, you can tell that the patient has displaced vertebrae, there are osteophytes around their edges, and the distance between the vertebrae has decreased. For this purpose, the study is carried out on different levels. In order to show the characteristic changes in detail, the doctor takes visual images.
• The CT of the cervical spine provides detailed information about pathological changes in the vertebrae. This method allows you to get volumetric images for a more detailed study, it is used in severe diagnostic cases.
• MRI is used to accurately assess the condition of the soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles) in the affected area.
• You can use electromyography to check the conduction of a nerve fiber.

Doctors may also prescribe Doppler ultrasound (Doppler ultrasound of the large arteries of the brain) to determine blood flow in this area.

Conservative treatment

In the early stages, the SHOP's osteochondrosis treatment for women can be carried out at home. However, the doctor should create a therapy regimen. It is important to understand that this is a long process and is unlikely to be completely cured (especially in older women).

The complex treatment includes:

• Taking medication.
• Use of orthopedic devices.
• Physical therapy.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.
• Massage, manual action.
• Alternative treatments.

Conservative techniques will help stop pain and inflammation, normalize muscle tone, improve metabolic processes and improve nutrition for damaged segments of the spine. With timely therapy, it is possible to stop pathological changes.

Cervical osteochondrosis drugs help get rid of inflammation and pain.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out with drugs that help improve the metabolism of the cartilage lining between the vertebrae, stop inflammation and pain. For this purpose, the following drugs are used:

• NSAIDs. May relieve mild to moderate inflammation and pain.
• Analgesics. Pain is relieved.
• Preparations for improving cerebral blood flow.
• Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasms.
• Chondroprotectors. They help stop the destruction of the intervertebral disc, improve metabolic processes and accelerate recovery.
• Magnesium-based drugs.
• Nootropics. They stimulate the work of the brain by normalizing its blood flow, have a mild calming effect.

Reference. For severe pain that is not relieved by oral medication, therapeutic blockades are used, for example with a solution of novocaine or NSAIDs.

Treatment can be supplemented with anti-inflammatory and pain relievers in the form of gels, creams and ointments. They will be effective at the stage of remission or in combination with oral agents.

The decision on the choice of the active ingredient combination is made by the doctor. The specialist draws up a scheme for taking drugs, and also determines their dosage. It is important to follow his recommendations as many of the above drugs pose dangerous complications.

During the acute stage of osteochondrosis of the SHOP, a woman has to give up heavy physical activity. To relieve the neck segment, you need to wear a special corset (shants collar) that fixes the vertebrae in the correct position. This device is recommended for use during prolonged sedentary or heavy physical work.

Physiotherapy procedures will help relieve pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area:

• Diadynamic therapy.
• Magnetic Therapy.
• Electrophoresis.
• Electroanalgesia.
• Ultraviolet radiation and so on.

The therapeutic effect becomes apparent after about the third session, then headaches, hearing disorders, visual disturbances, dizziness, sleep normal or disappears and the general condition improves.

With the help of underwater traction of the neck segment, it is possible to widen the distance between the vertebrae, relieve a nerve or blood vessel from compression, and restore the vertebrae to their normal position.

The massage normalizes muscle tone and reduces the flow of lymph fluid, which leads to swelling. After several sessions, blood circulation in the damaged area improves.

Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the SHOP's most effective methods of treating osteochondrosis. Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the weak neck muscles, which then take some of the load off the spine and stop or slow down degenerative-dystrophic changes. During the class, blood circulation improves, metabolic processes, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs are accelerated, which has a positive effect on their condition.

Women should exercise every day. They consist of simple but effective exercises. The complex consists of rotations, tilting the head in different directions, as well as neck movements, in which the hands are used. These items can be done at home, but only with the doctor's permission. Physiotherapeutic exercises are carried out only at the stage of remission.

The complex treatment can be supplemented by reflexology (acupuncture), hirudotherapy (leech therapy), swimming, etc.

surgery

The operation is prescribed in the last stages of osteochondrosis of the SHOP, which is accompanied by a serious destruction of the osteochondral structures. Surgical intervention is also essential if conservative techniques are ineffective or the spinal canal is severely narrowed.

In the cases described above, an anterior cervical discectomy is performed. During the procedure, the doctor immobilizes the damaged segment of the spine and removes the hernia that compressed the spinal nerve. Then the vertebrae between which the disc was removed are fused. If necessary, the intervertebral space is filled with a plastic insert (cage).

After 3-5 days, the patient is discharged home. The rehabilitation period is about 12 weeks. To speed recovery, you need to take medication, wear a corset, lead a healthy lifestyle, go to physiotherapy procedures, and finally exercise therapy.

Lifestyle recommendations

In order to quickly get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis and stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical segment, you need to adjust your lifestyle. To do this, the patient must follow these recommendations:

• Walk daily, avoid running, jumping, and other explosive activities.
• Heavy objects must not be carried.
• You can not sit for a long time, in extreme cases wear a corset and regularly take a horizontal position.
• Do specific physical exercises for the back muscles at home.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow.
• Follow a diet, supplement the diet with foods rich in magnesium, calcium (nuts, dairy products, seafood, legumes), as well as vegetable fiber, chondroitin (jelly, jelly). Refuse fatty, fried, too salty foods, alcohol. The doctor will advise you on the nutritional rules in more detail. But it has to be right in any case.

Hypothermia should not be allowed, warming up is beneficial in the absence of an inflammatory process.

Complications

Without timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a woman can have the following pathological consequences:

• The likelihood of protrusion, which will turn into a hernia over time. The bulge compresses the spinal cord and its nerves, causing neurological damage.
• Osteophytes appear when the intervertebral disc is badly damaged, they irritate the spinal nerves and blood vessels.
• In advanced cases, a strong weakening of the neck muscles or incomplete paralysis is possible, in which case the head involuntarily hangs to the side or forwards.
• Compression of the vertebral arteries, circulatory disorders in the affected area. This condition can cause neuralgia (pain along the nerve path), hearing and vision problems.
• Paralysis (incomplete or complete) of the hands.
• Stroke.

If a woman deals with the problem in the early stages of osteochondrosis SHOP, she can prevent the above conditions.

Precautions

Ideally, it is necessary to prevent osteochondrosis of the SHOP even during intrauterine development. The expectant mother should exclude factors that negatively affect the development of the fetus: infections, lack of oxygen, poisoning. If a birth injury has occurred, the newborn should be treated.

To reduce the likelihood of osteochondrosis SHOP, a woman should follow these recommendations:

• Load the spine evenly, for example carrying the load with both hands or alternating right and then left.
• Don't lift too much weight yourself.
• Try to avoid neck injuries and hypothermia.
• When working in garden lots, take a break every 1. 5 hours and rest for 20 minutes.
• Choose shoes with cushioned soles that cushion shocks while running or jumping.
• If you sit for long periods of time, use a high-backed chair with a headrest or wear a corset.

It is also important to eat right, control weight, avoid stress, take vitamin supplements for medical reasons, and treat pathologies that, over time, can cause osteochondrosis. At the stage of remission, it is recommended to go to sanatoriums to undergo treatment.

The most important

As you can see, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is more common in women than in men because the former have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue. The patient's pathology is particularly vulnerable in the postmenopausal period. The disease manifests itself in pain, neurological disorders, and dangerous symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident. It is recommended to start treatment at an early stage to avoid dangerous complications of osteochondrosis. To do this, a woman needs to take medication, adjust her lifestyle, participate in physical therapy procedures, perform massages, and perform physical therapy. Surgical treatment is only indicated in advanced cases. To prevent pathology, you need to observe moderate physical activity, timely treat injuries and diseases that can provoke osteochondrosis.