Cervical osteochondrosis confidently ranks first in prevalence among diseases of the spine.There are hardly anyone 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 lesion of the intervertebral discs caused by a decrease in the water content in them.
What we used to call osteochondrosis naturally results from a decrease in water content in the intervertebral disc.
Disease mechanics.Stages of osteochondrosis
In the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies.The intervertebral disc consists of the nucleus pulposus - special cartilage and water, and the fibrous ring, which is a denser cartilage.The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If there is an insufficient amount of fluid in the nucleus, the disc will not be able to adequately perform this function and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine will occur.
When describing the stages of cervical or other types of osteochondrosis, it is customary to use the classification of the neurosurgeon A.I. The basis proposed in 1971.
Stage 1 osteochondrosis
Losing water, the intervertebral disc becomes less elastic and elastic, but is still forced to withstand the same loads as before.As a result, the height of the disc decreases, the disc flattens and protrusions appear.
Stage 2 osteochondrosis
With continued pathological exposure, cracks may appear in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.Due to the decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, instability of the entire segment occurs.
Stage 3 osteochondrosis
There is a complete rupture of the fibrous ring, through which the more liquid nucleus partially exits (intervertebral disc herniation).
Most often, these changes lead to symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The thoracic region is the least susceptible to the formation of hernias, where even with pathology of the intervertebral discs, part of the load is taken on by the sternum and ribs.
A bulging or herniated disc can affect the spinal nerve roots, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and disruption of nerve fiber conduction.
Stage 4 osteochondrosis
Without experiencing resistance from the damaged intervertebral disc, the bodies of adjacent vertebrae move closer together.Disorders occur in the intervertebral joints (spondyloarthrosis) and the vertebrae may twist or move relative to each other (spondylolisthesis).
At this stage, the body's compensatory forces come into play.To relieve the load from the damaged disc, the vertebra itself flattens, grows in width, increasing its area.Furthermore, the destroyed tissue of the fibrous ring can be partially replaced by bone.
In some cases, these processes can reduce pain, but often growths on the vertebrae further narrow the spinal foramen and compress the nerve.
Symptoms of the disease.Degrees of osteochondrosis
The classification that doctors are used to using does not include stages, but degrees of osteochondrosis.It describes the symptoms of osteochondrosis in more detail and starts from the moment the patient feels pain.
1 degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It occurs when an intervertebral disc ruptures, caused by sudden movement or excessive strain.It manifests as sudden pain, a sensation of electric current passing through the spine and the muscles reflexively tense.
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.Intervals of remission and exacerbation alternate.The cervical spine is characterized by neck pain that worsens after a long stay in the same position, headaches, arm pain, shoulder pain, periodic discomfort or numbness in the fingers.For the lower back - pain in the lower back, pain in the gluteal region, periodic 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 symptoms of a herniated disc (pain along the affected nerve, numbness in the arms or legs, changes in gait, headaches) or distant symptoms of a herniated intervertebral disc (in the cervical region: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, decreased vision, hearing, muscle strength in the arms; in the thoracic region: irregular heart rhythm, difficulty breathing; in the lumbar region: kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, sexual dysfunction, numbness or weakness in thelegs).
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 the hernia no longer manifests itself, the manifestations of the disease may decrease, but the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as instability of the spine, slipping or twisting of the vertebrae, or their complete fixation with each other still remain.They may be accompanied by manifestations of vertebral growths, which can also compress the spinal nerves, leading to their atrophy, or block the spinal canal (secondary spinal canal stenosis) and compress the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).Also, the fourth degree includes the consequences of surgical intervention if the hernia is removed promptly (various types of innervation disorders, paresis, inflammation).
Prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease for which everyone is at risk.Don't think he will ignore you.If you have not yet discovered 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 impaired, which leads to dehydration - so move more.
- People who have 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, push-ups, dumbbells and working out once a week are not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.To give a beneficial load to the spine, you need to do special gymnastics for the spine.Daily.
- People who do not know how to properly keep their body in space often have curvature of the spine, which also negatively affects the intervertebral discs.– Observe how you look in line or in a meeting...
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is as complex a process as osteochondrosis itself.Unfortunately, two basic principles do not apply to it: “It will go away on its own” and “It cannot yet be treated”.This disease will not go away on its own and, in the absence of treatment, will turn its lucky owner's spine into ruins.
When treating cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the beginning of the disease, when everything can still be corrected and you can live with “little blood”.About half of young people are familiar with the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and by the age of 40, almost everyone already knows them firsthand.