Osteochondrosis in modern society is considered almost a variant of the physiological norm because of the literally general spread of pathology among people at even very young age.It is now common to hear in response to a complaint about neck pain that it is "just" osteochondrosis and do not worry.This is not true!It is worth starting to start at the very early stage of the degenerative dystrophic process, as a very sad clinical picture can be expected in the future, depriving the possibility of living normally and working.
All degrees of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine carry a certain danger, but since the process of destroying the intervertebral disc deepens, an increased risk of hernia occurs and the loss of control over some functions of the body.For what degrees of osteochondrosis of the cervical region, what symptoms show and how treatment can be performed using methods of manual therapy read in this article.Apply the acquired knowledge and keep your health to old age.
Osteochondrosis of the first degree of cervical spine
This is not the very beginning of the disease, as it is common to think.Initially, there is a prerequisite for a violation of the diffuse cartilage nutrition of the intervertebral disc.This is the initial stage.If it remains not noticed, then first -degree osteochondrosis develops in the cervical spine. It is provoked by the following reasons and prerequisites:
- Long static tension of the neck muscles;
- A sedentary lifestyle;
- lack of regular exercise on the muscles of the neck and collar area;
- incorrect organization of a night break (using too high or soft pillows);
- Wearing clothes that put pressure on the soft tissues in the neck;
- Stand violation, bending habit;
- neck injuries;
- inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- Disruption of metabolic processes in the body.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of 1 degree does not manifest itself through characteristic symptoms for a long time.Periodic headache, dizziness, shoulders and more may occur.When examining the convexity and destruction of the intervertebral disc, they are not detected.
Osteochondrosis of the second degree of cervical spine
The more developed osteochondrosis from the second degree of the cervical region is no longer doubtful in the fact of its presence.It is manifested by frequent neck pain.The pain occurs after a long static tension of the neck muscles.Secondary disorders occur against the background of cerebral insufficiency.Patients often have headaches, dizziness from orthostatic nature, nausea and reduction of mental parameters.
With the osteochondrosis of the second degree cervical spine, a structural change in the intervertebral discs is already occurring.In X -ray you can see a network of small cracks on the surface of a fibrous ring.They are gradually filled with calcium salts.This further exacerbates the process of disturbing diffuse nutrition.Calcinated (cosified) intervertebral disc is not able to absorb the fluid from the surrounding muscle fibers.He quickly loses his elasticity and the disease goes to the next stage.
Osteochondrosis at the 3rd stage of the cervical spine
With 3 -degree osteochondrosis, degenerative changes in the dystrophic nature occur in the cervical spine. They are the following pathological disorders:
- The intervertebral disc completely loses the ability to absorb fluid from the cosmic space when muscle fibers are reduced;
- The process of absorption of fluid from the internal structure of the pulpulated nucleus begins, resulting in a rapid decrease in volume and losing the ability to exercise the absorption of shock during exercise;
- The dehydration of the outer (fibrous) ring of the intervertebral disc leads to a violation of its elasticity;
- Large cracks occur;
- They can penetrate the core of the pulp, which is reduced in size - this is how the hernias occur;
- The stage of bulges is preceded by the stage of bulge, during which the intervertebral disc quickly loses its height and increases in the area so much that it exceeds the bodies of the vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 3rd degree leads to very unpleasant consequences.In the patient, mental characteristics are impaired, paresis of the upper limbs may occur, somatic pathologies such as heart rhythm and arterial hypertension may occur.It is necessary to start effective and safe treatment immediately.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree
It is quite difficult to recognize the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the first -degree cervical region, as they can be concealed as VSD, migraine attacks, myositis and other pathologies that are not common to pay serious attention.Nevertheless, it is worth understanding that the first degree is a condition where the minimum conditions are sufficient for treatment.Unfortunately, the duration of this stage is very short.The degeneration of the intervertebral disc quickly reaches the second stage, in which typical pathological changes are visible even in a simple radiographic picture.In particular, the partial destruction of the disc, the release of its height (fragmentary or diffuse) is noticeable.
With osteochondrosis of the second -degree cervical spine, the symptoms can be expressed as follows:
- neck and collar pain after all static loads;
- The pain extends to the shoulders and torn, sew, pull and cut;
- numbness of the upper limbs and their fingers;
- dizziness and headache;
- a feeling of tingling in the neck;
- Acute changes in blood pressure;
- Skin pain in the scalp.
If you have symptoms of osteochondrosis from osteochondrosis of grade 2, it is now impossible to postpone treatment.Usually, under such conditions, patients take the therapist.There they are equipped with a temporary disability sheet for a period of 10 - 12 days.Symptomatic anti -inflammatory treatment is prescribed.This does not lead to the repair of the damaged cartilage disc.But the patient is released from all symptoms and is therefore discarded to work after 10 days.Meanwhile, the destruction of the spine continues and osteochondrosis goes to the next stage.
The occurring symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 3rd degree are severe neurological.This is due to the fact that with such a development of the disease, radicular nerves are damaged. Spinal syndrome determines the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree cervical region, which consist of the appearance of the following signs:
- Depressive mood and severe headache localized in the back of the head;
- dizziness and ataxia;
- Neck pain is constant and it is radiated in the shoulders, hands, under the shoulder blade;
- Each movement causes an attack of increased pain;
- The muscles in the neck and collar area are overworn;
- Mobility is sharply restricted (there is no way to turn your head freely or tilt it forward and back);
- sharp tingling in the upper limb on the side of the lesion;
- pain, tingling and convulsions in the fingers;
- Hyperssation or, on the contrary, reducing sensitivity to tingling in the scalp, face, tongue and lips;
- disorder of the process of swallowing fluids and foods;
- Violation of speech function.
In addition, arrhythmias, increase in blood pressure and thyroid disorders may occur.In the case of damage to the vagus nerve, which is derived from the radicular nerve fiber, which extends between 5 and 6 cervical vertebrae, pancreatitis occurs, impaired bile leakage and other pathologies of the digestive system.
The most serious symptoms of the 3rd degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appear with the development of vertebral artery syndrome.In this case, a transient disorder of the brain blood supply may develop.The patient loses consciousness, loses control of the functions of his body, is paralyzed, etc.
In order to prevent the risk of developing such complications, it is important to start the treatment of the disease in a timely manner.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree
For the treatment of osteochondrosis of the first degree of the cervical spine, it is sufficient to eliminate the cause of its occurrence.To do this, restore diffuse cartilage nutrition.This can only be done with manual therapy.Osteopathy and therapeutic massage are used to improve the condition of muscle fibers, kineotherapy and gymnastics, strengthen the muscle frame of the neck.In addition, it is important to follow all the recommendations of the manual therapist.Manual therapy for each patient develops individual recommendations.They relate to changes in the regime and diet, the introduction into the schedule of the daily life of special exercise, the proper organization of the workplace and the port, etc.
It will take a lot more time to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the second degree.It is important to restore the physiological structure of cartilage intervertebral discs.Methods for reflexology and adhesion, massage and therapeutic exercises are used.If it is necessary to stop the pain syndrome, pharmacopuncture may be displayed.
Proper treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of 2 degrees guarantees the lack of recurrence of the disease for several years.If the patient follows all the recommendations of the attending physician, then there is no re -development of the degenerative destruction of the intervertebral disc.
The most difficult is to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of grade 3, as there is a pronounced convexity.In order to treat osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree of cervical spine, it is not enough to restore the diffuse feeding of cartilage tissue.It is important to restore the normal height and elasticity of the intervertebral disc.The course of therapy involves an overall effect.It is also important to follow all your doctor's recommendations in everyday life.