As we age, we are more likely to experience pain and fatigue in the neck area. These symptoms can hide the diagnosis of osteochondrosis. Why is it developing? What treatment methods are there? Is it possible to face 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 several diseases. In English-language literature, the concept of osteochondrosis is rare and refers to damage to the bones of children and adolescents during growth due to compromised blood supply. In national literature, osteochondrosis refers to degenerative-dystrophic damage to the intervertebral disc and other parts of the spine. It is typical of elderly people and occurs in almost everyone.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Neurologists identify several main reasons for the development of the disease:
- low physical activity,
- predisposition to disease,
- increased 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 compression pain syndromes. Let's look at each of them in more detail:
Reflex syndrome
It occurs due to excessive stress on the nerve endings of the intervertebral disc. Nerve impulses enter the deep and superficial muscles of the back, which cause pain and a feeling of tension.
Reflex syndrome is characterized by pain in the neck, which intensifies with any movement of the head. It may not have a clear location and may be felt in the arms or legs.
Myoadaptive syndrome
It occurs due to excessive muscle tension 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 those affected.
Pain in myoadaptive syndrome is localized in trigger points - compactions in the spasm zone. Symptoms include nausea, headaches 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.
At theradicular syndromethe pain is pronounced and accompanied by clear sensory disturbances in the area of the affected spinal nerve root. Neck pain is often worse at night. Movement disorders may occur, such as muscle weakness and absence of one or more reflexes.
At thespinal syndromethe spinal canal compresses the spinal cord - this occurs when the vertebrae are dislocated or fractured. Symptoms include pain of varying intensity. Sensitivity in the arms and legs decreases and stiffness appears.
Vertebral artery syndromeit develops when its lumen narrows, especially if it is compressed by bony structures. This syndrome is characterized by neck pain, headache, loss of coordination and balance, dizziness, hearing and visual impairment.
There is another osteochondrosis syndrome, the symptoms of which are often associated with heart disease - this iscardiac syndrome.
It occurs due to injuries to the cervical and upper thoracic spine, is characterized by pain in the heart region, mimics or worsens existing changes in the heart muscle and blood vessels. Unlike "heart" pain, it has no clear connection with meals, physical or emotional stress. Pain occurs 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:
- Stage 1- instability of the vertebrae appears, their displacement and rupture of the cervical lordosis - the curvature of the spine, facing convexly forward.
Symptoms in stage 1 are mild. A person may notice that their neck starts to hurt more often and gets tired more quickly.
- Stages 2 and 3— the intervertebral space decreases and the vertebrae become compressed. At these stages, intervertebral protrusions and hernias appear, as well as anterior bone growths - osteophytes.
The second and third stages differ in the severity of these changes. The third stage is characterized by rupture of the fibrous ring and the development of an intervertebral disc herniation.
- Stage 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 arise, leading to disability.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis is based on X-ray diagnostics, MRI or CT. All of the above syndromes, as well as many others, are complications of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis at home
With the development of reflex syndrome, accompanied by local pain and difficulty moving,cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. The patient needs rest, absence of physical and static load for 3-5 days, then the volume of load is increased individually. During the acute period, pain should be reduced with the use of local anesthetic gels and patches, as well as the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with B vitamins. Medications that improve microcirculation in the affected spinal motion segment are recommended.
After the pain syndrome subsides and motor functions are normalized, restorative treatment methods can be used: exercise therapy, massage, manual therapy and physiotherapy.
Non-drug treatment methods may be more effective due to direct impact on and working with certain affected muscles.
In case of numbness, tingling, difficulty in movement, dizziness, headaches and other symptoms that go beyond reflex syndrome, it is necessary to consult a doctor for diagnosis and determining the correct treatment tactics.
Surgery
The decision to undergo surgical treatment for cervical osteochondrosis depends on many factors. Neurologists identify several criteria that may be grounds for surgery:
- The spinal cord is compressed by a hernia, displaced vertebra, osteophyte or other pathological formations.
- Severe pain syndrome persists for a long time.
- Drug and physiotherapeutic treatment does not bring results for more than 3 months.
In the case of hernia protrusion, decompression is performed by removing the hernia; in case of displacement of the vertebra - fixation with a metal structure; if it is osteophytic complications - the bone growths are removed.
Most spine surgeries performed are traumatic and do not guarantee improvement. Often, a deterioration in well-being and increased pain in adjacent motion segments of the spine may occur, therefore, spinal surgery is a last resort when the disease is severe and there are no other treatment approaches.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and neck pain includes normalizing working and living conditions. It is important to avoid keeping your neck bent for long periods of time. You should strengthen and stretch your neck muscles and increase your mobility through physical exercise.
Otheran effective way to prevent the progression of osteochondrosis is proper nutritionrich in proteins, 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 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 maintain spinal health for longer.