Cervical cartilage degeneration is a chronic degenerative disorder of articular cartilage tissues, most often occurring in the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, because they are constantly subjected to higher loads, leading to reduced elasticity, causingflattening and thinning of the intervertebral discs located between the vertebrae, followed by their replacement by bone tissue. As the degeneration progresses, surrounding structures are affected. This causes the development of a complex series of symptoms that deprive the patient of a comfortable life.
Why is cervical spondylosis dangerous?
Cervical spondylosis is pathological changes in the tissues of the intervertebral disc and the vertebrae themselves. As soft tissues thin out, the effects of spondylosis are reduced, nerve fibers and blood vessels are compressed, mobility of the cervical spine is reduced, and the ability to turn the head is limited. The consequences of this disease are impaired blood circulation and blood supply to the brain, resulting in migraines, headaches, stress, episodic headaches, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory arrhythmias, impaired memory, vision, coordination and attention, intervertebral herniation, brain compression. disorders and strokes develop.
Causes of osteoarthritis
What leads to cervical spondylosis?
Several factors lead to cervical spondylosis, each of which aggravates the progression of the disease:
- Sedentary lifestyle (sedentary work);
- Excess body weight;
- Improper posture;
- Chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet, X- and O-shaped deformities of the lower limbs), which contribute to uneven distribution of loads on the spine;
- Congenital pathology of spinal development;
- Excessive, repetitive stress on the spine;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Injury.
Signs and symptoms
- Dizziness all over the body;
- Pain in the back of the head, neck, neck area;
- Noise or ringing in the ears;
- Feeling of lack of air, inability to take deep breaths, severe difficulty breathing;
- Nausea and vomiting, worse when trying to turn your head;
- Reduced vision, flashing spots or fog before the eyes;
- Fluctuating blood pressure is difficult to regulate with medication;
- Fainting due to vascular spasm;
- Feeling of a lump in the throat, pain, dryness, difficulty swallowing, shoulder joint pain;
- Finger numbness.
Degree of development of osteoarthritis
In the development of cervical spondylosis, four consecutive stages are distinguished, determining the severity of symptoms and the general condition of the patient.
- State 1. The thickness of the intervertebral disc is slightly reduced. There are practically no symptoms, sometimes there is a feeling of slight discomfort in the neck, for example, when in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
- Phase 2.The height of the intervertebral disc becomes smaller, pathological growth of cartilage tissue begins and protrusion (extrusion) occurs. Patients often feel pain, weakness, facial numbness and stiffness in the cervical spine.
- Stage 3.The fibrous ring surrounding the disc core ruptures and forms an intervertebral herniation. The spine is clearly deformed, increasing the risk of vertebral subluxation and subluxation. The pain becomes permanent and is accompanied by other symptoms of osteonecrosis.
- Stage 4.Irreversible changes occur in the spine: bones grow, intervertebral discs are replaced by scar tissue and lose their ability to absorb loads. Symptoms become severe and significantly affect the patient's lifestyle and health. Quality of life declines.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
Treatment of cervical spondylosis requires an integrated approach; There are non-pharmacological, medical and surgical treatments.
Depending on the clinical condition, the following methods are used:
- Massage (specialized, nerve to eliminate spasms, congestion);
- Exercise therapy (to improve blood circulation);
- Osteopathy (thanks to this procedure, lumps and spasms are removed, blood circulation is restored and brain metabolism improves);
- Manual therapy;
- Computer traction;
- Physical therapy.
Non-drug treatmenthelps reduce the severity of symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations, improves blood supply to the affected area, enhances metabolism and regeneration.
- Enhances the effects of drugs;
- Helps strengthen the muscle frame and stabilize the spine;
- Eliminates spasms and muscle mass
Non-pharmacological treatment also includes wearing a Shants brace.
Shantsa tires
Shants brace or Shants collar is a soft bandage capable of immobilizing the cervical spine to a certain extent, used to prevent and treat injuries and diseases of the cervical spine. Field of application: first aid and emergency medical care in case of road traffic accidents, injuries at home and work, treatment of patients after surgical intervention of the cervical spine.
By design, Shants splints can be rigid, semi-rigid, ring-shaped, with or without screws, but they are all easily removable and replaceable, easy to use and store, affordable and available. Modern design plays an important role. role worn around the neck during rehabilitation or outpatient treatment.
Treatment medicinehelps relieve pain, get rid of dizziness, restore normal function of nerve roots and, if possible, prevent or slow down the process of destruction of cartilage tissue.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(intended to relieve pain and reduce inflammation) used in the form of tablets, injections, ointments, patches;
- Muscle relaxants:The drug eliminates reflex muscle spasms, thereby reducing pain and improving blood circulation;
- B vitaminsin tablet form, helps improve the conduction of nerve impulses;
- Chondroprotectors:The drug promotes cartilage tissue recovery.
Depending on the symptoms, drugs that improve microcirculation in the brain vessels, drugs that prevent nausea and dizziness, etc. v. may also be prescribed.
Surgery
The help of a surgeon is necessary in cases of advanced disease, when medical methods are no longer effective.
- Surgery to remove herniated disc(microsurgery, endoscopy or facetectomy);
- Surgical excision:remove the spinous processes or vertebral arches, thereby reducing the load on the spinal roots;
- Nuclear shaping:Eliminate the herniation by removing part of the core of the disc.
Prevent osteoarthritis
- Avoid physical inactivity and lead an active lifestyle;
- Diversify your diet with foods rich in potassium and magnesium;
- Minimize heavy lifting;
- Sleep on anatomical pillows and anatomical mattresses;
- Warm up regularly.
Frequently asked questions
How to understand that cervical spondylosis is starting?
- Headache
- Limit head rotation
- Impaired ability to concentrate
- Noise in the ears
- dizzy
How to diagnose?
- Only a doctor can diagnose
- MRI, MSCT
How to reduce pain when suffering from cervical spondylosis?
If you have pain in your cervical spine, you should consult your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, and other medications that provide pain relief.
How to avoid osteoarthritis?
- Start an active lifestyle
- Do preventative exercises daily (at least 10 minutes a day)
- Develop daily habits
- Neck massage (twice/year)
Which doctor treats cervical spondylosis?
First of all, you should visit a general practitioner, who will issue a referral for the necessary examinations and provide a preliminary diagnosis. As a rule, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis need to consult a neurologist.