Cervical osteochondrosis ranks first among the incidence rates of spinal diseases.There is almost no one who has not heard of this disease, but few know that osteochondrosis is not a disease but a set of conditions that include a spectrum of disorders that occur as the spine attempts to adapt to adverse conditions.The treatment of cervical spine or other types of osteochondrosis should be comprehensive.
Osteochondrosis definition
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease of the intervertebral disc caused by a decrease in water content in the intervertebral disc.
What we used to call osteochondrosis is naturally caused by a decrease in water content in the intervertebral discs.
Mechanisms of disease.stages of osteochondrosis
In the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, the intervertebral discs are located between the vertebral bodies.The intervertebral disc is made up of the nucleus pulposus (special cartilage and water) and the annulus fibrosus (dense cartilage).The main function of the intervertebral disc is shock absorption.If there is insufficient fluid in the core, the discs cannot perform this function properly, and osteochondrosis can develop in the cervical spine or elsewhere in the spine.
When describing the stages of cervical spine or other types of osteochondrosis, neurosurgeon A.I.'s classification is often used.The base was proposed in 1971.
Stage 1 osteochondrosis
Losing moisture, the disc becomes less elastic and elastic, but it is still forced to bear the same load as before.As a result, the height of the disc decreases, the disc becomes flat, and a bulge appears.
Stage 2 osteochondrosis
With continued pathological exposure, cracks may develop in the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc.As the disc height decreases, instability occurs throughout the segment.
Stage III osteochondrosis
A complete rupture of the annulus fibrosus occurs and more of the fluid core escapes partially through the annulus (disc herniation).
Most often, this change causes symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The chest area is least susceptible to hernia formation, and even with disc disease, part of the load is borne by the sternum and ribs.
A herniated or herniated disc can affect the spinal nerve roots, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and disruption of nerve fiber conduction.
stage IV osteochondrosis
Without the resistance of a damaged disc, adjacent vertebral bodies move closer together.In disease of the joints between the vertebrae (spondyloarthropathy), 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 on the damaged disc, the vertebrae themselves flatten, increase in width, and increase in area.In addition, the tissue that is destroyed in the annulus fibrosus can be partially replaced by bone.
In some cases, these procedures can relieve pain, but the growth of the vertebrae often further narrows the vertebral foramen and compresses the nerves.
Symptoms of the disease.degree of osteochondrosis
The classification that doctors are accustomed to using is not the stage of osteochondrosis, but the degree of osteochondrosis.It describes the symptoms of osteochondrosis more fully, starting from the moment the patient feels pain.
Osteochondrosis 1st degree in the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It occurs when a sudden movement or excessive force causes a disc to rupture.It manifests as sudden pain, a feeling of electric current passing through the spine, and reflex muscle tension.
Second-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 worsens with movement.Intervals of remission and exacerbation alternate. Cervical vertebrae are characterized by neck pain that worsens after remaining in one position for long periods of time, headaches, arm pain, shoulder pain, and periodic discomfort or numbness in the fingers.For the lumbar region - 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 as symptoms of a herniated disc (pain in the affected nerve, numbness in the arms or legs, gait changes, headaches) or distal symptoms of a herniated disc (neck: frequent headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, vision, hearing, decreased arm muscle strength; chest: irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing; waist: kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, sexual dysfunction, numbness or weakness in the legs).
Grade 4 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or other parts of the spine
It is generally believed that fourth degree osteochondrosis begins from the moment the hernia no longer manifests itself, the manifestations of the disease may lessen, but the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as spinal instability, sliding or twisting of the vertebrae or their complete fixation relative to each other, remain.They may be accompanied by vertebral growth, which also compresses the spinal nerves, causing them to atrophy, or blocks the spinal canal (secondary spinal stenosis) and compresses the spinal cord (spinal cord ischemia).Furthermore, the fourth level 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 that everyone is at risk for.Don't think he will bypass you.If you haven’t noticed symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it’s time to consider prevention.
- For people with sedentary lifestyles, the nutrition of the spinal discs is often compromised, leading to dehydration - so move more.
- People with poor lifestyle habits are more likely to develop spinal problems due to dehydration – drink more water and, if possible, switch to a healthier lifestyle.
- Push-ups, pull-ups, dumbbells, and working out once a week are not a healthy lifestyle, sorry.In order to put a beneficial load on your spine, you need to perform special gymnastics on the spine.Daily.
- People who don't know how to hold their bodies properly in space often develop spinal curvature, which can also adversely affect the spinal discs.– Observe how you line up or sit down in meetings…
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is as complex as the osteochondrosis itself.Unfortunately, two basic principles don't apply to it: "it will go away on its own" and "it remains untreatable".The disease won't go away on its own, and if left untreated, it can reduce the lucky owner's spine to ruins.
In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, it is important not to miss the initial stages of the disease, when everything can still be repaired and the "low blood" can pass.About half of young adults are familiar with the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and by age 40, nearly everyone has first-hand knowledge of them.