Cervical degenerative disc disease is called a progressive dystrophic-degenerative lesions of intervertebral discs in the region 1 to 7 vertebrae belonging to the cervical spine.
As the result of cervical degenerative disc disease occurs deformity, emaciation, and then the defeat of the vertebral body. This disrupts the normal blood flow and nerve conduction in the neck and those areas which are innervated by the nerve roots of the cervical.
Cervical osteochondrosis can be isolated and combined with osteochondrosis of other departments – thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
Reasons
Causes of dystrophic and degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs yet to be studied. The assumption that osteochondrosis senile phenomenon was not confirmed. It is found even in children and adolescents.
It identifies some of the predisposing to the development of osteochondrosis factors. These include:
- inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle,
- sedentary work with static load on the neck,
- overweight, insufficient physical development,
- dysplastic processes of connective tissue,
- poor circulation in the neck,
- injuries to the neck,
- scoliosis, postural defects, uncomfortable pillows and mattresses,
- genetic predisposition, defects of metabolism.
Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
Cervical spine because of the peculiarities of the skeleton, upright posture, and also due to the large size of the head is particularly vulnerable to the development of osteoarthritis – the vertebrae, it is most small in comparison with other parts of the spine and muscular frame is not very pronounced.
The most common symptom that patients complain of pain in the cervical spine. Depending on the affected area the pain may be localized
- in the clavicle and shoulder;
- around the cervical spine;
- on the anterior surface of the chest.
Pain in the cervical osteochondrosis due to the peculiarities of the cervical.
The first signs of cervical degenerative disc disease minor and little specific:
- pain in the neck in the evening,
- a feeling of heaviness in the head, headaches in occipital area,
- a feeling of numbness or tingling in the shoulders and arms,
- the crunch in the neck when turning the head, cracking the vertebrae.
Leading symptoms are:
Vegetative-dystonic
- quite severe pain in the neck and, especially in the area just below the nape of the neck;
- the pain occurs after a long stay in one position (e.g., after sleep);
- the neck muscles are constantly tense;
- difficulties with abstraction hands to the side;
- on the affected side, the fingers stiff in movements.
Because of the compression of the vertebral arteries, there are neurological manifestations: headache, nausea, frequent fainting.
Spinal symptom
localized pain behind the breastbone on the left.
This type of pain should be distinguished from pain in angina pectoris (angina brings relief nitroglycerin, osteochondrosis – no).
With the gradual violation of the structure of the intervertebral discs undergo compression (compression) and arise of infringement of the nerve roots, as well as narrowing or pinching of the arteries and veins that are in the area of the vertebral body.
This leads to the formation of a special syndromes – radicular, and ischemic.
- the defeat of roots of the first cervical vertebra (C1): disorders affect the back, reducing skin sensitivity;
- the defeat of C2 gives pain syndrome in the area of crown and nape;
- lose C3 gives you a pain in the neck from the strangulation, decreased sensation in the tongue and the hyoid muscles, in some cases, with impaired speech and loss of control over the language;
- lose C4 and C5 gives pain in the shoulder and the clavicle, reduced muscle tone, head and neck, hiccups, breathing disorders and heart pain;
- the defeat of the S6 is more often the case, giving pain from neck to shoulder, forearm up to the thumb, can suffer skin sensitivity:
- lose C7 gives similar symptoms with pain in the neck, back of the shoulder up to the back of the hand, impaired hand strength and decreased reflexes.
Circulatory disturbances due to compression of blood vessels in the cervical spine give the head pain to migraine, severe dizziness, visual disturbances and tinnitus, a flicker flies before the eyes, disorders of autonomic functions.
Can be symptoms of cardiac syndrome with compressive pain of the heart, lack of air and palpitations, arrhythmias.
Complications
Serious complications of cervical degenerative disc disease are
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc with the formation of a hernia (protrusion);
- rupture of the intervertebral disc nerves and vessels, possibly spinal cord compression which can lead to death;
- can also be radiculopathy (lesion of the roots), the formation of osteophytes (spikes on the vertebral bodies) with the manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
Diagnosis
If the above complaints, you must appeal to the doctor-orthopedist, neurologist.
First of all, the doctor will assess the mobility and pain in the neck, sensitivity disorder and other functions. You will then need radiography of the cervical several projections, if necessary, computed tomography or magnetic resonance scan in case of suspected hernia.
When blood circulation rheoencephalography need and fundus examination.
Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease
The same symptoms can be signs of different diseases, and the disease can occur not textbook. Do not try to be treated yourself — consult your doctor.
Today there are both traditional and non-traditional methods of treating degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine.
Mainly used conservative methods:
- symptomatic treatment with analgesics for pain
- taking anti-inflammatory drugs is not steroid series – to relieve inflammation and swelling of the tissues
- to eliminate spasms of the muscles used antispasmodics, medications to improve circulation.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease used substances that restore the structure of the intervertebral discs.
Shown rate of vitamin b group, apply external remedies for therapy gels and ointments, creams with anti-inflammatory and analgesic components. Shown stimulants the regeneration of intervertebral disks.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease recommended to wear a special collar.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis among vertebrates hernias, violation of the sensitivity and blood circulation, can be treated promptly.
The duration of treatment depends on the extent of the condition, as osteoarthritis is a progressive chronic disease. Treatment can be prolonged and preventive courses be held for life.
Significantly alleviate the condition osteochondrosis will help proper nutrition. Read more about the principles of diet in osteochondrosis in our separate article.
Exercises to treat cervical degenerative disc disease:
- It is pulling: in the position with a straight back you need to drop the shoulders as low as possible, while the neck to pull up. You should perform at least 10 reps no less than 3 times a day.
- Self-massage: to clasp a towel neck, taking him by the ends and pull them, stretching the muscles of the neck. In this case you must make sure that the towel does not slip on the neck (not rubbing it).
- Exercises for cervical osteochondrosis: showing slight flexion of the neck, and turns and head tilts. For time is 5-7 bends to each side. The most useful is the exercise to perform after self-massage of the cervical spine.
Prevention
The basis of health of the cervical spine is strong and healthy back, physical activity, comfortable bed with anatomic mattress and pillows, good posture and proper nutrition.
Should avoid neck injuries and lifting weights. It is necessary to combine prolonged sitting with periods of rest and workout.