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 a result of cervical degenerative disc disease occurs deformity, emaciation, and, after the defeat of the vertebral body. This disrupts the normal blood flow and nerve conduction in the neck and the areas that 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 intervertebral discs have not yet been studied. The assumption that osteochondrosis senile phenomenon was not confirmed. It is found even in children and adolescents.
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,
- the poor circulation in the neck,
- injuries to the neck,
- scoliosis, defects postural, uncomfortable pillows and mattresses,
- genetic predisposition, defects of metabolism.
The symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease
Cervical spine because of the peculiarities of the skeleton in a vertical position, the posture, and also due to the large size of the head is particularly vulnerable to the development of osteoarthritis – the vertebrae, which is the smallest in comparison with other parts of the spine and muscular framework is not very pronounced.
The symptom most common that patients complain of pain in the cervical spine. Depending on the affected area the pain can be localized
- to 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 cervix.
The first signs of cervical degenerative disk disease mild and little specific:
- pain in the neck in the afternoon,
- a feeling of heaviness in the head, headaches in occipital area,
- numbness or tingling in shoulders and hands
- the crisis in the neck, when turning the head, cracking the vertebrae.
The main symptoms are:
Vegetative-dystonic
- very 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 (for example, after sleep);
- the neck muscles are in constant tension;
- difficulties with the abstraction of the hands to the face;
- on the affected side, the fingers, stiffness of movements.
Because of the compression of the arteries, vertebral, there are manifestations neurological: headache, nausea, frequent fainting.
Spinal symptom
localized pain behind the breastbone on the left.
This type of pain should be distinguished from the pain in angina pectoris (angina of the chest door relief nitroglycerin, osteochondrosis – not).
With the progressive violation of the structure of the intervertebral discs undergo compression (compression) and arise out of the 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, and ischemic.
- the defeat of the roots of the first vertebra cervical (C1): disorders affecting the back, the reduction of the sensitivity of the skin;
- the defeat of C2 gives pain syndrome in the area of the crown and the nape;
- lost C3 gives you a pain in the neck of the strangulation, decreased sensation of the tongue and the hyoid muscles, in some cases, with difficulties in speaking and the loss of control over the language;
- lose C4 and C5 gives pain in the shoulder and the clavicle, reduced muscle mass, head and neck, hiccups, disorders of the breathing and the heart pain;
- the defeat of the S6 is more often the case, giving pain in the neck, elbow, forearm up to the thumb, can suffer from the sensitivity of the skin:
- lose C7 gives similar symptoms with pain in the neck, the posterior part of the shoulder up to the back of the hand, disorders of the hand strength and decreased reflexes.
Circulatory disorders due to compression of blood vessels in the cervical spine give the head pain of migraine headaches, severe vertigo, visual disturbances and tinnitus, a flicker flies in front of the eyes, disorders of autonomic functions.
Can be symptoms of cardiac syndrome compression pain in the heart, shortness of breath and palpitations, arrhythmias.
Complications
Serious complications of cervical degenerative disc disease are
- output of the intervertebral disc with the formation of a hernia (protrusion);
- rupture of the intervertebral disc nerves and blood vessels, possibly compression of the spinal cord that can lead to death;
- it can also be radiculopathy (injury to the roots), the formation of osteophytes (spikes in the bodies vertebral) with the manifestation of paresis and paralysis.
Diagnosis
If the previous complaints, you must appeal to the doctor-orthopedist or neurologist.
First of all, the doctor will assess the mobility and pain in the neck, the sensitivity of the disorder and other features. You will then need radiography of the cervical various projections, if any, computed tomography or magnetic resonance scan in case of suspicion of hernia.
When the 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 text book. Do not try to be treated yourself — consult your doctor.
Today there are traditional and non-traditional methods of treatment of the degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine.
They are mainly used conservative methods:
- treatment is symptomatic with analgesics for pain
- taking anti-inflammatory drugs non-steroidal series – to relieve the inflammation and swelling of the tissues
- to remove the 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.
Shows the rate of vitamin of the group b, applying external resources for therapy gels and ointments, creams with anti-inflammatory and analgesic components. Sample stimulating the regeneration of intervertebral disks.
In the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease it is recommended to wear a special collar.
Complications of cervical osteochondrosis with hernias among the vertebrates, violating the sensitivity and the circulation of the blood, can be treated promptly.
The duration of treatment depends on the extent of the disease, such as osteoarthritis is a chronic disease progressive. The treatment can be prolonged and preventive courses are made for life.
Significantly alleviate the condition osteochondrosis will help you to proper nutrition. Read more about the principles of diet in osteochondrosis in our separate article.
Exercises to treat cervical degenerative disc disease:
- Auto-traction: in position with a straight back you need to drop your shoulders as low as possible, while the neck to pull up. You must perform at least 10 reps no less than 3 times a day.
- Self-massage: to clasp a towel on the neck, taking it 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 over the neck (without rubbing).
- Exercises cervical osteochondrosis, show a slight bending of the neck, and turns and head tilts. For time 5-7 turns each side. The most useful is the exercise to be performed after the self-massage of the cervical spine.
Prevention
The basis of the health of the cervical spine is strong and healthy again, the physical activity, comfortable bed with anatomic mattress and pillows, good posture and proper nutrition.
Should avoid neck injuries and lift weights. It is necessary to combine prolonged sitting with periods of rest and training.