Neck Osteochondrosis - Symptoms and Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (SC) is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Every year, doctors diagnose this disease more and more often and it progresses more and more severely. According to statistics, in women, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the upper spine occur more often, especially for patients in the postmenopausal period. The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are pain, limitation of mobility, insufficiency of cerebral circulation, and this is dangerous not only for health, but also for life. To protect yourself from the dangerous consequences of pathology, it is necessary to start treating it in the early stages. It is important to carry out complex therapy, change the lifestyle to stop the destruction of the spinal segments and prevent serious complications.

Development of the disease

The cervical spine is the most vulnerable to various injuries and degenerative changes. This is due to the fact that this segment is the most mobile, and the muscles are weak here. The small cervical vertebrae endure strong stresses every day, which lead to the gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs. The vertebrae press against each other, which is why the cartilage pads between them lose a lot of fluid, begin to degrade and deform.

Also, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to insufficient nutrition of the cartilage tissue. And the spinal canal in this area is narrow, so it is often pinched, causing neurological symptoms.

Pathology in women in the early stages is manifested by heaviness in the back of the head, tingling in the hands, and so on. Patients often confuse the first signs of the disease with overwork.

A large number of blood vessels and nerve roots are found in the neck area, and when compressed, neurological disorders can also occur. It is especially dangerous if a deformed disc or vertebra compresses the vertebral artery, which supplies important parts of the brain. When squeezed, movement coordination is disturbed, a woman can lose her balance, her vision and hearing deteriorate, and the risk of stroke increases.

Reference. According to statistics, most often cervical osteochondrosis is found in patients aged 25 to 40 years. This is due to a massive decrease in physical activity, sedentary work. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than men, as they have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis SHOP:

• Stage 1 - the intervertebral disc loses some moisture, its height decreases, cracks may appear on the fibrous ring (outer shell). This is the stage of cervical chondrosis, which is difficult to identify, as it has unexpressed symptoms. The neck gets tired quickly, there is discomfort, heaviness in the damaged area, sometimes there is a slight pain that passes quickly.
• Stage 2: cracks on the surface of the disc increase, the nucleus pulposus (gelatinous contents of the disc) is displaced, it can protrude through the damaged areas. This is what the protrusion of the cartilage lining looks like, which can compress the spinal cord and its roots. Periodically, severe pain, weakness, limited mobility, numbness of the face, neck, shoulders, arms may occur.
• Stage 3: The protrusion breaks through the outer shell of the disc, so a hernia forms. The pain becomes more pronounced, neurological disorders are present.
• Stage 4 - the disc is almost completely destroyed, the vertebrae rub against each other, bone growths (osteophytes) appear on the edges, designed to stabilize the damaged segment. The nerve endings, the spinal cord, the blood vessels are compromised. Adjacent joints begin to be damaged. Clinical signs are pronounced.

It is easier to stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the first two stages of SHOP osteochondrosis. In stage 3, complex treatment will help stop further destruction of the spinal segment. At the last stage, you can not do without surgical intervention.

The reasons

SHOP osteochondrosis is a complex and long process that very often has several causes. In most cases, the pathology occurs due to a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, metabolic disorders. Often the disease manifests itself due to injury or due to the natural aging of the body and the weakening of its defenses.

Doctors identify the main causes of osteochondrosis SHOP in women:

• Disruption of metabolic processes.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Chronic muscle tension around the cervical segment.
• Posture curvature.
• Lack of fluids and nutrients in the body.
• Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position (neck extended forward and curved back).
• Overweight.
• Frequent use of high-heeled shoes.
• STORE injuries.
• Lifting of heavy objects.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.
• Hypothermia.
• Infectious diseases.
• Neck too long or too short, and so on.

All these factors cause malnutrition of the intervertebral discs and lead to their degeneration.

Female cervical osteochondrosis can be caused by pathologies of the vertebral artery associated with a genetic predisposition, intrauterine disorders, trauma during childbirth. The disease can occur due to rheumatism, endocrine disorders, excessive load on the cervical segment during pregnancy, local overload.

Important. The main cause of cervical osteochondrosis in women is menopause, as well as the changes associated with this period. At this stage, the concentration of progesterone, which is very important for bone tissue, decreases in the body. The likelihood of degenerative changes is associated with age-related weakening of the neck muscles and weakening of the vertebrae support in this area.

Symptoms

For osteochondrosis, a wave course is characteristic, when the acute period is replaced by remission. Exacerbation can provoke infections, injuries, hypothermia, prolonged stress on the neck.

The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women are headache, discomfort, heaviness in the neck. It is important to distinguish the pain of chondrosis from migraine or autonomic dysfunction over time.

Clinical manifestations of SHOP osteochondrosis in women are caused by neurological syndromes:

• Cervical discalgia occurs when nerve endings are irritated by fragments of damaged cartilage lining. Then there is a specific crunch in the neck, pain, which becomes more pronounced when moving the head and after sleeping.
• Scalene muscle syndrome becomes a consequence of damage to the vessels and nerves of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery. This symptom complex is accompanied by pain from the inner surface of the shoulder to the hand from the injured side. The limb becomes pale, cold, edematous, numbness occurs. Neck pain extends to the back of the head when the patient turns his head.
• Shoulder-scapular periarthrosis syndrome: Dystrophic changes affect the tendon fibers surrounding the shoulder. Painful sensations from the neck radiate to the shoulder and shoulder girdle. There is a forced position of the neck: it is tilted to the affected side, and the shoulder is slightly lowered.
• Vertebral artery syndrome: A blood vessel is compressed by fragments of a damaged disc or by osteophytes (depending on the stage of the disease). The patient is dizzy and has headache, nausea, sometimes vomiting. The pain is localized in the occiput, crown and temples.
• Cardiac: The nerve bundles of the spinal cord are damaged. There is a heartache, arrhythmia. If C3 is damaged, pain appears in the middle of the neck, the tongue swells, the patient cannot chew food normally. If C4 is injured, discomfort appears in the area of the shoulder girdle, collarbone, heart. With the defeat of C5, the pain reaction from the neck extends to the shoulder girdle, the inner surface of the shoulder. The C6 irritation manifests as pain from the neck and shoulder blade to the shoulder girdle and spreads throughout the arm to the thumb. If C7 is damaged, the pain syndrome spreads to the back of the shoulder girdle, captures the entire hand, including the index and middle fingers. When C8 is squeezed, the pain spreads from the affected area to the elbow and little finger.

Also, a woman's emotional sphere can be disturbed, weakness arises, she becomes anxious, touchy. Insomnia often occurs, memory and attention are weakened due to regular headaches.

Symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident appear when a woman suddenly throws her head back, tilts it, or performs work that loads her arms and cervical spine, such as when she digs, paints the ceiling, and carries weights.

Violation of cerebral circulation is manifested by dizziness, shaky gait, "flies" in front of the eyes, tinnitus, weakness, nausea. In some patients, the voice becomes hoarse, sometimes disappears, a sore throat appears.

Osteochondrosis during menopause is accompanied by migraine, increased body sweating in the area between the neck and shoulder girdle. When the vertebral artery is compressed, the work of the cardiovascular system is disrupted.

If the disease lasts for a long time, there is a circulatory failure of important centers that perform neuro-endocrine functions. Due to the increased permeability of the vascular walls, atherosclerosis of the cerebral and heart arteries develops.

Establish the diagnosis

If you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis, see a therapist. After a visual examination, a specialist will refer you to an orthopedist, vertebrologist or neurologist.

To diagnose cervical osteochondrosis, the following methods are used:

• X-ray allows you to find out that the patient has displaced the vertebrae, osteophytes are present on the edges, the distance between the vertebrae has decreased. For this, the study is carried out on different floors. To detail the characteristic changes, the doctor takes sighting photos.
• CT of the cervical spine provides detailed information on pathological changes in the vertebrae. This method allows you to obtain volumetric images for a more detailed study, it is used in severe diagnostic cases.
• MRI is used to accurately assess the condition of the soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles) in the affected area.
• Electromyography allows you to check the conduction of a nerve fiber.

Also, doctors may prescribe Doppler ultrasound (Doppler ultrasound of the large arteries of the brain) to determine the state of blood flow in this area.

Conservative treatment

In the early stages, the treatment of SHOP osteochondrosis in women can be carried out at home. However, the doctor should work out a treatment regimen. It is important to understand that this is a long process and is unlikely to be fully cured (especially for older women).

The complex treatment includes:

• Taking medications.
• Use of orthopedic devices.
• Physiotherapy.
• Physiotherapy procedures.
• Massage, manual impact.
• Alternative treatments.

Conservative techniques will help stop pain, inflammation, normalize muscle tone, improve metabolic processes, nutrition of damaged segments of the spine. With timely therapy, it is possible to stop pathological changes.

Cervical osteochondrosis drugs will help get rid of inflammation and pain.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out with the use of drugs that will help improve the metabolism of cartilage linings between the vertebrae, stop inflammation, pain. For this purpose, the following drugs are used:

• NSAIDs. It can help relieve mild to moderate inflammation and pain.
• Analgesics. The pain is relieved.
• Get ready to improve cerebral circulation.
• Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasm.
• Chondroprotector. They help stop the destruction of the disc, improve metabolic processes and accelerate recovery.
• Medicines based on magnesium.
• Nootropics. They stimulate the work of the brain by normalizing its blood circulation, have a mild sedative effect.

Reference. With severe pain that is not relieved by oral drugs, therapeutic blockades are used, for example, with a solution of Novocain or NSAIDs.

The treatment can be supplemented with anti-inflammatories and pain relievers in the form of gels, creams and ointments. They will be effective in the remission phase or in combination with oral agents.

The decision on the choice of drug combinations is made by the doctor. The specialist will work out a regimen for taking drugs and also determine their dosage. It is important to follow his recommendations, as many of the above drugs threaten with dangerous complications.

During the acute stage of STORE osteochondrosis, a woman has to give up heavy physical activity. To unload the cervical segment, you need to wear a special corset (Shants collar), which will fix the vertebrae in the correct position. This device is recommended for use during prolonged sedentary lifestyle or hard physical work.

Physiotherapy procedures will help relieve pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area:

• Diadynamic therapy.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Electrophoresis.
• Electroanalgesia.
• Ultraviolet irradiation and so on.

The therapeutic effect manifests itself after about the third session, then headache, hearing disorders, visual disturbances, dizziness, sleep normalizes or disappears and the general condition improves.

With the help of underwater traction of the cervical segment, it is possible to expand the distance between the vertebrae, free a nerve or blood vessel from compression and restore the normal position of the vertebrae.

Massage will normalize muscle tone, reduce the flow of lymphatic fluid, which causes swelling. After several sessions, blood circulation in the damaged area improves.

Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the most effective methods of treating STORE osteochondrosis. Physical therapy allows you to strengthen the weak muscles of the neck, which will absorb some of the load from the spine and help stop or slow down degenerative-dystrophic changes. During classes, blood circulation improves, metabolic processes, nutrition of the discs are accelerated, which has a positive effect on their condition.

Women should train every day. They consist of simple but effective exercises. The complex consists of turns, tilts of the head in different directions and movements of the neck, during which the hands are used. These items can be done at home, but only with the doctor's permission. Physiotherapy exercises are performed only in the remission stage.

Complex treatment can be supplemented with reflexology (acupuncture), hirudotherapy (leech therapy), swimming and so on.

Surgery

The operation is prescribed in the last stages of STORE osteochondrosis, which are accompanied by severe destruction of osteochondral structures. Also, surgery is imperative if conservative techniques are ineffective or the spinal canal is significantly narrowed.

In the cases described above, an anterior cervical discectomy is performed. During the procedure, the doctor immobilizes the damaged segment of the spine and removes the hernia that was compressing the spinal nerve. Then the vertebrae, between which the disc was removed, are fused. If necessary, the space between the vertebrae is filled with a synthetic insert (cage).

After 3-5 days, the patient is discharged home. The rehabilitation period is approximately 12 weeks. To speed up recovery, you need to take medications, wear a brace, lead a healthy lifestyle, go through physiotherapy procedures, and finally exercise therapy.

Lifestyle advice

To quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis and stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical segment, it is necessary to adjust your lifestyle. To do this, the patient must follow these recommendations:

• Take daily walks, avoid running, jumping and other explosive activities.
• Heavy objects must not be transported.
• You can not sit for a long time, in extreme cases, wear a corset and periodically assume a horizontal position.
• Perform specific physical exercises for the back muscles at home.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow.
• Follow a diet, replenish your diet with foods rich in magnesium, calcium (nuts, dairy products, seafood, legumes), as well as vegetable fiber, chondroitin (meat in jelly, jelly). Refuse fatty, fried, too salty foods, alcohol. The doctor will advise you in more detail on the nutritional rules. But in any case, it must be corrected.

Hypothermia should not be allowed, warming will be useful in the absence of an inflammatory process.

complications

In the absence of timely treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, a woman can experience the following pathological consequences:

• The likelihood of protrusion, which after a while turns into a hernia. The bulge compresses the spinal cord and its nerves, causing neurological damage.
• Osteophytes appear when the disc is severely damaged; they irritate the spinal nerves and blood vessels.
• In advanced cases, severe weakening of the neck muscles or incomplete paralysis is possible, so the head involuntarily hangs to the side or forward.
• Compression of the vertebral arteries, impaired blood circulation in the affected area. This condition can cause neuralgia (pain along the path of a nerve), hearing and vision disorders.
• Paralysis (incomplete or complete) of the hands.
• Brain stroke.

If a woman faces the problem in the early stages of SHOP osteochondrosis, then she will be able to prevent the above conditions.

Preventive measures

Ideally, it is necessary to engage in the prevention of SHOP osteochondrosis even during the period of intrauterine development. The expectant mother should exclude factors that adversely affect the development of the fetus: infections, oxygen starvation, intoxication. If a birth injury has occurred, the newborn should be treated.

To reduce the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis SHOP, a woman should follow these recommendations:

• Load the spine evenly, for example, carry the load with both hands or alternate right and then left.
• Don't lift too much weight on your own.
• Try to avoid neck injuries, hypothermia.
• When working in vegetable gardens, take a break every 1, 5 hours, go to rest for 20 minutes.
• Choose shoes with cushioned soles that cushion impacts when running or jumping.
• When sitting for a long time, use a chair with a high back and a headrest or wear a corset.

It is also important to eat well, control weight, avoid stress, take vitamin preparations for medical reasons, treat pathologies that can cause osteochondrosis over time. In the phase of remission, it is recommended to visit sanatoriums to undergo a course of treatment.

The most important

As you can see, in women, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs more often than in men, since the former have more fragile vertebrae and thin bone tissue. The patient's pathology is particularly susceptible in the postmenopausal period. The disease is manifested by pain, neurological disorders and dangerous symptoms of cerebrovascular accident. It is recommended to start treatment in the early stages to avoid dangerous complications of osteochondrosis. To do this, a woman must take medications, adapt her lifestyle, participate in physiotherapy procedures, massage and do physiotherapy. Surgical treatment is indicated only in advanced cases. To prevent pathology, it is necessary to observe moderate physical activity, treat injuries and diseases over time that can provoke osteochondrosis.