Osteochondrosis in modern society is considered almost a variant of the physiological norm due to the literally total dissemination of the pathology among people of very young age.It is already usual to hear in response to a complaint about the pain in the neck that this is "just" osteochondrosis and don't worry.This is not true!It is worth starting to start at the early stage of the degenerative dystrophic process, because in the future a very sad clinical picture can be expected, depriving the opportunity to live normally and work.
All degrees of cervical spine osteochondrosis carry a certain danger, but as the process of destroying the intervertebral disc is deepened, an increased risk of hernia and loss of control over some body functions arise.Regarding what the degrees of cervical region osteochondrosis, which symptoms they manifest and how treatment can be performed using manual therapy methods, read in this article.Put the knowledge acquired into practice and keep your health to old age.
1st degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
This is not the beginning of the disease, as it is usually to think.At first there is a prerequisite for a violation of diffuse nutrition from intervertebral disc cartilage.This is the early stage.If not noticed, the 1st degree osteochondrosis develops in the cervical spine. It is provoked by the following reasons and prerequisites:
- long static tension of the neck muscles;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Lack of regular physical effort in the muscles of the neck and collar zone;
- Inadequate organization of a night rest cradle (using very high or soft pillows);
- Wearing clothes that press the soft tissues in the neck;
- violation of posture, the habit of bending;
- neck lesions;
- inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- Violation of metabolic processes in the body.
Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree cervical spine for a long time does not manifest itself by characteristic symptoms.Periodic headaches, dizziness, shoulders etc.may occur.When examining the protrusion and destruction of the intervertebral disc, they are not detected.
2nd degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The most developed osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree of the cervical region is no longer in doubt in the fact of its presence.It is manifested by frequent pain in the neck.The pain occurs after a long static tension of the neck muscles.Secondary disorders arise against the bottom of cerebrovascular insufficiency.Patients usually have headaches, orthostatic nature dizziness, nausea and a decrease in mental performance.
With 2nd degree cervical spine osteochondrosis, a structural change in intervertebral discs already occurs.At an x root, you can see a mesh of small cracks on the surface of a fibrous ring.They are gradually full of calcium salts.This further exacerbates the process of disturbance of diffuse nutrition.The calcined intervertebral disc (ossified) is not able to absorb the liquid from the surrounding muscle fibers.It quickly loses its elasticity and the disease enters the next stage.
Osteochondrosis of the third stage of the cervical spine
With third degree osteochondrosis, degenerative changes of a dystrophic nature occur in the cervical spine. They are the following pathological disorders:
- The intervertebral disc completely loses the ability to absorb the liquid from the outer space when muscle fibers are reduced;
- The process of absorption of the fluid of the internal structure of the nucleus of pulpee begins, as a result, quickly decreases in volume and loses the ability to exert shock absorption during physical exertion;
- The dehydration of the (fibrous) external ring of the intervertebral disc leads to a violation of its elasticity;
- large cracks occur;
- They can penetrate the pulse nucleus that is reduced in size - this is how hernias arise;
- The protrusion stage is preceded by the protrusion stage, during which the intervertebral disc loses its height rapidly and increases both in the area that goes beyond the vertebrae bodies.
Osteochondrosis of the third degree cervical spine leads to very unpleasant consequences.In the patient, mental performance is disturbed, upper limb paresis, somatic pathologies such as heart rate and hypertension may occur.It is necessary to immediately start an effective and safe treatment.
Osteochondrosis symptoms of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree cervical region
It is quite difficult to recognize the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 1st degree, as they can be disguised as VSD, migraine attacks, myiosites and other pathologies that are not usual to pay serious attention.However, it is worth understanding that the 1st degree is the condition in which the minimum conditions are sufficient to treat.Unfortunately, the duration of this stage is very short.Intervertebral disk degeneration rapidly reaches the second stage, in which typical pathological changes are visible even in a simple radiographic image.In particular, the partial destruction of the album, the subsidence of its height (fragmentary or diffuse) is noticeable.
With 2nd degree cervical spine osteochondrosis, symptoms can be expressed as follows:
- neck and collar pain after static loads;
- The pain extends to the shoulders and is tearing, sewing, pulling and cutting;
- Numbness of the upper limbs and their fingers;
- dizziness and headache;
- a feeling of numbness in the neck;
- clear changes in blood pressure;
- Skin pain on the scalp.
If you have symptoms of second degree osteochondrosis osteochondrosis, it is already impossible to postpone treatment.Usually, under such conditions, patients are accepting to the therapist.There they receive a temporary disability sheet for a period of 10 to 12 days.Anti -symptomatic inflammatory treatment is prescribed.It does not lead to the restoration of the damaged cartilage disk.But the patient is relieved by all symptoms and is therefore dismissed to work after 10 days.Meanwhile, the destruction of the spine continues and osteochondrosis goes to the next stage.
Emerging symptoms of third -degree cervical spine osteochondrosis are severe neurological.This is due to the fact that, with a similar development of the disease, root nerves are damaged. It is spine syndrome that determines the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the third degree cervical region, consisting of the appearance of the following signs:
- depressive mood and serious headaches located on the back of the head;
- dizziness and ataxia;
- The pain in the neck is constant and radiates in the shoulders, arms, under the pitch;
- Any movement causes an attack of increased pain;
- The muscles in the neck and collar zone are overloaded;
- Mobility is markedly limited (there is no way to turn your head freely or lean it back and forth);
- steep numbness on the upper limb on the side of the lesion;
- Pain, tingling and seizures on the fingers;
- Hypereshecia or, on the contrary, a decrease in sensitivity to numbness in the scalp area, face, tongue and lips;
- Fluid and food swallowing process disorder;
- Violation of speech function.
In addition, arrhythmias, increased blood pressure and thyroid disorders may occur.In case of vague nerve damage, which originates from root nerve fiber, which extends between 5 and 6 cervical vertebrae, pancreatitis occurs, a violation of bile output and other pathologies of the digestive system.
The most serious symptoms of the third degree of cervical spine osteochondrosis occur with the development of vertebral artery syndrome.In this case, the transient disturbance of cerebral blood supply can develop.The patient loses consciousness, loses control of his body's functions, is paralyzed, etc.
To avoid the risk of developing these complications, it is important to initiate treatment of the disease in a timely manner.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree cervical region
For the treatment of osteochondrosis of the 1st degree of the cervical spine, it is sufficient to eliminate the cause of its occurrence.To do this, restore diffuse cartilage nutrition.This can only be done with manual therapy.Osteopathy and therapeutic massage that improve the condition of muscle fiber, cinemaiterapia and gymnastics are used, strengthen the muscle structure of the neck.In addition, it is important to follow all the recommendations of the manual therapist.Manual therapy for each patient is developing individual recommendations.They relate to changes in the regime and diet, in the introduction in the schedule of daily life of special exercise, in the correct organization of work and the vacancy, etc.
To treat 2nd degree cervical spine osteochondrosis, it will take much longer.It is important to restore the physiological structure of the cartilaginous intervertebral disc.Methods of reflexology and traction, massage and therapeutic exercises are used.If pain syndrome is necessary, a pharmacopuncture can be shown.
The treatment properly performed of osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the 2nd degree ensures the absence of relapse of the disease for several years.If the patient performs all the assistant doctor's recommendations, there will be no degenerative destruction of the intervertebral disc.
The most difficult is to treat osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree cervical spine, as there is a pronounced protrusion.For the treatment of third -degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is not enough to restore the diffuse nutrition of cartilage tissue.It is important to return the height and normal elasticity of the intervertebral disc.The therapy course includes a comprehensive effect.It is also important to follow all the doctor's recommendations in everyday life.