OSTEOCHONDROSIS is a degenerative-dystrophic change of the vertebrae, their uncle discs and lengths, derived from the word osteo - bone, chondrosis - uncle. Depending on the location of osteochondrosis, there are different types of neck, chest and lumbar spine.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is common and occurs in 35-40% of people over the age of 85 years. Osteochondrosis of the neck accounts for 30% of all osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is most often located in parts S5 - S7, which are characterized by mobility of the cervical spine. In cervical osteochondrosis, the process is more likely to involve the blood vessels that feed the brain.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
The clinical picture of cervical osteochondrosis depends on which spine is affected. Osteochondrosis is characterized by severe pain that restricts the patient’s movement and stiffness when shaking the head. The following is the location of the pain depending on the location of the affected spine:
• 1 spine - numbness and pain in the neck;
• 2 vertebrae - pain in the neck and unpleasant sensations in the upper part of the head;
• 3 vertebrae - pain in the neck, speech disorders, impaired taste and innervation of the tongue;
• 4 vertebrae - a decrease in muscle tone of the neck, headache, discomfort when breathing, pain in the shoulders, its transmission to the shoulder blades, heart area and right rib cage;
• 5-6 vertebrae - pain in the shoulders, wrists, shoulders and thumb of the palm;
• 7 spine - pain in the palms of the hands and shoulders, loss of sensitivity of 2-4 fingers of the palm.
• In osteochondrosis, which is characterized by damage to several vertebrae, a combination of these complaints is observed.
1. Dizziness is the main symptom of the disease, it starts suddenly and becomes severe.
2. Headache - is a constant symptom, accompanied by dizziness, which does not disappear under the influence of analgesics, as it develops due to narrowing of the spinal arteries.
3. Muscle soreness in the neck area - rarely observed.
Osteochondrosis of the neck is a separate manifestation of spinal artery syndrome, which manifests itself as follows.
• Persistent and severe pain in the head and intensification when the head is bent.
• Impaired visual acuity, hesitation, muscle spasms around the eyes, dryness and irritation of the eye.
• Pain, weakness, shortness of breath, high blood pressure in the chest area. It is important to distinguish these complaints from angina pectoris, as these diseases are treated not only with different drugs but also by different specialists.
• Short-term hearing impairment - accompanied by tinnitus, dizziness and darkening of the eyes.
• Sudden bending or twisting of the head may result in vomiting and loss of consciousness.
• Symptoms of brain damage typical of ischemic stroke.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis.
• Neuropathologist, vertebrologist's examination
• X-ray examination of the neck
• Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging
Principles of treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.
Treated by a neurologist, drug therapy is recommended at the onset of the disease, and physiotherapy treatments, massage, and correction of the patient’s regimen during remission.
• Correction of the regime - it is recommended to properly organize the evening rest, the use of orthopedic pillows.
• Beware of stress. If you work all day sitting at a table, you should do exercises for the neck and eyeballs every two hours.
• Drug therapy - used according to the doctor's instructions.
• Physiotherapeutic treatments - massage and other manual treatments are performed only on the advice of a neurologist, otherwise various complications may occur.
