Modern diseases of the musculoskeletal system are getting younger every year. Osteochondrosis of various parts of the spine is increasingly found in schoolchildren, students, and young professionals. The most vulnerable parts of the spinal column are the lumbar region, as well as the cervical region. For example, typical problems of the cervical region are associated with its greater mobility.
Pathological processes in the upper part of the ridge have their own characteristics. The cervical spine consists of a number of branches, different in their anatomical structure. Unlike the rest of the vertebral composition, this site does not have sufficient support in the form of a dense muscle frame.
Vertebral wear, their displacement, followed by blocking the patency of blood vessels, dystrophic (destructive) processes in the intervertebral discs lead to a number of serious diseases.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
In addition to the obvious painful symptom in the neck, osteochondrosis of this site is characterized by non-specific signs. The patient may complain of:
– a feeling of numbness of the occipital area in the morning;
– frequent headaches;
– noise in ears;
– visual impairment;
– tingling and / or burning in the arms and legs;
– frequent heart pains;
– the inability to lift a small weight.
The number of symptomatic signs or the predominance of one of them indicates the presence of progressive pathological processes in the region of a particular vertebra.
So, for example, damage to the bone process of C4 is manifested by heart pain, impaired respiratory function (shortness of breath, condition of suffocation). Dystrophy of fragments C7 and C8 is expressed by pain syndromes in the upper limbs (from the forearm to the thumb of each hand).
Diagnosis and treatment
Of course, problems of the cervical spine require a comprehensive diagnostic approach. Analysis of the results of radiography, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound of the vessels of the affected area will allow the specialist to determine the only correct treatment tactics.
If signs of dystrophic processes (spinal osteochondrosis) are detected, the specialist indicates the duration of drug and general therapeutic treatment. Recognition of other causes of the disease, which include muscle strain or injury of varying severity, necessitates the use of additional therapeutic measures.
The standard regimen for osteochondrosis includes a course of anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac and ibuprofen. To more effectively combat the painful manifestations of osteochondrosis, the patient may be prescribed painkillers, warming ointments and topical creams.
A mandatory point in eliminating the degenerative processes of the cervical spine is the passage of a number of physiotherapy. Useful are called relaxing exercises in the water, therapeutic aqua aerobics, general gymnastic exercises.
In general, uncomplicated problems of the cervical region are easily eliminated at the end of the indicated recovery course. In this case, strict adherence to the recommendations prescribed by the doctor is recognized.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the most common type of pathological changes in the bone structure. Rapid deformation of the vertebrae, the formation of hernias and other tumor-like growths, blocking the full-fledged work of blood vessels often provoke the development of difficultly resolving diseases of the spine. With the appearance of characteristic symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to undergo a full examination of the entire spinal column and its timely treatment.