Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disease of joint cartilage, one of the main causes of neck pain with the characteristic of radiation to the arms. With this disease, there are changes in the structure of cartilage and nearby musculo-ligamentary structures.
Because as cervical spondylosis progresses, it can lead to a number of serious complications, including patient disability, so timely diagnosis and treatment is one of the urgent tasks. encyclopedia of modern medicine.
Stages of pathological development and typical symptoms
The disease goes through 4 consecutive stages of development with corresponding changes in the body and accompanying symptoms:
The first stage is the initial morphological changes in the intervertebral discs. The core of the disc (nucleus disc) gradually dries out and cracks appear in the structure of the annulus fibrosus. This is accompanied by pain or discomfort in the neck, which is worse when turning or tilting the head. There is also mild cervical lordosis and almost constant muscle tension.
In the second stage, destruction of the annulus fibrosus continues, accompanied by the first signs of pathological mobility of the vertebrae and their instability. The distance between the vertebrae decreases and protrusion occurs. At this time, the patient notices that the pain is increasing and spreading to the arm or shoulder area. Along with this, severe headaches appear, patients complain of a feeling of weakness and reduced performance.
The third stage is characterized by complete destruction of the annulus fibrosus, due to which the unfixed nucleus extends beyond the vertebra and penetrates into the area of the spinal canal, forming a herniated protrusion. On the contrary, it puts pressure on the nerves and components of the vascular bed, causing disruption of blood flow in the cervical area. Patients at this stage complain of severe, constant pain in the neck that radiates to the arms and shoulders. The muscles become weaker and numbness in the upper limbs is systematically noted. Episodes of dizziness, difficulty in spatial orientation, and stiffness when moving are added to the clinical picture.
The fourth stage is represented by the replacement of intervertebral disc cartilage with connective tissue structures and the involvement of neighboring spinal segments in pathological changes. Due to the fusion of the joints, their immobility occurs. For the patient, this is the most difficult stage because the patient often feels severe pain in the neck, arms, chest and the area between the shoulder blades. In addition, there are signs of reduced blood supply to the brain, sensitivity disorders and the possibility of stroke increases significantly.
It should be noted that in addition to the main clinical picture that accompanies cervical spondylosis at different stages, additional symptoms can be noted:
decreased vision;
Anxiety episodes occur due to insufficient blood supply to the brain;
hearing loss and tinnitus;
the appearance of crunching sounds when moving the head;
sleep disorders leading to insomnia;
the appearance of dots before the eyes;
case of loss of consciousness;
facial paralysis;
pain in the arm that occurs at night.
If spinal cord compression occurs, myelopathy may develop, accompanied by:
difficulty moving limbs;
problems with coordination or balance;
loss of bowel or bladder control;
weakness or numbness in any area of the body below the neck;
pain in the limbs, increasing when bending forward.
Cause of the disease
The main factor that causes cervical spondylosis to develop is imbalance and excessive load on this part of the spine. In most cases, the pathology is formed against the background of irreversible degenerative changes that accompany the aging process. Osteonecrosis can also occur due to neck trauma or metabolic disorders.
In addition, there are a number of other factors that contribute to increased load on the neck, muscle spasms and the development of chronic diseases:
spinal abnormalities, congenital or acquired;
overweight;
complex genetics (eg, congenital and hereditary weakness of connective tissues);
Prolonged or frequent overload of the spine (in forced positions, physical inactivity);
vitamin deficiency;
autoimmune pathology accompanied by damage to connective tissue structures (collagenosis);
lack of micro or macro elements;
intense physical activity, sports with a higher risk of spinal cord injury (eg, professional wrestling);
smoking, which blocks the flow of nutrients into the disc;
metabolic disorder;
unbalanced diet with too many carbohydrates and fats combined with a protein deficiency;
Frequent stressful situations;
pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, leading to reduced mobility of the cervical spine;
repeated or severe hypothermia in the neck.
What is the danger of osteoarthritis?
The first problem, typical for most patients with cervical spondylosis, is severe and frequent pain in the head and neck area. Because of this, people are forced to find the most comfortable position so that the pain reduces or disappears completely. This, in turn, leads to reduced performance.
As the disease progresses, a protrusion forms (releasing part of the disc tissue outside the intervertebral space), the tissue between the vertebrae begins to collapse and the gap narrows. At the final stage of the pathological process, the intervertebral disc is completely destroyed and replaced by connective tissue structures. This leads to limited motor activity, as the patient loses the ability to turn or tilt the head.
In addition, cervical spondylosis is also dangerous because it can lead to the following complications:
herniation;
cervical pain (pain sensation localized at the base of the skull);
formation of bone spurs;
arterial compression;
radiculopathy (spinal root compression);
chronic pain syndrome.
In the most severe and severe cases, cervical spondylosis causes spinal cord compression, leaving the patient paralyzed and disabled.
Diagnostic method
Diagnosis of a patient with suspected cervical spondylosis begins with an appointment with a doctor, who conducts a thorough interview, clarifies the symptoms and history of the development of the disease, and also performs a physical examination. During the examination, the doctor focuses on identifying the pain area, evaluating the mobility of the spine and the quality of reflexes.
After receiving the initial data, the specialist will plan further diagnostics, which may include:
multi-slice computed tomography;
Positron emission and magnetic resonance imaging;
X-ray;
Duplex scanning of vessels in the area of the pathological process.
Imaging techniques allow the doctor to determine the origin of the clinical picture, identify signs of degenerative processes or other conditions that can cause the appearance of symptoms that bother the patient. Duplex scanning allows you to evaluate the quality of blood flow and detect vasoconstriction.
In addition to the main diagnostic program, consultations with relevant specialists (spine specialist, endocrinologist, orthopedic traumatologist, neurosurgeon, oncologist) can be carried out. ) and can specify the following:
ultrasound scan of nearby organs;
ECG;
Standard and advanced research on biological materials (blood, urine).
Only after the diagnosis is confirmed and the cause and severity of the disease are clarified, the doctor will begin to devise the most optimal and effective treatment program.
Treatment options
The treatment method for cervical spondylosis is selected based on the stage at which the disease is detected, as well as taking into account the patient's age, current condition and existing complications or comorbidities.
Conservative approach
When cervical spondylosis is identified in the early stages, conservative treatment methods will be selected. They are aimed at stopping the progression of the disease, relieving unpleasant symptoms and restoring spinal mobility.
As part of conservative therapy, doctors combine drug treatment with physical therapy and gymnastics procedures. He can prescribe medications from the following categories:
chondroprotector;
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
analgesic;
Vascular protective drugs;
B vitamins;
hormones;
muscle relaxants;
vasodilators;
nootropics.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are used as a complement to medications and, taking into account the patient's condition, the doctor may prescribe:
Acupuncture;
kinesio recording;
massage session;
photodynamic therapy;
the use of ultrasonic or diadynamic currents;
electrophoresis;
magnetic field therapy.
At the same time, in cases of cervical spondylosis in the acute stage, it may be advisable to wear an orthopedic collar. This medical accessory is necessary to stabilize bones and joints, reduce the load on the affected spinal area and reduce pain. Osteoarthritis treatment collars, prices vary depending on the manufacturer, type and material, are selected by the doctor individually for each patient.
The last but not least important part of conservative therapy is gymnastics. The doctor prepares a series of special exercises for the patient aimed at strengthening the muscle frame, correcting posture and improving blood flow in the upper part of the spine.
Surgical method
If conservative methods are unsuccessful or cervical spondylosis is detected at a later stage, treatment is carried out through surgical intervention. Doctors may prescribe one of the following surgeries for patients:
surgical excision;
endoscopic or percutaneous decompression;
loss of television signal;
laparoscopic excision of hernias, tumor processes or areas of degenerative-dystrophic changes;
lysis of epidural adhesions;
stabilizes the spine;
Endoscopic surgery;
laser nuclear imaging with puncture.
Precautions
Cervical spondylosis is a disease for which no specific preventive measures have been developed. To significantly reduce the likelihood of the disease occurring, recurring or developing complications, doctors give a number of recommendations. According to them, patients need:
adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle;
eliminate lifting and carrying heavy objects;
Use orthopedic mattresses and pillows to sleep;
Do regular physical activity and go swimming;
eat a balanced diet;
exclude situations where hypothermia in the cervical spine may occur;
constantly monitor your posture;
systematically take breaks to carry out short therapeutic exercise sessions in case of sedentary work;
Be careful when turning and tilting your head;
Get checked regularly by a specialized specialist for preventative purposes.
How does recovery work?
The supervising doctor draws up a plan for the rehabilitation period, taking into account several aspects:
At what stage is cervical cartilage degeneration detected?
general health and well-being of the patient;
age category and body weight of the patient;
Existing co-morbidities or complications of the disease.
Depending on the situation, your doctor may include massage, exercise and physical therapy in your rehabilitation program. Such comprehensive measures will not only accelerate recovery and eliminate complications or relapses, but will also help improve the patient's overall health.
Cervical spondylosis is a serious problem for which patients need timely and proper medical care. If signs of this disease appear, you can receive further diagnosis and treatment at a medical center. All specialists choose an individual approach for each patient, are guided by modern methods of treating osteoarthritis and offer a wide range of services and prices suitable for patients.
Answer the question
Once cervical cartilage degeneration has been identified, how long does it take to treat this disease?
The duration of treatment directly depends on the stage at which the patient with cervical spondylosis seeks help. Only a doctor who has assessed the severity of the pathological process and monitored the progress of treatment can determine the most likely stage.
Which doctor should I contact if I suspect I have cervical spondylosis?
Cervical osteoarthritis is identified and subsequently treated by a neurologist, but in some cases, an orthopedic traumatologist may supervise the patient.