Just 30 years ago, osteoarthritis was associated only with the elderly, whose joints became immobile and painful with movement.However, times have changed.Today, more and more people exchange hard manual labor for sedentary work at the computer, pay less and less attention to the quality of their diet and are increasingly faced with osteoarthritis of the cervical spine.It is not without reason that osteochondrosis is called the "disease of the century" and almost everyone who has turned 25 years old faces symptoms of this disease.
This cruel disease, which begins with unpleasant pain in the neck, quickly leads to serious consequences such as hearing and vision impairment, as well as memory loss until complete loss.That is why every person should know the causes of osteoarthritis and promptly consult a doctor if unpleasant symptoms of the disease appear.We will talk about them in this article.
Causes of cervical spondylosis
Paradoxically, all our problems with the cervical spine begin in childhood, or rather, in elementary school, where the child's posture deteriorates and scoliosis develops.It is at this moment that the system of support of the head by the spine is disrupted, especially the thinnest and most vulnerable part - the cervix.The second important factor leading to cervical spondylosis, which appears in childhood, is inadequate physical training, in particular, weakness of the spinal muscles and the so-called muscle corsets, designed to support the spine.
These are the two most important causes of the disease.All the rest place a great burden on the weakened spine, causing the development of the disease in quite young and healthy people.First of all, these include a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, especially work that requires staying in one position for long periods of time.This is most typical for drivers and office workers who spend entire shifts sitting in front of computers.All this is complemented by excess body weight, which seriously increases the load on the spine.
Other causes of cervical spine cartilage degeneration include:
- previous spinal injury;
- metabolic disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- excellent physical activity;
- constant nervous tension and stress;
- Developmental anomalies of the cervical spine;
- bad habits (holding the phone by ear and shoulder).
Development process of osteoarthritis
The last listed adverse factors lead to increased load on the cervical spine.When trying to compensate for excess load on the neck muscles, they spasm, which leads to impaired blood circulation in this area and a decrease in metabolism.All this leads to the development of degenerative processes in the spine.First, the vertebrae begin to thin and move closer together, forcing their contents (the annulus fibrosus) to the outside of the spine.In medical terms, such a protrusion is called a protrusion.
In the case of protrusion, the annulus remains intact, but the protrusion compresses the blood vessels and nerves that run along the spine and supply blood to the brain.Furthermore, the approaching and deformed vertebrae begin to compress peripheral nerve roots, leading to the development of the so-called “nerve root syndrome”, which is manifested by severe pain in the back and neck.If you do not identify the problem (this will be eloquently signaled by unpleasant symptoms) and do not start treating osteoarthritis, the annulus fibrosus will burst and vertebral herniation will appear.In this case, serious problems with brain nutrition will arise.
Symptoms of cervical spondylosis
During the development process, the disease goes through many stages, each stage has characteristic signs and symptoms.It should be noted here that cervical spondylosis is different from degenerative changes in other parts of the spine.The distance between the vertebrae here is minimal, so even small degenerative changes cause unpleasant symptoms and lead to various complications.
Grade I osteochondrosisThis is the pre-clinical stage of the disease's development, the patient feels slight pain and discomfort when turning the head, as well as tension and fatigue in the neck and back when holding one position for a long time (usually in a sitting position).At this stage, osteoarthritis can be perfectly treated by changing lifestyle, adjusting nutrition and exercising regularly.
Grade II osteochondrosisAt this stage, instability appears between the vertebrae in the neck.In this case, the patient faces severe pain that spreads to the shoulder, neck or arm.When bending or turning the head, the pain increases significantly, because the distance between the vertebrae decreases, the nerve endings begin to be compressed.Patients quickly tire, work performance declines, become distracted, forgetful and have headaches.
Grade III osteochondrosisWhen the disease begins in the third stage, the pain in the back and neck becomes even stronger, the mobility of the neck is significantly reduced, and when turning the neck, you can hear the crunching of the vertebrae.At night, the patient's fingers begin to numb (mainly the little finger and ring finger), which is why the patient wakes up several times during the night.Throughout the day, such patients feel uncomfortable heaviness in their hands.And even a short conversation on the phone, during which a person is forced to hold the mobile phone close to his ear, leads to an unpleasant feeling of tingling and numbness of the fingers.All this indicates increasing protrusion and possible hernia in the cervical spine.
Grade IV osteochondrosisIn the final stages of the disease, the vertebral discs are destroyed, stop functioning and begin to be replaced by connective tissue.Patients in this condition may experience poor coordination of movements, crazy noises and pulsations in the ears, increased headaches, and decreased vision and hearing.In some cases, tongue numbness may occur.
It should be said here that due to compression of blood vessels, blood flow to the brain is interrupted.Because of this, patients suffer from neurological disorders such as insomnia, stress, irritability and resentment, frequent mood changes and the inability to concentrate.Periodically there may be outbursts of anger or fear, melancholy and depression may occur.
In the later stages of the development of osteonecrosis, severe vasospasm can lead to the appearance of “floaters” before the eyes, a feeling of instability on hard, flat surfaces, severe dizziness, migraines, nausea, vomiting and frequent fainting.
Diagnosis of disease
To determine the cause of the disease, the patient describes to the doctor the unpleasant symptoms of his condition.After listening to the patient, the specialist will refer the patient to one of the following research methods.
X-ray.Currently, this diagnostic method is considered uninformative, especially in the late stages of the disease.Double-sided ultrasound scanning.This method is used in cases where the specialist suspects an interruption of blood flow in the artery supplying food to the brain.The study shows the speed of blood flow and determines whether there are any obstacles in its path.CT (computed tomography).This method is more informative than radiography, since it not only identifies the problem, but also allows you to determine the presence and size of the hernia, albeit with difficulty.MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).The most informative method for diagnosing osteonecrosis today, allowing you to distinguish the bone structure, the presence of hernias and even the direction of their development.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
Let us say right away that to combat such a serious problem as cervical spondylosis, you should contact a neurologist.True, if the clinic has a spine specialist, it is better to contact him first.
Osteoarthritis can only be treated comprehensively.The complexity of the methods used includes drug treatment, massage of the cervical area, exercise therapy, physiotherapy methods, as well as proper nutrition.Only the combination of all these methods will help to cope with the disease and normalize the patient's health.
Helps with severe pain
In case of severe pain, doctors recommend taking drugs such as Analgin, Baralgin or Tempalgin.When these drugs no longer provide effective pain relief, you can switch to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketanov gel, Ketorolac, Nise and Diclofenac).
Generally speaking, drug treatment includes the following:
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).These measures help eliminate pain, reduce swelling and cope with nerve root inflammation.
- Chondroprotectors.Such drugs perfectly restore damaged cartilage tissue.
- Vitamin B. They are needed to improve metabolic processes in nervous tissues.
- Muscle relaxants.The action of these drugs is aimed at reducing muscle spasms.
- The drug improves the rheological properties of blood.Thanks to such means, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and nerve endings is improved.
It should be noted here that a noticeable effect in the fight against osteoarthritis can be achieved only with the help of ointments and tablets if drug treatment is combined with other treatment methods.Otherwise, the medicine will only have a temporary effect.
Many experts tend to treat osteoarthritis with injections to quickly act on nerve endings and save patients from possible side effects when taking drugs.However, it's better to take vitamins because... Vitamins are well absorbed by the body no matter how you take them, but injecting them can be painful.
Physical therapy
Drug treatment must be combined with physical therapy methods.The most effective for this disease are:
- Electrophoresis (in combination with drugs).In this case, the drug will penetrate into the damaged vertebra under the influence of electric current.As a rule, electrophoresis is performed with Eufillin to improve blood flow or with Novocain to relieve pain.
- Supersonic.This method of exposure allows you to reduce the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve metabolic processes in tissues.
- Magnetic therapy.This type of physical therapy reduces swelling and eliminates pain.
- Laser therapy.This is an excellent method to fight inflammatory processes, while improving blood circulation.
Diet for osteoarthritis
Rehabilitation of the affected vertebrae also includes a special diet that normalizes metabolic processes in the body, prevents salt deposition, nourishes and restores cartilage tissue, and strengthens the ligaments between the intervertebral discs.
To achieve this, first of all, it is necessary to exclude the following from the patient's diet:
- alcoholic beverages;
- fatty and fried foods;
- Spicy and overly salty dishes;
- rich broth;
- weakness and baking;
- strong tea and coffee;
- pickles and sauces;
- canned products.
The diet of people with osteoarthritis should include the following foods:
- lean meat and fish;
- low-fat milk, cheese and kefir;
- butter (small quantity);
- wholegrain porridge and soup;
- jelly meat, fish or jelly meat;
- vegetables, fruits and berries;
- juice, juice, jelly and juice.
When osteonecrosis is localized in the cervical region, it is important to adhere to a hydration regimen, drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day.If you are overweight, then you should think about how to lose excess weight, which puts additional stress on the spine.You should switch to eating 5 times a day with small portions.
At the same time, it can be seen from the list of foods allowed for consumption that the basis of nutrition should be low-fat vegetarian soups, boiled lean meat, fish, seafood, unsweetened vegetables and fruits.
A sample menu for the day would look like this:
- breakfast: cheese, a few apples, unsweetened tea;
- lunch: grilled pears, some oatmeal cookies;
- lunch: vegetarian borscht, boiled chicken with vegetable salad;
- Afternoon snack: dry crackers and fruit juice;
- dinner: grilled fish with vegetables and unsweetened tea.
Exercise therapy for osteoarthritis
Physical education gives amazing results in the treatment of osteoarthritis, although you can only exercise the cervical spine during the recovery period.What is important here is that during massage or exercise, the patient does not feel discomfort or pain.
Wishing you good health!