Second-degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine requires professional treatment. With the development of this pathology, the integrity of the intervertebral discs is disturbed, and the gap between them also decreases. Of all the forms of osteochondrosis, cervical is the most common. The neck is mobile, in that sense it is regularly exposed to stress. The initial stage of osteochondrosis is tolerated normally. Launched - carry a major health threat.
Why does osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occur?
The causes of cervical osteochondrosis are numerous. Pathology can develop in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. The veins pass through the vertebral cervical regions, supplying blood to the blood vessels of the brain. Osteochondrosis SHOP often occurs due to increased stress on the neck. First-degree spinal osteochondrosis occurs in young and elderly people. It is not age that plays an important role, but lifestyle and body characteristics.
Second-degree cervical osteochondrosis is common among adolescents. There is a concept of "adolescent osteochondrosis" in medicine. The usual cause of osteochondrosis of 1. 2 degrees is the wrong position of the head. When this disease develops, the pulp cracks. The types of osteochondrosis depend on how severe the pulp rupture is. Untimely treatment of first-degree osteochondrosis leads to the progression of the pathological process. In the third phase of the disease, degenerative-dystrophic processes are pronounced: the patient is more often worried about back and neck pain.
Characteristics of the first phase
With first-degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the pathological process extends to the muscles. The initial stage is characterized by the formation of cracks in the annular fiber. It consists of collagen fibers.
Osteochondrosis of the first degree of the cervical spine leads to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms:
- The first stage of osteochondrosis is manifested by pain in the back of the head. Some people get swelling. In first-degree cervical osteochondrosis, severe cramps may occur.
- If a person is diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, he must visit an ophthalmologist. Pupils may dilate.
- First-degree cervical osteochondrosis often leads to Wright syndrome. If the patient receives a hand behind the head, the pain intensifies.
- Cervical pain syndrome usually develops at the beginning of the disease. Inflammation in this case affects the muscles. Progression of cervical syndrome is associated with abscess. The person begins to feel pain in the neck, joint mobility is limited.
- In the first phase, the anterior skeletal muscle syndrome can appear, in case the subclavian artery is affected.
How is the treatment carried out? The goal of therapy is to repair pulp rupture and prevent unpleasant symptoms. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is performed surgically. The postoperative period lasts 7 days. In a month or two, the stitches gradually grow together.
To ensure disease prevention, you must wear a special necklace, which is worn around the neck. Your doctor will recommend the use of a calcium gluconate solution. The medicine helps in wound healing.
What happens in the second stage of the disease?
Second-degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops with the ineffectiveness of therapy at an early stage. Inflammatory reactions become pronounced, the intervertebral foramen decreases.
Second-degree cervical osteochondrosis leads to the formation of osteophytes. These are bone processes that occur on the background of dehydration.
Stage 2 of cervical osteochondrosis can last 4-5 years. The disease occasionally subsides and worsens. A characteristic feature of the disease is head fall syndrome.
Treatment includes manual therapy. The goal is to ensure normal fixation of the neck muscles. Depending on the situation, orthopedic treatment (spinal fusion) may be prescribed. Drug therapy is required. Calcium chloride is prescribed to relieve pain. Therapeutic gymnastics is recommended: it should be given for 30 minutes a day. The main load should be on the joints.
How does the third phase manifest itself?
Treatment of third-degree osteochondrosis is quite difficult. With this disease, the structure of the intervertebral discs changes.
The pathological process includes tissues and joints:
- The body of the vertebrae is torn, there are characteristic signs of intervertebral hernia. The person begins to feel severe pain in the back, neck and limbs. Degenerative-dystrophic reactions affect a large part of the neck.
- Third-degree osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by vestibular disorders. Occasionally a person feels pain in the temples. Some patients may partially lose consciousness.
- The danger of the disease in the third phase is that it leads to endocrine pathology. Therapy includes surgery and the use of manual techniques. In the third stage of cervical osteochondrosis, drugs are not prescribed.
- The patient may have polysegmental osteochondrosis. In this disease, segments of the cervical spine are affected, shoulder mobility is reduced and elbow pain occurs.
To restore the functioning of the spine, you must wear a neck prosthesis.
Disease syndromes
Cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by the following syndromes:
- Vertebral occurs when cartilage and bone tissue are involved in the pathological process. The mobility of the door is impaired. If a person tries to turn his head to the side, pain appears in the occipital region of the neck. The vertebrae undergo morphological changes that are visible on the radiogram. The symptoms of one syndrome are interrelated. An important sign of vertebral syndrome are morphological changes in the tissues and bone structures of cartilage. This syndrome is difficult to diagnose. A similar complex of symptoms is present in myositis.
- Vertebral artery syndrome is another manifestation, it can occur regardless of the degree of cervical osteochondrosis. The pathological process affects the arteries that feed the brain. Occasionally there is a feeling of dizziness. Dizziness is a symptom of vertebral artery syndrome. Blood pressure can jump, occasionally there is nausea, vomiting. Nerve endings are irritated, which causes headaches. With vertebral artery syndrome, fainting and oxygen starvation are possible. The disease is accompanied by the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels.
- Cardiac syndrome is manifested by pain in the sternum. Rapid fatigue and reduced performance were observed. The heartbeat gets faster. Diagnosis includes angiography and functional tests. Radicular syndrome is associated with spinal nerve damage. It's one-sided. In radicular syndrome, neck pain is observed, combined with paralysis.
It should be noted that osteochondrosis leads to damage to a large number of vertebrae.
What is osteochondrosis of the thoracic region?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine has been detected in young and elderly people: age does not matter. The pathology leads to degenerative-dystrophic changes in cartilage and bone structures. Late treatment involves violation of the structure of ligaments, joints, intervertebral discs. At an advanced stage, thoracic osteochondrosis leads to destruction of the intervertebral discs.
Complications of the disease can be:
- pneumosclerosis;
- infertility;
- malignant formations.
If the disease develops in a young person, premature aging of the musculoskeletal system is observed. The functioning of cartilaginous structures and tissues is significantly impaired.
Clinical picture and causes
- With the development of this pathology, chest pains appear. They appear in a quiet position and while driving. Unpleasant sensations intensify after lifting weights, sharp bends.
- The disease is manifested by squeezing in the back. Due to this problem, breathing is difficult.
- It can get cold.
- Some people complain of peeling skin, thinning nail plate.
The disease is associated with pathological reactions in the intervertebral discs. It can be inherited. The predisposing factor is the defeat of the intervertebral discs. In some people, the disease is diagnosed on the background of osteophytes. The reason may be insufficient physical activity or, conversely, physical inactivity.
Therapeutic activities
If there are no neurological symptoms, complex treatment is still needed. Therapy cannot be delayed, otherwise the intervertebral discs will be destroyed.
Diagnosis should be performed before starting treatment. If a person has identified at least one of the above symptoms, he or she must visit a neurologist. The doctor will take a medical history, examine the thoracic region. Palpation reveals herniated discs. If the doctor finds any, he prescribes an additional examination. Radiography required. The MRI procedure allows you to study the musculoskeletal system and identify neoplasms.
Treatment depends on the degree of breast osteochondrosis; begins after confirmation of the diagnosis. The doctor prescribes medications that help relieve pain and restore the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. For the treatment of this pathology, injections, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises are needed. Additional procedures - magnetotherapy, vacuum therapy, physiotherapy exercises.
Daily exercise has a complex effect on the body, improves the work of the musculoskeletal system and respiratory system. Massage reduces the severity of pain, increases muscle tone, relieves fatigue and improves blood circulation in the tissues. The procedure is performed by an experienced expert.
Conclusion
How many years can you live with osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine? The pathology is not life-threatening, but its symptoms cause serious discomfort. The clinical picture of the disease can change: it all depends on the effectiveness of therapy.