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What is cervical osteochondrosis?
Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic change in the intervertebral discs and articular structures of the cervical spine. Due to nutritional disorders, the disc gradually loses moisture, elasticity and height, which leads to a decrease in its shock-absorbing capacity and irritation of the nerve roots. The pathology progresses gradually: from initial disc dehydration to the formation of protrusions, hernias, osteophytes and secondary segment instability.
Unlike the thoracic or lumbar spine, the cervical spine is the most vulnerable: it is mobile, anatomically narrow, and vital structures are located nearby – the vertebral arteries, sympathetic plexuses, nerve roots. Therefore, even moderate changes in the neck area can cause severe pain, dizziness, pressure fluctuations, numbness of the hands, chronic fatigue and decreased performance.
Cervical osteochondrosis requires targeted therapy, as without treatment it gradually leads to narrowing of the intervertebral canals, radiculopathy, vascular disorders, and frequent exacerbations.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Symptoms depend on the level of damage and the degree of compression of the nervous structures. Most often, patients complain of:
Characteristic manifestations:
- pain in the neck, upper arms, and back of the head, which increases when turning the head or working at a computer for a long time;
- a characteristic “crunch” or feeling of friction during movements;
- numbness or tingling in the hands, forearms, and fingers;
- dizziness, instability, “fog in the head”;
- jumps in blood pressure, tinnitus;
- rapid fatigue of the muscles of the cervical-collar zone;
- decreased strength in the hands, difficulty in performing small movements.
It is important to distinguish the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis from the manifestations of thyroid pathologies, arterial hypertension and neurotic conditions.
This is possible only after a full diagnosis by a specialist.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
The development of cervical osteochondrosis is led by complex factors related to lifestyle, posture, stress and age-related changes.
The main causes include:
Main factors of development:
- prolonged static work at a computer or driving;
- incorrect posture, stooping, “smartphone pose”;
- weak muscle corset of the neck and shoulder girdle;
- chronic stress and muscle-fascial spasms;
- suffered injuries, sudden movements, microtraumatization;
- age-related degenerative changes in discs and vertebrae;
- metabolic disorders, overweight.
In most cases, cervical osteochondrosis develops gradually, imperceptibly for the patient,
until acute pain or pronounced neurological symptoms appear.
Diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
Comprehensive diagnostics allows you to accurately determine the level of damage, the degree of disc degeneration, the state of the nervous structures
and choose the right treatment tactics.
The Spine Center of the HBMedical clinic uses:
Main examination methods:
- clinical and neurological examination;
- X-ray of the cervical spine;
- MRI for detailed visualization of soft tissues, nerve roots and discs;
- CT in complex cases or when it is necessary to assess bone structures;
- functional diagnostics of motor segments.
After analyzing the results, the doctor forms an individual therapy plan aimed at eliminating pain,
stabilizing the segment and preventing the progression of degenerative changes.
Cervical osteochondrosis treatment methods
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Drug treatment.
It is used to relieve acute pain, inflammation, muscle spasm. Anti-inflammatory drugs,
muscle relaxants, drugs to stabilize microcirculation and reduce radicular symptoms are used. -
Physiotherapy.
Aimed at reducing swelling of nervous structures, improving disc nutrition, and normalizing muscle tone.
The combination of hardware techniques speeds up recovery and reduces the risk of exacerbations. -
Massage and exercise.
Soft massage techniques eliminate muscle-fascial spasm, improve blood supply and segment mobility.
Exercise therapy forms a strong muscular corset, stabilizes the cervical spine and restores the natural biomechanics of movements. -
Manual therapy.
It is used delicately and only according to indications. It allows you to reduce functional blocks, improve mobility,
relieve overstrain. The Spine Center uses exclusively safe, proven manual therapy. -
Surgical treatment.
It is indicated only in cases of significant compression of nerve structures or ineffectiveness of conservative methods.
The vast majority of patients are treated without surgery.
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