Osteoarthritis affects not only the knee and hip joints.Sometimes degenerative processes develop in the cervical spine.In advanced cases, without treatment, they can cause a total loss of mobility due to fusion of the vertebrae and even disability.
how it will develop
The cervical region includes 7 vertebrae, the most mobile of the entire spinal column.If certain pathological processes occur in the body, the cervical vertebrae, protected by a "plate" (disc) of elastic cartilage, become covered with osteophytes (bone growths).The cartilage, in turn, becomes thinner and destroyed, and the adjacent soft tissue atrophies.
The intervertebral disc may bulge and put pressure on nearby tissues or nerves.The vertebrae change shape, causing spinal deformities.If they are pronounced, the patient develops deforming cervical osteoarthritis.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae.
- Genetic pathologies of the development of the musculoskeletal system as a whole, for example dysplasia, flat feet, scoliosis (if a certain link of the spine is damaged, the entire biomechanical chain suffers).
- Dystrophic changes in the joints associated with age-related changes.
- Cervical spine injuries.
- Excess tension, for example due to excess weight, associated with professional or sporting activities.
- Herniated or protruded discs.
- Inflammatory diseases (arthritis, rheumatism).
- Malfunction of the endocrine system.
- Metabolic disorders, etc.
how to recognize
Osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae is accompanied by a dull, aching pain, usually unilateral, that intensifies with movement.Patients complain of morning pain.The unpleasant sensations originate in the neck area and then move to the shoulder blades and arms, the syndrome intensifies with palpation.
Other characteristic symptoms of the disease are:
- paroxysmal dizziness or migraine;
- decreased range of head movement due to pain (for example, a person may tilt their head 45 to 50°);
- crackling when moving the neck;
- specific sounds in the ears;
- visual impairment;
- pain in the chest area;
- numbness in the lower part of the face.
In later stages, against the background of a complete lack of synovial fluid in the joints, deformities of the spine appear, and systemic hypertension - an unexplained increase in blood pressure - may also develop.If the disease is complicated by radicular symptoms, such as a pinched nerve, its form is diagnosed: uncovertebral osteoarthritis.It is not easy to recognize the disease on its own: based on its symptoms, it can be easily confused with a pathology of the cardiovascular system or brain.
Difficulties in diagnosis.
Before prescribing a complex treatment regimen or prescribing an intra-articular injection of synovial fluid prostheses, the rheumatologist must make sure that the diagnosis is correct, since the symptoms of the disease duplicate other pathologies.After taking a history and studying a blood test to determine the absence of other diseases (with osteoarthritis, blood counts do not change), one of the following studies is performed:
- x-ray in various projections;
- CT or MRI;
- Vascular angiography.
As a result of the examinations, the doctor determines changes in the cartilage structure of the intervertebral discs, the joint space, the amount of synovial fluid and its deficiency in the joints, the nature of bone growths - osteophytes.
Why it is necessary to treat osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae
If treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae is delayed, the disease can lead to the following complications:
- compression of nerve endings and, as a result, severe pain;
- pinching of the spinal canals;
- stroke.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine.
As a rule, people come to a rheumatologist with an acute form of the disease, so the main goals of therapy are as follows:
- eliminate pain syndrome;
- stop inflammation;
- eliminate pinching of the nerve endings of the spinal trunk.
In addition, for the normal functioning of the vertebrae, it is necessary to restore the destroyed cartilage fibers of the discs and, for this, increase blood circulation in the damaged tissues.
Therapeutic methods
1. Medication.
NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation and chondroprotectors are used to regenerate cartilage tissue.Blood circulation and nutrition of the affected tissues can be normalized with the help of vasodilator drugs.Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms.
2. Physiotherapeutic.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is auxiliary in nature and aims to accelerate metabolism in the tissues.Most often, with this diagnosis, manual therapy, magnetic and acupuncture therapy, phonophoresis and infrared radiation are prescribed.
If medications do not help and there is a possibility of vertebral artery syndrome, surgery for uncoarthrosis of the cervical vertebrae is prescribed.It consists of removing and replacing the damaged joint with an endoprosthesis.
To avoid damaging your neck with osteoarthritis and help it, practice, for example, the following morning exercises:
What is an orthopedic regimen for neck osteoarthritis?
Patients with arthrosis of any joint, including those using prosthetic preparations of synovial fluid or other medications, are shown a special orthopedic regimen that will help avoid complications:
- It is necessary to carefully monitor your posture, avoiding curvature.
- During sedentary work, short breaks are required for physical activity.
- Shants orthopedic collars help relieve tension in the cervical region, as directed by the doctor.
- An orthopedic mattress and pillow will not be superfluous.
Comprehensive treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae also includes special gymnastics and professional massage.With the help of twists and rotations, bending and tilting the head back under the supervision of an instructor, it is possible to develop the motor capabilities of this part of the spine.
Intra-articular injections of a synovial fluid substitute for this type of osteoarthritis are not performed due to its specific location.Instead, the patient can be offered professional massage or hardware methods for the local and safe development of the deep and superficial muscles of the back.The main thing is to find a good specialist, trust him and not let the disease take its course.