Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathological condition in which degenerative changes occur in the bones and cartilage tissue.
Dystrophy of the intervertebral discs can develop after 30 years, while at the age of 40-45 they dry up and harden.The spine contains 7 cervical vertebrae, consisting of a body, processes and a bony arch;In the center of the vertebra there is a hole in which the spinal cord is located.The individual elements of the spine are connected to each other using intervertebral discs formed from the nucleus, fibrous rings and a layer - hyaline plates (cartilage).The cervical vertebrae, which have the smallest disc thickness, fit tightly together;the muscles in the neck area are quite poorly developed, as a result of which, with regular exercises, disc displacement can occur, which compresses blood vessels and nerve trunks.
The disease goes through several stages in its development, during which the spine undergoes pathological changes:
- The first degree of osteochondrosis
It is characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs.Cracks form in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the disc is impaired, its height decreases, due to which the nerve roots are compressed.A characteristic painful pain appears.Sometimes in stage 1 (preclinical) such pain may be absent and osteochondrosis appears with moderate discomfort in the neck area.
- Osteochondrosis of the second degree
If osteochondrosis of the 1st degree was not treated or the treatment was not effective, then osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree - chronic appears.The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compression of the intervertebral disc continues and leads to easy dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.With cervical osteochondrosis, head drop syndrome may develop at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain, and the person is forced to keep the head in a fixed position to reduce the pain.
- Osteochondrosis of the third degree
The fibrous ring is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis - protrusion of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.In stage 3 of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease, as the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc simply no longer exists, and therefore there is no source of pain, but the capture of the nerve roots remains, so the pain does not go away completely.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
With age, the core of the intervertebral disc loses moisture reserves and also becomes less elastic.Since the metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, regeneration processes in discs with poor blood supply stop.At a young age, the main role in the appearance of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is played by physical inactivity - a passive lifestyle, lack of properly organized physical activity.
Disease prevention
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended: when you work sitting down, make sure you take five-minute breaks every hour, avoid neck stress;do not make sudden head movements, watch your posture;avoid hypothermia;exercise, swimming;eat properly;sleep should be on a firm mattress and a low pillow, the neck bending angle should not be more than 15 degrees;after 25 years, avoid shock loads on the spine (jumping, running).