Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a pathological disease in which degenerative changes occur in bone and cartilage tissue.
Dystrophy of the intervertebral discs can develop after 30 years, while by the age of 40-45 they become dry and hardened.The spine contains 7 cervical vertebrae, consisting of a body, processes and a bony arch;In the middle 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 by intervertebral discs, which consist of the nucleus, the fibrous ring and a layer - the hyaline plate (cartilage).The cervical vertebrae with the smallest intervertebral disc thickness lie close together;The muscles in the neck area are quite poorly developed, which means that regular strain can lead to disc displacement, which compresses blood vessels and nerve trunks.
The disease goes through several stages in its development, during which pathological changes in the spine occur:
- Osteochondrosis of the 1st degree
Characterized by the beginning of the destruction of the intervertebral discs.Cracks form in the fibrous ring, the strength and elasticity of the intervertebral disc is impaired, its height decreases, as a result of which the nerve roots are compressed.A characteristic aching pain occurs.Sometimes such pain is absent in stage 1 (preclinical) and osteochondrosis occurs with moderate discomfort in the neck area.
- Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree
If osteochondrosis grade 1 was not treated or the treatment was ineffective, osteochondrosis is grade 2 - chronic.The pain becomes constant, the destruction and compaction of the intervertebral disc continues, leading to slight dislocations of the cervical vertebrae.With cervical osteochondrosis, falling head syndrome can develop at this stage.This syndrome is characterized by severe pain and the person is forced to support their head in a fixed position to relieve the pain.
- Grade 3 osteochondrosis
The fibrous ring is almost destroyed, which leads to complications of osteochondrosis - bulging of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.In stage 3 of osteochondrosis, the intensity of pain may decrease because the affected cartilage tissue in the intervertebral disc is simply no longer present and therefore there is no source of pain, but the nerve roots remain pinched and the pain does not completely disappear.
Causes of cervical osteochondrosis
As we age, the core of the intervertebral disc loses moisture reserves and also becomes less elastic.Since the metabolism slows down significantly after 50 years, the regeneration processes come to a standstill in intervertebral discs with poor blood supply.At a young age, physical inactivity plays the main role in the occurrence of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine - a passive lifestyle, lack of properly organized physical activity.
Disease prevention
To prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended: take a five-minute break every hour during sedentary work, avoid strain on the neck;Do not make sudden head movements, pay attention to your posture;avoid hypothermia;play sports, swim;eat right;sleep should be on a hard mattress and on a low pillow, the neck bend angle should be no more than 15 degrees;After 25 years, avoid impact loads on the spine (jumping, running).