Osteoarthritis does not only affect the knee and hip joints.Sometimes degenerative processes develop in the cervical spine.In advanced cases, without treatment, they can lead to complete loss of mobility due to fusion of the vertebrae and even disability.
How will this evolve?
The cervical region includes 7 vertebrae, the most mobile of the entire spine.If certain pathological processes occur in the body, the cervical vertebrae, protected by an elastic cartilaginous “plate” (disc), become covered with osteophytes (bony growths).The cartilage, in turn, becomes thinner and destroyed, and the adjacent soft tissues atrophy.
The intervertebral disc can swell and put pressure on nearby tissues or nerves.The vertebrae change shape, leading to spinal deformities.If they are pronounced, the patient develops deforming cervical spondylosis.
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 joints associated with age-related changes.
- Cervical spine injuries.
- Excessive stress, for example due to excess weight, linked to professional or sporting activities.
- Herniated or protruded disc.
- Inflammatory diseases (arthritis, rheumatism).
- Dysfunctions of the endocrine system.
- Metabolic disorders, etc.
How to recognize
Osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae is accompanied by dull, aching pain, usually one-sided, which intensifies with movement.Patients complain of morning pain.Unpleasant sensations originate from the neck region, then move to the shoulder blades and arms, the syndrome intensifies on 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°);
- cracking when moving the neck;
- specific sounds in the ears;
- visual impairment;
- pain in the chest area;
- numbness in the lower part of the face.
At later stages, against the background of a complete lack of synovial fluid in the joints, spinal deformities appear, and systemic hypertension may also develop - an unexplained increase in blood pressure.If the disease is complicated by radicular symptoms, such as a pinched nerve, its form is diagnosed - non-covertebral osteoarthritis.It is not easy to recognize the disease on your own: depending on its symptoms, it can easily be 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 ensure the correctness of the diagnosis, since the symptoms of the disease overlap with several other pathologies.After collecting an anamnesis and studying a blood test to determine the absence of other diseases (with osteoarthritis, the blood count does not change), one of the following studies is carried out:
- radiography in several projections;
- CT or MRI;
- Vascular angiography.
As a result of examinations, the doctor determines changes in the structure of the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, joint space, the amount of synovial fluid and its deficiency in the joints, the nature of bone growths - osteophytes.
Why osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae must be treated
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 suffering from an acute form of the disease turn to a rheumatologist.The main objectives of treatment are therefore:
- 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 cartilaginous fibers of the discs, and for this, to increase blood circulation in the damaged tissues.
Therapeutic methods
1. Medicines.
NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation, and chondroprotectors are used to regenerate cartilage tissue.Blood circulation and nutrition of affected tissues can be normalized using vasodilator drugs.Muscle relaxers are used to relieve muscle spasms.
2. Physiotherapeutic.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is auxiliary in nature and aimed at accelerating tissue metabolism.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 risk of vertebral artery syndrome, surgical intervention is prescribed for non-coarthrosis of the cervical vertebrae.This involves removing and replacing the damaged joint with an endoprosthesis.
In order not to attack your neck with osteoarthritis and to help it, practice for example the following morning exercises:
What is an orthopedic diet for neck osteoarthritis?
Patients suffering from osteoarthritis of any joint, including those using prosthetic preparations of synovial fluid or other drugs, are shown a special orthopedic diet that will help avoid complications:
- It is necessary to carefully control your posture, avoiding bends.
- During sedentary work, short breaks for physical activity are necessary.
- Shants orthopedic collars help relieve stress 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 turns and rotations, bending and throwing back the head under the supervision of an instructor, it is possible to develop the motor skills of this part of the spine.
Intra-articular injections of a replacement synovial fluid for this type of osteoarthritis are not performed due to their specific location.Instead, the patient can be offered professional massages 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 course of the disease take its course.