Osteoarthritis doesn't just affect the knee and hip joints.Sometimes degenerative processes develop in the cervical spine.In advanced cases, if left untreated, they can lead to complete loss of mobility due to spinal fusion and even disability.
How it will develop
The neck area includes 7 vertebrae, the most mobile in the entire spine.When certain pathological processes occur in the body, the cervical vertebrae, protected by an elastic cartilage plate (intervertebral disc), become covered with osteophytes (bone growths).The cartilage, in turn, becomes thinner and destroyed, and the adjacent soft tissue atrophies.
The disc can expand and put pressure on surrounding tissue or nerves.The vertebrae change shape, causing spinal deformities.If they are pronounced, the patient develops deforming cervical osteoarthritis.
Causes of arthrosis of the cervical vertebrae
- Genetic pathologies of the development of the entire musculoskeletal system, for example, dysplasia, flat feet, scoliosis (if a specific link in the spine is damaged, the entire biomechanical chain suffers).
- Dystrophic joint changes associated with age-related changes.
- Cervical spine injuries.
- Overload, for example due to being overweight, in connection with professional activities or sports.
- Herniated or herniated disc.
- Inflammatory diseases (arthritis, rheumatism).
- Endocrine system disorders.
- Metabolic disorders, etc.
How do you recognize?
Osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae is associated with dull, aching, usually one-sided pain that increases with movement.Patients complain of morning pain.Unpleasant sensations arise in the neck area and then move to the shoulder blades and arms, the syndrome intensifies when palpated.
Other characteristic symptoms of the disease are:
- paroxysmal dizziness or migraine;
- limited range of head movement due to pain (e.g., a person may tilt their head 45–50°);
- Crunching when moving the neck;
- specific noises in the ears;
- visual impairment;
- chest pain;
- Numbness in the lower part of the face.
In later stages, against the background of a complete lack of synovial fluid in the joints, deformations of the spine occur, and systemic hypertension may also develop - an unexplained increase in blood pressure.If the disease is characterized by radicular symptoms such as:B. a pinched nerve, becomes complicated, its form is diagnosed - uncovertebral arthrosis.It is not easy to recognize the disease itself: based 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 intra-articular injection of synovial fluid prostheses, the rheumatologist must make sure that the diagnosis is correct, since the symptoms of the disease duplicate a number of other pathologies.After taking an anamnesis and examining a blood test to determine the absence of other diseases (with arthrosis, the blood count does not change), one of the following tests is carried out:
- Radiography in multiple projections;
- CT or MRI;
- Vascular angiography.
As a result of the examinations, the doctor notes changes in the structure of the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, the joint space, the amount of synovial fluid and its deficiency in the joints, as well as the type of bone growth - osteophytes.
Why osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae needs to 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 arthrosis of the cervical spine
As a rule, people turn to a rheumatologist for an acute form of the disease, so the primary goals of therapy are the following:
- eliminate pain syndrome;
- stop inflammation;
- Avoid pinching the nerve endings of the spinal cord.
In addition, for the normal functioning of the vertebrae, it is necessary to restore the destroyed cartilage fibers of the intervertebral discs and, for this, increase blood flow to the damaged tissue.
Therapeutic methods
1. Medication.
NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation, and chondroprotectors are used to regenerate cartilage tissue.With the help of vasodilator drugs, blood circulation and nutrition in the affected tissue can be normalized.Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms.
2. Physiotherapeutic.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is supportive and aims to accelerate metabolism in the tissue.Most often, manual therapy, magnetic and acupuncture therapy, phonophoresis and infrared radiation are prescribed for this diagnosis.
If medications do not help and there is a possibility of vertebral artery syndrome, an operation to deconarthrosis the cervical vertebrae is prescribed.The damaged joint is removed and replaced with an endoprosthesis.
In order not to harm your neck with arthrosis and to help it, practice the following morning exercises, for example:
What is orthopedic therapy for neck osteoarthritis?
Patients with arthrosis of a joint, including patients using synovial fluid prostheses or other medications, are shown special orthopedic treatment that helps prevent complications:
- It is necessary to carefully control your posture and avoid slouching.
- When working sedentary, short breaks for physical activity are necessary.
- Shants orthopedic collars help to relieve pressure on the cervical spine - as directed by a doctor.
- An orthopedic mattress and pillow will not be superfluous.
The comprehensive treatment of arthrosis of the cervical spine also includes special gymnastics and professional massage.With the help of twists and turns, bends and throws back of 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 synovial fluid replacement are not practiced in this form of osteoarthritis due to the specific location.Instead, the patient can be offered professional massage or hardware methods for local and safe development of the deep and superficial back muscles.The main thing is to find a good specialist, trust him and not let the disease progress.