Dorsopathies of the cervical spine: what is it, treatment, symptoms

What is dorsopathy? Cervical dorsopathy – a set of inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the vertebral bodies, discs, blood vessels, nerve fibers and muscle tissue in the neck. The spine as the main body, should be protected, but the cervical spine is particularly vulnerable. In addition to the common processes of deterioration of the bones and joints associated with the aging process, conditions of human life can lead to such a serious problem as dorsopathies of the cervical spine.

In the cervical region is the artery that feeds blood to the brain. When dorsopathy artery clamped, and cerebral blood circulation is disturbed. But that's not all. Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and cartilage of the cervical area contribute to the development of diseases of other systems, e.g. the nervous system and cause a number of complications, such as cerebral ischemia and stroke.

Causes

Each person, depending on the strength of the immune system, lifestyle, diet and conditions of living and working has its own dynamics for degenerative changes in the cervical spine. The factors that increase vulnerability to dorsopathy:

• Low immunity;
• Inactivity;
• Lifting excessive weights;
• Occupation traumatic kinds of sport, especially without the appropriate training;
• Abnormal posture, incorrect statement back;
• A constant work in bad weather conditions (low temperatures, high humidity), under the influence of vibrations;
• For long periods in uncomfortable body position (driving, Desk, machine);
• The extra weight (gives additional weight on the spine);
• Improper diet that causes degeneration of the intervertebral discs;
• Disorders in the endocrine system;
• The use of alcohol;
• Stress (keeping muscles in tension);
• Genetic predisposition.

Symptoms

• Discomfort, sometimes pain that is felt in the neck and possibly the shoulder blades;
• The increase in the pain syndrome at sharp movements, sneezing, coughing;
• Severe fatigue;
• Headaches and dizziness;
• Sleep disturbance;
• Limited mobility of the head and upper extremities;
• Spasms in the muscles accompanying the sudden movement;
• The deterioration of hearing and vision;
• Weakness, chills, numbness, tingling in the upper extremities;
• Pain in the chest (often perceived as pain in the heart).

Sometimes the patient can not identify the disease as symptoms do not point to her directly. The more important time to consult a specialist in order to start treatment, without bringing the disease to an acute state.

• See also: dorsopathies thoracic

The types of dorsopathy

Diseases are divided according to type of lesion of the spine:

• Deforming dorsopathy. Associated with the curvature of the vertebral column, vertebrates offsets, osteochondrosis. Accompanied by local and distant neurological, autonomic symptoms: pain pulses, loss of sensation in the extremities, paresthesia. What is it? It is well-known tingling, “creepy” skin.
• Vertebrogenic dorsopathy. Associated with injuries and disease within the bone tissue of the vertebrae. Caused by osteomyelitis, spondylosis, tumors, infectious myositis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammations of the vertebral tissues.
• Discogenic dorsopathy. Associated with abnormalities in cartilage, occurs as a result of rupture and protrusion of the fibrous ring. The result of her hernias can occur. This form of dorsopathy most dangerous.

Often patients found this form of dorsopathy cervical spine, as the degenerative disc disease.

How to diagnose?

The diagnosis is usually set by the neurologist and the traumatologist. The doctor:

• Examines the complaints and anamnesis of the patient;
• Examines the spine in standing, sitting, lying;
• Checks how tense the muscles of the back and neck;
• Explores the localization of the pain in the muscles by way of palpation;
• Tests how sensitive the skin on the shoulder girdle and arms.

Assigns follow-up treatments, which will show the presence of inflammatory and deformation processes, pathologies:

• Radiography (helps to detect deformation processes in the spine, osteochondrosis);
• Imaging(helps to identify the degree of disease, the presence of a hernia);
• Conducts blood test, both clinical and biochemical (will show if there is presence of inflammatory processes in the body).

You may also need to consult a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon.

Treatment cervical

Treatment of dorsopathies of the cervical spine is very long. Methods will depend on the severity and form of the disease. Often the treatment occurs in two stages. First task is to remove acute pain syndrome, and after – to get rid of tension in the muscle, restore neural activity in the tissues and strengthen the joints, muscles and ligaments. As a rule, begin with medical treatment. Prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, injections, gels and ointments, vitamins. Recommend bed rest.

Then select the complex non-drug methods such as:

• Therapeutic physical training (the basic procedure in the treatment of dorsopathy, improves blood circulation, normalizes metabolism and nutrition of the intervertebral discs);
• Manual therapy (reduces tension in the neck muscles);
• Massage treatments (normalize blood circulation, and reduce muscle tone);
• Hirudotherapy (improves blood circulation, regenerates tissues of intervertebral discs);
• Acupuncture (improves regeneration of cartilage tissue);
• Ultrasound therapy (relieves muscle spasm, have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect);
• Laser therapy (encourages the metabolic processes in cartilaginous and bone tissues);
• Wearing a neck corset (Schantz collar) (helps in elimination of the pain);
• Traction (stretching the spine to restore its correct shape, but there are contraindications).

With dorsopathies cervical spine rarely resort to surgical procedures, only in particularly critical cases.

• See also: Distortion of the cervical spine.

For the duration of the treatment is credited with a special diet and reduced physical activity, including sudden movements of the neck and head. To the patient it is important to pay attention to your lifestyle and daily operations. Otherwise, you might relapse in the future.

Methods of prevention of the disease

The following simple but effective steps to prevent dorsopathy for everyone:

• Physical activity (preferably unloads the spine, back muscles, swimming and vis on the crossbar. If you do not have possible to play sports, then your regular warm-up);
• Nutritious food (high vitamin foods, watch your weight);
• Reasonable physical exercise (avoid lifting heavy objects);
• Dress for the weather (to exclude hypothermia cervical region).

Don't forget that dorsopathy cervical-thoracic spine – is no less dangerous than dorsopathy of the cervical spine. Sometimes can occur simultaneously. Treatment is largely the same, but treated too long, usually complex.