Spondylosis of the cervical spine: what is it, symptoms and treatment

Cervical spondylosis, if left untreated, completely immobilizes the cervical spine. Neck ceases to obey his master, difficult turns. When a worried patient turns to the doctor and finds out the diagnosis of spondylosis of the cervical spine, correct able little. Bones, cartilage and vertebrae fails to return to its former mobility.

Spondylosis is treated only in its early stages, so it is important to know the symptoms and take timely measures to rescue the spine.

Cervical – jugular

The vertebral column has 5 departments and 32-34 vertebrae. They are connected together in such a way to provide a variety of motions of the human body. Each vertebra has:

• Body;
• The upper and lower arc to the spinal hole; all holes of the vertebrae together in the spine – the location of the spinal cord:
• The processes for connection with other vertebrae and muscle attachment;
• Between the vertebrae are discs of cartilage, which give the post flexibility and mobility.

Of all the cervical spine is the most vulnerable. Its seven vertebrae are the smallest and most fragile. And they have to keep the head and all the contents within it. Weak neck muscles wrong with this assistants. The cervical vertebrae are very mobile, have small openings, nerves and vessels pass through the major: vertebral artery, for example, provides blood for the third part of the brain. So, any disorders in the cervical spine is very painful and can cause serious complications.

• See also: Cervical lordosis is straightened – what does that mean?

How is spondylosis

All 34 of the vertebra are connected not only cartilaginous discs and ligaments. The so-called longitudinal ligament vertebral body hugs across the anterior surface of the spine. Where this bunch suddenly breaks away from the vertebrae started growing bone tissue of his body. This coracoid bone bone – osteophytes or bone spurs is bent, covers the intervertebral disc, not allowing it to shift and deform. The vertebrae are fixed together it has no elastic ligament, and the fixed bone tissue. Such rigid attachment of the vertebrae, called spondylosis. The discs are not injured, the movement does not cause pain, unless there is degenerative disc disease in the spine.

Spondylosis is the response of the spine to the rupture of elastic ligaments, connecting the vertebrae. Instead, grow bone "clip". With age they become many, they coalesce with each other. The mobility of the spine disappears, every move is difficult.

At risk with the development of this disease include:

• People years of leading a sedentary lifestyle;
• Those who like to boast of lifting weights, carrying them on his shoulders (bags of flour, for example);
• Spinal injuries;
• Having innate damage of musculoskeletal structures.
• People with metabolic or endocrine diseases;
• Persons over the age of 55 years.

In any age and in any profession we need to be attentive to the first signs of spondylosis, to know its early symptoms, and treatment in this case will be successful.

• See also: Instability of the cervical spine in children.

Caution: sore neck

Immediately the person can feel the full extent of what is spondylosis of the cervical spine.

• It all starts with an unpleasant stiffness in the limbs in the morning;
• When standing or sitting still, the neck starts to go numb;
• Small occipital pain is a constant reminder that there is prepared the problem;
• Then the cervical vertebrae begin to crackle when moving;
• Have problems with hearing and sight, especially after leaving the stationary position;
• Tingling in the neck, passing on the shoulders and arms, weakness of the muscles in these areas, loss of sensation is a terrible sign that the nerve roots of the spinal cord, exiting through the cervical vertebrae, bent. Front – paralysis, or coronary artery disease;
• The tightness of the blood vessels limits access of food and oxygen to the brain, hence the dizziness, nausea and fainting;
• At night, the head finds a comfortable position, the pain does not let go;
• Spasms of the lower extremities, problems withurination due to disruption of the spinal cord.

Suffer anymore, and to work too. Remains to go to the doctor and find out at what stage the damage is at the moment the spine.

• Maybe you need some information: what to do if a sore neck and hurts to turn?

Three stages of the disease

To detect the patient has spondylosis of the cervical spine and set the stage of the disease is possible only by the methods of instrumental diagnostics:

• X-ray allows you to see osteophytes of the spine firsthand and to measure the degree of tightness of the intervertebral discs;
• Computed tomography will determine if there is stenosis of the spine, i.e. reduction of lumen inside of the vertebrae, which houses the spinal cord;
• MRI gives three-dimensional picture of the spine and will help to clarify the diagnosis.

When similar symptoms, the patient may develop: osteochondrosis defeat intervertebral disc; spondylosis, the growth of bone tissue at the edges of the vertebrae; spondylosis – the destruction of the joints, fastening the vertebrae.

• Recommended reading: spinal stenosis cervical

• See also: Distortion of the cervical spine.

The symptoms and treatment of the disease depend on the stage of its development:

1. In the first stage x-ray may show numerous osteophytes that remain within the vertebrae and not stifle the movement, although lordosis – cervical curve – already broken and the first signs of stiffness and numbness of the neck exist.
2. The second stage of the disease – bone spurs (osteophytes) are already starting to merge with each other, squeeze the intervertebral discs. Mobility is limited so that a person gets 3 degree of disability;
3. The third stage is almost all osteophytes have grown together and, as the brackets covered the vertebrae, limiting the movement to a minimum. People deprived of the opportunity to not only work, but also take care of themselves. This is a 2 or 1 degree of disability.

Fashionable to cure spondylosis

To the doctor we can lead only to intense pain, and it is 2-3 stages of spondylosis, and, accordingly, disability. Hope to restore the lost flexibility will have to leave. Although modern medicine knows how to treat spinal disorders, and to raise man to his feet.

Medicines

The treatment of spondylosis of the cervical spine at advanced stages begin with taking strong pain medications and muscle relaxants. Naturally, they appoint a doctor, sometimes pain subsides only after taking drugs. Muscle relaxants relieve muscle spasms by acting on the Central nervous system.

• See also: Spondylosis of the lumbar spine.

Painkillers and non-steroidal (non-hormonal) drugs indicated to relieve pain in all stages of cervical spondylosis. This is such common medications as "Diclofenac", which you can buy without a prescription, "Ibuprofen", etc. to restore metabolic processes in tissues and vertebrae, use vitamin therapy (vitamins, tocopherol, ascorbic acid); chondro, enzymes.

• See also: Blockade of the cervical spine.

Modern therapies

After the elimination of severe pain the patient is:

• Massage course;
• Postisometric relaxation (alternating minimal muscular effort with full relaxation);
• Dry traction when the spine is fixed, the traction suspended loads;
• Acupuncture;
• Electrophoresis – pulsed exposure to weak electric current;
• Ultrasonic and magnetic effect.

After treatment in hospital it is hoped that the patient gets on his feet. And then, for the rest of your life – exercise therapy.

• See also: Rotary subluxation of the cervical vertebra C1

Disease spondylosis is nature's answer to how crime disposes of his body, including the spine. About a healthy lifestyle all know, but remember it is only when the pain comes. In the early stages of spondylosis nutrition, vitamin therapy and physiotherapy can stop the progression of the disease and to save people the joy of movement.