Disc protrusion of the cervical spine: what is it, how to treat

Protrusion of the cervical spine is formed when disturbed nutrition of the cells of the intervertebral disc. The modern lifestyle contributes mightily to this, because more people now work in sedentary occupations, move a little. And thus, weakened muscles, increased body weight. At the same time during a long seat neck is experiencing the greatest load. As a result, begin to experience the tension of the neck cartilage, worsening their metabolic rate and they dry out. Then, the vertebrae exert pressure, and the disk bulges – it is called a protrusion.

To treat the protrusion of cervical completely impossible, but it is possible to slow down degenerative changes in the cartilage. You need to prevent the development of complications, the most serious of which may become a hernia. If manifested symptoms and treatment organized in the early stages of the disease, you can get rid of pain, stiffness and sensitivity.

As appears

Normally, the intervertebral discs of the cervical region serve as springs during movement of the back. But due to various negative influences they cease to be elastic, and the possible consequence becomes a protrusion.

The intervertebral articular connection get nutrients not directly from the blood. Their "feed" the surrounding tissue, and if the circulation in these tissues is broken, deteriorating metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs. The first thing purposee the nucleus of the cartilage is dehydrated and dries up, and then the same processes occur in the fibrous sheath, which stabilizes the stretchy fabric.

Degenerative process develops when fibrous ceases to be elastic, dries and cracks.

Also of interest: what is a diffuse disc protrusion?

The vertebrae are all also loaded the now dried pulpose kernel. This time, the development of protrusion of the cervical pain syndrome has not yet caused symptoms – only fatigue. Became the hard core of the disc starts to put pressure on his shell. The intervertebral disc bulges out of its physiological position – formed protrusion (bulging) cervical disc.

Reasons

Patients with these pathologic changes range as low back pain and a variety of curvatures, are more likely to become victims of the protrusion. Because the cartilage in their neck are already experiencing negative effects from their changed position of the vertebrae.

Therefore, one of the main causes of this pathology is the wrong posture and growing in connection with, the load on the cervical spine. It is not surprising that most sick people whose profession involves long sitting in an awkward position, with constant inclination of the head. Vertebrae long and at the wrong angle putting pressure on the cartilage, which violated the metabolic processes.

• See also: what distinguishes protrusion of the herniated discs?

In this regard, a sedentary lifestyle – major risk factor. In addition, people who move a little, usually weight gain, and their muscles weaken. The result of the spinal muscles can not withstand loads and transmits them to a part on the vertebral articular joints of the neck, which also negatively affects them.

Additional risk factors for the occurrence of protrusion of become a traumatic impact on the spine, the deterioration of internal organs, infectious diseases.

Symptoms

Protrusion of the cervical vertebrae shows its symptoms because there is a clip of the nervous tissues of the back. This not only becomes a cause of pain in the deformed area may disrupt the work of the organs responsible for nerve damage. In protrusion of cervical spine symptoms in the first place – is either finding the constant bouts of pain in the cervical region. Attacks of pain can be reflected in the area of shoulders and hands.

• See also: protrusion of spinal discs – what is it?

Other frequent manifestations of numbness of the hands, the deterioration of sensitivity, the feeling of "ants crawling".

A group of symptoms can occur if a protrusion of the intervertebral disc affected the blood flow of the cervical arteries. Can jumping or justdramatically increase blood pressure. Patients dizzy, dark eyes, noise in the ears. May experience presyncopal state. All this is due to the oxygen starvation of the brain. In other cases patients complain of pain in the heart. The root of the problem is also in the pinched nerves of the neck.

Complications

The earlier the patient will address to the doctor to find similar symptoms, the greater the chances of avoiding the development of complications. The neck region of the ridge – the most vulnerable, because it consists of the most delicate of the vertebrae, which can withstand large load heads and move a lot. And if the protrusion of the lumbar disc size 4 mm, a long time to make itself felt in the neck even 1 mm protrusion can cause severe pain and neurological symptoms.

See also: diffuse dorsal protrusion of the intervertebral disc.

Near the damaged area may begin an inflammatory process, which in many cases leads to sciatica neck. But the most dangerous result of running is the protrusion of the rupture disk and the formation of the vertebral hernia. Protrusion of the cervical disc develops in three stages, and treatment should start as soon as possible:

• On the fibrous sheath appear microscopic cracks, the disc changes its shape. May experience pain attacks;
• Disc bulging at 2 or 3 millimeters, the pain begins to give in the shoulder girdle and upper limb;
• The protrusion is becoming more and fibrous shell is broken – the hernia is formed. Pain become even stronger, disturbed touch sensitivity greatly deteriorates mobility of the neck.

Treatment

Protrusion in the cervical spine is not curable completely, but conservative treatment can significantly relieve symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. Therapeutic methods are designed to relieve pain and swelling, to restore feeling and mobility. To release the clamped artery and nerve tissue.

Treatment of disc protrusion of the cervical spine complicated by the fact that the neck is constantly in motion, and impossible to give it complete rest for a long time.

• See also: Distortion of the cervical spine.

Extreme method of solving problems become orthopedic collars – they relieve tension from deformed cartilage. Then appointed painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They relieve the patient from pain, return mobility. And in some cases, inflammation is the reason that the brain is experiencing poor circulation. To cure the pain and physical treatment methods – electrophoresis, low-frequency current, Shockwave therapy, mud baths, water massage, acupuncture.

Is it possible to use techniques such as massage and chiropractic? First, you need to consult a doctor, and then to find reviews specifically on the work of the specialist to whom you have decided to visit. Massage therapist or a chiropractor must be qualified above average to afford to work with the protrusions, especially in the neck area. Wondering how to treat protrusion of cervical spine, look for massage banks.

To stretch the spine and release the intervertebral disks are assigned classes physical therapy. Protrusion of intervertebral discs reacts very well to swimming, which relaxes the damaged area and strengthens neck muscles. But classes should be conducted outside the period of exacerbation, and to be regular, otherwise not benefit.