Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine grade 1 is the initial stage of irreversible destructive and degenerative changes in the cartilaginous intervertebral discs and bone bodies of the vertebrae.It is rarely possible to diagnose pathology at an early stage of development, since cervical osteochondrosis may not manifest itself clinically.Even on X-ray images, characteristic signs of damage to the cartilage structures are often missing.
Features of cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 1st degree is often discovered by chance - when diagnosing other pathologies, even if they are not related to the musculoskeletal system.But sometimes the patient himself comes to the doctor, alarmed by the deterioration of his general health.In fact, despite the absence of pronounced symptoms of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs have already undergone degenerative changes:
- Cartilage tissue has become denser and more extensive;
- Radial cracks appeared on the fiber rings.
The loss of strength and elasticity of the intervertebral discs has impaired their shock-absorbing properties.Since they cannot completely relieve the load on the vertebrae, there is still slight instability in the cervical spine.But even a slight shift in cartilage or bone structures becomes a prerequisite for further rapid progression of osteochondrosis.
Clinical picture
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 1st degree, the characteristic signs of this pathology may be absent.A person explains the discomfort that arises from time to time due to fatigue after physical activity or muscle tension due to the body remaining in one position for a long period of time.Gradually the intensity of the pain in the neck increases.
Periodic, aching and mild pain sensations initially occur after lifting heavy objects or when hypothermia occurs.They have no clear location and often radiate to the shoulders and upper back.Shoulder pain syndrome develops, which becomes the first specific sign of cervical osteochondrosis.At the initial stage of development, pathology can manifest itself clinically as follows:
- limited mobility in the neck.When tilting or turning the head, stiffness of movements is felt, which is not accompanied by pain;
- The sensitivity of parts of the body innervated by nerve plexuses in the neck begins to decrease.The tactility of the shoulders and forearms decreases, and more rarely that of the hands;
- the patient feels a decrease in muscle strength of the arms;
- Headaches and dizziness occur more frequently and visual acuity briefly decreases.
Cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree can be indicated by attacks of acute, stabbing, stabbing pain.They usually occur when the head is suddenly turned.This is how increased tone of the neck muscles manifests itself.Your spasms are a compensatory reaction of the body to the instability of spinal segments.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by alternating relapses with stages of remission.During exacerbations, discomfort is constantly felt in the neck.The clinical picture contains vascular, neurological and static symptoms at the same time.In the remission stage, the disease is practically asymptomatic.
diagnosis
The diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaints and a series of tests to determine the mobility of the neck segments.An indication is a history of previous injuries or systemic pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (gout, rheumatoid, reactive arthritis).
The most informative diagnostic procedure is radiography.Pathologies of the 1st degree correspond to the 1st or 2nd radiological stage.The resulting images visualize typical signs of illness.
| X-ray stages of cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree | Characteristic signs |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Minor changes in the curvature of the spine in the neck area, affecting one or more segments |
| Stage 2 | Slight thickening of the intervertebral discs, deformation of the uncinate processes, straightening of the lordosis, minor growths of the bone structures |
Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging is necessary to clarify the diagnosis.With its help, you can detect an aseptic, sluggish inflammatory process and destructive-degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.
therapy
Treatment of grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis is long-term.At the initial stage of development, the pathology responds well to conservative therapy.Patients are prescribed medication and recommended physiotherapeutic and massage procedures.
All treatment methods are aimed at improving blood circulation in the cervical spine.This allows you to avoid worsening trophism of the intervertebral discs - the main cause of the development of osteochondrosis.And eliminating the lack of nutrients and oxygen stimulates the partial regeneration of cartilage tissue.
Pharmacological drugs
Clinically, osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is manifested by mild pain, the elimination of which does not require the use of medications in the form of tablets or solutions for parenteral administration.Patients are recommended to rub ointments, gels or creams into the neck if necessary:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- local irritating, distracting, warming active ingredients.
In this case, it is even better not to use drugs, but biologically active additives for external use with camphor, formic alcohol, red pepper extract and bee venom.
Vertebrologists include systemic chondroprotectors in their therapy plans.Injection solutions are used over several days.And then the therapeutic effect is consolidated by taking pills.The duration of treatment is several months to 2 years.
Non-drug treatment
To treat grade 1 osteochondrosis, physiotherapeutic methods are used using various physical factors: low-frequency currents, magnetic fields, lasers, ultrasound.The procedures help to relieve pain, relieve aseptic inflammation and eliminate increased tone of the neck muscles.
Neurologists and vertebrologists recommend patients to visit the massage room regularly.Due to the measured mechanical effect on the vertebrae, cramping muscles relax, blood circulation and microcirculation improve, and local immunity is strengthened.In the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, the following types of massage are used:
- classic;
- Point;
- Vacuum.
Manual therapy using an individually selected method of influence allows you to expand the range of motion of the cervical spine and eliminate the first signs of changes in lordosis.
To restore the anatomically correct shape of the spine or increase the distance between the vertebrae, traction (dry or underwater traction of the spine) is used.
Regular exercise therapy can replace taking medications, massages and physiotherapy.When carrying out exercise therapy, blood circulation improves, the neck muscles that stabilize the vertebrae are strengthened, and tissue trophism is normalized.Daily exercise is an excellent prevention against pain and stiffness of movement.
The first physiotherapy courses (kinesitherapy) are carried out under the guidance of a physiotherapist.He shows how to perform exercises while dosing the load on the intervertebral discs and vertebrae to avoid compression of the spinal roots.After a few days, the patient can practice independently at home.
The value of timely detection of the disease lies in the favorable prognosis of complete recovery.The sooner the therapy is carried out, the greater the likelihood of complete restoration of the functional activity of the spine.