Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, grade 1, is the initial stage of irreversible destructive and degenerative changes in the cartilaginous intervertebral discs and the bony bodies of the vertebrae.It is rarely possible to diagnose the pathology at an early stage of development, as cervical osteochondrosis may not manifest itself clinically.Even in radiographic images, characteristic signs of damage to cartilaginous structures are often missing.
Characteristics of cervical osteochondrosis of the first degree
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine of the 1st degree is often discovered by chance - when other pathologies are diagnosed, even those not related to the musculoskeletal system.But sometimes the patient himself comes to the doctor, alarmed by the deterioration of his general health.Indeed, despite the absence of pronounced symptoms of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs have already undergone degenerative changes:
- cartilaginous tissues have become denser and expanded;
- radial cracks appeared in the fibrous rings.
The loss of firmness and elasticity of the intervertebral discs has worsened their absorbent properties.Due to their inability to fully mitigate the load on the vertebrae, slight instability of the cervical spine still occurs.But even a slight displacement of cartilage or bone structures becomes a prerequisite for further rapid progression of osteochondrosis.
Clinical picture
With grade 1 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, 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 strain due to the body staying in one position for a long time.Gradually, the intensity of the pain in the back of the neck increases.
Periodic painful sensations, painful and still mildly expressed, first arise after the removal of heavy objects or hypothermia.They do not have a clear localization, they often radiate to the shoulders and upper back.Shoulder pain syndrome develops, which becomes the first specific sign of cervical osteochondrosis.In the initial stage of development, the pathology may appear clinically as follows:
- limited mobility in the neck.When tilting or turning the head, stiffness of movements is felt, not accompanied by pain;
- The sensitivity of the parts of the body innervated by the common nerve plexuses in the cervical region begins to decrease.The touch of the shoulders and forearms decreases, less often - the hands;
- the patient feels a decrease in the strength of the arm muscles;
- Headaches and dizziness become more frequent and visual acuity decreases for a short time.
Cervical osteochondrosis of the first degree can be indicated by attacks of acute, piercing, shooting pain.They usually occur when the head turns suddenly.This is how the increased tone of the neck muscles appears.Their spasms are a compensatory reaction of the body to the instability of the spinal segments.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by relapses alternating with phases of remission.During exacerbations, discomfort is constantly felt in the neck.The clinical framework simultaneously contains vascular, neurological and static signs.In the remission phase, the disease is practically asymptomatic.
Diagnosing
The diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaints and a series of tests to determine the mobility of the cervical segments.A clue is a history of previous injuries or systemic pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (gout, rheumatoid, reactive arthritis).
The most informative diagnostic procedure is radiography.Grade 1 pathologies correspond to the first or second radiological stage.The resulting images visualize the typical signs of the disease.
| X-ray stages of cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree | Characteristic signs |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Small changes in the curvature of the spine in the cervical region, affecting one or more segments |
| Phase 2 | Slight thickening of intervertebral discs, deformation of uncinate processes, direction of lordosis, small growths of bone structures. |
Magnetic resonance imaging is sometimes required to clarify the diagnosis.With its help, you can detect an aseptic, slow inflammatory process and destructive-degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs.
therapy
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the 1st degree is long-term.In the initial stage of development, the pathology responds well to conservative therapy.Patients are prescribed medications and recommended physiotherapeutic and massage procedures.
All treatment methods are aimed at improving blood circulation in the cervical spine.This allows you to avoid the deterioration of the 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, grade 1 osteochondrosis is manifested by mild pain, the elimination of which does not require the use of drugs in the form of tablets or solutions for parenteral administration.Patients are recommended, if necessary, to rub ointments, gels or creams on the back of the neck:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- local irritating, distracting, warming agents.
In this case, it is even better to use not medicines, but biologically active additives for external use with camphor, formic alcohol, red pepper extract and bee venom.
Vertebrologists include systemic chondroprotectors in therapeutic regimens.Injection solutions are used for several days.And then the therapeutic effect is consolidated by taking pills.The duration of the treatment course is from several months to 2 years.
Non-drug treatment
For the treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis, physiotherapeutic methods using various physical factors are used: low-frequency current, magnetic fields, laser, ultrasound.The procedures help relieve pain, relieve aseptic inflammation and eliminate increased neck muscle tone.
Neurologists and vertebrologists recommend that patients regularly visit the massage room.Thanks to the mechanical effect dosed on the vertebrae, spasmodic muscles relax, blood circulation and microcirculation improve, and local immunity is strengthened.The following types of massage are used in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis:
- classical;
- point;
- vacuum.
Manual therapy with an individually selected impact method allows you to increase the range of motion in the cervical spine and eliminate the first signs of changes in lordosis.
To restore the correct anatomical shape of the spine or to increase the distance between the vertebrae, traction (dry or underwater traction of the spine) is used.
Regular exercise therapy can replace medication, massage and physiotherapy.When you perform exercise therapy, blood circulation improves, the neck muscles that stabilize the vertebrae are strengthened, and tissue trophism is normalized.Daily training is an excellent prevention of pain and stiffness of movement.
The first classes of physiotherapy (kinesitherapy) take place under the guidance of a physiotherapist.It shows how to perform exercises, dosing the load on the 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 for complete recovery.The sooner the therapy is carried out, the greater the possibility of full restoration of the functional activity of the spine.