Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, grade 1, is the initial stage of destructive and irreversible degenerative changes in the cartilaginous intervertebral disc and vertebral bone body.It is rarely possible to diagnose pathology at an early stage of development, because cervical osteochondrosis may not be clinically manifested.Even on radiographic images, characteristic signs of damage to cartilaginous structures are often absent.
Characteristics of cervical osteochondrosis in the first stage
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in the first stage is often detected by chance - when diagnosing other pathologies, not even related to the musculoskeletal system.But sometimes the patient himself comes to see the doctor, surprised by the deterioration of his general health.Indeed, despite the absence of symptoms of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc has undergone degenerative changes:
- Cartilaginous tissue has become denser and expanded;
- Radial cracks appear in the fibrous ring.
The loss of firmness and elasticity of the intervertebral discs has worsened their shock characteristics.Due to their inability to fully reduce the load on the vertebrae, mild instability of the cervical spine still occurs.But a slight displacement of cartilage or bone structure is a prerequisite for the more rapid development of osteochondrosis.
Clinical picture
With grade 1 osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the characteristic signs of this pathology may not be present.A person describes the discomfort that arises from time to time due to fatigue after physical activity or muscle tension because the body is in one position for a long time.Gradually, the intensity of the pain in the back of the neck increases.
Intermittent, painful and still slightly pronounced painful sensations first arise after lifting heavy objects or hypothermia.They do not have a clear localization, often radiating to the shoulders and upper back.Shoulder pain syndrome develops, which is the first specific sign of cervical osteochondrosis.In the early stages of development, the pathology can manifest clinically as follows:
- Limited mobility in the neck.When tilting or turning the head, stiffness of movement is felt, not accompanied by pain;
- The sensitivity of the parts of the body isolated by the common nerve plexus in the cervical region begins to decrease.Shoulder and forearm tactility is reduced, less often - hands;
- The patient feels a decrease in arm muscle strength;
- Headaches and dizziness become more frequent, and visual acuity decreases for a short time.
Cervical osteochondrosis in the first stage can be indicated by acute attacks, stabbing, shooting pain.They usually occur when the head turns suddenly.This is how the increased tone of the neck muscles manifests itself.Their stiffness is the body's compensatory response to spinal segment instability.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by alternating replacement with degrees of remission.During tension, discomfort in the neck is always felt.The clinical picture contains vascular, neurological and static signs simultaneously.During the remission stage, the disease is almost asymptomatic.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaints and a series of tests to determine the mobility of the cervical segment.Indications are a history of previous injuries or systemic pathology of the musculoskeletal system (gout, rheumatoid, reactive arthritis).
The most informative diagnostic procedure is radiography.1st degree pathology corresponds to 1st or -2nd radiological level.The resulting image depicts the typical signs of this disease.
| X-ray stage of cervical osteochondrosis in the first stage | Characteristic signs |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Small changes in the curvature of the spine in the cervical region, affecting one or more segments |
| Level 2 | Slight thickening of the intervertebral disc, deformation of the uncinate process, straightening of the lordosis, small growth of the bone structure |
Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging is needed to clarify the diagnosis.With its help, you can detect aseptic and slow inflammatory processes and destructive degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc.
Therapy
Grade 1 treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is long-term.In the early stages of development, the pathology responds to conservative therapy.Patients are prescribed medications and physiotherapy and massage procedures are recommended.
All treatment methods aim to improve blood circulation in the cervical spine.This allows you to avoid deterioration of intervertebral disc trophism - the main cause of the development of osteochondrosis.And eliminating the lack of nutrients and oxygen stimulates the 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 ointment, gel or cream on the back of the neck:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Irritating, annoying, local heating agent.
In this case, it is better to use not medicine, but biologically active additives for external use with camphor, formic alcohol, red capsicum extract, and bee venom.
Vertebrologists include systemic chondroprotectors in the therapeutic regimen.The injection solution is 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
To treat grade 1 osteochondrosis, physiotherapy methods are used using various physical factors: low frequency current, magnetic field, laser, ultrasound.This procedure helps relieve pain, relieve aseptic inflammation, and eliminate increased neck muscle tone.
Neurologists and vertebrologists recommend that patients regularly visit massage rooms.Thanks to the dosed mechanical effect on the vertebrae, spasming 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:
- classic;
- point;
- vacuum.
Manual therapy with individually selected methods of influence allows you to increase the range of motion in 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 medication, massage and physiotherapy.When performing exercise therapy, blood circulation improves, neck muscles that stabilize the vertebrae are strengthened, and tissue trophism is normalized.Daily exercise is an excellent prevention of pain and movement stiffness.
The First Physical Therapy Class (Kinesitherapy) is conducted under the guidance of a physical therapist.He shows how to do the exercises, the dose of 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 faster the therapy is carried out, the greater the chance of full recovery of the functional activity of the spinal column.