Main causes, symptoms and prevention of cervical osteonecrosis. Bonus: preventive gymnastics.
Cervical spinal tumor is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. With age and without treatment and prevention, the disease tends to progress. Bone tumor is one of the common diseases of the spine.
If pain occurs in this part, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, as progressive bone necrosis leads to serious health problems, leading to problemsIn terms of vision, migraines are persistent and even fatal.
Osteochondrosis is not necessarily an age-related change, it usually affects people of a younger age.
Eight main causes of bone necrosis
- genetic,
- injury,
- excessive physical activity,
- age-related changes,
- metabolic disorder,
- sedentary work (male weakness),
- incorrect body position to sleep,
- stress (psychology).
If one or more symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor for treatment or prevention.
Causes of cervical bone necrosis
The causes of necrosis of the cervical spine can be different. It's not just age-related changes that can cause illness. This disease also affects young people who like to work sedentary.
Inactivity is the most common cause of osteonecrosis. Moderate inactivity leads to muscle weakness and poor circulation. Further compression of the nerves may occur and disc herniation may develop.
Factors contributing to the development of cervical osteonecrosis
- Violation of the structure and position of the brain stem relative to the spine and deformation of the first cervical vertebra.
- Acquired malformations - kyphosis, scoliosis, scoliosis and their combinations.
- Elderly people over 60 years old. At this age, natural age-related changes in the vertebral discs occur. Overgrowth of developed bones.
- Bad posture due to hunching over or being in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
- Neck spine injury.
- The engine load is incorrect.
- Obesity.
If the load on the muscles is asymmetric, it can lead to deformation. These changes are caused by a habit of lifting weights with one hand, wearing a one-shoulder bag and using pillows that are too soft to sleep.
Degree of bone necrosis
Modern science knows the three main developmental levels of cervical necrosis. They differ in the degree of spinal damage and the method of treatment.
First degree bone necrosis
Begins with rupture of the disc capsule and small cracks appear in the annular fiber sac. This type is characterized by degenerative changes in the cervical joint and changes in tissue structure.
The first signs of bone necrosis:
anxiety about neck and neck joint pain, vasoconstriction and impaired blood circulation;
- appears pain in the neck with a sharp turn of the head, indicating compression of nerve endings;
- discomfort in areas of the cervix, temples, nape, and constant headache;
- blurred vision, flies and webs in the eyes.
Secondary fibroids
Characterized by a decrease in the spacing between the vertebral discs. It leads to a pain point with any load, making it difficult to rotate or tilt the head.
Osteochondrosis third degree
It is reported to be a chronic disorder of the musculoskeletal function of the spine. Significant changes in the structure of the spine can be noticed.
Lack of treatment during this stage can lead to stroke. Death is possible.
Signs of third degree bone necrosis:
- partially or completely paralyzed the neck and shoulder joints;
- reduces the sensitivity of the upper extremities; Herniated disc
- becomes noticeable;
- dies in some parts of the cerebral cortex due to circulatory disorders and lack of adequate oxygen supply.
In the third stage of bone necrosis, a surgery is required.
Symptoms of osteonecrosis of different parts of the spine
Symptoms of cervical bone necrosis:
- throbbing pain in the neck, spreading to the upper extremities,
- headache,
- fingers may be numb,
- high blood pressure,
- impaired ability to coordinate movement,
- feels stiff,
- does not rule out nausea attacks,
- when a nerve is pinched, pain sensation when swallowing,
- can feel pain in the teeth.
Symptoms of thoracic necrosis disease:
- chest pain, can develop in the heart, lungs, spread to the shoulder blades,
- pain all over the spine,
- rib pain,
- shoulder pain,
- point ahead,
- tinnitus.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:
- menstrual disorders
- low back pain syndrome transmitted to the lower extremities
- low back pain
- inter-vertebral hernia
- increases fatigue.
Women with suspected bone necrosis are given X-rays, CT and MRI scans, ultrasound and neural measurements. They may suggest to see a breast specialist and a gynecologist to rule out diseases with symptoms similar to osteonecrosis.
Osteochondrosis in women
In women as well as in men, there are three main types of bone necrosis, they are:
- cervix,
- belts,
- chest.
Women are more likely to experience bone necrosis of the cervix and chest than men. This phenomenon is by nature more developed in men. As a result, these departments have the best support. Therefore, it is important to strengthen the back and neck muscles with the right exercises whenever possible.
Usually, cervical osteoporosis manifests itself in women with a sedentary lifestyle or sedentary work (office work, sales staff, driver) and breast canceroften manifests itself in women with scoliosis from an early age.
Treatment of cervical bone necrosis
For an accurate diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with your doctor. Other diseases may also be hidden under the symptoms of cervical necrosis.
Cervical fibroids that are unable to go away on their own and go into the third, terminal stage, which can lead to death.
Starting treatment promptly will help avoid serious, irreversible consequences.
Diagnosis of bone necrosis
Here is a sample list of specialists that will help you understand the problem.
- General practitioner (general practitioner). The treating doctor performs a general diagnosis without treatment, appointing general tests (urine, blood biochemistry). They review your personal complaints and refer more to the right expert.
- Neurologist. A neurologist deals with the early and mid-stage treatment of cervical necrosis. At the stage of the examination of the neurologist, as a rule, an x-ray of the spine is performed. With confirmed bone necrosis, the appropriate treatment will be selected.
- Injury surgeon. This specialist's consultation is prescribed if there are changes in the tissues. Perhaps only MRI scan, spine scan, CT scan. Follow-up treatment is also selected.
- Neurosurgeon. Consult with the prescribed neurosurgeon if disc herniation is suspected, consult the results of CT and MRI.
- Physiotherapist. Addresses the elimination of clinical manifestations of bone necrosis.
- Rehabilitation Doctor. Treatment by a rehabilitation therapist implies a postoperative recovery period. During this period, special therapeutic exercises (exercise therapy) are selected.
- Orthopedic nerve. Prescribe to get rid of pain.
- Rheumatologist. Advise and prescribe diagnosis for people with different types of arthritis.
- Oncologist. Oncologist visits are indicated for people with questionable CT and MRI results. A specialist consultation helps confirm or rule out the presence of tumor diseases of bone tissue. Biopsy may be indicated.
Modern methods of treating osteonecrosis:
- surgical intervention (when there are irreversible changes,
- osteopathy,
- manual therapy,
- physical therapy,
- massage,
- works with psychology,
- reflexology, drug treatment
- .
Drug treatment
The goal of drug therapy is to reduce inflammation and pain. The drugs are precisely selected to restore blood circulation and healthy tissue nutrition.
During the acute phase, drug therapy helps stabilize the patient's condition and prepare it for the next phase of treatment. Ointments, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids and vitamin complexes are used.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy consists of a combination of natural and physical effects on the body. Effective pain relief and restores physical activity.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy works well under the supervision of a good specialist.
Massage stimulates blood circulation and improves tissue nutrition. Manual therapy is convenient for use at home (massage machine and various applicators).
Before using manual therapeutic products at home, you should consult a specialist.
Acupressure
Acupressure treatments are effective by impacting the body's bioactive points. It can be taken in the form of acupuncture, acupressure, sometimes moxib Exhaustion. If you choose this particular treatment, make sure you have a qualified specialist on hand, as exposure to biologically inappropriate spots can have negative consequences.
exercise therapy
Physical therapy exercises (LFK) for osteonecrosis are indicated but do not fail at the recovery phase. The purpose of exercise therapy is to strengthen the ligaments and muscles, and exercises that restore blood flow.
Properly selected exercises can help prevent damage from recurring and deeper.
Exercises for cervical bone necrosis
To summarize, we would like to introduce to you some exercises from the complex of physiotherapy exercises.
Consult your doctor before exercising.
Exercises of the exercise therapy complex can be uncomfortable, so before doing it, try to relax as much as possible and make sure your breathing is calm and measured.
Don't overload your muscles when exercising. Try as hard as you can, after rest, go back to the exercise.
To achieve the ultimate restorative effect, it is necessary to perform up to 300 repetitions on the diseased spine and 100 repetitions for adjacent segments.
With cervical necrosis, sudden head movements should be avoided. The exercise is done in an upright position, back straight, feet shoulder width (repeat 15 times):
- Tilt your head to the left and hold for 10 seconds. Put pressure on your shoulders, tighten your neck muscles, and resist the pressure. Repeat the same movements for the right side. Repeat the first exercise, bending forward and backward.
- Turn your head to the right, try to touch your chin with your shoulder, hold it for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise with a left turn.
- Use your chin to draw the numbers 0 through 9 in the air.
Back exercises:
- Lift your head up and hold for 10 seconds. Lower your head and rest for five seconds.
- Pull your chin towards the ceiling and hold for 10 seconds, then gently lower your head.
Italic exercise:
- Raise your head and keep it parallel to the floor for 10 seconds. Then, gently lower your head, pausing for a few seconds.
- Repeat this exercise while lying on your side.