Cervical osteochondrosis, grade 1, is the initial stage of irreversible destructive and degenerative changes in the cartilage of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies.Because cervical osteochondrosis may have no clinical manifestations, diagnosing the pathology at an early stage of development is nearly impossible.Characteristic signs of damage to cartilage structures are often absent even on radiographic images.
Characteristics of grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis
First-grade cervical osteochondrosis is often discovered incidentally during the diagnosis of other pathologies, even unrelated to the musculoskeletal system.But sometimes patients themselves come to see us because their health has deteriorated.In fact, although there are no obvious symptoms of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc has undergone degenerative changes:
- Cartilage tissue becomes denser and expanded;
- Radial cracks appear on the annulus fibrosus.
The loss of stiffness and elasticity of the intervertebral disc makes its shock-absorbing properties worse.Mild instability may still occur in the cervical spine due to the inability to completely unload the vertebrae.But even slight displacement of cartilage or bone structures becomes a prerequisite for further rapid development of osteochondrosis.
clinical picture
In grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis, characteristic signs of this pathology may not be present.One person explained the discomfort that occurs from time to time due to muscle strain due to fatigue after physical activity or when the body is held in one position for a long time.Gradually, the pain in the back of the neck increases in intensity.
After lifting heavy objects or suffering from hypothermia, periodic and still mild aches and pains may first appear.They have no clear localization and usually radiate to the shoulders and upper back.Shoulder pain syndrome occurs, which is the first specific symptom of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.In the initial stages of development, pathology can manifest clinically as follows:
- Neck movement is limited.When you tilt or turn your head, you will feel stiffness in your movements, but not pain;
- Sensitivity begins to decrease in parts of the body innervated by common nerve plexuses in the neck.Decreased tactile sensation in shoulders and forearms, less in hands;
- The patient feels a decrease in arm muscle strength;
- Headaches and dizziness become more frequent, and vision may decrease within a short period of time.
Level 1 cervical osteochondrosis may present with an acute, stabbing, stabbing pain.They usually occur when the head turns suddenly.This is a sign of increased neck muscle tone.Their spasms are the body's compensatory response to spinal segment instability.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by alternating phases of relapse and remission.As the condition worsens, neck discomfort may persist.Clinical manifestations include a combination of vascular, neurological, and static signs.During the remission phase, the disease is virtually asymptomatic.
diagnosis
Diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaint and a series of tests to determine the range of motion of the cervical spine segments.One clue is a history of previous injury or systemic pathology of the musculoskeletal system (gout, rheumatoid, reactive arthritis).
The most informative diagnostic procedure is radiography.Grade 1 pathology corresponds to grade 1 or 2 radiological stage.The resulting images visualize the typical symptoms of the disease.
| X-ray staging of grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis | Feature flag |
|---|---|
| first stage | Small changes in the curvature of the spine in the neck, affecting one or more segments |
| second stage | Slight thickening of the intervertebral discs, deformation of the uncinus, straightening of the lordosis, and slight growth of the bone structure |
Magnetic resonance imaging is sometimes needed to confirm the diagnosis.With it you can detect sterility, slow inflammatory processes and damaging degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc.
treat
Treatment of grade 1 cervical osteochondrosis is long-term.In the initial stages of development, the pathology responds well to conservative treatment.The doctor will prescribe medications and recommend physical therapy and massage procedures.
All treatments are designed to improve blood circulation in the cervical spine.This allows you to avoid the nutritional deterioration of the intervertebral disc - the main cause of the development of osteochondrosis.Eliminating the lack of nutrients and oxygen stimulates partial regeneration of cartilage tissue.
Pharmacological drugs
Clinically, grade 1 osteochondrosis presents with mild pain, the elimination of which does not require the use of parenteral medications in tablet or solution form.If necessary, patients are advised to apply ointments, gels or creams to the back of the neck:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Substances that are locally irritating, distracting, and warming.
In this case, it is better not to use drugs, but to use external bioactive additives such as camphor, formic alcohol, red pepper extract, bee venom, etc.
Vertebrate zoologists include systemic chondroprotective agents in treatment regimens.The injectable solution needs to be used for several days.Medications are then taken to consolidate the effects of the treatment.Treatment courses last from several months to 2 years.
non-pharmacological treatment
For the treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis, physical therapy methods are used, using various physical factors: low-frequency currents, magnetic fields, lasers, ultrasound.These procedures help relieve pain, relieve sterile inflammation, and eliminate increased neck muscle tone.
Neurologists and chiropractors recommend that patients visit massage parlors regularly.Due to the quantitative mechanical effect on the vertebrae, spastic muscles are relaxed, blood circulation and microcirculation are improved, and local immunity is enhanced.The following types of massage are used to treat cervical osteochondrosis:
- classic;
- point of view;
- vacuum.
Manual therapy with individually selected influencing methods can increase the range of motion of the cervical spine and eliminate the first signs of lordotic changes.
In order to restore the correct anatomical shape of the spine or increase the distance between vertebrae, traction (dry traction or underwater traction of the spine) is required.
Regular exercise therapy can replace medications, massage, and physical therapy.During exercise therapy, blood circulation is improved, the neck muscles that stabilize the vertebrae are strengthened, and tissue nutrition is normalized.Routine training can be a great way to prevent pain and stiffness in motion.
The first physical therapy (exercise therapy) sessions are conducted under the supervision of a physical therapy doctor.He shows how to perform exercises that adjust the load on the discs and vertebrae to avoid compression of the spinal cord roots.After a few days, patients can practice independently at home.
The value of early detection of disease lies in the good prognosis of complete recovery.The sooner treatment is initiated, the greater the chance of full recovery of functional spinal activity.