Spondyloarthrosis is a chronically progressive degenerative disease that affects the facet joints of the spine. All structures are involved in the pathological process - bone and cartilage tissue, joint capsule, musculo-ligamentous apparatus.
Spondyloarthrosis is a type of arthrosis. It develops against the background of degenerative-dystrophic changes, when the natural aging process is aggravated by negative factors. Systematic overload of the spinal column associated with hard work, intense sports training, and congenital and acquired vertebral defects is of key importance in the onset of pathology. The cervical region and lower back are most often affected.
What is cervical spondyloarthrosis?
Cervical spondyloarthrosis is a degenerative disease that affects small joints located in the cervical region of the spine. Doctors often diagnose the disorder in older patients, 50 and older. Sometimes, as a result of damage, an anomaly can be found in individuals who belong to the younger group. Cervical spondyloarthrosis causes pain at night, discomfort during physical activity and after a long stay of the body in one position, stiffness after waking up and general limitation. During strong pressure on the nerve endings, a neurological failure occurs.
For diagnosis, medical staff resort to using an X-ray machine, magnetic resonance imaging scanner, radioisotope scanner, ultrasound device, etc. Treatment is conservative, using blockades, massage sessions and exercise therapy. In rare cases, the doctor may prescribe surgery.
Quick Facts
Cervical spondyloarthrosis is one of the types of arthrosis, a disease that can cause disruptions in the functioning of small joints in the cervical spine. Usually, it is not of an isolated nature. It occurs in combination with other anomalies of the spinal region. Structural deformations occur as a result of a combination of all lesions that provoke a number of symptoms, which include neurological disorders, instability of the cerebral blood supply system, etc. As a result, the attending physician considers each case of the disease on an individual, comprehensive basis, taking into account the presence of other back diseases. The observation and treatment of the patient is carried out by doctors from the orthopedic, neurological and vertebrological fields.
Spinal gymnastics
Orthopedists and traumatologists emphasize that regular performance of special therapeutic and preventive exercises plays a leading role in spinal arthrosis. An individually developed set of exercises for a particular department can significantly improve blood flow in the affected area, activate the nutrition of depleted tissues, establish the delivery of important substances for reparative and regenerative functions, normalize motor capabilities, and strengthen the muscles responsible for the functioning of the intervertebral joints.
Main excitatory factors
Together with age-related changes of involutional origin, the progression of spondyloarthrosis in the cervical area is associated with developmental disorders (incompletely formed arches, the presence of asymmetry) and damage. An important reason for athletes, people engaged in heavy physical labor and who need to stay in one position for a long time is non-physiological stress. Scientists report the likelihood of a genetic predisposition, the presence of autoimmune abnormalities, hormonal imbalances and metabolic disorders.
Lumbar
Lumbar spondyloarthrosis is more common. Painful signs that occur in the lower back radiate to the buttocks and thighs, but do not fall lower, as happens with a hernia. Movements are constrained, it becomes impossible to tilt or turn. After being in a horizontal position for a long time, it is very painful to sit down.
Spondyloarthrosis of the lumbosacral spine develops slowly. Articular cartilage loses its elasticity, causing the joint to become thinner and begin to deteriorate. Osteophytes grow, which can subsequently lead to joint immobilization and disability. Pain attacks in the lower back and stiffness lead to changes in gait and the formation of flat feet.
The mechanism of occurrence of cervical spondyloarthrosis
In facet joints, specific deformations occur: the amount of articular substrate begins to decrease, while the cartilage quickly thins and changes its smooth surface. Sometimes their shells are quite strongly displaced relative to nearby ones, which is caused by disturbances in the properties of the capsules and excessive or non-physiological load on the articular endings. The main source of this process is considered to be anomalies in the relationships that occur between:
- Departments during a painful lesion of the development of the spine.
- Redistribution of the applied load in the presence of postural diseases.
- An increase in vertical pressure with a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs.
As a result of displacement of the surfaces of the joints, their capsule of facet nature begins to stretch. Nerve processes that are located deep within it give a signal to the brain about the presence of excessive stretching. The muscles located nearby, after receiving the “command” to get rid of the malfunction, become very tense and undergo spasms. At the same time, due to the abnormal ratio of elements, the joints are fixed at one strong point, provoking a worsening of the disease and the development of degenerative-dystrophic deformities.
The volume of motor activity gradually decreases, and over time, ankylosis appears. A combination of abnormal failures with damage to the facet areas and discs of a simultaneous nature causes pinching of the nerve roots. Patients are diagnosed with neurological disorders. Doctors observe the negative impact of strong pressure on blood vessels and pain, which become sources of spasms in the arteries, on the blood supply system to the brain. As a result, patients complain of regular pain in the head area and small particles flashing before the eyes. There are deformations of the venous outflow that provoke an increase in intracranial pressure, which causes heaviness in the head region, coordination failures and noise in the ear canals.
Thoracic region
Spondyloarthrosis deformans of the thoracic region is characterized by discomfort and pain attacks in the chest area. Dull pain in the back when taking a deep breath. The upper girdle of the limbs is also affected, as a result of which the functions of the hands are impaired. The sources of pain are the affected facet joints. Performance decreases. Disorders in the thoracic region are much less common than, for example, spondyloarthrosis of the lumbar spine, since in this area the vertebrae are less susceptible to strong vibrations.
Classification
Doctors of the traumatology and orthopedic department distinguish the stages of spondyloarthrosis of the cervical area, focusing on pathomorphological and clinical indicators. These include:
- The asymptomatic form is the formation of the first changes in the joints.
- Initial form - the first signs of the disease appear (pain, discomfort, minimal decrease in the level of mobility).
- The average form is distinguished by the bright course of the lesion, which can be observed on radiographic examination (changes in the facet joints, bone growths form at the borders).
- Severe form - noticeable changes occur that affect the overall degree of motor activity of the neck; ankylosis, disruptions in the functioning of the blood supply to the brain and neurological disorders may be observed.
Causes of spondylosis
Overgrowth of vertebrae with osteophytes can be caused by the following reasons.
- Age-related changes that lead to disruption of metabolic processes, a decrease in the concentration of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, collagen.
- Overweight. The skeletal system is designed to bear a certain load, and it is different for each person. Its regular excess gives rise to degenerative-dystrophic processes.
- Unbalanced diet. The body does not receive the required amounts of vitamins, micro- and macroelements necessary for bone tissue through food.
- Physical inactivity. The cause of spondylosis is not only sedentary work, but also long-term limitation of physical activity due to any disease.
- Rare increased physical activity with a sedentary lifestyle (for example, weekly work in a summer cottage).
- Constant excessive loads. They lead to disruption of the smooth functioning of the spine. This factor is the main cause of spondylosis in men aged 40 years and older.
- Spinal injuries, systematic microtraumas of the spine.
- Systemic connective tissue diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma.
- Other diseases of the spine: osteochondrosis, spondylolisthesis.
- Congenital anomalies, genetically determined pathology of cartilage tissue.
- Acquired or congenital deformation of the spinal column: kyphosis, scoliosis.
- Disorders of metabolic processes, including endocrine pathologies.
Treatment of spondylosis is carried out comprehensively and is aimed not only at relieving symptoms, but also eliminating the causes.
What are the manifestations of cervical spondyloarthrosis?
The main symptoms of the disease are the appearance of pain and discomfort in the cervical region. The pain is aching, regular and intensifies with the need for movement. If the patient needs to remain in an uncomfortable position or undergo a heavy load at one time, the painful sensations intensify, developing into an acute or burning form. In the morning there is stiffness, which disappears after half an hour. There is no transfer of discomfort to the shoulder area and no neurological abnormalities.
In case of non-compliance with the prescribed medical instructions or a complete lack of proper treatment, the disease begins to progress, as a result, the symptoms of osteochondrosis are added, and all manifestations acquire a pronounced and varied direction. The pain syndrome can periodically increase; the patient experiences radiating disturbances to the shoulder girdle and the upper region of the spinal region.
The patient is informed during the appointment about the presence of such complaints:
- Dizziness.
- Painful sensations in the head area.
- Presence of fog and heaviness.
- Formation of paresthesia and numbness of certain areas of the body.
- Sensory disorders.
- Balance disorders.
- Neuritis of the cervical and shoulder joints.
- Hyporeflexia.
Symptoms of the disease
At stage I there is no pain. Then pain arises with a clear localization of a pressing nature, increases with movement, subsides at rest. In the morning, patients note stiffness that disappears after movement, after 20...60 minutes. In the later stages, radiating pain appears, muscle weakness increases, a feeling of numbness, tingling, etc.
Diagnosis of spondyloarthrosis
The clinical picture is verified by X-ray, CT or MRI of the spine. The phenomena of the inflammatory process are detected by radioisotope scanning of the spine. MSCT angiography, duplex scanning and MRI of the arteries of the head and neck are performed to exclude suspicion of vertebral artery syndrome. Diagnostic blockades are used, which significantly reduce pain and other symptoms.
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Diagnostic methods
To clarify the correct conclusion, the attending physician prescribes the patient to undergo a series of examinations:
- Radiography - informative information can be obtained in case of severe deformations that occur in the facet areas.
- MRI scanning - visualizes accompanying changes localized in soft tissues.
- Computed tomography provides doctors with data on the presence of anomalies in the first stages of development.
- Dopplerography - allows you to check the state of cerebral circulation.
If the patient has neurological disorders, the physician writes a referral for consultation with a colleague in the neurological department.
How to get rid of cervical spondyloarthrosis?
The maximum effectiveness of medical therapy appears only in the first stage of the disease, when there are no ankyloses in the joints. Doctors prescribe the use of pharmacological drugs aimed at eliminating the inflammatory response. Additionally you will need to take:
- Chondroprotective agents.
- Vitamin complexes, in particular group B, which provide a blockade.
The patient is prescribed treatment with acupuncture sessions, classes to learn exercises that help strengthen the muscle area of the neck, and seminars on proper breathing. Based on the indications, the patient is prescribed massage and manual therapy. However, you should attend such sessions with extreme caution and contact a qualified worker only on the recommendation of the attending physician and there are no signs of inflammation. In the case of self-medication or incorrectly selected therapy, the patient may experience serious consequences that will provoke an exacerbation of spondyloarthrosis, a rapid increase in pain and the formation of neurological symptoms. Medical techniques should be used in short courses simultaneously with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
The operation is prescribed quite rarely in the presence of dynamic disorders caused by displacement of the endings and excessive pressure on the nerve parts of the osteophytes.
Treatment methods
A competent doctor knows how to properly treat spondyloarthrosis of the cervical spine. Treatment must be comprehensive - it will not be possible to get rid of the manifestations of the disease with pills alone. If you have advanced spondyloarthrosis, surgery is indicated for you.
Drug therapy
Reception includes:
- Chondroprotectors.
- Painkillers.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Muscle relaxants.
Additionally, minerals and vitamins, diuretics to relieve swelling, drugs to improve blood circulation, etc. may be prescribed. The doctor will be able to choose the drug and its dosage after he knows all the features of your case.
Physiotherapy
A visit to a physiotherapist during spondyloarthrosis of the cervical vertebrae will improve your well-being and increase the effectiveness of the medications used. All procedures are carried out in courses.
Exercise therapy and massage
Training is mandatory if you have 1-2 degrees of spondyloarthrosis. In a more advanced state, every unnecessary movement can lead to undesirable consequences. The set of exercises is selected individually by the doctor.
ethnoscience
It becomes a good addition to conservative treatment. However, every folk recipe must be agreed with the doctor - sometimes advice of dubious quality can significantly worsen the patient’s condition.