Cervical osteochondrosis in women

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine (CS) is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Every year doctors diagnose this disease more and more often, and the course gets worse. According to statistics, in women, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the upper spine occur more often, especially for patients in the menopause period. The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in women are pain, limited mobility, and cerebrovascular insufficiency, and this is dangerous not only for health, but also for life. To protect yourself from the harmful consequences of pathology, you need to start its treatment at an early stage. It is important to carry out complex therapy and change lifestyle to stop the destruction of spinal segments and prevent serious complications.

Disease development

The cervical spine is most susceptible to various injuries and degenerative changes. This is due to the fact that this segment is the most mobile, and the muscles here are weak. Small cervical vertebrae withstand heavy loads every day, which leads to the gradual destruction of the intervertebral disc. The vertebrae put pressure on each other, which causes the cartilage pads between them to lose a lot of fluid and begin to deteriorate and become deformed.

In addition, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops due to insufficient nutrition of cartilage tissue. And the spinal canal in this area is narrow, so it is often compressed, which causes neurological symptoms.

Pathology in women in the early stages is shown by heaviness in the back of the head, tingling in the hands, etc. Patients often confuse the first signs of the disease with fatigue.

There are a large number of blood vessels and nerve roots located in the neck area; when it is compressed, nerve disorders can also occur. It is especially dangerous if a deformed disc or vertebra compresses the vertebral artery, which supplies an important part of the brain. When it is compressed, coordination of movements is impaired, a woman may lose balance, her vision and hearing deteriorate, and the risk of stroke increases.

Reference.According to statistics, most often cervical osteochondrosis is found in patients aged 25-40 years. This is due to a large decrease in physical activity and sedentary work. Women are more often diagnosed with this disease than men, because they have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• Stage 1– the intervertebral disc loses some of its moisture, its height decreases, and cracks may appear in the fibrous ring (outer shell). This is the stage of cervical chondrosis, which is difficult to identify, because it has unspecified symptoms. The neck gets tired quickly, there is discomfort, heaviness in the damaged area, sometimes there is a slight pain that quickly passes.
• Stage 2– cracks on the surface of the disc increase, the nucleus pulposus (gel-like contents of the disc) shifts and can protrude through the damaged area. This is how the protrusion of the cartilage layer appears, which can compress the spinal cord and its roots. Severe pain, weakness, limited movement appear periodically, and numbness of the face, neck, shoulders and arms may occur.
• Stage 3– the protrusion penetrates the outer skin of the disc, thereby forming a hernia. Pain becomes more pronounced, and neurological disorders are present.
• Stage 4– the disc is almost completely destroyed, the vertebrae rub against each other, and bone growths (osteophytes) appear on their edges, which are designed to stabilize the damaged segment. Nerve endings, spinal cord, and blood vessels are violated. Adjacent joints begin to deteriorate. Clinical signs are noted.

It is easiest to stop degenerative-dystrophic changes in the first two stages of spinal osteochondrosis. At stage 3, comprehensive treatment will help stop further destruction of the spinal segment. In the last stage, surgery cannot be avoided.

Cause

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a complex and long process, which most often has several causes. In most cases, pathology occurs due to an inactive lifestyle, poor nutrition, and metabolic disorders. Often this disease occurs as a result of injury or due to the natural aging of the body and the weakness of its defenses.

Doctors identify the main causes of osteochondrosis of the spine in women:

• Violation of metabolic processes.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Chronic muscle tension around the cervical segment.
• Distortion of posture.
• Lack of fluids and nutrients in the body.
• Prolonged being in an uncomfortable position (neck stretched forward and back bent).
• Overweight.
• Often wears high-heeled shoes.
• SHOP injury.
• Lifting heavy objects.
• Autoimmune pathology.
• Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.
• Hypothermia.
• Contagious disease.
• Neck too long or short, etc.

All these factors trigger malnutrition of the intervertebral discs and lead to their degeneration.

Female cervical osteochondrosis can be caused by vertebral artery pathology associated with genetic predisposition, intrauterine disorders, and injuries during childbirth. This disease can occur as a result of rheumatism, endocrine disorders, excessive load on the cervical segment during pregnancy, and local load.

importantThe main cause of cervical osteochondrosis in women is menopause, as well as the changes associated with this period. At this stage, the concentration of progesterone in the body decreases, which is very important for bone tissue. Possible degenerative changes are associated with age-related weakness of the neck muscles and weakness of vertebral support in this area.

symptoms

Osteochondrosis is characterized by a wave-like course, when acute periods are replaced by remissions. Exacerbation can be caused by infection, injury, hypothermia, and prolonged strain on the neck.

The first signs of cervical osteochondrosis in women are headache, discomfort, and heaviness in the neck. It is important to distinguish pain due to chondrosis from migraine or autonomic dysfunction in time.

Clinical manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis in women due to neurological syndrome:

• Cervical discalgia occurs when nerve endings are irritated by fragments of damaged cartilage. Then a certain dryness in the neck appears, pain that becomes more noticeable when moving the head and after sleep.
• Scalenus syndrome is the result of damage to the vessels and nerves of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery. This symptom complex is accompanied by pain from the inner surface of the shoulder to the hand on the injured side. Limbs become pale, cold, swollen, and numbness occurs. Neck pain extends to the back of the head when the patient turns his head.
• Humeral periarthrosis syndrome - dystrophic changes affecting the tendon fibers surrounding the shoulder. Painful sensations from the neck radiate to the shoulders and shoulder girdle. There is a forced position of the neck - it is tilted to the affected side, and the shoulders are slightly lowered.
• Vertebral artery syndrome - blood vessels are compressed by damaged disc fragments or osteophytes (depending on the stage of the disease). Patients feel dizzy and headache, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. The pain is localized in the back of the head, crown and temples.
• Heart - nerve bundles of the spinal cord are damaged. Heart pain and arrhythmia occur. If C3 is damaged, pain appears in half of the neck, the tongue swells, and the patient cannot chew food normally. If C4 is injured, then discomfort appears in the area of the shoulder girdle, collarbone, and heart. When C5 is affected, the pain response from the neck spreads to the shoulder girdle, the inner surface of the shoulder. Irritation of C6 causes pain from the neck and shoulder blade to the shoulder girdle and spreads down the arm to the thumb. If C7 is damaged, the pain syndrome spreads to the back of the shoulder girdle, affecting the entire hand, including the index and middle fingers. When C8 is compressed, the pain spreads from the affected area to the elbow and little finger.

Also, a woman's emotional sphere may be disturbed, weakness may occur, she becomes anxious and sensitive. Insomnia often occurs, memory and attention are weakened due to frequent headaches.

Symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident occur when a woman suddenly throws her head back, tilts it, or does work that puts pressure on her arms and cervical spine, for example, when she digs, paints the ceiling, or carries heavy objects.

Weak cerebral circulation is indicated by dizziness, unsteady gait, spots before the eyes, tinnitus, weakness, and nausea. In some patients, the voice becomes hoarse, sometimes disappears, and a sore throat appears.

Osteochondrosis during menopause is accompanied by migraines, increased body sweating in the area between the neck and shoulder girdle. When the vertebral artery is compressed, the function of the cardiovascular system is disrupted.

If the disease persists for a long time, then circulatory failure occurs in important centers that perform neuroendocrine functions. Due to the increased permeability of the vascular walls, atherosclerosis of the cerebral and cardiac arteries develops.

Establish a diagnosis

If you see symptoms of osteochondrosis, then go to a therapist. After a visual examination, the specialist will refer you to an orthopedist, vertebrologist or neurologist.

The following methods are used to diagnose cervical osteochondrosis:

• X-ray allows us to know that the patient's vertebrae are displaced, there are osteophytes on their edges, the distance between the vertebrae has decreased, etc. For this, research is conducted in different planes. To detail the characteristic changes, the doctor takes targeted pictures.
• A CT scan of the cervical spine provides detailed information about pathological changes in the vertebrae. This method allows you to obtain a three-dimensional image for a more detailed study; it is used in severe diagnostic cases.
• MRI is used to accurately assess the condition of soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles) in the affected area.
• Electromyography allows you to check the conductivity of nerve fibers.

The doctor may also prescribe an ultrasound scan (Doppler ultrasound of the main artery of the brain) to determine the state of blood flow in this area.

Conservative treatment

In the early stages, treatment of spinal osteochondrosis in women can be carried out at home. However, the doctor must make a treatment regimen. It is important to understand that this is a long process and it is unlikely that complete recovery will be possible (especially for older women).

Complex treatment includes:

• Take medications.
• Use of orthopedic devices.
• Physiotherapy.
• Physiotherapy procedures.
• Massage, manual influence.
• Alternative treatment.

Conservative methods will help relieve pain, inflammation, normalize muscle tone, improve metabolic processes, nutrition of damaged spinal segments, etc. With timely therapy, it is possible to stop pathological changes.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women is carried out with the use of drugs that will help improve the metabolism of the intervertebral cartilage pad, relieve inflammation and pain. The following drugs are used for this purpose:

• NSAIDs. They will help relieve mild or moderate inflammation and pain.
• Analgesic. Relieves pain.
• Drugs to improve cerebral circulation.
• Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle spasms.
• Chondroprotectors. They help stop disc destruction, improve metabolic processes, and speed up recovery.
• Magnesium-based medicine.
• Nootropics. They stimulate brain function by normalizing its blood circulation and have a mild sedative effect.

Reference.For severe pain that does not go away with oral medication, therapeutic restrictions are used, for example, with anesthetic solutions or NSAIDs.

Treatment can be supplemented with anti-inflammatory and pain relievers in the form of gels, creams and ointments. They will be effective at the stage of remission or in combination with oral drugs.

The decision on the choice of drug combination is made by the doctor. The specialist will formulate a drug regimen and also determine their dosage. It is important to follow the recommendations, because many of the drugs described above can lead to dangerous complications.

During the acute stage of osteochondrosis of the spine, a woman should refuse strenuous physical activity. To relieve the cervical segment, you need to wear a special corset (Schants collar), which will fix the vertebrae in the correct position. This device is recommended for use during sedentary or prolonged heavy physical work.

Physiotherapy procedures will help relieve pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area:

• Diadynamic therapy.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Electrophoresis with anesthetics, glucocorticosteroids, proteolytic agents.
• Electroanalgesia.
• Ultraviolet radiation, etc.

The therapeutic effect appears approximately after the third session, then headaches, hearing and vision disorders, dizziness weakens or disappears, sleep becomes normal, and the general condition improves.

Using the underwater traction of the cervical segment, you can expand the distance between the vertebrae, release nerves or blood vessels from compression, and restore the normal position of the vertebrae.

Massage will normalize muscle tone and reduce the flow of lymph fluid, which causes swelling. After several sessions, blood circulation in the damaged area improves.

Therapeutic gymnastics is one of the most effective methods for treating osteochondrosis of the spine. Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen weak neck muscles, which will then take some of the load off the spine and help stop or slow down degenerative changes. During exercise, blood circulation improves, metabolic processes and disc nutrition are accelerated, which has a positive effect on their condition.

Women should exercise every day. They consist of simple but effective exercises. This complex consists of turning, tilting the head in different directions, as well as neck movements, in which the arms are used. These elements can be done at home, but only after permission from the doctor. Physical therapy is carried out only in the remission stage.

Complex treatment can be supplemented with reflexology (acupuncture), hirudotherapy (leech treatment), swimming, etc.

Surgery

This operation is prescribed in the last stage of osteochondrosis of the spinal cord, which is accompanied by serious destruction of the osteochondral structure. Also, surgical intervention cannot be avoided if conservative methods are ineffective or the spinal canal has narrowed significantly.

In the above cases, anterior cervical discectomy is performed. During the procedure, the doctor immobilizes the damaged spinal segment and removes the hernia that is compressing the spinal nerve. Then the vertebrae between the discs are removed together. If necessary, the space between the vertebrae is filled with synthetic inserts (cages).

After 3-5 days the patient is allowed to go home. The recovery period is about 12 weeks. To speed up recovery, you need to take medicine, wear a corset, lead a healthy lifestyle, go to physiotherapeutic procedures, and finally do exercise therapy.

Lifestyle recommendations

To quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of osteochondrosis and stop the degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical segment, you need to adjust your lifestyle. To do this, the patient must follow the following recommendations:

• Go for a walk every day, avoid running, jumping and other explosive activities.
• Do not carry heavy objects.
• You can not sit for a long time; in extreme cases, wear a corset and periodically take a horizontal position.
• Do special physical exercises for back muscles at home.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and special pillows.
• Follow a diet, supplement your diet with foods rich in magnesium, calcium (beans, dairy products, seafood, legumes), as well as plant fiber, chondroitin (jelly meat, jelly). Avoid fatty, fried, too salty and alcoholic foods. Your doctor will advise you in more detail about dietary rules. But in any case it must be right.

Hypothermia should not be allowed; heating will be beneficial if there is no inflammatory process.

Complications

In the absence of timely treatment for cervical osteochondrosis, a woman may experience the following pathological consequences:

• Possible protrusion, which after some time turns into a hernia. The bulge compresses the spinal cord and nerves, causing neurological disorders.
• Osteophytes appear when the disc is severely damaged and irritates the spinal nerves and blood vessels.
• In advanced cases, severe neck muscle weakness or incomplete paralysis is possible, then the head involuntarily hangs to the side or forward.
• Vertebral artery compression, impaired circulation in the affected area. This condition can cause neuralgia (pain along the nerves), hearing and vision problems.
• Paralysis (incomplete or complete) of the hand.
• Stroke, etc.

If a woman deals with this problem in the early stages of osteochondrosis of the spinal cord, she will be able to prevent the conditions described above.

Preventive measures

Ideally, the prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine should be carried out during the period of intrauterine development. Pregnant women must exclude factors that negatively affect the development of the fetus: infection, oxygen starvation, intoxication. If there is a birth injury, the newborn must undergo treatment.

To reduce the chances of developing osteochondrosis of the spine, a woman should follow these recommendations:

• Load your spine evenly, for example, carry a load in both hands or alternately on your right and then your left.
• Do not lift too much weight yourself.
• Try to avoid neck injuries and hypothermia.
• While working in the garden plot, take a break every 1. 5 hours and lie down to rest for 20 minutes.
• Choose shoes with elastic soles that will soften the impact when running or jumping.
• When sitting for long periods of time, use a high-backed chair with a headrest or wear a corset.

It is also important to eat properly, control body weight, avoid stress, take vitamin supplements for medical reasons, and immediately treat pathologies that can cause osteochondrosis. During the remission stage, it is recommended to visit a sanatorium to undergo a course of treatment.

Most important

As you can see, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs more often in women than in men, because the former have more fragile vertebrae and thinner bone tissue. Patients during the menopausal period are very susceptible to pathology. This disease is manifested by pain, neurological disorders, as well as dangerous symptoms of cerebrovascular accidents. It is recommended to start treatment at an early stage to avoid dangerous complications of osteochondrosis. To do this, a woman must take medications, adjust her lifestyle, attend physiotherapeutic procedures, massage, do physical therapy, etc. Surgical treatment is only indicated in advanced cases. To avoid pathology, you need to maintain moderate physical activity, immediately treat injuries and diseases that can trigger osteochondrosis, etc.