Various diseases of the spine can provoke problems with its work and, as a result, deformation. Such diseases as osteochondrosis, scoliosis, spondylosis, radiculitis and others often lead to a violation of the statics of the cervical spine. They lead to serious complications and worsen the condition of the patient. Violation of static results in pathological activity of the vertebrae.
General description of the lesion
All parts of the spinal region are closely related to each other. The unusual structure gives the spine flexibility: the vertebrae are connected by elastic intervertebral discs. Along with this, the intervertebral discs help maintain a static position of the vertebrae. Such stability can be achieved with the help of ligaments and developed muscles. The static position of the vertebrae is very important to protect the spinal cord from various injuries and to maintain the human body in an upright position.
In some cases, serious diseases provoke various changes in the position of the vertebrae relative to each other, which develops pathological mobility of the spine. This condition greatly affects the general well-being of the patient, does not allow him to work normally and even relax. Such structural changes can lead to problems with the statics of the cervical spine, although complications are quite rare at this point. Most often, strong mobility appears in the lumbar region due to the constant loading of this area.
Development principle
Problems with the location of the vertebrae arise as a result of damage to the structure of the discs during their destruction. With this process, the vertebrae begin to shift. If such a shift occurs at a distance of more than 3 mm, then this immediately indicates the presence of pathological mobility and problems with the statics of the spine.
Extensive free space appears in such areas, which leads to a displacement of the vertebrae with respect to each other. The process of displacement occurs most often during the movement of the patient; externally, such a state cannot be determined.
Violation of the statics of the vertebrae often leads to squeezing of blood vessels and impaired circulation in the body. Such a process is very dangerous when the vertebral artery or vessels in the cervical region are infringed. In addition, the patient feels cramping in the muscles, as well as pain in the lumbar during sports or overstrain. Other symptoms of a change in the position of the vertebrae depend on the location of the disease.
Possible complications
Problems with the statics of the vertebrae can occur during prolonged degenerative processes. It is important to remember that regular changes in the location of the vertebrae can lead to dangerous and irreversible consequences. Violation of static leads to accelerated degeneration of the joints. If the patient has not yet had osteochondrosis, then with regular mobility, sooner or later he will certainly appear. Moreover, osteophytes are often formed on the sick vertebrae themselves. These are bone growths.
In addition, the vertebra, which regularly changes its location, often becomes the place where the intervertebral hernia forms. With increased loads or with a sharp change in body position, problems with the statics of the vertebrae can lead to their subluxation or dislocation. This process is especially dangerous for the neck, as it can cause death.
Conducting therapeutic measures
The treatment of cervical spine static disorders should be planned by the attending physician after carrying out diagnostic measures. It is forbidden to self-medicate in this case. First of all, the doctor conducts the study. Radiography and MR helps to accurately diagnose the disease and understand the condition of the ligaments, vertebrae and discs. Based on the results of the diagnosis, as well as information obtained after a complete examination of the patient, the doctor accurately selects the method of treatment. Most often, therapy directly depends on the location of the lesion.
In the treatment of mild forms of violation of the statics of the vertebrae, the doctor prescribes a course of taking medications, as well as wearing special orthopedic products that help fix the position of the vertebrae. Shants's collar helps with cervical osteochondrosis, and in other cases, corsets. They help maintain the position of the vertebrae in one place and suppress muscle spasms.
Nonsteroidal drugs and surgery
At the early stage of the development of the disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to eliminate pain symptoms. If they do not bring the desired effect, then try novocaine blockade or injection of corticosteroids. In addition, it is very important to use additional methods of treatment. To eliminate muscle spasms, a good effect is provided by careful massage of the affected area, special gymnastic exercises are well suited to strengthen the ligaments.
It is common treatment with physiotherapeutic methods. They help eliminate severe pain, inflammation in the soft tissues, suppress muscle spasms and restore metabolic processes. A good result can be achieved by using thermal procedures, a laser, magnetotherapy and a current pulse. To avoid possible pinching of the nerves and restore the static vertebrae, spinal traction is performed.
In more serious forms of the disease, a specialist prescribes surgery. It is important if a conservative method of treatment does not bring the desired effect and does not help to eliminate pain. This is especially dangerous if the patient has nerve infringement and intervertebral hernias are present. Also, the operation is indicated in the presence of dislocation of the vertebrae.
How to avoid pathology
If a violation of the statics of the cervical spine in an adult has already occurred, then it will not work out with conservative treatment. With such a violation of the mobility of the vertebrae, it is important to radically change your lifestyle. This will help prevent possible complications and disease progression.
For starters, it is important to get rid of excessive physical exertion. This applies especially to people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, or to those who are professionally involved in sports. Experts recommend alternating monotonous work with physical activity. When lifting heavy objects from the floor, do not do this from an inclined position. It’s best to sit down so that your back remains straight.
Wearing a corset and massage
What to do if the neck hurts? It is best for people with this condition to use special corsets that will help to avoid possible displacement of the vertebrae and maintain the correct position of the spine when walking. Also, a good effect can be achieved using course massage and physiotherapy exercises, which helps to strengthen muscles and strengthen ligaments. The patient must properly organize his workplace and choose a good orthopedic mattress for sleeping.
Problems with the position of the vertebrae are a serious pathology that needs professional treatment. Only timely help of the attending physician and proper treatment will help prevent the operation and avoid deterioration and severe pain.
Problems with neck statics
Osteochondrosis, given its lifelong development, has several stages, which replace one another after a certain period of time. It is for this reason that a sick person does not feel any special symptoms. But, once having appeared, the disease is developing steadily and leads to ever greater complications.
Such a lesion is especially dangerous when localized in the lumbar and cervical region, where compression of blood vessels and nerves can occur. The predecessors of this condition are the first stages of the development of the disease, which a person calmly tolerates and in some cases does not even notice.
It is in this period of time that there are violations of the static function of the cervical spine. In different departments, this condition shows itself in different ways, but the reason for its appearance is always one thing - irrational long-term load on the spinal column.
Cervical and signs of impairment
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and a violation of statics develop gradually and lead to unpleasant symptoms. Problems with the statics of the vertebrae sometimes appear as a result of a large number of movements that a person makes during the day. But it is important to remember that frequent head movements can even positively affect the condition of the cervical spine. Most often, the lesion develops as a result of a prolonged stay of the head in one position. The main causes of the appearance of pathology include the following:
- In the neck there are many muscles that help her to make free movements in any direction and at any time to change the viewing angle. Depending on the anatomical characteristics, some muscles are distinguished by their special endurance and ability to withstand strong physical exertion.
- The same head position and lack of movement provoke a strong weakening of a whole group of muscles, which leads to their stretching and relaxation.
- Such relaxation provokes irritation of the nerve endings, which signal the brain with problems with the static of the vertebrae in the cervical region.
- To keep the neck in a certain position, free muscle fibers have to pull it in opposite directions.
Regular displacement of the vertebrae
With motor activity, this provokes a minimal displacement of the position of the vertebrae in the horizontal plane. This mobility is due to the structural features of the ligamentous apparatus. From the front and back, it is fastened with strong longitudinal ligaments that help maintain its position during tilting. On the sides there are only intervertebral tendons, the strength of which is too low to maintain normal statics.
Often, regular vertebral displacements lead to osteochondrosis, which develops over several years. The most dangerous thing is that throughout the whole time the patient does not feel any symptoms and feels normal.
Signs of cervical abnormalities
There are a large number of symptoms of a violation of the statics of the cervical spine. The main ones include:
- severe pain in the head, dizziness;
- fainting, worsening condition;
- sharp decline and increase in blood pressure;
- problems with changes in the position of the head, severe pain may appear;
- while the head can move slightly forward;
- mental problems and nervous stress.
Treatment
Before starting treatment for pathology, it is important to consider the main signs of a violation of the statics of the cervical spine. This condition can be cured, but it needs urgent preventive measures. Since the disease usually proceeds without pronounced symptoms, it is important to start its treatment in a timely manner.
What to do if your neck hurts:
- Every 30 minutes during monotonous work it is important to conduct short workouts - tilt your head in different directions.
- Closely monitor the state of posture during prolonged work - the back should be in an upright position and should be in line with the head.
- Experts recommend the use of a Shants collar for cervical osteochondrosis, which will help restore the cervical spine to its original natural position.
Determination of osteophytes
Osteophytes are pathological bone growths that can form in various parts of the spine and other areas of the musculoskeletal system. Most often, osteophytes appear as a result of spondylosis and osteoarthritis.
With the development of the pathological process, the patient is affected by his intervertebral discs, and after some time osteophytes of the cervical spine are formed. In the treatment of such formations, drugs are most often used (if taken correctly, they dissolve growths), surgery, or physiotherapeutic procedures.