In recent years, osteochondrosis on the neck has been found in people of different ages, including young people. Office workers, drivers and people who sit at a computer for a long time are especially susceptible to this ailment.
People over 20 who do not pay enough attention to health and physical activity may develop osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as a result of which the discs between the vertebrae begin to thicken and collapse, which will lead to compression of the nerve endings and arteries.
What is dangerous osteochondrosis of the neck
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region, what kind of disease is approximately represented by all adults, but not everyone knows what it is really dangerous for. Numerous nerve channels and vessels run along this section of the spinal column, which are responsible for supplying nutrients to the brain. In the neck area, the vertebrae are especially close to each other, therefore, even with a slight change in their structure, nerve roots and blood vessels can be squeezed.
Against the background of circulatory disorders of the brain, various health problems may occur:
- migraine and severe headaches with cervical osteochondrosis;
- hypertension;
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- cardiovascular disorders;
- pathology of the respiratory system;
- impaired vision, hearing and even coordination of movements.
In later forms of development, osteochondrosis of the neck, as in the photo, leads to vertebral artery syndrome. The latter is responsible for supplying blood to the cerebellum and nourishing the medulla oblongata. Against this background, cerebral ischemia may occur, as well as stroke.
A lump on the neck with osteochondrosis can be a sign of a malignant tumor: see a doctor immediately!
Common osteochondrosis of the cervical region can cause damage to nerve endings:
- radiculopathy;
- loss of head mobility;
- the appearance of growths on the vertebrae.
To avoid serious complications, it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner, which is impossible without diagnosis.
X-ray for the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
The doctor is able to determine osteochondrosis of the cervical spine on an x-ray. For more informative content, each section of the spine can be translucent separately and at different angles. On such photographs of the pathology of the neck, one can examine in detail and determine the degree of damage to the vertebrae.
Some doctors refer the patient to a so-called functional X-ray: the patient has to assume different positions to twist the spine to create an image of the neck. In rare cases, patients are injected with special substances into the disc, artery or spinal canal. In this case, the X-ray conclusion will be the most accurate and detailed.
Classification of osteochondrosis of the neck according to the ICD
ICD 10 is the International Classification of Diseases, which in 2007 became the generally accepted guide for assigning appropriate codes to various diseases. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region, ICD code 10 in 1998 had M42, and various types of pathologies were attributed to it. So far, according to the ICD, the disease has been identified in a section with other pre-dorsopathies in the range of M50 to M54. Depending on the pain syndrome, the disease is classified into:
- M50. 0 - osteochondrosis with myelopathy;
- M50. 1 - with radiculopathy;
- M50. 2 - disc displacement;
- M50. 3 - other pathology of the neck;
- M50. 9 - unspecified diagnosis.
Varieties of cervical osteochondrosis
Consider the most common types of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine according to the ICD classification.
bumps in disease
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with disc protrusion is one of the most popular complications. Bumps are the initial stage of the appearance of an intervertebral hernia, so they should not be underestimated. The main factors that cause the appearance of bumps include:
- lack of amino acids in tissues;
- insufficient supply of cells with water;
- low concentration of trace elements in tissues.
Intervertebral discs have a nucleus of a gelatinous structure, which is surrounded by a special fibrous ring. A weak supply of cells with useful components against the background of osteochondrosis causes damage to the annulus fibrosus, which must contain the nucleus pulposus in the disc. Tissue pathologies occur with the formation of cracks in the annulus and the penetration of the gelatinous substance into the microcracks.
cephalic syndrome
Sometimes doctors diagnose osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with cephalic syndrome in patients. It is determined by such complaints of sick people as:
- buzz;
- heaviness in the head;
- pre-fainting and fainting states.
The combination of these symptoms indicates poor cerebral circulation, due to which the brain receives less oxygen for full functioning. Additional symptoms include drowsiness and occasional fever.
Osteochondrosis of the neck with dislocation
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with displacement, which occurs in some patients, is one of the most common forms. The disease develops for a variety of reasons, including:
- congenital anomalies;
- acquired injuries;
- illnesses.
Displacement of the vertebrae contributes to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which causes pain and disrupts the functioning of various internal organs. If you feel pain in the neck and suspect disc displacement, you should quickly go to the doctor, who will prescribe effective treatment.
Such osteochondrosis of the spine, displacement of cervical discs and vertebrobasilar insufficiency are often interrelated disorders that require serious and immediate therapy.
Will they take me to the army if I have cervical osteochondrosis?
Many young recruits suffer from an unpleasant pathology for various reasons. Some are interested in whether osteochondrosis of the neck is taken into the army?
We note right away that in the primary stages of development this disease will not even allow you to have a break, as it does not interfere with the service. With the disease in more advanced stages, painful syndrome and limited mobility, the patient should be referred to a neurologist. The doctor's official conclusion will allow you to obtain a pardon, and in the most advanced cases, the young man may be declared unfit.
According to the law, it is impossible to serve in the army with the defeat of three vertebrae and with a hernia between the vertebrae of the cervical region.
Is it possible to get a sick leave certificate if osteochondrosis of the neck is diagnosed?
Now let's figure it out, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, do they take sick leave and for how long? Is it really possible to issue it, as serious bone pathologies can cause disc displacement, hernia and other dangerous disorders.
You can get sick leave for cervical osteochondrosis if you do the following:
- Contact a neurologist who will make a diagnosis and issue an appropriate certificate.
- The doctor will diagnose and determine the possible health risk, taking into account the patient's work.
- When hospital treatment is prescribed, the sick leave will have one type, and if the patient is assigned to rest for several days, then the sheet will be given a different appointment.
With osteochondrosis, sick leave for how many days it will be issued depends on several factors:
- in the early stages, a sick leave can be given for 3-7 days if going to work does not aggravate the condition;
- in the aggravated form, sick leave of up to two weeks may be required;
- in the most serious injuries of the vertebrae, the patient can stay for treatment for three months;
- a complicated form with periarthritis and other syndromes is treated for up to 7 months, and it will be possible to work after the state is completely normalized.
When surgery is required for the treatment of osteochondrosis, a sick leave sheet is issued, taking into account the time of preparation and rehabilitation.