Osteochondrosis in the neck in recent years has been found in people of different ages, including young people. Office workers, drivers and people who sit for a long time in front of the computer are especially susceptible to this disease.
People over 20 years old, who do not pay enough attention to their health and physical activity, can develop osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as a result of which the discs between the vertebrae begin to thicken and collapse, and this will lead toin nerve compression. endings and arteries.
What is dangerous osteochondrosis of the neck
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region, what kind of disease is represented by almost every adult, but not everyone knows what it is really dangerous for. Along this part of the spine pass many nerve channels and vessels, which are responsible for supplying the brain with nutrients. In the neck area, the vertebrae are especially close to each other, so even with a slight change in their structure, nerve roots and blood vessels can be squeezed.
Against the background of brain blood circulation disorders, various health problems may appear:
- migraine and severe headache with cervical osteochondrosis;
- hypertension;
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- cardiovascular disorders;
- pathology of the respiratory system;
- impairment of 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 the blood supply of the cerebellum and the nutrition of the medulla oblongata. Against this background, cerebral ischemia can occur, as well as spinal cord injury.
A lump in the neck with osteochondrosis can be a sign of a malignant tumor: go to the doctor immediately!
Common osteochondrosis of the cervical region can cause damage to nerve endings:
- radiculopathy;
- loss of head mobility;
- the appearance of growths in the vertebrae.
To avoid serious complications, it is necessary to start treatment at the right time, which is impossible without a 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 greater information content, each section of the spine can be transparent separately and at different angles. In such photographs of neck pathology, the degree of damage to the vertebrae can be examined in detail.
Some doctors refer the patient to the so-called functional X-ray: the patient has to take 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 finish will become more accurate and detailed.
Classification of osteochondrosis of the neck according to 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, the ICD 10 code in 1998 had M42 and several types of pathologies were assigned to it. To date, according to the ICD, the disease has been identified in a section with other pre-dorsopathies in the range from M50 to M54. Depending on the pain syndrome, the disease is divided into:
- M50. 0 - osteochondrosis with myelopathy;
- M50. 1 - with radiculopathy;
- M50. 2 - disc compensation;
- M50. 3 - other neck pathology;
- M50. 9 - unspecified diagnosis.
Types of cervical osteochondrosis
Consider the most common types of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine in accordance with the ICD classification.
Delays in illness
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with disc protrusion is one of the most common complications. Creeps 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 extensions include:
- lack of amino acids in tissues;
- poor supply of cells with water;
- low concentration of trace elements in tissues.
Intervertebral discs have a nucleus with a gelatinous structure, which is surrounded by a special fibrous ring. A poor supply of cells with useful components against the background of osteochondrosis causes damage to the fibrous ring, which should hold the nucleus pulposus on the disc. Tissue pathologies occur with the formation of cracks in the ring and the penetration of the gelatinous substance into the microcracks.
Cephalgic syndrome
Sometimes doctors diagnose osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with cephalic syndrome in patients. It is determined by such complaints of sick people as:
- tinnitus;
- 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 displacement
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with displacement, which occurs in some patients, is one of the most common forms. The disease develops for many reasons, including:
- congenital anomalies;
- acquired injuries;
- diseases.
Displacement of the vertebrae contributes to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which causes pain and disrupts the work of various internal organs. If you have neck pain and suspect disc displacement, you should quickly go to the doctor, who will prescribe an effective treatment.
Such osteochondrosis of the spine, cervical disc displacement and vertebrobasilar insufficiency are often related disorders that require serious and immediate therapy.
Will I be drafted into 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 in the army?
We immediately note that in the initial stages of development, this disease will not even allow you to get a term, as it does not interfere with service. With the disease in more advanced stages, pain syndrome and limited movement, the patient should be registered with a neurologist. The doctor's official conclusion will allow you to get a reprieve, and in more advanced cases, the young person may be declared unfit.
According to the law, it is impossible to serve in the army with the loss of three vertebrae and a hernia between the vertebrae of the cervical region.
Is it possible to get a sick leave certificate if neck osteochondrosis is diagnosed?
Now let's understand, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, do they give medical leave and for how long? It is really possible to release, as serious bone pathologies can cause disc displacement, herniation 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 potential 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 scheduled to take a break for several days, the sheet will take another appointment.
With osteochondrosis, sick leave for how many days will be given depends on various factors:
- in the initial stages, a sick leave can be given for 3-7 days if going to work does not worsen the condition;
- in a severe form, sick leave may be required for up to two weeks;
- with more severe lesions of the vertebrae, the patient can be left to be treated 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 condition 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.