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 at a computer for a long time are especially susceptible to this disease.
People over 20 years of age who do not pay enough attention to their 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, and this 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 represents approximately every adult, but not everyone knows what it is really dangerous for. Numerous nerve channels and vessels run along this section of the spine, 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 compressed.
Against the background of circulatory disorders of the brain, various health problems can occur:
- migraine and severe headaches with cervical osteochondrosis;
- hypertension;
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- cardiovascular disorders;
- pathology of the respiratory system;
- vision, hearing and even movement coordination problems.
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 can occur, as well as spinal stroke.
A lump on the neck with osteochondrosis may be a sign of a malignant tumor - see a doctor immediately!
Common osteochondrosis of the cervical region can cause damage to the nerve endings:
- radiculopathy;
- loss of head mobility;
- the appearance of growths on the vertebrae.
In order to avoid serious complications, it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner, which is impossible without a diagnosis.
X-ray for the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis
The doctor can determine osteochondrosis of the cervical spine on an x-ray. For added information content, each spine section can be shown separately and at different angles. In 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 radiography: 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 conclusion will be made in the most accurate and detailed way.
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, the ICD 10 code in 1998 had M42 and various types of pathologies were assigned to it. To date, according to the ICD, the disease has been identified in a tract with other predorsopathies 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 - disk 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 the disease.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with disc protrusion is one of the most popular complications. The bulges are the initial phase of appearance of an intervertebral hernia, so they should not be underestimated. The key factors that cause the appearance of bumps include:
- lack of amino acids in the tissues;
- poor water supply to cells;
- 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 damages the annulus fibrosus, which should contain the nucleus pulposus in the disc. Tissue pathologies occur with the formation of cracks in the ring and the penetration of the gelatinous substance into microcracks.
cephalic syndrome
Sometimes doctors diagnose osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with cephalic syndrome in patients. It is determined by complaints of sick people such as:
- tinnitus;
- heaviness in the head;
- States before fainting and fainting.
The combination of these symptoms indicates poor cerebral circulation, so the brain receives less oxygen for its full function. 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 numerous reasons, including:
- congenital anomalies;
- acquired injuries;
- diseases.
The 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 experience pain in the neck and suspect disc displacement, you should quickly go to the doctor, who will prescribe an effective treatment.
This osteochondrosis of the spine, displaced cervical discs, and vertebrobasilar insufficiency are often interrelated disorders that require serious and immediate treatment.
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 carried into the army?
We note right away that at the primary stages of development, this disease will not even allow you to get a breather, since it does not interfere with the service. With the disease in more advanced stages, pain syndrome and limited mobility, the patient should be registered with a neurologist. The official conclusion of the doctor will allow him 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 certificate of sick leave if osteochondrosis of the neck is diagnosed?
Now let's find out, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, do they give sick leave and for how long? It is really possible to issue it, since severe 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 possible health risk, taking into account the patient's work.
- When hospital treatment is prescribed, the sick leave will be of one type, and if the patient is assigned rest for several days, the sheet will receive a different appointment.
With osteochondrosis, sick leave for how many days will be issued depends on several factors:
- in the initial stages, sick leave of 3-7 days may be granted if going to work does not aggravate the condition;
- in aggravated form, sick leave of up to two weeks may be required;
- with more severe injuries to the vertebrae, the patient can be left to receive 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 timing of preparation and rehabilitation.