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Cervical osteoarthritis
- Introduction
- What about the neck?
- Why is the neck pain so prevalent?
- What symptoms you are experiencing and cervical osteoarthritis is diagnosed?
- Would what factors are related to cervical arthrosis?
- What are the complications of cervical osteoarthritis?
- How is cervical osteoarthritis treated?
INTRODUCTION
The "neck" are often the origin of different symptoms, such as pain in
the neck, headache, muscle tension or irradiated pain to the shoulders
and arms. You are also blamed to cervical
problems, often without a well-established medical confirmation,
symptoms such as feeling of instability, dizziness or vertigo. The
cervical spine, as in the lumbar spine or other parts of the skeleton,
as the hands, knees or hips is one of the locations where you can
develop osteoarthritis.
WHAT ABOUT THE NECK?
The neck are seven vertebrae that form the so-called cervical spine,
which is the part of the spinal column which gives the structure and
mobility to our neck. Top it bounds with skull
and bottom borders the first of twelve vertebrae that form the spine,
although this last is part of what we call the chest. Not all the cervical vertebrae are the same: the two upper ones have a different structure and its own name. It
is called the first atlas, referring to the giant of Mythology carrying
the Earth on his back, since it is the vertebra responsible for
subjecting the skull. The second vertebra is
called the axis, and has a kind of pivot around which revolves atlas and
the skull, being the main responsible that we will be able to turn your
head left and right. The remaining five cervical
vertebrae are similar to each other, and the joints between them make
it possible that the neck is a flexible structure and that we can Flex
and extend the head or tilting it sideways.
WHY IS THE NECK PAIN SO PREVALENT?
The cervical spine is one of the systems most complicated joints of the
human body and is subject to movements, constantly, throughout the day.
Cervical vertebrae are involved in practically
all activities of everyday life, since the neck posture is essential for
a correct head position, allowing us to look, work, etc. Neck pain is very common, therefore since it is estimated that up to 70% of the population has ever suffered neck pain. The most common causes of neck pain include trauma, such as shock and sudden movements. Poor posture, maintained in a prolonged way, may result in a muscle contraction that also results in neck pain. On
the other hand, cervical osteoarthritis, which is the most common
rheumatic disease, is responsible for on many occasions of neck pain. It
is important to note that many times the cervical pains are only the
expression of a muscular strain secondary to another problem that has
nothing to do with the joints of the neck, as for example in the States
of stress or emotional tension, anxiety and even depression.
WHAT SYMPTOMS HAS AND AS CERVICAL OSTEOARTHRITIS IS DIAGNOSED?
The two main symptoms resulting in cervical osteoarthritis are pain in
the neck, located on the back of it, that sometimes extends to the back
of the head or both shoulders, and the limitation or difficulty to move
the neck. Pain that originates the osteoarthritis is what is called "mechanical character"; i.e. that it relates to movements. In
this way, the pain increases with activity and movements of the neck,
handing over or at least partially decreasing its intensity when you
hold the rest. Cervical osteoarthritis
can also result in a slowly progressive decrease in the ability of neck
movement, such as the turns of the head to the right or the left, or the
movements of flexion or extension of the head. Diagnosis
of cervical osteoarthritis is simple and is based on the clinical
history that the doctor made the patient, with the interrogation about
the symptoms you have, and the physical examination of the neck. This
is complemented by the practice of an x-ray of the cervical spine, in
which the doctor can see the existence of the typical signs of
arthrosis, confirming the diagnosis.
WOULD WHAT FACTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CERVICAL ARTHROSIS?
Age is a risk factor that is associated with the onset of osteoarthritis in the neck. Much older have greater is the probability that we padezcamos arthritis in the neck. In
addition, it seems that there are hereditary factors that make that in
certain families, there are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis. On
the other hand, there are other factors which, although they are not
responsible directly for the appearance of arthrosis, do have a clear
relationship with it, worsening the evolution and the symptoms of
osteoarthritis. This is so in certain types of work, in which are held fixed positions and harmful positions for the cervical spine.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF CERVICAL OSTEOARTHRITIS?
Sometimes, the typical arthritis neck pain extends by one of the upper limbs and reaches the hand. This pain tends to be very intense and is accompanied by a sensation of burning, tingling or numbness. This
type of pain has its origin in the irritation of one of the nerves
coming from the spinal cord in the cervical spine, through a hole that
left between two adjacent cervical vertebrae. When
cervical osteoarthritis is very advanced, the vertebral deformation and
bone chips that form can compress these nerves, causing this
complication of osteoarthritis. It is exceptional that cervical arthrosis originate as frequent as dizziness, feeling of instability and the vertigo symptoms. Normally
these symptoms originate from neurological problems, problems in
alterations in the ear or on the organ of balance, which is situated in
the proximity of the organ of hearing and vision. With
much greater frequency are also States of anxiety, accompanied by bad
relaxation and muscle tension, or the States of depression, those
responsible for these symptoms of dizziness, although this psychological
origin of symptoms is difficult to recognize and accept by patients. Therefore, the fact that dizziness problems attributed to "have the cervical evil" should not be accepted.
HOW CERVICAL OSTEOARTHRITIS TREATED?
Firstly, are you must consult a doctor evaluate symptoms and confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Once
cervical osteoarthritis has been diagnosed, the doctor will pose a
treatment that will basically oriented to achieve relief of symptoms,
and if possible to avoid the progression of osteoarthritis. In
the phases of more intense neck stiffness and pain, rest is achieved to
improve symptoms up to is one of the first measures to adopt, together
with the local application of heat, which can be done with an electric
blanket, bag of hot water, etc. Exceptionally,
and never as a rule, you must resort to the placement of a cervical
collar, which should usually be used for a short and specific time. The
drugs are also used in painful periods as symptomatic treatment,
starting with analgesics for the treatment of pain, or anti-inflammatory
drugs. Occasionally used relaxing muscles, to relieve the muscle spasm that is so often associated with cervical arthrosis. Finally,
the doctor will assess each patient convenience or not use drugs
capable of long-term slow the progression of osteoarthritis. On
occasions, physiotherapy and rehabilitation of the cervical spine
techniques complete the therapeutic approach to the patient with
cervical arthrosis. These techniques include
cervical spine mobility exercises, electrotherapy (so-called "currents")
and in certain indications sessions, cervical traction. In any case, always they have to comply with the standards of protection of the cervical spine that your doctor recommends you. Also, it must be the rehabilitation exercises which will indicate this.
Source of information and images: artrosis.livemed.es/index.html