The displacement of the vertebrae in the cervical region is one of the most common pathologies of the spine, the consequences of which can be serious enough and even irreversible. Unfortunately, many people do not attach much importance to the symptoms of this ailment, believing that they are associated with fatigue, so displacement is often diagnosed late, which complicates the healing process.
Causes of cervical vertebrae displacement
The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae, which connect it to the skull. This is the most mobile and unprotected area, so the displacements on it are quite common. This can occur due to the following factors:
- various injuries of the spine and neck (dislocations, fractures, bruises, etc.);
- regular intensive loads on the spinal column (including those associated with sports, professional activities);
- pathology of intervertebral discs (for example, with osteochondrosis);
- bone tissue degeneration associated with age-related changes;
- hereditary anomalies of the spinal column;
- sudden changes in temperature;
- surgical interventions on the spine;
- long stay in an uncomfortable position;
- congenital weakness of bone and cartilaginous tissue, etc.
Symptoms of cervical spine displacement
Frequent signs of pathology:
- chronic or recurring headache, dizziness for no apparent reason;
- discomfort, pain in the neck, giving back and shoulders;
- sleep disorders;
- increased fatigue, general weakness;
- crunch vertebrae when turning and tilting the head;
- depression of sensitivity, sensation of pricking and cold in hands, fingers of hands;
- decreased visual acuity;
- noise in ears;
- hoarseness of voice;
- violation of posture.
Consequences of displacement of cervical vertebrae
In the absence of treatment, a cervical vertebra shift can lead to the following health problems:
- disorders of blood supply to the head and brain;
- diseases of the ENT organs and the respiratory system (angina, laryngitis, hearing loss, etc.);
- damage to the vocal cords, voice change;
- damage to the neck muscles;
- eye diseases;
- neuritis, neuralgia;
- pathologies of the thyroid gland, etc.
Displacement of the first cervical vertebra may cause migraines, increase blood and intracranial pressure , memory impairment, chronic fatigue.
How to treat the displacement of cervical vertebrae?
When there are symptoms of displacement of cervical vertebrae before the start of treatment, the radiography of this department of the spine or the tomography - magnetic resonance or computer - is necessarily performed. This allows us to establish the stage of the pathological process, to identify the accompanying diseases of the spine, to determine if the nerve roots are damaged.
Treatment of this pathology can be conservative or operative. Conservative treatment includes the use of medications that relieve pain, promote relaxation of the neck muscles, eliminate inflammation in the muscle tissue, etc. Along with this, the following therapeutic measures are prescribed:
- manual therapy;
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- exercise therapy ;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (thermal procedures, exposure to currents, magnetic field, ultrasound, mud therapy, etc.);
- wearing a special corset.
In the event that after a course of conservative therapy the symptoms are aggravated, surgical treatment is prescribed. The surgical method is also used when there is a significant displacement of the cervical vertebrae. As a rule, stabilization of the spine is performed using special plates or pins.