Instability of cervical vertebrae

Instability of the vertebrae is the loss of the ability of the cervical spine to have certain right proportions between the vertebrae. In this case, pathological mobility of cervical vertebrae( for example, an increase in the frequency of normal movements) arises. The main sign of vertebral instability is the displacement of cervical vertebrae. If the displacement of the cervical vertebrae itself is not a disease and can pass without pain, then with instability, the displacement of the vertebrae is accompanied by pain.

Classification of instability of the cervical vertebrae

The following main types of instability of the cervical vertebrae are distinguished. This post-traumatic instability - can develop after the trauma. Also, post-traumatic instability is the instability of the vertebrae, which develops after birth trauma.

Degenerative instability in most cases develops with osteochondrosis of the spine. Degenerative and dystrophic changes in the destruction of the disc tissue and fibrous ring are included, and this leads to a decrease in its fixing ability.

Postoperative vertebral instability is mainly formed after surgical intervention precisely in the event that during the surgical intervention the integrity of the support complexes of the spine was disrupted.

There is also dysplastic instability that develops against the background of dysplastic syndrome. Dysplasia is the common name of the consequences of incorrect formation of individual parts, organs or tissues of the body;Changes in the shape, size and structure of cells, as well as tissues or entire organs. In this case, signs of dysplasia are observed in the body of the vertebra, intervertebral discs, as well as intervertebral joints and ligaments of the spine.

There are factors predisposing to excessive mobility of vertebral segments: spinal location and age. For example, in children, the amplitude of the mobility of the spine significantly exceeds the amplitude of its mobility in adults. Also, in children, excessive mobility is observed in the cervical spine. Often in children, instability of the vertebrae causes the development of acute torticollis.

Symptoms of instability of the cervical vertebrae

With instability of the spine, a whole set of symptoms is revealed, which greatly complicates the diagnosis and causes various diagnostic misconceptions. One of the main signs of cervical vertebral instability is pain and discomfort at the cervical level of the spine, which has periodic localization. After some physical exertion, the pain sensations are mainly amplified. Displaced vertebrae are the source of pain, narrow the vertebral column, and also squeeze the roots of the spinal cord. Pain syndrome, due to which the patient, holding his head in the most comfortable "painless" condition, strongly strains the muscles, is considered the cause of constant muscle tension. And this, as a rule, causes fatigue of the muscles, violation of blood circulation in them, which prevents to withstand the daily routine load. Patients also have: headaches, nausea, weakness. A sufficient basis for diagnosing this disease is the displacement of the vertebra on X-ray images by more than 4 mm.

Treatment of instability of the cervical vertebrae

Instability of the cervical vertebrae is successfully treated in a conservative way, including: exercise therapy, manual therapy, physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage, reflexology, and special exercises used for vertebral instability. In addition, in the treatment of instability of the cervical vertebrae, it is recommended to have a specialized neck cut that fixes the vertebrae in a certain position( for example, the Shantz bus).The instability of the cervical vertebrae in the process of prolonged wearing of this collar decreases and subsequently vertebrae and joints can be strengthened by doing special exercises.

When stabilization of the spine is possible only with the action of stabilizing systems that perform the function of support for displaced loosened vertebrae, a surgical method of treatment is used.