Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative and dystrophic disease of one of the sections of the spine. As the disease develops, the intervertebral discs in the neck suffer the most, and the damage also extends to the joint surfaces, ligaments, and vertebrae.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative and dystrophic disease of one of the sections of the spine. As the disease develops, the intervertebral discs in the neck suffer the most, and the damage also extends to the joint surfaces, ligaments, and vertebrae. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine depends on the current stage of the disease. The pathology mainly occurs in patients over 30 years old, but cases are also reported in young people, especially if a person leads an unhealthy lifestyle and is at risk.

The most common symptom is intense pain in the neck region, which can spread through the spine, pass to the upper limbs, deform into a severe headache. Below we will see which symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are best to start treatment, find out the causes of the disease and the methods used to combat the problem.

Causes and risk factors

The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis in humans is the ability to walk upright acquired through evolution. When walking, the vertebrae exert excessive pressure on each other. Every year, this leads to the fact that the amount of intervertebral fluid and connective tissue between the vertebrae decreases, as a result, the bones begin to rub against each other, causing severe pain.

The longer osteochondrosis of the cervical region develops without the necessary treatment, the lower the chance of stopping the degenerative processes. In old age, it is almost impossible to restore connective tissue.

Cervical osteochondrosis in old age is a predominantly natural process that is not associated with the influence of external factors. If the problem begins to develop at an early age, if the pain intensifies very quickly, it is necessary to look for the cause of such a violation.

The development of cervical osteochondrosis at an early age is most often due to the following factors:

• Lack of physical activity in daily life. In the modern world, a person leads a predominantly sedentary lifestyle - he works in the office all day, spends his time at night sitting on the couch or at the computer, usually drives a car;
• In the process of performing work tasks, the human body often assumes an unnatural and tense position (a strong forward shift when working at a computer);
• Excessive sports. The opposite reason is to practice sports with uncontrolled loads. The problem is faced not only by ordinary citizens, but also by professional athletes;
• The reasons that cause the spine to be in the wrong position are flat feet, wearing uncomfortable shoes with heels, scoliosis, arthritis, etc. ;
• Abuse of junk food, obesity;
• Severe hypothermia of the cervical spine;
• Nervous tension - frequent stress in everyday life and work, lack of adequate sleep at night.

vertebral syndrome

The symptom complex is associated with damage to the bones and cartilage of the spine. Includes:

• impaired mobility in the cervical region;
• pain when turning the head;
• X-ray signs of damage to the vertebrae themselves and the space between them.

vertebral artery syndrome

The symptoms are caused by the narrowing or spasm of the vertebral arteries, which are partially responsible for supplying blood to the brain. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• noise in the ears;
• dizziness;
• jumps in blood pressure;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache;
• Visual impairment;
• decreased work capacity;
• somnolence;
• faint.

heart syndrome

It resembles a condition with damage to the heart muscle and includes:

• pain or burning sensation behind the breastbone;
• weakness and fatigue;
• fast pulse.

radicular syndrome

The condition is associated with damage (compression or pinching) of the nerve roots that emerge from the spine in the cervical region. Depending on the level of damage, a person may experience:

• numbness or pain in the back of the head;
• tongue numbness;
• collarbone pain, difficulty swallowing, hiccups;
• discomfort in the shoulder region, aggravated by hand movements;
• pain in the shoulder blades and forearms;
• numbness of the index and middle fingers;
• numbness of the ring finger and little finger.

Most often, several nerve roots are involved in the pathological process at the same time, as a result of which several characteristic symptoms are observed at the same time.

Symptoms of Cervical Osteochondrosis

All these risk factors and lifestyle characteristics lead to the fact that the intervertebral discs in the cervical region are malnourished. If the problem is not identified and eliminated, the discs will gradually begin to collapse, the distance between them will decrease, as a result, this will lead to the bones constantly rubbing against each other. As the connective tissue is depleted, bone growths begin to form on the pimples, which are prone to uncontrolled growth. In advanced cases, the growths begin to put pressure on the surrounding tissues, blood vessels, nerves located in the cervical spine.

Cervical osteochondrosis does not develop instantly, in the absence of proper treatment of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the problem is exacerbated. The entire course of the disease can be divided into 4 stages. The symptoms that the patient encounters directly depend on the current stage of the problem. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

• Neck discomfort that extends to the shoulder area;
• The appearance of pain in the cervical region during sports;
• Stiffness when turning the neck;
• Private headaches that are not caused by external factors;
• When you change your head position, you may hear a characteristic noise;
• Numbness and loss of sensation in some areas of the skin on the back of the head, shoulders, arms, neck;
• Hypoxia of trophodependent organs;
• Development of pathologies of the circulatory system;
• Intense pain leads to complete immobilization of the upper shoulder girdle.

The more the disease progresses, the more discomfort the patient feels. In the later stages of the problem, the patient's quality of life deteriorates significantly. Common symptoms for all stages of the problem include headache, ringing or ringing in the ears, visual defects, nausea and vomiting with a sudden change in head position.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. The earlier a problem is diagnosed, the more likely it is to be completely corrected. A neurologist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis of the spine.

After the patient appeals, the neurologist will interview the patient and, based on their complaints, will conclude that the disease is present. Most often, patients complain of pain, discomfort, problems with the movement of the upper limbs. After the interview, the doctor will perform a visual examination of the patient. Will be evaluated:

• correct posture;
• At what angle are the shoulder blades, shoulders and hip bones;
• Location of the row of spinous processes along the length of the column.

A visual examination allows you to determine which pathological processes began in the spine, how much they affected the spine and surrounding tissues.

The final diagnosis is not made solely on the basis of examination and questioning of the patient. Additional tests are required. Most often, the patient is referred for radiographs, computed tomography. If for one reason or another it is not possible to make a final diagnosis, the patient is referred for MRI. Additional tests include Dopplerography, the procedure allows to find out what state the circulatory system is in the cervical region.

Cervical osteochondrosis grades

The choice of methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis directly depends on the stage of the disease, which is diagnosed in a particular patient. It is customary to subdivide 4 stages of osteochondrosis, the division is conditional, as some symptoms may pass from one stage to another or not appear.

1 degree

The initial stage of the problem, at this stage, if pain is felt, it is often attributed to stress or other disturbances (inadequate sleep, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position). The patient may experience slight stiffness and limitation in movements, especially sudden ones. If you seek treatment for cervical osteochondrosis at this stage, you may be able to eliminate symptoms at home. To completely get rid of the problem, it will be possible to limit yourself to special exercises and visits to physiotherapy procedures. For prevention, it will be useful to start an active lifestyle (just take 20 minutes of daily walks in the fresh air), adjust the diet (exclude very fatty, fried, salty foods, give preference to fermented dairy products, fruits and vegetables, foods with sufficient calcium and trace elements, necessary for the restoration of connective and cartilaginous tissue).

2 degrees

The pain intensifies, starts to become permanent. Sudden movements and turns bring discomfort, the patient is faced with a severe headache, begins to realize that he is very tired from everyday activities. Patients often get distracted because they only think about pain. Some experience numbness in certain areas of the face.

3 degrees

In the area of damaged discs, hernias begin to develop, which causes dizziness and weakness in the arms. It hurts not just the head and neck, the pain gradually spreads to the entire shoulder girdle.

4 degrees

A characteristic process is the destruction of intervertebral discs, the replacement of "empty places" with connective tissue. This leads to pinched nerves, the pain becomes unbearable, it does not go away without taking special medications. The patient feels dizzy, especially with sudden turns of the head and a change in the position of the body, ringing appears in the ears, sleep is disturbed, the quality of life deteriorates greatly, disability is possible if left untreated.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The doctor selects the appropriate method to treat the patient, depending on the stage of the disease. The most commonly used drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in combination with a physical therapy visit. In advanced cases, surgery may be necessary to remove connective tissue and bony processes.

Conservative treatment

Most often based on the intake of certain medications. Drug treatment helps reduce pain, get rid of muscle tension, and localize inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as pain relievers, are used.

Often, the doctor also includes chondroprotectors in the prescription. This group of drugs activates the restoration of destroyed tissues in the region of the intervertebral discs.

These drugs are prescribed in the form of injections or pills. A good therapeutic result is demonstrated by NSAID-based ointments. They are rubbed into the damaged area, relieving pain within 10 to 20 minutes. The main advantage of ointments is a local effect on the painful area and a minimal effect on other organs.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures have several goals at once:

• Location of the inflammatory process;
• Removal of muscle spasm;
• Pain syndrome relief;
• Launch of regenerative processes;
• Increase of general and local immunity;
• Restoration of the normal position of nerve fibers, elimination of compression and pinching.

Most often, with cervical osteochondrosis, the following procedures are prescribed:

1. Shockwave Therapy. With the help of a special device, an acoustic wave is directed directly to the cartilage tissue of the spine, which has been damaged. As a result, metabolic processes are started, salt and calcium deposits are destroyed, which interfere with the normal movement of joints and vertebrae. The procedure is characterized by a cumulative effect, often the first results become visible only 2-3 months after starting treatment.
2. Acupuncture. Acupuncture is often used to treat and prevent cervical osteochondrosis. It is important that the procedure is carried out only by a qualified doctor, otherwise you may not only find a lack of effect, but also an aggravation of the current condition. The essence of the procedure is that special needles are installed at biologically active points, forcing the body to start metabolic processes, stimulating the production of natural painkillers.
3. Massage. The main objective is to reduce pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area of the cervical segment of the spine. With proper massage, the muscles acquire a lost tone, as a result, it is possible to eliminate the risk of recurrence of osteochondrosis in the future. When visiting the first massage sessions, the patient is faced with severe pain, it is important not to interrupt the treatment because of the pain, but to undergo all the procedures prescribed by the doctor.

Surgery

It is mainly prescribed in advanced stages of the disease, when the use of medications and visits to physical therapy procedures do not bring results. The indication for surgical intervention is a catastrophic narrowing of the spinal canal.

Modern methods of surgery allow the patient to be discharged from the hospital after 3-5 days and switch to outpatient treatment of the symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. Over the next three months, the patient undergoes rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy

A correctly chosen set of exercises for osteochondrosis can not only improve the general condition of the patient, but also speed up the process of treating the disease. There are several effective exercises:

1. Rotates and tilts the head in different directions. The exercise is performed in a sitting position, it is important not to jerk, all movements should be smooth with a gradual increase in the number of repetitions and the amplitude of the incline.
2. The head tilts to the side with resistance. Body Position - Sitting at the table, one elbow is on the table, while the palm presses on the temple. Tilt your head toward your hand, creating slight resistance.
3. Shoulder lift. Raise your shoulders as high as possible and stay in this position for a while.
4. Self-kneading the back of the head and neck with your fingertips. It is important that the movements are smooth and do not cause pain. You can perform self-massage in any comfortable position.

It is important not to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home without consulting a neurologist, a set of exercises must be agreed with your doctor.

Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

Manual therapy treatment relieves muscle tension and joint blockage, relieves pain and restores the capabilities of the musculoskeletal apparatus. The doctor assesses the condition of the muscles, determines the pain points and the degree of elasticity of the spinal joint. In addition, through active and passive hand movements, it affects damaged tendons, ligaments and muscles. Manual therapy treatment is contraindicated during acute inflammation and instability of the vertebrae.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for cervical osteochondrosis is performed with sterile needles, which are inserted into pre-selected points at different depths and left for a certain time. Needles are chosen very fine to minimize discomfort. The procedure relieves pain, activates microcirculation, normalizes metabolic processes, improves general health and increases the effectiveness of drug treatment.

Kinesiology recording

This is the imposition of an elastic bandage in the shape of the letter Y in the area of the neck collar area, maintaining the mobility of the neck. Tapes for cervical osteochondrosis relieve pain, inhibit inflammation and provide support for the paraspinal muscles.

orthopedic collars

A collar for osteochondrosis of the cervical region is necessary in the acute period of the disease. It fixes the bones and joints, reducing the load on the affected segment. The collar also corrects the position of deformed bones and vertebrae in the skeleton and relieves pain.

Depending on the degree of attachment, orthopedic collars are of several types:

• soft splint (Schanz collar). This product is made of dense and elastic polyurethane foam in a fabric cover with Velcro closure, buttons or plastic fasteners. With its help, you can adjust the volume of the collar. A soft tire is used from 2 weeks to 4 months, every two hours of use you need to take a break;
• inflatable necklace. It consists of dense and flexible material. The course of treatment depends on the stage of osteochondrosis. For the first few days, it is recommended to wear the collar for five minutes twice a day, gradually increasing the time to 30 minutes. An inflatable collar is used to prevent cervical osteochondrosis;
• semi-rigid collar. A semi-rigid neck corset is made of polyurethane with a zip at the back. Compared to a soft splint, it fixes the neck more firmly. It comes in different sizes;
• stiff collar. Made of thermoplastic material with front and rear clamp. It is made according to individual sizes and is recommended to be used throughout the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

Complications of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis causes rupture of the most important structures: blood vessels and nerves. Without treatment, the disease can lead to the following complications:

• ischemic stroke;
• loss of hand sensation or motor function;
• difficulty swallowing;
• violation of the thyroid gland;
• loss or significant reduction of visual acuity.

In addition, damage to intervertebral discs and joints leads to a significant limitation of neck mobility.

What is dangerous osteochondrosis of the cervix

Many patients complain that their neck and head hurt at the same time. Patients have to choose a certain position in which the pain subsides or appears less acute. This is not always comfortable, so performance is reduced.

As the disease progresses, disc protrusion develops, intervertebral tissues are destroyed, and gaps decrease. In the last stage of the disease, the disc is completely destroyed and connective tissue forms in its place. Because of this, the patient has a mobility limitation: for example, he is unable to turn or tilt his head.

If time does not cure osteochondrosis in the cervical region, it can lead to spinal cord compression, disability and paralysis.

Prevention

The main rule of preventive measures is that they must be comprehensive and continuously observed. Only then will they bring the expected result. Prevention is shown to people who are at risk.

1. Watch your posture. The ideal body position - the head and back are on the same line. Always make sure your shoulders are straight, your stomach is tight, and your chest is up. Gait also plays a role - it must be flexible and even. Never indulge, at the initial stage it is important to discipline yourself, in the future, correct posture will become a habit.
2. Well-organized workplace. When working, the shoulders should be relaxed, the constant tension of the lumbar belt has a direct effect on the cervical spine. Basic requirements - a chair with a comfortable back and arms, a monitor at eye level, a keyboard below the elbows (the angle between the shoulder and forearm is about 120 degrees). During work, make it a habit to take a break every 40-50 minutes with basic stretching exercises.
3. Adjust the car seat correctly. Many drivers face osteochondrosis of the cervical spine due to the fact that they configure the driver's seat not according to the rules, but in the way that suits them. The correct position of the body in the chair - the entire spine touches the back, not just the shoulders. It is advisable to buy special lumbar pillows that will help support the body in the desired position. With a long ride, it's important to get out on the streets after 1. 5-2 hours and warm up.
4. Watch your food. Problems with the cervical spine are often associated with the patient not eating properly. Dangerous foods that increase the risk of osteochondrosis include: white bread, rich products, sweets, dishes high in salt and sugar, fried foods and fatty foods. The main danger is refined sugar - the substance contributes to the leaching of calcium from the body. Include legumes and nuts, protein-rich foods, vegetables and seasonal fruits in your daily diet. Low-fat fermented dairy products - kefir, boiled fermented milk, cottage cheese, plain yogurts - will also have a positive effect. If you have problems with being overweight, consult a nutritionist.
5. Daily physical activity. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home with the help of physical education is an excellent prophylactic against diseases of the spine. It is important to exercise at an easy pace, without exceeding the allowable load. If you don't have time for a full set of exercises, make it a rule to take daily walks.
6. Massage. Correct techniques restore muscle tone, relieve tension, initiate metabolic and regenerative processes in the body. It is not necessary to visit specialists, the correct massage of the cervical spine can be carried out independently.
7. I sleep correct. During the day, intervertebral discs experience greater stress, complete relaxation and rest can only be achieved during a night's sleep. For the prevention of osteochondrosis, it is important to organize the right place to sleep and keep track of the time (at least 8 hours).

Sanatorium treatment and its benefits

The sanatorium specializes in identifying symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including osteochondrosis of various locations. Procedures are selected individually for each patient, taking into account the degree of damage to spinal tissues, the presence of concomitant diseases, the patient's age and possible contraindications.

An integrated approach is practiced - a combination of drug treatment with physical therapy and physical therapy exercises. This approach helps you forget about the problem for good.

A positive effect in treating the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine also demonstrates mud therapy, manual and hardware massage, various physical therapy.