Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative and dystrophic disease of one of the parts of the spine. The development of the disease affects the intervertebral discs in the neck 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 parts of the spine. The development of the disease affects the intervertebral discs in the neck 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. Pathology mainly occurs in patients over 30 years of age, but cases are also recorded in young people, especially if the person leads an unhealthy lifestyle and is at risk.

The most common symptom is severe pain in the neck area, which can spread down the spine, move to the upper limbs, and turn into a severe headache. Below we will look at which symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine it is better to start treatment, find out the causes of the disease and the methods used to fight 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 put too much pressure on each other. Every year, this leads to the fact that the amount of intervertebral fluid and connective tissue between the vertebrae decreases, due to which the bones begin to rub against each other, causing severe pain.

The longer the osteochondrosis of the cervical region develops without the necessary treatment, the less chances there are to stop the degenerative processes. In old age, it is almost impossible to restore connective tissue.

Cervical osteochondrosis in old age is predominantly a natural process that is not related to the influence of external factors. If the problem begins to develop at an early age, if the pain increases too 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 caused by the following factors:

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

Vertebral syndrome

The complex of symptoms is associated with damage to the bones and cartilage of the spinal column. This includes:

• reduced 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 a narrowing or spasm of the vertebral arteries, which are partially responsible for blood flow to the brain. It is manifested by the following symptoms:

• tinnitus;
• dizziness;
• spikes in blood pressure;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache;
• visual impairment;
• reduction of working capacity;
• drowsiness;
• fainting.

Cardiac syndrome

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

• pain or burning behind the sternum;
• weakness and fatigue;
• rapid pulse.

radicular syndrome

The condition is associated with damage (compression or pinching) of the nerve roots that exit the spinal column in the cervical region. Depending on the degree of damage, a person may experience:

• numbness or pain in the back of the head;
• numbness of the tongue;
• pain in the collarbone, difficulty swallowing, hiccups;
• discomfort in the shoulder region, aggravated by hand movements;
• pain in 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 once, which is why several characteristic symptoms are observed at once.

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 not corrected, the discs will begin to gradually collapse, the distance between them will decrease, resulting in constant friction of the bones against each other. As the connective tissue wears away, bony growths begin to form on the spines, which tend to grow out of control. In advanced cases, the growths begin to exert pressure on the surrounding tissues, blood vessels, and nerves located in the cervical spine.

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

• Discomfort in the neck extending to the shoulder area;
• Occurrence 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 the position of your head, you can hear a characteristic creak;
• Numbness and loss of sensitivity of certain areas of the skin of the back of the head, shoulders, hands, neck;
• Hypoxia of trophic organs;
• Development of circulatory system pathologies;
• Severe pain leads to complete immobilization of the upper shoulder girdle.

The more advanced the disease, the more discomfort the patient experiences. In the last stages of the problem, the patient's quality of life deteriorates significantly. Common symptoms in all stages of the problem include headache, ringing or noise in the ears, visual impairment, nausea and vomiting with a sharp change in the position of the head.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The sooner the problem is diagnosed, the more likely it is to be completely fixed. A neurologist deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis of the spine.

After the patient's complaint, the neurologist will examine the patient and, based on his complaints, conclude that the disease is present. Most often, patients complain of pain, discomfort, problems with movement of the upper limbs. After the interview, the doctor will perform a visual examination of the patient. The following will be assessed:

• proper posture;
• At what angle are the shoulder blades, shoulders and iliac bones;
• Position of the line of spinous processes along the length of the spine.

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

The final diagnosis is not made only on the basis of examination and examination of the patient. Additional reviews are required. Most often, the patient is sent for X-rays, computer tomography. If, for one reason or another, it is not possible to make a final diagnosis, the patient is referred for magnetic resonance imaging. Additional examinations include dopplerography, the procedure allows you to find out the state of the circulatory system in the cervical region.

Degree of cervical osteochondrosis

The choice of methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis directly depends on the stage of the disease that is diagnosed in a particular patient. It is customary to divide 4 stages of osteochondrosis, the division is conditional, because some symptoms can pass from one stage to another or not appear at all.

1 degree

The initial stage of the problem, at this stage, if pain is felt, then it is often attributed to stress or other disorders (irregular sleep, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position). The patient may feel slight stiffness and limitation of movements, especially sudden ones. If you are looking for cervical osteochondrosis treatment at this stage, you can eliminate the symptoms at home. To completely get rid of the problem, you will be able to limit yourself to special exercises and visits to physiotherapy procedures. For prevention, it will be useful to start an active lifestyle (a 20-minute daily walk in the fresh air is enough), adjust your diet (exclude too fatty, fried, salty food, give priority to fermented milk products, fruits and vegetables, food with enough calcium and elements intraces, necessary for the restoration of connective and cartilaginous tissue).

2 degree

The pain intensifies, becomes permanent. Sharp movements and turns bring discomfort, the patient faces a severe headache, begins to notice that he is very tired from everyday activities. Often patients become distracted, because they only think about pain. Some feel numbness in certain parts of the face.

3 degree

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

4 degree

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

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The doctor chooses the appropriate method for treating the patient, depending on the stage of the disease. The most commonly used drugs for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in combination with a visit to physiotherapy. In advanced cases, surgery may be required to remove overgrown connective tissue and bony processes.

Conservative treatment

Most often on the basis of taking certain medications. Drug treatment helps to reduce pain, relieve muscle tension and localize inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, as well as pain relievers.

Often, the doctor includes chondroprotectors in the prescription. This group of drugs activates the regeneration of destroyed tissues in the area of the intervertebral discs.

These drugs are prescribed in the form of injections or tablets. Ointments based on NSAIDs show a good therapeutic result. They are rubbed into the damaged area, relieving the pain within 10-20 minutes. The main advantage of the ointment is the local effect on the painful area and minimal effect on other organs.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures have several goals at once:

• Localization of the inflammatory process;
• Removal of muscle spasm;
• Alleviation of pain syndrome;
• Initiation of regenerative processes;
• Increased general and local immunity;
• Restoring the normal position of nerve fibers, eliminating compression and pinching.

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

1. Shock wave therapy. With the help of a special device, the acoustic wave is directed directly to the damaged cartilage tissue of the spine. As a result, metabolic processes are triggered, salt and calcium deposits are destroyed, which interferes 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 the start of treatment.
2. Acupuncture. Acupuncture is often used for the treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis. It is important that the procedure is carried out only by a qualified doctor, otherwise you may encounter not only a lack of performance, but also a worsening of the current condition. The essence of the procedure is that special needles are inserted into biologically active points, forcing the body to start metabolic processes, stimulating the production of natural painkillers.
3. Massage. The main goal is to reduce pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area of the cervical segment of the spine. With proper massage, the muscles get the 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 faces severe pain, it is important not to stop the treatment because of the pain, but to go through all the procedures prescribed by the doctor.

Operation

It is mainly prescribed in advanced stages of the disease, when the use of drugs and visits to physiotherapy procedures do not give any results. Indication for surgical intervention is catastrophic narrowing of the spinal canal.

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

Physiotherapy

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

1. Turning and tilting 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 the temple. Tilt your head toward your hand, creating slight resistance.
3. Shoulder lift. Raise your shoulders as high as possible and fix in this position for some time.
4. Self-squeezing of the back of the head and neck with the fingertips. It is important that the movements are soft 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 of cervical osteochondrosis

Manual therapeutic treatment relieves muscle tension and joint congestion, alleviates pain and restores the abilities of the musculoskeletal system. The doctor assesses the condition of the muscles, determines the pain points and the degree of springing of the spinal joint. Furthermore, with active and passive hand movements, it acts on damaged tendons, ligaments and muscles. Treatment with manual therapy is contraindicated in acute inflammation and instability of the vertebrae.

Acupuncture

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

Kinesiology taping

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

Orthopedic collars

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

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

• soft splint (Schanz collar). This product is made of dense, resilient polyurethane foam in a fabric cover with Velcro, buttons or plastic buckles. With its help, you can adjust the strength of the collar. Soft rubber is worn from 2 weeks to 4 months, after every two hours of use it is necessary to take a break;
• inflatable necklace. It consists of a dense, flexible material. The course of treatment depends on the stage of osteochondrosis. In the first 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 worn to prevent cervical osteochondrosis;
• semi-rigid collar. The semi-rigid neck corset is made of polyurethane with a buckle on the back. Compared to a soft splint, it fixes the neck more firmly. It comes in different sizes;
• rigid collar. Made of thermoplastic material with front and rear jaws. It is made according to individual sizes and is recommended to be used during the entire course of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

Complications of osteochondrosis

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

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

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

What is dangerous cervical osteochondrosis

Many patients complain that their neck and head hurt at the same time. Patients must choose a certain position in which the pain decreases 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 the gaps decrease. In the last stage of the disease, the disc is completely destroyed, and connective tissue is formed in its place. Because of this, the patient has limited mobility: for example, he cannot turn or tilt his head.

If osteochondrosis in the cervical region is not cured over time, it can lead to compression of the spinal cord, disability and paralysis.

Prevention

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

1. Watch your posture. Ideal body position - head and back are on the same line. Always make sure your shoulders are straight, your stomach is tucked in, and your chest is up. Gait also plays a role - it should be elastic and even. Never indulge yourself, in the initial stage it is important to discipline yourself, in the future proper posture will become a habit.
2. A well-organized workplace. During work, the shoulders should be relaxed, the constant tension of the lumbar belt directly affects the cervical spine. Basic requirements - a chair with a comfortable back and armrests, a monitor at eye level, a keyboard under the elbows (the angle between the shoulder and the 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 are faced with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine due to the fact that they installed the driver's seat not according to the rules, but in a way that suits them. Correct body position in the chair - the entire spine touches the back, not just the shoulders. It is recommended to buy special lumbar pillows that will help you support your body in the desired position. When driving for a long time, it is important to go outside after 1. 5-2 hours and warm up.
4. Watch your diet. Problems with the cervical spine are often associated with the fact that the patient is not eating properly. Dangerous foods that increase the risk of osteochondrosis are: white bread, rich products, sweets, dishes with a high salt and sugar content, fried 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, seasonal vegetables and fruits in your daily diet. Low-fat fermented dairy products will also have a positive effect - kefir, fermented baked milk, fresh cheese, natural yogurts. If you have a problem with excess weight, visit a nutritionist.
5. Daily physical activity. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home with the help of physical education is an excellent prophylaxis against diseases of the spine. It is important to do the exercises at a light pace, without exceeding the permitted load. If there is no time for a full set of exercises, make it a rule to take a daily walk.
6. Massage. Correct techniques restore muscle tone, relieve tension, and start metabolic and regenerative processes in the body. It is not necessary to visit a specialist, a proper cervical spine massage can be performed independently.
7. A proper dream. During the day, intervertebral discs experience increased stress, complete relaxation and rest can only be achieved during night sleep. For the prevention of osteochondrosis, it is important to organize the right place to sleep and monitor the time (at least 8 hours).

Sanatorium treatment and its advantages

The sanatorium specializes in recognizing the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including osteochondrosis of different localization. Procedures are selected individually for each individual patient, taking into account the degree of spinal tissue damage, the presence of concomitant diseases, the patient's age and possible contraindications.

An integrated approach is applied - a combination of drug treatment with physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises. This approach helps to forget the problem forever.

A positive effect in the treatment of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine is also shown by mud therapy, manual and hardware massage, various physiotherapy.