Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a common degenerative disease, fraught with many complications and consequences. Pathology is characterized by the slow but inevitable destruction of vertebral and intervertebral cartilage tissue and the involvement of ligaments, muscles, and bone structures in destructive processes.
Without adequate and timely therapy, osteochondrosis leads to protruding, herniated intervertebral discs: the disease can lead to deformities and various functional disorders. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a long, gradual and complex process that must be performed under the guidance of a qualified specialist.
Causes and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has a number of important features based on the anatomical properties of this part. The neck vertebra is smaller and more mobile than the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The cervical spine has a constant load, even when the body is at rest: the spine needs to hold the head and interact with inflammation of the muscles of the neck.
The more often the vertebrae move, the higher the risk of degenerative disease. Another feature is the presence in the cervical area of a large number of important nerve plexuses. In this part, the vertebral arteries pass through, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain and small brain. Compression of blood vessels caused by disc transplantation in osteochondrosis causes cerebral ischemia, and this is fraught with stroke, cognitive impairment, hearing, vision, memory, attention, and sleep disorders.
Compaction of this part is an additional risk factor for the transfer of vertebral structures. A slight violation of the anatomical status of the spine causes spasmodic phenomena in muscles, neurological and vascular symptoms. Edema and inflammation of the nerve roots cause severe pain that cannot be overcome with analgesics, and compression of the spinal cord can cause sensory disturbances in the upper limbs.
Before knowing how to treat cervical spine osteochondrosis, you need to understand what causes this disease. Most of its causes can be eliminated in a timely manner, preventing complications and the development of degenerative processes.
The following factors influence the development of pathology:
- Poor posture, prolonged exposure to one position;
- Inactive work and a tendency to passive rest;
- Cervical spine injury and trauma;
- Hereditary tendencies;
- Excessive mass;
- Lack of some micro elements;
- Presence of chronic infections in the body;
- Age-related dystrophic processes in spinal tissue;
- Exposure to certain toxins and drugs;
- Sleep on uncomfortable pillows or surfaces that are too soft;
- Hypothermia.
In rare cases, the cause of cervical osteochondrosis is systemic autoimmune disease - lupus erythematosus, systemic polyarthritis. In most clinical situations, several pathogenic factors influence the development of the disease at once - damage, nature of work, errors in diet.
Diagnostics
The success of treatment depends largely on the correct diagnosis. Diagnostic measures aim not only to determine the disease, but also to find out the cause. The doctor should make a detailed anamnesis, taking into account the duration and intensity of symptoms, hereditary factors, lifestyle and nutritional status of the patient, the presence of concomitant diseases in the patient.
The following procedure is set:
- Radiography (including with the use of contrast);
- Blood tests;
- MRI, CT and ultrasound;
- Spinal cord puncture for bacteriological examination (in rare cases);
- Motor test.
Modern imaging techniques (MRI and CT) make it possible to accurately determine the localization of degenerative processes, detect compression of blood vessels and nerve endings. In some cases, cardiac studies are prescribed.
Modern therapeutic methods
How exactly to treat spinal osteochondrosis, the doctor decides based on the current patient's diagnosis and condition. Some people believe that osteochondrosis is a temporary disease and disappears on its own. People deliberately ignore back pain, believing that it is caused by fatigue, injury, "salt deposition". It should be understood that the degenerative process in the spine is irreversible, and the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it is.
Using folk techniques is also not a very wise choice. A large number of unconventional methods can only temporarily stop the symptoms of the disease, without affecting the cause. Only a specialist (orthopedist or vertebrologist) can prescribe adequate therapy for your current condition.
The main task of treatment is to stop the transformation of degenerative tissue, relieve the patient from unusual pain and restore the functional status of the vertebral structure, strengthen the ligament-muscle apparatus. The purpose of therapy is to prevent complications of the disease.
Methods of treatment of neck osteochondrosis are divided into conservative and radical. A large number of clinical manifestations can be eliminated with conservative therapy. For each patient, the doctor develops an individual treatment regimen: there is no single therapeutic protocol for osteochondrosis.
In the first stage, it is necessary to relieve the symptoms of pain, inflammation (if any), improve blood circulation and nutrition. Next comes the recovery stage. Patients should be patient and strictly follow the recommendations of specialists: in order to achieve lasting results, you need to be prepared for long and varied therapies.
Methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, practiced in modern clinics:
- Medical effects;
- Physiotherapy;
- Manual therapy;
- Hardware massage;
- Reflexology;
- Osteopathy;
- Psychosomatic relief;
- Surgical intervention.
Let's consider the most relevant techniques in more detail.
Medicine
This medicine is used mainly in the early stages of treatment. The purpose of using these drugs is to relieve pain, inflammation, stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, and create a healthy tissue nutrition. External drugs are used mainly - ointments, gels. Less commonly, pills and injections are used.
The main group of drugs prescribed for osteochondrosis of the neck:
- Topical ointments containing analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Corticosteroids (given as intramuscular or epidural injections);
- Muscle relaxation - relieves muscle cramps;
- Vitamins to stimulate metabolism and improve cell and tissue nutrition.
Professional drug therapy is mandatory in the acute stage of the disease. This helps stabilize the patient's condition and prepare him for further treatment.
Physiotherapy
A large number of professional vertebrologists consider physiotherapy to be the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis. Physiotherapy involves the effect on the body of natural factors and hardware.
Stable and significant healing effects are produced by treatment methods such as:
- Balneotherapy (exposure to mineral waters);
- Mud therapy;
- Paraffin and ozokerite applications;
- Kinesio Recording - imposition of a special adhesive year on the affected area;
- Hypothermia;
- Exposure to bee venom and snakes;
- Hirudotherapy (leech therapy);
- Shock wave therapy;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Electro- and phonophoresis;
- Laser therapy;
- UHF;
- Magnetotherapy;
- CMT (amplipulse therapy).
Physiotherapy is used to relieve pain and restore the spine as well as restore patient activity.
Manual therapy and apparatus massage
Professional massage is no less effective than physiotherapy. It is important that the manipulation is performed by a trained and efficient specialist, as the risk of injury to the cervical spine is very high. Massage improves blood circulation, improves nutrition, relieves fatigue, stimulates lymph flow, relieves muscle tension, relaxes ligaments, and accelerates soft tissue regrowth. In addition, there is psychosomatic loading of patients.
At home, it is allowed to use the simplest massage equipment - handheld masseurs, applicators. Electric massage kits produce a good therapeutic effect - they can also be used for preventive purposes.
Reflexology
Actions at specific biological active points of the body also provide therapeutic results in some cases. Reflexology (acupuncture) is performed using acupuncture, moksibusi or acupressure. Prerequisites for implementing such procedures are the participation of certified specialists and strict adherence to hygiene standards.
exercise therapy
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis is mandatory in the recovery stage. If the patient does not want to allow relapse and disease progression, they must strengthen the ligaments and muscles and stimulate blood flow in the affected area. These results can be achieved with regular gymnastic exercises.
Exercise therapy complexes are developed by the instructor or directly by the attending physician: all nuances of the disease and the patient's condition should be taken into account. In the first stage, the load should be minimal: the tissue should not be injured and excessive. In the future, cervical spine gymnastics should be the norm: exercise can be done while doing work, relaxing in front of the TV.
Diet therapy
For the condition of the spine and nearby tissues, nutrition is no less important. Patients with osteochondrosis should eat varied and rational. It is necessary to exclude from the menu "fast" carbohydrates, fast food, canned food, fatty meats. Dishes with mucopolisaccharides must be available - meat jelly, jelly, jelly.
Radical Treatment
Surgical intervention for osteochondrosis is rarely used. Surgery is performed if conservative treatment does not give results or there is severe pressure on the spinal cord, which is fraught with the development of paralysis. Occasionally surgery is used to remove osteophytes - bone growths on the vertebral body and discs.