Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a common degenerative disease with many complications and consequences. The pathology is characterized by a slow but inexorable destruction of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, and the further involvement of ligaments, muscles and bone structures in destructive processes.
Without adequate and timely treatment, osteochondrosis leads to protuberances, herniations of the intervertebral discs: these diseases can lead to disabilities and various functional disorders. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a long, gradual and complex process that should be carried out under the guidance of qualified specialists.
Causes and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine exhibits a number of essential features based on the purely anatomical properties of this section. The neck vertebrae are much 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 vertebrae must hold the head and interact with the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the neck.
The more mobile the vertebrae, the greater the risk of degenerative diseases. Another feature is the presence in the cervical area of a large number of important nerve plexuses. In this section, the vertebral artery passes, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain and cerebellum. Compression of blood vessels caused by moving discs in osteochondrosis leads to ischemia of the brain, which results in strokes, impaired cognitive abilities, impaired hearing, vision, memory, attention and sleep disturbances.
The compactness of this section is an additional risk factor for displacement of vertebral structures. The slightest violation of the anatomical state of the spine provokes spasmodic phenomena in the muscles, neurological and vascular symptoms. Edema and inflammation of the nerve roots cause severe pain that cannot be relieved by pain relievers, and compression of the spinal cord can cause sensory disturbances in the upper limbs.
Before figuring out how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you need to understand the causes of this disease. Most of the causes can be eliminated in a timely manner, preventing complications and the progression of degenerative processes.
The following factors influence the development of the pathology:
- Poor posture, prolonged exposure to one position;
- Sedentary work and inclination to passive rest;
- Injury and trauma of the cervical spine;
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Excessive mass;
- Deficiency of certain microelements;
- The presence of chronic foci of infection in the body;
- Age-related dystrophic processes in the tissues of the spine;
- Exposure to toxins and certain drugs;
- Sleep on an uncomfortable pillow or on a surface that is too soft;
- Hypothermia.
In rare cases, the causes of cervical osteochondrosis are systemic autoimmune diseases - lupus erythematosus, systemic polyarthritis. In most clinical situations, the development of the disease is influenced by several pathogenic factors at once - damage, nature of work, errors in the diet.
Diagnostics
The success of treatment largely depends on the correct diagnosis. Diagnostic measures aim not only to determine the disease, but also to discover its causes. The doctor should draw up a detailed history, 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 procedures are assigned:
- Radiography (including with the use of contrast);
- Blood test;
- MRI, CT and ultrasound;
- Puncture of the spinal cord for bacteriological examination (in rare cases);
- Engine tests.
Modern imaging techniques (MRI and CT) allow to accurately determine the localization of degenerative processes, to detect compression of blood vessels and nerve endings. In some cases, cardiac studies are prescribed.
Modern methods of therapy
How exactly to treat osteochondrosis of the spine, the doctor decides on the basis of the diagnosis and the patient's current condition. Some people think that osteochondrosis is a temporary disease and goes away on its own. People deliberately ignore back pain, believing it to be caused by fatigue, injury, "salt deposits". It should be understood that degenerative processes in the spine are irreversible and the earlier the treatment is started, the more effective the treatment will be.
Using folk techniques isn't a very smart option either. Most unconventional methods cannot temporarily stop the symptoms of the disease, without affecting the causes. Only a specialist (orthopedist or vertebrologist) can prescribe a treatment adapted to your current condition.
The main tasks of the treatment are to stop the degenerative transformations of the tissues, to relieve the patient from excruciating pain and to restore the functional state of the vertebral structures, strengthening the ligamento-muscular apparatus. The therapeutic objective is to prevent complications of the disease.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck are divided into conservative and radical. Most clinical manifestations can be eliminated with conservative treatment. For each patient, doctors develop an individual treatment regimen: there is no single treatment protocol for osteochondrosis.
At the first stage, it is necessary to relieve the symptoms of pain, inflammation (if any), improve blood circulation and nutrition. Then comes the recovery phase. Patients should be patient and strictly follow the recommendations of specialists: in order to achieve lasting results, you must be ready for a long and varied therapy.
Methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, performed in modern clinics:
- Medicinal effects;
- Physiotherapy;
- Manual therapy;
- Material massage; Reflexology
- ;
- Osteopathy;
- Psychosomatic relief;
- Surgical intervention.
Let's take a closer look at the most relevant methods.
Drugs
Medicines are used mainly at the initial stage of treatment. The goals of the drugs are to relieve pain and inflammation, stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, and establish healthy tissue nourishment. External drugs are mainly used - ointments, gels. Less frequently, pills and injections are used.
The main groups of drugs prescribed for osteochondrosis of the neck:
- Topical ointments containing pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Corticosteroids (given as intramuscular or epidural injections);
- Muscle relaxants - relieve muscle spasms;
- 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
Most professional vertebrologists consider physiotherapy to be the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis. Physiotherapy involves the impact on the body of natural and material factors.
A stable and pronounced healing effect is produced by such treatment methods as:
- Balneotherapy (exposure to mineral waters);
- Mud therapy;
- Paraffin and ozokerite applications;
- Kinesio tape - the imposition of special adhesive years on the affected areas;
- Hypothermia;
- Exposure to bee and snake venom;
- Hirudotherapy (therapy with leeches);
- shock wave therapy;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Electro- and phonophoresis;
- Laser therapy;
- UHF;
- Magnetotherapy;
- CMT (amplipulse therapy).
Physiotherapy is used both to relieve pain and to rehabilitate the spine and restore activity to the patient.
Manual therapy and device massage
Professional massage is no less effective than physiotherapy. It is important that manipulations are carried out by a trained and competent specialist, since the risk of injury to the cervical spine is very high. Massage improves blood circulation, improves nutrition, relieves fatigue, stimulates lymphatic circulation, eliminates muscle tension, relaxes ligaments and accelerates the regeneration of soft tissues. In addition, there is a psychosomatic unloading of the patient.
At home it is allowed to use the simplest massage equipment - hand massagers, applicators. Electric massagers produce a good therapeutic effect - they can also be used for preventive purposes.
Reflexology
The action on certain biologically active points of the body also gives a therapeutic result in certain situations. Reflexology (acupuncture) is performed by acupuncture, moxibustion or acupressure. A prerequisite for performing such procedures is the participation of a certified specialist and strict observance of sanitary standards.
exercise therapy
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis is mandatory at the stage of recovery. If patients do not want to allow relapses and progression of the disease, they need to strengthen ligaments and muscles and stimulate blood flow to the affected area. These results can be achieved with regular gymnastic exercises.
The complex of exercise therapy is developed by the instructor or directly by the attending physician: all the nuances of the disease and the patient's condition should be taken into account. At the first stage, the loads should be minimal: the tissues should not be injured or overloaded. In the future, gymnastics for the cervical spine should become a kind of habit: exercises can be performed while working out, relaxing in front of the TV.
Diet therapy
Nutrition does not matter little for the condition of the spine and surrounding tissues. Patients with osteochondrosis should eat in a varied and rational way. "Fast" carbohydrates, fast food, canned foods, fatty meats should be excluded from the menu. Dishes with mucopolysaccharides should be present - jellied meat, jellies, jellies.
Radical treatment
Surgery for osteochondrosis is rarely used. Operations are performed if conservative treatment does not give results or if there is severe compression of the spinal cord, fraught with the development of paralysis. Sometimes surgery is used to remove osteophytes - bony growths on the body of vertebrae and discs.