Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a common degenerative disease, fraught with many complications and consequences. The pathology is characterized by the slow but invincible destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, and the further involvement of ligaments, muscles, and bone structures in destructive processes.
Without adequate and timely therapy, osteochondrosis leads to extensions, herniated intervertebral discs: these diseases can cause disabilities and various functional disorders. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a long, gradual and complex process that must be performed under the guidance of qualified specialists.
Causes and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine has a number of important features based on the purely anatomical properties of this section. The cervical 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 need to hold the head and interact with the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the cervix.The more mobile the vertebrae, the higher 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 disc displacement in osteochondrosis leads to cerebral ischemia, and this is fraught with stroke, impaired cognitive abilities, impaired hearing, vision, memory, attention, and sleep disorders.
The compactness of this section is an additional risk factor for displacement of vertebral structures. The slightest violation of the anatomical status of the spine causes spasmodic phenomena in the muscles, neurological and vascular symptoms. Edema and inflammation in the nerve roots cause severe pain that cannot be relieved by analgesics, and spinal cord compression can cause sensory disturbances in the upper extremities.
Before you know how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you need to understand what causes this disease. Most causes can be eliminated in a timely manner, preventing complications and the progression of degenerative processes.
The following factors influence the development of pathology:
- Poor posture, prolonged exposure to one position;
- Sedentary work and propensity for passive rest;
- Injuries and traumas of the cervical spine;
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Excess measure;
- Deficiency of some microelements;
- Presence of chronic foci of infection in the body;
- Age-related dystrophic processes in spinal tissues;
- Exposure to certain toxins and medicines;
- Sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow or too soft surface;
- 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 the same time - injury, nature of work, dietary errors.
Diagnosis
The success of treatment depends largely on the correct diagnosis. Diagnostic measures are aimed not only at determining the disease, but also at finding its causes. The doctor should compile 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 procedures are set:
- Radiography (including the use of contrast);
- Blood test;
- MRI, CT and ultrasound;
- Spinal cord puncture for bacteriological examination (in rare cases);
- Motor tests.
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, heart studies are prescribed.
Modern methods of therapy
How exactly to treat osteochondrosis of the spine, the doctor decides based on the diagnosis and the current condition of the patient. Some people believe that osteochondrosis is a temporary disease and goes away on its own. People deliberately ignore back pain, believing that they are caused by fatigue, injury, "salt deposition". It should be understood that degenerative processes in the spine are irreversible, and the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it will be.
Using popular techniques is not even a very smart option. Most unconventional methods can only temporarily stop the symptoms of the disease, without affecting the causes. Only a specialist (orthopedist or vertebrologist) can prescribe therapy that is appropriate for your current condition.
The main tasks of treatment are to stop degenerative tissue transformations, relieve the patient from severe pain and restore the functional status of the vertebral structures, strengthening the ligament-muscular apparatus. The therapeutic goal is to prevent complications of the disease.
Methods of treating neck osteochondrosis are divided into conservative and radical. Most clinical manifestations are eliminated with conservative therapy. For each patient, doctors develop 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 phase. Patients must be patient and strictly follow the recommendations of specialists: to achieve lasting results, you must be ready for a long and varied therapy.
Methods for treating cervical osteochondrosis, practiced in modern clinics:
- Medicinal effects;
- Physiotherapy;
- Manual therapy;
- Massage equipment;
- Reflexology;
- Osteopathy;
- Psychosomatic relief;
- Surgical intervention.
Let us examine the most important methods in more detail.
Medications
Drugs are mainly used in the initial stage of treatment. The purposes of using medications are to relieve pain, inflammation, stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, and create healthy tissue nutrition. Mainly used external medicines - oils, gels. Rarely, pills and injections are used.
Main groups of drugs prescribed for neck osteochondrosis:
- Local ointments containing analgesics and non-steroidal 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.
Occupational drug therapy is mandatory in the acute phase of the disease. Helps to 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 factors and equipment.
A lasting and pronounced healing effect is produced by such treatment methods as:
- Balneotherapy (exposure to mineral waters);
- Mud therapy;
- Paraffin and ozokerite applications;
- Kinesio coating - imposition of special adhesive years on the affected areas;
- Hypothermia;
- Exposure to bee and snake venom;
- Hirudotherapy (caterpillar therapy);
- 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 patient activity.
Manual therapy and massage apparatus
Professional massage is no less effective than physiotherapy. It is important that the manipulations be performed by a trained and competent specialist, as the risk of injury to the cervical spine is very high. Massage improves blood circulation, improves nutrition, relieves fatigue, stimulates lymph flow, eliminates muscle tension, relaxes ligaments and accelerates soft tissue regeneration. Moreover, there is a psychosomatic discharge of the patient.
At home, the use of the simplest massage equipment is allowed - hand massager, applicator. Electric massagers produce a good therapeutic effect - they can also be used for preventive purposes.
Reflexology
Acting on some biologically active points of the body also gives a therapeutic result in some situations. Reflexology (acupuncture) is performed using acupuncture, moxibustion or acupressure. A prerequisite for performing such procedures is the participation of a certified specialist and strict adherence to sanitary standards.
exercise therapy
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis is mandatory in the recovery phase. If patients do not want to allow relapses and disease progression, they should strengthen ligaments and muscles and stimulate blood flow to the affected area. These results can be achieved with regular gymnastic exercises.
Exercise therapy complex is 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 loads should be minimal: the tissues should not be injured and overloaded. In the future, cervical spine gymnastics should become a kind of habit: exercises can be performed while doing work, resting in front of the TV.
Diet therapy
For the condition of the spine and nearby tissues, nutrition is of no small importance. Patients with osteochondrosis should eat a varied and rational diet. It is necessary to exclude from the menu "fast" carbohydrates, fast food, canned food, fatty meat. Dishes with mucopolysaccharides should be present - liked meat, jelly, jelly.
Radical Treatment
Surgical intervention for osteochondrosis is rarely used. Operations are performed if conservative treatment does not give any results or there is severe spinal cord compression, fraught with the development of paralysis. Sometimes surgery is used to remove osteophytes - bone growths in the body of vertebrae and discs.