Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a common degenerative disease, fraught with many complications and consequences. The disease is characterized by a slow but inexorable destruction of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and by further involvement of ligaments, muscles and bone structures in the destructive processes.
Without adequate and timely therapy, osteochondrosis leads to protrusions, herniated intervertebral discs - these diseases can cause 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 has a number of significant features based on the purely anatomical properties of this section. The vertebrae of the neck 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 support the head and interact with the musculo-ligament 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. The vertebral artery passes through this section, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain and cerebellum. The compression of the blood vessels caused by the displacement of the discs in osteochondrosis leads to cerebral ischemia and this is fraught with stroke, impaired cognitive abilities, hearing, vision, memory, attention and sleep disorders.
The compactness of this section is an additional risk factor for the displacement of vertebral structures. The slightest violation of the anatomical state of the spine causes spasmodic phenomena in the muscles, neurological and vascular symptoms. Edema and inflammation of the nerve roots cause severe pain that cannot be relieved by analgesics, and compression of the spinal cord can cause sensory disturbances in the upper limbs.
Before understanding how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to understand what causes this disease. Most of the causes can be eliminated promptly, preventing complications and progression of degenerative processes.
The following factors influence the development of the disease:
- Incorrect posture, prolonged exposure to one position;
- Sedentary work and inclination to passive rest;
- Injuries and trauma of the cervical spine;
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Excess mass;
- Deficiency of some 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 some drugs;
- Sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow or an excessively soft surface;
- Hypothermia.
In rare cases, the causes of cervical osteochondrosis are systemic autoimmune diseases - lupus erythematosus, systemic polyarthritis. In most clinical situations, several pathogenic factors simultaneously affect the development of the disease: damage, nature of work, errors in diet.
Diagnostics
Success of treatment largely depends on the correct diagnosis. Diagnostic measures are aimed not only at determining the disease, but also at finding out its causes. The doctor must draw up a detailed medical history, taking into account the duration and intensity of symptoms, hereditary factors, the lifestyle and nutritional status of the patient, the presence of concomitant diseases in the patient.
The following procedures are assigned:
- Radiography (also with the use of contrast);
- Blood test;
- MRI, CT and ultrasound;
- Puncture of the spinal cord for bacteriological examination (in rare cases);
- Motor test.
Modern imaging techniques (MRI and CT) allow you to accurately determine the localization of degenerative processes, detect compression of blood vessels and nerve endings. In some cases, cardiac studies are prescribed.
Modern therapy methods
How exactly to treat osteochondrosis of the spine, the doctor decides on the basis of the diagnosis and the current state of the patient. Some people believe that osteochondrosis is a temporary ailment and goes away on its own. People deliberately ignore back pain, believing that it is caused by fatigue, injury, "salt deposit". It should be understood that the degenerative processes in the spine are irreversible, and the sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be.
Using popular techniques is also not a very smart option. Most unconventional methods can only temporarily stop the symptoms of the disease, without affecting its causes. Only a specialist (orthopedist or vertebrologist) can prescribe appropriate therapy for your current condition.
The main tasks of the treatment are to stop the degenerative transformations of the tissues, relieve the patient from excruciating pain and restore the functional state of the vertebral structures, strengthening the ligamentous-muscular apparatus. The therapeutic goal is to prevent complications of the disease.
Methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck are divided into conservative and radical. Most of the clinical manifestations can be 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 pain symptoms, inflammation (if any), improve blood circulation and nutrition. Then comes the recovery phase. Patients should be patient and strictly follow the recommendations of specialists: to achieve sustainable results, it is necessary to be ready for a long and varied therapy.
Methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, practiced in modern clinics:
- Medicinal effects;
- Physiotherapy;
- Manual therapy;
- Hardware massage;
- Reflexology;
- Osteopathy;
- Psychosomatic relief;
- Surgery.
Let's consider the most relevant methods in more detail.
Medication
Medicines are mainly used in the initial phase of treatment. The goals of using drugs are to relieve pain, inflammation, stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, and establish healthy tissue nutrition. Mainly external medicines are used: ointments, gels. Less commonly, pills and injections are used.
The main groups 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 relaxants - relieve muscle spasms;
- Vitamins to stimulate metabolism and improve the nutrition of cells and tissues.
Professional drug therapy is mandatory in the acute phase of the disease. 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 hardware factors.
A stable and pronounced healing effect is produced by treatment methods such as:
- Balneotherapy (exposure to mineral waters);
- Mud therapy;
- Applications of paraffin and ozokerite;
- Kinesio taping - the imposition of special adhesive years on the affected areas;
- Hypothermia;
- Exposure to venom from bees and snakes;
- Hirudotherapy (leech 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 the patient's activity.
Manual therapy and apparatus massage
Professional massage is no less effective than physiotherapy. It is important that the manipulations are carried out by a qualified and competent specialist, since the risk of injury to the cervical spine is very high. The massage improves blood circulation, improves nutrition, relieves fatigue, stimulates lymphatic flow, relieves muscle tension, relaxes ligaments and accelerates soft tissue regeneration. In addition, there is a psychosomatic discharge of the patient.
At home, it is allowed to use the simplest massage equipment - manual massagers, applicators. Electric massagers produce a good therapeutic effect - they can also be used for preventive purposes.
Reflexology
The action 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 carrying out such procedures is the participation of a certified specialist and strict adherence to health standards.
physical therapy
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondrosis is mandatory in the recovery phase. If patients do not want to allow relapses and progression of the disease, they must strengthen the ligaments and muscles and stimulate blood flow to the affected area. These results can be achieved with regular gymnastic exercises.
The physical therapy complex is developed by the instructor or directly by the attending physician - all the nuances of the disease and the patient's condition must be taken into account. At the first stage, the loads should be minimal - the tissues should not be injured and overloaded. In the future, gymnastics of the cervical spine should become a kind of habit: exercises can be performed while working, relaxing in front of the TV.
Diet therapy
For the condition of the spine and surrounding tissues, nutrition is of no small importance. Patients with osteochondrosis should eat variously and rationally. It is necessary to exclude from the menu "fast" carbohydrates, fast food, canned food, fatty meat. Dishes with mucopolysaccharides must be present: jellied meat, jellies, jellies.
Radical treatment
Surgery for osteochondrosis is rarely used. Operations are performed if conservative treatment does not give any results or if there is severe compression of the spinal cord, fraught with the development of paralysis. Sometimes surgery is used to remove osteophytes - bone growths on the body of the vertebrae and discs.