Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a common degenerative disease, fraught with many complications and consequences. The pathology is characterized by the slow but inexorable destruction of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and an increased participation of ligaments, muscles and bone structures in destructive processes.
Without proper and timely therapy, osteochondrosis leads to bulging, herniated intervertebral discs - these diseases can cause disability and various functional disorders. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a long, gradual and complex process that must be carried out 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 vertebrae in 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 need to support 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 characteristic 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 displacement of the discs in osteochondrosis leads to cerebral ischemia, and this is fraught with strokes, 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 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 with pain relievers, and compression of the spinal cord can cause sensory disturbances in the upper extremities.
Before discovering how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you need to understand what causes this disease. Most of the causes can be eliminated in a timely manner, avoiding 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;
- Injuries and trauma to 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 certain medications;
- Sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow or on a 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 once: damage, nature of work, errors in diet.
Diagnosis
The success of treatment depends largely on the correct diagnosis. Diagnostic measures are aimed not only at determining the disease, but also at discovering its causes. The physician should take a detailed history, taking into account the duration and intensity of symptoms, hereditary factors, the patient's lifestyle and nutritional status, and the presence of comorbidities in the patient.
The following procedures are assigned:
- X-ray (even 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 (magnetic resonance and computed tomography) make it possible to accurately determine the location 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 condition of the patient. Some people believe that osteochondrosis is a temporary ailment and goes away on its own. People deliberately ignore back pain, believing it is caused by fatigue, injury, "salt deposits". 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 a very smart choice either. Most unconventional methods can only temporarily stop the symptoms of the disease, without affecting the causes. Only a specialist (orthopedist or vertebrologist) can prescribe an appropriate therapy for your current condition.
The main tasks of the treatment are to stop the degenerative transformations of the tissue, relieve the patient of unbearable 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.
The methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck are subdivided into conservative and radical. Most of the 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. Then comes the recovery stage. Patients must be patient and strictly follow the recommendations of specialists: to achieve sustainable results, you must be ready for a long and varied therapy.
Treatment methods for cervical osteochondrosis, practiced in modern clinics:
- Medicinal effects;
- Physiotherapy;
- Manual therapy;
- Hardware massage;
- Reflexology;
- Osteopathy;
- Psychosomatic relief;
- Surgical intervention.
Let's consider the most relevant methods in more detail.
Medications
Medicines are mainly used in the initial stage of treatment. The goals of using the drugs are to relieve pain, inflammation, stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, and establish healthy tissue nutrition. Mainly external drugs are used: ointments, gels. Less often, pills and injections are used.
The main groups of prescription drugs for osteochondrosis of the neck:
- Topical ointments containing pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Corticosteroids (administered 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. It helps to stabilize the patient's condition and prepare her for further treatment.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is considered by most professional vertebrologists to be the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis. Physiotherapy involves the impact on the body of natural factors and hardware.
A stable and pronounced healing effect is produced by treatment methods such as:
- Balneotherapy (exposure to mineral waters);
- Mud therapy;
- Paraffin and ozokerite applications;
- Kinesio tape: the imposition of years special adhesives on the affected areas;
- Hypothermia;
- Exposure to bee and snake venom;
- Hirudotherapy (leech therapy);
- Shock wave therapy;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Electrophoresis and Phonophoresis;
- Laser therapy;
- UHF;
- Magnetotherapy;
- CMT (amplipulse therapy).
Physical therapy is used both to relieve pain and to rehabilitate the spine and restore the patient's activity.
Manual therapy and massage device
Professional massage is no less effective than physiotherapy. It is important that the 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 flow, removes muscle tension, relaxes ligaments and accelerates the regeneration of soft tissues. In addition, there is a psychosomatic discharge from 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 some situations. Reflexology (acupuncture) is carried out 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 stage. If patients do not want to allow relapses and progression of the disease, they must strengthen ligaments and muscles and stimulate blood flow to the affected area. These results can be achieved with regular gymnastic exercises.
The exercise therapy complex is developed by the instructor or directly by the attending physician - all nuances of the disease and the patient's condition must be taken into account. In the first stage, the loads should be minimal: the tissue should not be injured or overloaded. In the future, gymnastics of the cervical spine should become a kind of habit: exercises can be performed while working out, relaxing in front of the TV.
Diet therapy
For the state of the spine and nearby tissues, nutrition is not of little importance. 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 mucopolysaccharides should be present: jellied meat, jellies, gelatin.
Radical treatment
Surgical intervention for osteochondrosis is rarely used. Operations are carried out 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 - bony growths in the body of the vertebrae and discs.