Osteochondrosis is a common disease of the degenerative-dystrophic type, in which the structure and function of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs are impaired, resulting in injury to the roots of the ligamentous nerves and, consequently, symptoms. Osteochondrosis is a chronic pathology that occurs under the influence of a number of reasons - from the evolutionary and anatomical features of the structure of the human skeleton to the influence of external factors such as working conditions, lifestyle, obesity, injuries and others. Most often, osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar spine is diagnosed as the most stressful. Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is complex and long-term, and its main aim is to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
Symptoms
Defeat of the upper spine can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms, depending on the location and severity of the dystrophic process, as well as how much the root structures of the spine of the cervical region are affected. Often the patient's complaints are reduced to symptoms that at first glance are unrelated, which can make diagnosis and further treatment of the disease difficult.
In general, the Clinic for Osteochondrosis of the Cervical Spine consists of the following syndromes:
- Vertebral bodies, characterized by different types of pain in the back of the head and neck.
- Spine in which symptoms of impaired motor and sensory innervation are observed. In addition, the disturbed trophism of the neck zone leads to gradual atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder girdle and arms.
- Radicular, expressed in pain symptoms in the peritoneal and thoracic organs, which requires additional careful diagnosis to differentiate osteochondrosis and diseases of the internal organs.
- Vertebral artery syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis - vestibular disorders manifested by headaches, hearing disorders, dizziness, and even unconsciousness.
These phenomena occur when the cause of cerebral ischemia is due to an injury to the vertebral artery and a weakening of the blood supply.
How do you treat cervical osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis of the cervical segment develops gradually, and patients, as a rule, seek treatment already at the stage of clinical manifestations that affect quality of life, during periods of exacerbation. How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is only decided by the doctor after an appropriate diagnosis; self-medication is unacceptable in this case.
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck aims to eliminate pain, inflammation, partial or complete restoration of the affected tissue structures, and to prevent complications.
Treatment should mainly be carried out on an outpatient basis. According to instrumental and laboratory diagnostics, all interventions at home can only be carried out in combination with medical prescriptions.
In advanced cases, in severe stages of the development of neurological lesions and accompanying pathologies, inpatient treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with the possibility of surgical intervention may be indicated.
Medicines for cervical osteochondrosis
It consists of prescribing medication that will relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation. In the acute phase, drugs are shown in injectable form. After the pain has subsided to some extent, the patient takes pills, topical agents in the form of ointments and continues to receive injections.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are considered the medication of choice in treating cervical osteochondrosis for pain and inflammation relief. These are drugs based on diclofenac and indomethacin that come in a variety of dosage forms. They reduce the swelling of the soft tissues and thus the pain. Local agents have a warming effect that improves blood circulation in the affected cervical area. These drugs are used for 5-10 days, sometimes up to 2 weeks. In the acute phase, NSAIDs are prescribed in the form of injections, after a few days the patient switches to the tablet form of administration. It should be remembered that long-term treatment with NSAIDs negatively affects the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. Because of this, the course of treatment is usually no more than 10 days.
Sedatives such as Persen, Glykis, Valerian tincture, peony and herbal teas are recommended for persistent pain and to reduce the risk of neurotization in the patient, which helps make the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis more effective. Local irritants. These are topical ointments, gels, rubs, which have a warming, irritating and distracting effect. They are not used to treat the acute stage. They contain biologically active substances of plant and animal origin, such as bee or snake venom. This group includes Viprosal, Apizartron, Menovazin, Nayatoks. With hypersensitivity to the components of the drug and with a high irritant effect, it is better not to use them, so as not to provoke even greater edema. Vitamins. Multivitamin complexes are recommended for use during treatment and further rehabilitation. As a rule, it is a group of B vitamins, representatives of which are involved in ensuring normal nerve conduction, as well as vitamins A and C, to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood circulation. Taking vitamins reduces vestibular disorders - motion sickness syndrome, dizziness, hearing loss.
chondroprotectors. These are substances that help restore the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs of the cervical segment. These include glucosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfate. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with chondroprotectors is carried out over a long period of 6 to 12 months.
Orthopedic treatments
Uncomfortable symptoms in the cervical spine are often caused and exacerbated by incorrect posture during sleep, a long stay in a constrained position, or trauma. Therefore, the treatment complex also includes such methods as:
Neck collar or shants collar. It is prescribed individually for each patient after medical advice, as it is available in different variants. The collar is a frame-tight roll that is fastened around the neck and fixes the vertebrae in the desired position. Therefore, the neck does not bend and the head does not turn to the side, which ensures the immobilization of the diseased area, which is important in acute periods. Shants' neck collar can also be made in the form of two rolls with an inflatable layer into which air is injected with a rubber ball. Inflating the interlayer between the rollers stretches the spine, making it possible to enlarge the inter-articular gaps in the cervical spine. The degree of stretching is determined by the doctor. It is not recommended to solve this problem yourself in order to avoid damaging the neurovascular bundles of the neck. A fully inflatable collar is used during the recovery period to maintain neck and head mobility.
The collar cannot be worn at home for more than 3 hours a day. The general wearing rate is about a month. The final wearing instructions will be determined by the doctor based on the severity of the condition and symptoms.
Correct posture. During sleep it is necessary to keep the body in an anatomically correct position. If the nerves and vessels of the cervical spine are not squeezed, then this can be done with orthopedic mattresses and pillows. During the waking state, the patient must control his posture and properly choose a desk and chair with an appropriate height. Stretch. The treatment procedure is to stretch the ligaments of the spine to increase the distance between the vertebrae by 1 to 3 mm. The traction helps to reduce or completely eliminate the compression of the herniated disc or the bony outgrowths of the vertebra. The procedure removes intervertebral dislocations and reduces muscle contractures. Traction should be performed by a doctor under inpatient conditions. After the procedure, the cervical spine is fixed with a collar or similar device for several hours. The course of treatment with extractions averages 10-20 sessions.
Massage
Massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is an important and compulsory part of the treatment in addition to drug courses. It is prescribed during periods of remission to help speed recovery and prevent relapse. Massage is used both in the classic manual and in its variants from the methods of oriental medicine.
A well performed massage stimulates the blood circulation in the neck and collar area, improves the trophism of damaged tissue, relieves muscle and vascular cramps and soothes the patient. The general massage treatment consists of 10 to 14 procedures, every day or every other day, every 3 to 6 months. If there is severe pain, massage treatment for osteochondrosis is not performed. At home, you can massage the diseased neck area yourself.
Physiotherapy exercises
Exercise therapy is always performed, with the exception of periods of aggravation with pain. Cervical osteochondrosis exercises can be done at home, although it is advisable to do so under the supervision of an instructor until correct execution is achieved. The exercises consist of:
Turn your head to the side. The head tilts back and forth. With firm or relaxed hands, raise your shoulders and hold them in this position for 15 to 20 seconds. Static loads: When the flexor and extensor muscles of the neck region are loaded one after the other, the head does not move.
The total number of repetitions is 5-7 times, a session lasts 15-20 minutes. As part of a treatment complex, exercise therapy helps speed recovery and increase remission.
Physiotherapy and reflexology
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, electrophoresis with NSAIDs, anesthetics, hormones, diadynamic currents, laser and shock wave therapy are also used. Physiotherapy at the initial stage of development can lead to complete healing and, in difficult cases, extend the period of remission. These methods of treatment are used during rehabilitation periods after the treatment of exacerbations.
Reflex therapy, as a method of influencing specific points on the body's skin where internal organs are projected, is also used during recovery phases and helps reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, relieve tissue congestion and reduce muscle spasms. Of the treatment methods, the most common are acupuncture, acupressure and hirudotherapy, in which medicinal leeches are applied to the skin of the neck region.
Using these methods can shorten the time and amount of medication you take, and promote recovery.
Activities at home
If the patient's condition allows, the manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis can be treated at home. For example, therapeutic exercises can be done at home if there are no contraindications and there is no need for constant monitoring by a specialist. It should be remembered that the appearance of pain and crunching in the neck is a reason to stop and seek qualified treatment.
The use of locally acting drugs in the form of ointments, gels and medical plasters is also carried out at home, strictly according to a doctor's prescription.
In addition, it is possible to use some physical therapy equipment at home - for magnetotherapy and ultraviolet radiation, as well as equipment for reflexology.
Folk remedies are also used on the sore throat region in the form of compresses and packs made from grated potatoes, horseradish leaves, propolis, aloe and other herbal ingredients. Traditional methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis are palliative, temporarily relieving pain, edema, and warming the affected area, and you shouldn't limit yourself to just these.
All means for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should complement each other and be carried out after a comprehensive diagnosis in consultation with the doctor.
In the medical treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, conservative methods are used to provide adequate pain relief and there is no risk of significant disruption to the patient's daily activities.
Disease symptoms
The constant bending, lifting, twisting and twisting over many years naturally has a negative effect on the health of the neck and the quality of its structural components. With all of these repetitive neck strains, it's no surprise that roughly two-thirds of people will experience neck pain at some point in their life. Sensations of pain can be alarming symptoms of a disease such as osteochondrosis.
Attention! Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is one of the most common diseases. This disease most commonly affects people of working age who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
The disease is initially asymptomatic. However, for symptoms such as persistent headache, as well as pain in the heart and under the shoulder blade, this disease requires immediate and effective treatment.
Degenerative processes can lead to the following manifestations:
- acute pain;
- double vision;
- dizziness;
- numbness in the shoulder area;
- weakness in shoulders, arms.
This discomfort and loss of mobility can have a significant impact on career, family and quality of life.
The cervical spine consists of seven bones, so-called vertebrae, which are separated from one another by discs filled with a cushioning jelly-like substance. This design provides the ability to stabilize the neck, gently twist it from side to side, and tilt it back and forth.
Over time, these natural shock absorbers wear out and can deteriorate. The space between the vertebrae is narrowed and the nerve endings are pinched. This process is known as cervical osteochondrosis. It is particularly noteworthy that research shows that around 25% of asymptomatic people under 40 years of age and 60% over 40 years of age have some degree of osteochondrosis. As the osteochondrosis progresses, the neck becomes less flexible, the feeling of pain increases, there is a feeling of stiffness, especially towards the end of the day. For these reasons, osteochondrosis develops.
Attention! The complications can be life threatening.
Diagnostic and treatment functions
The diagnosis of the disease includes the following general manipulations:
- initial inspection;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
- X-ray examination.
Drug therapy is the basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in combination with a massage. Effective treatments include the following:
- reflexology massage;
- electrical stimulation;
- manual therapy.
Physiotherapy can also help relieve pain over a long period of time. The most common methods are:
- acupuncture;
- electrophoresis;
- electrical microcurrent stimulation;
- laser therapy.
Usually the course of this treatment for cervical osteochondrosis lasts about 14 days.
Simultaneously with the use of ice or heat, with the help of a special drug, it will be possible to achieve pain relief and control pain and inflammation. In addition, exercises for the neck and shoulder girdle area, performed independently or with the help of a specialist, will also help. Exercise helps maintain flexibility. Exercise, especially stretching the neck as much as possible, is important to maintain flexibility in the neck area. The specific exercises should be developed individually by a doctor or physiotherapist.
Medications that can provide relief include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers.
Attention! You shouldn't take these drugs for more than seven days without consulting your doctor, as kidney failure can be one of the serious unwanted side effects it can cause.
Steroid drugs and muscle relaxants can also be used.
Treatment during an exacerbation
In the acute phase of the disease, when excruciating pain dominates the clinical picture, the main goal of medical therapy is to relieve the pain. In such situations you can take analgesics (e. g. Tramadol, Oxadol, Ortofen) or more complex drugs (Arcoxie) for a limited period of time, very carefully and competently and only under the supervision of a doctor. They are able to relieve muscle pain and tension.
Nonsteroidal drugs, mostly taken as pain relievers, can also eliminate the cause of pain - inflammatory edema that constricts blood vessels and nerve endings.
By using muscle relaxants, you can relieve muscle spasms and normalize the condition of the cervical vertebrae, nerve endings and blood vessels. The use of vitamins is very important.
If the nerve endings are severely compressed, doctors recommend anticonvulsants. Unless otherwise alleviated, the pain is blocked with novocaine.
If the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is in an acute stage and is accompanied by severe pain, specialists also prescribe topical administration of lidocaine and corticosteroids to relieve muscle tension in the moving segment of the spine and relieve pain.
In the treatment of acute pain, drugs are given using injections. Thereafter, the treatment can be continued in the form of pills and the state of health can be further alleviated with the help of ointments.
Antidepressants are prescribed as a supplement in certain cases. These drugs help mentally endure attacks of very severe pain and the specifics of diseases of the cervical spine.
Recommendations for treatment in remission
The duration of treatment in mild stages suggests the following:
- Activation of blood flow both in large vessels and in the periphery;
- improvement of metabolism;
- Restoration and renewal of bone tissue and cartilage structures.
Best suited for this purpose:
- anti-inflammatory gels and ointments that contain steroids and analgesics;
- ointments, the action of which is aimed at the punctual heating of the diseased area, which can increase blood flow to the diseased area and improve tissue nutrition.
Chondroprotectors (chondroxide ointments and tablets) help restore cartilaginous intervertebral discs.
Massage creams and ointments with bee venom and plant extracts have a regenerating, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. A therapeutic massage that, when used correctly, can be done at home to relieve discomfort. In order not to harm the body, you need to follow some simple rules:
- Do not press too hard on your neck or back.
- All movements should be from top to bottom.
Topical anesthetic creams contain capsaicin. Creams are also effective in treating pain associated with osteochondrosis. It is necessary to apply the cream to the area where the sensation of pain is greatest.
Attention! Be sure to wash your hands after rubbing on the cream, especially capsaicin, as the cream can cause irritation to the skin of the hands or other parts of the body that touch the hands.
Such an uncomfortable symptom as dizziness with osteochondrosis occurs due to vasospasm and inflammation of nerve tissue. To cope with this, vasodilators and means to improve blood circulation in the vestibular apparatus will help.
Vitamin B is also included in the complex therapy of cervical osteochondrosis, as it has the following properties:
- restores tissue sensitivity;
- reduces neurological damage.
You have to be very careful that while there is a wide variety of quality medications that can help with osteochondrosis, many of these medications are often associated with noticeable side effects. It happens that the condition of the back improves, but difficulties arise in various organs. From this it follows that drugs are intended only to complement the complex of other methods of fighting this disease.
Thanks to an integrated treatment approach, a positive dynamic of the healing process can only be achieved if the entire spectrum of therapeutic measures is carried out consistently, regularly and systematically.
Often patients do not pay attention to pain in the neck area, which causes complications.
Treatment with surgery
If the pain persists after six months of having the competent medication, and daily activities become more difficult, doctors may recommend resorting to surgery. The operation aims to stop the movement of the affected cervical spine segment. This involves removing the disc and inserting a metal device or bone graft to maintain or restore the normal disc space height and the stability and alignment of the neck. Special plates can be used to provide the desired fixation between the two vertebrae.
Attention! Patients should be aware that surgery that results in severe neck pain is much less reliable than surgery to relieve osteochondrosis pain in another part of the body. If the only or predominant symptom is neck pain, surgery should only be recommended as a last resort, and after all other tried treatment options have failed.
Prevention
Preventive methods of neutralizing relapses are formed through complexes of physical therapy exercises and therapeutic massage. Proper prevention is an important step to success.
It is also very important to pay attention to the fact that you must follow a regular daily diet that minimizes, if not completely eliminates, your intake of salty and spicy foods to minimize swelling and improve metabolism. It will also be helpful to do yoga and swim. Among the nontraditional methods, acupuncture and hirudotherapy are widely used.