Cervical osteochondrosis is a common degenerative disease with many complications and consequences. The pathology is characterized by slow but unstoppable destruction of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, and the ligament, muscle and bone structures further participate in the destruction process.
Without adequate timely treatment, osteochondrosis can lead to herniation, herniated disc: these diseases can lead to disability and various dysfunctions. The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a long, gradual and complicated process and should be carried out under the guidance of qualified experts.
Causes and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Based on the purely anatomical nature of this section, cervical osteochondrosis has many important features. The cervical spine is much smaller than the thoracic and lumbar spine, and it is highly mobile. 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 muscular and ligament devices in the neck.
The greater the mobility of the vertebrae, the higher the risk of degenerative diseases. Another feature is the presence of a large number of important nerve plexuses in the cervical region. In this part, the vertebral artery passes through and provides oxygen and nutrients to the brain and cerebellum. The vascular compression caused by the displacement of the intervertebral disc in osteochondrosis leads to cerebral ischemia, which is full of stroke, cognitive impairment, hearing, vision, memory, attention and sleep disorders.
The compactness of this part is another risk factor for vertebral structure displacement. The slightest damage to the anatomical state of the spine can cause muscle spasms, neurological and vascular symptoms. Edema and inflammation of nerve roots can cause severe pain, and painkillers cannot relieve this pain, and compression of the spinal cord can cause sensory disturbances in the upper limbs.
Before figuring out how to treat cervical osteochondrosis, you need to understand the cause of the disease. Most causes can be eliminated in time, thereby preventing the development of complications and degenerative processes.
The following factors affect the development of pathology:
- Poor posture, exposed to one position for a long time; Sedentary and prone to passive rest;
- Cervical spine injury and trauma;
- genetic predisposition;
- Extra quality;
- Lack of certain trace elements;
- There are chronic infections in the body;
- The age-related malnutrition process in spinal tissue;
- Exposure to toxins and certain drugs;
- Sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow or a surface that is too soft;
- Hypothermia.
In rare cases, the cause of cervical osteochondrosis is systemic autoimmune disease-lupus erythematosus, systemic polyarthritis. In most clinical situations, several pathogenic factors will immediately affect the development of the disease-damage, nature of work, eating errors.
Diagnosis
The success of treatment depends largely on the correct diagnosis. Diagnostic measures are not only aimed at identifying the disease, but also at finding its cause. Doctors need to make detailed memories based on the duration and intensity of symptoms, genetic factors, the patient's lifestyle and nutritional status, and whether the patient is accompanied by a disease.
The following process is assigned:
- Radiography (including the use of contrast agents);
- blood test;
- MRI, CT and ultrasound;
- Spinal cord puncture for bacteriological examination (in rare cases);
- Motor test.
Modern imaging techniques (MRI and CT) make it possible to accurately determine the location of the degenerative process and detect the compression of blood vessels and nerve endings. In some cases, a cardiac examination is required.
Modern treatment methods
The doctor will decide how to treat spinal osteochondrosis correctly based on the patient's diagnosis and current situation. Some people think that osteochondrosis is a temporary disease that will go away on its own. People deliberately ignore back pain, thinking that it is caused by fatigue, injury, and "salt deposits". It should be understood that the degenerative process of the spine is irreversible, and the earlier treatment is started, the better the effect.
The use of folk technology is not a very wise choice. Most unconventional methods can only temporarily stop the symptoms of the disease without affecting the cause. Only a specialist (orthopaedic surgeon or vertebral surgeon) can prescribe a treatment suitable for your current condition.
The main task of treatment is to stop the transformation of degenerative tissue, relieve the patient's pain and restore the functional state of the vertebral structure, and strengthen the ligament-muscle device. The goal of treatment is to prevent the complications of the disease.
The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is divided into conservative treatment and radical treatment. Conservative treatment can eliminate most clinical manifestations. For each patient, the doctor will formulate a separate treatment plan: there is no single treatment plan for osteochondrosis.
In the first stage, it is necessary to eliminate pain symptoms, inflammation (if any), to improve blood circulation and nutrition. Next is the recovery phase. Patients should be patient and strictly follow expert advice: To obtain sustainable results, you need to be prepared for long-term and diverse treatments.
Methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis practiced in modern clinics:
- Drug effects;
- Physical therapy;
- Manual therapy;
- Hardware massage;
- Reflexology;
- Osteopathy;
- Psychosomatic relief;
- Surgical intervention.
Let us consider the most relevant methods in more detail.
Drugs
These drugs are mainly used in the initial stage of treatment. The purpose of the drug is to relieve pain, inflammation, stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, and establish healthy tissue nutrition. Mainly use topical medicine-ointment, gel. Pills and injections are used less frequently.
The main types of drugs prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis:
- topical ointments containing analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Corticosteroids (intramuscular injection or epidural injection);
- Muscle relaxants-relieve muscle cramps;
- Vitamins can stimulate metabolism and improve cell and tissue nutrition.
Professional medical treatment is necessary in the acute phase of the disease. It helps stabilize the patient's condition and prepare for further treatment.
Physical Therapy
Most professional vertebral orthopedists believe that physical therapy is the most effective way to treat osteochondrosis. Physiotherapy involves the influence of natural factors and hardware on the human body.
Stable and obvious healing effects can be produced by the following treatment methods:
- Balneotherapy (exposure to mineral water);
- Mud therapy;
- Paraffin and ozokerite applications;
- Kinesio Adhesive Tape-apply a special adhesive to the affected area;
- Hypothermia;
- Exposure to bee and snake venom;
- sham therapy (hydro-ech therapy);
- Shockwave therapy;
- Ultrasound therapy;
- Electroacoustic and electroacoustic;
- Laser therapy;
- UHF;
- Magnetic therapy;
- CMT (Ampoule Therapy).
Physical therapy can not only relieve pain, but also heal the spine and restore patient activity.
Manual therapy and equipment massage
Professional massage is no less effective than physical therapy. It is important that the operation must be performed by well-trained professional technicians, because the risk of cervical spine injury is very high. Massage can improve blood circulation, improve nutrition, relieve fatigue, stimulate lymphatic flow, eliminate muscle tension, relax ligaments and accelerate soft tissue regeneration. In addition, the patient's mind and body are relieved.
At home, you can use the simplest massage equipment-handheld massager, applicator. Electric massagers produce good therapeutic effects-they can also be used for preventive purposes.
Reflexology
In some cases, the effects on certain biologically active sites in the human body can also provide therapeutic effects. Reflexology (acupuncture) is performed by acupuncture, moxibustion or acupressure. The prerequisites for performing such procedures are the participation of certified experts and strict compliance with hygiene standards.
Exercise therapy
Gymnastics must be performed to treat cervical osteochondrosis during the rehabilitation phase. If patients do not want the disease to recur and develop, they must strengthen ligaments and muscles and stimulate blood flow in the affected area. These results can be achieved through regular gymnastics.
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 should be taken into consideration. In the first stage, the load should be minimal: the tissue should not be injured and overloaded. In the future, cervical gymnastics should become a habit: you can exercise while working and relax in front of the TV.
Diet therapy
Nutrition is also important for the condition of the spine and surrounding tissues. Patients with osteochondrosis should eat a reasonable diet. It is necessary to exclude "fast food" carbohydrates, fast food, canned food, fatty meats from the menu. Dishes containing mucopolysaccharides must be present-jelly, jelly, jelly.
radical cure
Surgery is rarely used to treat osteochondrosis. If conservative treatment is not effective or the spinal cord is severely compressed and paralyzed, surgery should be performed. Sometimes, surgery is used to remove osteophytes-bone growth on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.