Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex of degenerative disorders in the upper part of the spine, leading to damage to the intervertebral discs, changes in their texture and functionality. Most often, the discs at the level of the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae undergo degenerative changes, since this area of the spine is more mobile, it is more involved in the movement of the head, which means that it experiences high loads. As a result of the disease, there is a thinning of the intervertebral discs, a violation of the blood supply to the spine, pinching of the nerve roots, which causes pain.
People of any age can suffer from osteochondrosis, but the disease most often occurs between 30 and 50 years. Before the appearance of the first attacks of pain, the effect of cervical osteochondrosis is hardly noticeable: discomfort and some heaviness in the neck, dizziness, flashing stars before the eyes. People are often unaware of the true cause of these ailments. But the sooner the diagnosis is made and competent treatment is started, the greater the chances for a full recovery. Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck will help restore good health and provide health in the future.
Signs, symptoms and treatment of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics due to the structure of the vertebrae and their size: they are much smaller than the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and also less durable. Due to the weak development of the neck muscles, the vertebrae experience greater stress and are more likely to be injured.
Regardless of the level of development of modern medicine, the pathogenesis of this disease is not fully understood. Changes in the structure of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs are facilitated by metabolic disorders in the body, a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and curvature of the spine, overweight, infectious diseases, hypothermia, stressful situations, improper training and injuries.
Stages of development of the disease.
- With cervical osteochondrosis of the first degree, the pain is still insignificant. During this period, there is discomfort in the neck after prolonged exertion and tension in the muscle ligaments. All this can be corrected with the help of physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapeutic procedures, ointments and vitamin complexes.
- With osteochondrosis of the second degree, when it is possible to pinch the nerve endings and the appearance of disc protrusions, the pain becomes severe, especially when a person is standing. Periodically dizzy and dark in the eyes. In addition to physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories and analgesics are necessary.
- The third degree is characterized not by paroxysmal, but constant pain, spreading to the shoulder region and upper extremities. Due to the appearance of hernias, numbness of the muscles of the hands and a temporary loss of sensitivity of the fingers are possible, the mobility of the joints worsens. In some cases, during the third degree of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary.
- With cervical osteochondrosis of the fourth degree, the pain subsides, but this is by no means the beginning of recovery. At this time, almost complete destruction of the intervertebral disc occurs, osteophytes grow at the joints of the vertebrae, injuring the vertebrae and nerve branches. The nutrition of the brain worsens, as a result of which dizziness appears, tinnitus occurs, vision decreases, coordination of movements is disturbed.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The symptoms of osteochondrosis can differ depending on which segment of the spine is damaged and the degree of damage. Most people feel pain in the neck, above (up to the chin), and, on the contrary, below, in the area of the shoulder girdle, arms and chest. Perhaps numbness of the fingertips and tongue, general weakness, increased pressure, decreased visual and hearing acuity, crackling when moving the neck.
With cervical osteochondrosis, the characteristic symptoms are:
- root syndrome. When a nerve is pinched, the resulting pain goes from the neck to the shoulder, spreading to the forearm, hands, fingers, and swelling appears. The firmness and elasticity of the skin deteriorates, due to poor blood supply, it turns pale.
- Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by stabbing pain in the back of the head, crown, affects the temporal lobes of the head and superciliary regions. The pain can increase if the head is in an awkward position for a long time, for example, in truck drivers who must constantly watch the road while driving. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, malfunctions of the vestibular apparatus.
- Cervical migraine syndrome occurs when the branches of the sympathetic ganglia are irritated. When exposed to the nodes, there is a violation of the work of the vessels of the brain, a deterioration in the blood supply to the tissues. The patient experiences increased pressure, increased heart rate, noises in the head, congestion, and ringing in the ears.
- Hypertensive syndrome is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. The patient feels headaches that erupt from the inside, nausea, vomiting, increased body temperature, increased ESR may occur.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
The earlier the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is started, the more likely it is to stop its development and eliminate the disease. In advanced cases, when irreversible processes have occurred, treatment will only help relieve pain and inflammation. What is dangerous osteochondrosis and the development of what diseases can it provoke:
- intervertebral bulges and hernias;
- vertebrogenic cervicalgia (restricted mobility of the neck);
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- migraines and severe headaches that do not go away even after taking modern painkillers;
- impaired vision and hearing;
- paresis;
- the formation of osteophytes;
- impaired blood supply to the brain and much more.
Treatment of the disease
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be effective only if it is comprehensive and includes:
- drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, aimed at reducing pain and inflammation;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- medical gymnastics;
- manual therapy methods;
- in extreme cases, when conservative treatment does not help and the patient's condition worsens, or if limb paralysis occurs, surgery is performed.
Identification of the causes of cervical osteochondrosis by certain symptoms and treatment is not a quick process. Depending on the patient's immunity, the state of the body and the stage of the disease, the course of intensive therapy can last from 1 to 3 months, and then maintenance procedures are carried out for about a year.
medical therapy
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine is aimed at:
- pain reduction;
- removal of inflammation;
- get rid of swelling;
- improved metabolism;
- suspension of degenerative processes and tissue regeneration.
At present, drugs that can cope with all tasks at once have not yet been developed, so the doctor may prescribe the intake of several drugs at the same time.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the drugs intended to relieve pain and inflammation in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. Antispasmodics help relieve spasms and reduce pain. Nonsteroidal ointments and topical gels also help with pain relief. Diuretics are prescribed to reduce swelling.
During the treatment of cervical and brachial osteochondrosis, it is necessary to use drugs that improve the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate metabolism and tissue regeneration, drugs that prevent irreversible changes in the joints. These agents include chondroprotectors, vitamin C, and B vitamins.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine
Physiotherapeutic procedures have a local effect on the damaged area, improving blood microcirculation, relieving swelling, inflammation and relieving pain. Depending on the course of the disease, the doctor may prescribe:
- exposure to low-frequency currents and electrophoresis;
- massage, including hydromassage (especially useful during the recovery period);
- magnet therapy;
- ultrasound Treatment,
- "soft" laser therapy.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is not used at all stages of osteochondrosis and not for all patients, therefore a qualified specialist should prescribe and carry out treatment. For example, its implementation is prohibited in case of infectious diseases, benign and malignant tumors, blood diseases and intervertebral hernias. What are the positive effects of this method of therapy? After the necessary course of treatment, the signs and symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis such as pain, numbness of the hands, dizziness and tinnitus disappear. The manipulations performed relieve tension in the neck muscles, improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune system.
Treatment of the disease at home.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is quite acceptable and can be no less effective than in a hospital, but a specialist must prescribe it and monitor the course.
In a relaxed home environment, it is convenient to perform a series of physical therapy exercises. Gymnastics will help strengthen the muscles of the neck, improve blood circulation, and therefore the nutrition of the vertebrae, and reduce pain. The main thing in home treatment is systematic procedures. All exercises should be performed smoothly, avoiding sudden movements, gradually increasing the load and intensity of training. If during gymnastics the condition worsens, the pain intensifies, it is necessary to reduce the pace of the lesson and the range of motion.
Folk remedies for osteochondrosis.
Traditional medicine also offers its solutions in the treatment of cervical and brachial osteochondrosis: the use of infusions and decoctions, therapeutic baths, rubbing in oils, homemade ointments and rubbing.
- To reduce pain and relieve inflammation at night, before going to bed, take a horseradish leaf, steam it in boiling water for several minutes, cool slightly, then stick it with the insides on your neck and wrap it with a scarf. tibia. Leave overnight. Cabbage leaves are also suitable for a therapeutic compress, only they are not steamed before applying, but lightly beaten with a kitchen hammer.
- To relieve unpleasant symptoms and treat osteochondrosis of the neck, make a potato compress with honey once a week. Grate 2 potatoes on a fine grater, add ½ tsp. Honey, mix well. Apply the resulting suspension to the affected area for an hour and a half to two, wrap your neck and try to lie down without moving. Then wash the porridge with warm water.
- Rub for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck and relieve symptoms: take ½ cup of elderberries and 2 cups of alcohol, leave for a week in a tightly closed container in a dark place. Rub the resulting product into the cervical collar area.
- A decoction of elecampane roots is used to prepare anti-inflammatory compresses. 2 tablespoons elecampane biennial roots pour 1 cup boiling water, simmer for 10 minutes, then cool and strain. Apply warm decoction compresses to the cervical neck area twice a day (morning and night) and keep it for about 20 minutes. It is also useful to take baths with a decoction of elecampane (to take a bath, it is necessary to prepare a decoction of 10 tablespoons of the plant).
- No less effective means of reducing inflammation, eliminating the causes and symptoms in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is an ointment from hop cones. To prepare it, take 1 tbsp. ground hop cones, rub well with 1 tbsp. Butter or lard. Lubricate the affected area with the resulting product, then cover with a napkin and wrap a warm scarf around it. Daily use of the ointment will quickly bring the desired result.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with a laser device.
At home, you can not only take the drugs prescribed by a doctor and perform a series of exercises, but also continue physical therapy, for example, paraffin wrapping or laser treatment. A unique portable laser device has been developed for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its action is effective both in the acute period of the disease and in the stage of remission. Treatment of osteochondrosis with "soft" lasers will quickly relieve neck pain, reduce inflammation, swelling and improve general well-being. To achieve the effect, it is necessary to act on the lines along the damaged vertebrae 2-4 times a day for 18-24 minutes, and then in the direction from the vertebrae to the earlobe.