Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Existing methods for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are aimed at reducing symptoms, preventing complications, stopping the further destruction of the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine and preventing the patient's disability.

Osteochondrosis is a pathological degenerative-destructive process that first captures the intervertebral disc and then the vertebra itself.

It is necessary to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical region immediately after the appearance of the first signs of the disease.

Mechanisms for the development of osteochondrosis

The vertebral column is made up of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs located between them. The intervertebral disc has a jelly-like nucleus pulposus in the center, surrounded on the periphery by a dense fibrous ring. The pulpy nucleus is hydrophilic - saturated with moisture and is characterized by high elasticity. Thanks to the elastic properties of the intervertebral discs, cushioning and mobility of the spine are provided.

In people over the age of 20, the discs already begin to gradually lose their elasticity. This is due to the obliteration of the vessels that fed the discs, and an additional blood supply is due to the diffusion from the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. In the cartilage tissue, against the background of a lack of nutrients, the regeneration processes slow down: the disc begins to "age". Initially, the pulpy nucleus dehydrates, loses its elasticity, becomes flat, which increases the load on the fibrous ring. Micro-cracks, areas of tension, breaks, delaminations appear in the structure of the ring.

The degenerated disc protrudes towards the spinal canal and irritates the nerve endings of the pain receptors located on the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Features of the pathological process in cervical osteochondrosis are associated with the anatomical structure of this spine: different structure and size of the cervical vertebrae, tighter joint in the intervertebral joints and underdeveloped muscle structure. With a prolonged static load on the cervical region (working on the computer), weak muscles do not hold the head well, and the main load falls on the spine.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic is carried out using a unique technology based on a combination of manual therapy, electrophoresis and photodynamic laser therapy under the supervision of doctors.

The main reasons leading to the development of osteochondrosis:

• Congenital or acquired abnormalities of the spine.
• Natural aging processes of the body.
• genetic predisposition.
• Long-term static and dynamic overload of the spine: forced posture, hypodynamics.
• Passion for spine-threatening sports: professional wrestling.
• To smoke.
• Autoimmune diseases with connective tissue damage - collagenosis.
• Incorrect nutrition with a predominance of carbohydrates and fatty foods, with a lack of proteins, vitamins, micro and macro elements.
• Overweight, obesity.
• Injuries and diseases of the spine.

Spine osteochondrosis: is there such a diagnosis?

In English medicine, this term refers to a completely different group of diseases that have nothing to do with our "native" osteochondrosis. In the International Classification of Diseases - a book by which all neurologists should be guided when indicating a diagnosis - there are terms such as "osteochondrosis of the spine in adults", "juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine", "osteochondrosis of the spine, unspecified. ".

However, sometimes this diagnosis is not entirely justified, when the doctor is actually unable to fully understand what is happening to the patient. Under this term, diseases such as:

• Myofascial pain syndrome- a condition in which a spasm constantly occurs in the same muscles.
• Muscle injury.After an injury, the pain begins to bother and after a while they pass by themselves.
• OtolithiasisA condition where calcium salt crystals build up in the inner ear. They lead to dizziness - sometimes they are mistaken for a manifestation of spinal diseases.
• Headache.They are also often linked to degenerative changes in the cervical spine. In fact, they often have other causes.

Take care of yourself, sign up for a consultation right away, without postponing treatment.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

The standard set of therapeutic measures for the exacerbation of the disease looks like this:

• Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.The doctor may prescribe Voltaren, Movalis, ibuprofen and other medications.
• If the pain is very severe and does not go away- use novocaine blocker. The doctor, armed with a needle and syringe, injects an anesthetic into special points where it blocks the transmission of pain nerve impulses.
• Physiotherapy helps:pharmacological electrophoresis with novocaine, ultrasound, ultraviolet irradiation, diadynamic currents.
• If the pain makes you constantly nervous,Prescribe medications to help calm you down.
• In the area of painapply dry heat.
• To unload the spine,different types of traction are used. The patient can be placed on a special bed with a raised headboard and fixed with rings in the armpits. Underwater traction in the pool is also used.
• The doctor can advisevisit a chiropractor, acupuncture sessions.
• During an exacerbationwear special orthopedic devices that help unload muscles and support the spine: corsets, collar Shants.

When the exacerbation passes, it is necessary to take measures that will help prevent a new one. Therapeutic exercises and massages help strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Appoint physiotherapy courses. Good for swimming. All methods of treatment for osteochondrosis have contraindications, they need to be used wisely, so self-medication is not the best choice. Visit a doctor.

Sometimes the symptoms of the disease, despite treatment, continue to grow, the patient's condition worsens. In this case, the neurologist can raise the question of surgical treatment.

Why should you visit a doctor soon? First, "real" osteochondrosis is not such a harmless disease. Over time, it can make a person disabled if left untreated. Secondly, the symptoms can be caused by the myofascial pain syndrome itself - a neurologist will be able to quickly detect the cause of the pain and eliminate it.

Back pain is a symptom that, according to statistics, more than 90% of people have experienced at least once in their life. Most often it is attributed to osteochondrosis. Not all people with back pain go to the doctor. Many are treated on their own with medicines that can be obtained without a prescription at the pharmacy, folk remedies. Sometimes such "treatment" brings temporary relief - and in the meantime, the disease can continue to progress and, perhaps, the next time the back or lower back will "twist" a lot more.

An experienced neurologist will be able to correctly assess the symptoms of osteochondrosis, understand their causes and prescribe the correct treatment for osteochondrosis.

With pain - the main manifestation of osteochondrosis - you can more or less successfully fight for a long time with the help of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, some folk remedies. But this does not solve the main problem, the pathological changes in the spine continue to grow.

Over time, this is fraught with compression of the spinal cord and the arteries that feed it, development of severe neurological complications: severe weakening, up to complete loss, of movement and sensation, impaired control of the bladder, rectum.

Stages of development of cervical osteochondrosis

In its development, cervical osteochondrosis, as a disease, goes through several stages:

me on stage. The initial period is characterized by local pain in the neck, aggravated by rotation and tilting of the head. There is a smoothness of the cervical lordosis and muscle tension. Morphological changes begin in the structure of the intervertebral discs: drying of the nucleus pulposus, cracks in the fibrous ring.

II stage. Neck pain increases with irradiation to the arm, shoulder. Severe headache, weakness, decreased efficiency join. The destruction of the fibrous ring continues, signs of pathological mobility and instability of the vertebrae appear.

Phase III. The pain in the neck is strong, constant, radiating to the arms and shoulders. The muscles of the hands weaken, numbness of the upper limbs is noted. Patients have headaches, dizziness, orientation disturbances in space. At this stage, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed. The pulpy gelatinous nucleus is not fixed, it goes beyond the vertebrae and enters the spinal canal, forming a hernia. The hernial protrusion compresses the nerves and blood vessels, which leads to impaired blood circulation in the cervical spine.

IV stage. This is the final stage of the disease. The cartilage of the intervertebral discs is replaced by connective tissue, the adjacent segments of the spine are involved in the pathological process. The joints grow together, become immobile (ankylosis). The patient's condition is serious: severe pain not only in the neck, but also in the arms, chest, between the shoulder blades, signs of a cerebrovascular accident, sensitivity disorders. This is a life-threatening condition that can result in a stroke.

The success of the treatment depends 90% on the experience and qualifications of the doctor.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is made on the basis of: patient complaints, characteristic clinical picture, history of the disease, data of a neurological and orthopedic examination of the patient using modern diagnostic methods: radiography, magnetic and computed tomography, and test results functional.

Having made an accurate diagnosis, the doctor decides how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck in this patient, which technique should be applied in a particular case.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Cervical osteochondrosis is treated symptomatically, mainly by conservative methods, which include:

• Drug therapy, which includes pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins.
• Physiotherapy methods: electrophoresis, laser therapy.
• Manual therapy.
• Acupuncture.
• Physiotherapy.

Surgical intervention is used very rarely when there is a real threat of developing a stroke, paralysis or violation of the internal organs.

At this stage of the development of medical science, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine cannot be completely cured, but it is possible to prevent further progress of the pathological process and stabilize the state of the affected spinal segment.

An integrated approach, sparing the nature of the applied therapeutic methods allows you to effectively treat even advanced forms of cervical osteochondrosis.

The main methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in a modern clinic

Manual therapy and osteopathy. This method of manual impact on the problem areas of the spine, the purpose of which is to restore the normal physiological position of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. During the procedure, pinching of the nerve roots of the spine is eliminated, the neck muscles relax in the area of pathological changes.

Electrophoresis is a method of delivering drugs directly to the area of the affected spinal segment. Prescribe drugs that improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation and muscle spasm.

Photodynamic phototherapy. The method is based on the ability of a photosensitive preparation to be activated by laser radiation. A layer of a medicinal substance is applied to the skin in the area of the affected segment, which, penetrating deep into the tissues by 10-13 cm, has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

The author's three-component technique, including manual therapy, electrophoresis and laser therapy, allows you to quickly relieve pain, remove swelling of surrounding tissues, improve blood supply to the area of inflammation and activate metabolic processes cartilage of damaged intervertebral discs. The goal of treatment is not only to reduce pain and improve the patient's condition, but also by acting on various parts of the pathological process, to stop the further destruction of the intervertebral discs and the destruction of the vertebrae themselves.

The techniques used for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck in modern clinics have been tested in the best manual therapy centers in Europe and the USA, are safe, effective, have practically no contraindications, and are well tolerated by patients even in advanced age groups. .

Recommendations on what to do with cervical osteochondrosis, the patient will receive after consulting a neurologist, depending on the stage of the disease, the severity of symptoms, comorbidities and the results of the examination.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region

Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative disease in which there is literally "premature aging", "wear" of the intervertebral discs, joints, vertebrae of the cervical spine.

Some facts about the disease:

• Osteochondrosis of the neck occurs in men and women with the same frequency.
• Most often, people aged 30 to 60 get sick.
• As a rule, pathology occurs in people who at work must constantly be in the same position and perform monotonous movements.
• The cervical spine has some structural features, due to which the disease can have many different manifestations.

What features of the cervical spine cause osteochondrosis symptoms?

• There are openings in the lateral processes of the vertebrae - the carotid arteries pass through them to the right and left, which supply blood to the brain.
• In the cervical region passes the initial part of the spinal cord: it contains fibers that carry nerve impulses to all parts of the body, provide movement, sensitivity. If there is a compression of the spinal cord in the neck, neurological disorders occur throughout the body.
• This section of the spine has great mobility, and this predisposes to the occurrence of osteochondrosis (although, in most cases, the disease still develops in the lumbar region - it not only has high mobility, but also experiences the greatest stress).
• In the neck, nerve roots emerge from the intervertebral foramina, forming the cervical and brachial nerve plexuses. They are responsible for the movements of the muscles of the neck, arms, shoulder girdle, skin sensitivity, regulation of autonomic functions.
• The first vertebra does not have a massive front - the body - it is a bony ring that is put on the tooth - a bone growth on the second vertebra. This allows the head to turn from side to side.

Neck pain, headache, feeling of weakness, numbness in the hands are symptoms that should make you see a neurologist. Examination by a specialist and examination with modern equipment will help to understand the causes of the pathology and take the most effective measures.

What happens to the vertebrae in cervical osteochondrosis?

The incomprehensible medical term "degenerative process" refers to the following pathological changes that occur in the cervical spine:

• First, the lesion in osteochondrosis covers the intervertebral discs. They become thinner, thereby reducing the distance between adjacent vertebrae. In their outer part, small gaps, microcracks are formed. Over time, this can lead to a herniated disc.
• Due to damage to the discs, the stability of the connection of the vertebrae is disturbed.
• You suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical and intervertebral joints - spondylarthrosis develops. It also promotes compression of the nerve roots.
• The pathological process extends to the vertebrae themselves. Due to the fact that the functions of the intervertebral discs are impaired, the load on them increases. The spine tries to compensate for this violation, bone growths appear on it - osteophytes.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

During an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, traction is used (the patient is placed on a bed with a raised headboard and the head is fixed with a special ring) to unload the intervertebral discs. For the same purpose, you need to wear a Shants collar. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain. With severe pain that does not go away, the doctor can perform a block - inject an anesthetic solution into the area of the affected nerve roots. Physiotherapy is used: ultrasound treatment, electrophoresis with novocaine.

When the exacerbation subsides, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes massage, physiotherapy, physiotherapy.

One of the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis is neck pain. Many people who are faced with this symptom do not go to the doctor, but prefer to treat "chondrosis" with home methods. There are at least two good reasons to refuse self-treatment and to consult a specialist doctor.

First, painkillers and folk methods, although they help relieve pain for a while, do not solve the main problem. Pathological changes in the spine continue to grow. Over time, this threatens with more serious consequences. To the extent that surgery may be required.

Secondly, neck pain occurs not only with osteochondrosis. There are many other reasons. Only a doctor can understand and prescribe the right treatment.

Physiotherapy

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is a long processrequire an integrated approach. After getting rid of the primary symptoms, you can proceed to the use of various physiotherapy procedures:

• UHF therapy.Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields. It has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect and also promotes the initiation of regenerative processes.
• Expanded.Low-frequency currents are applied to problem areas of the body. There is an expansion of the blood vessels, getting rid of pain and spasms.
• Phonophoresis and electrophoresis.The introduction of drugs into deep tissues using ultrasound and direct current.

Massage procedures are also widely used, which are possible only after the removal of the inflammatory process. The massage promotes muscle relaxation, eliminating spasms.

Diet - complex treatment of osteochondrosis

With this disease, it is necessary to act in a complex way, so changing the diet is a completely effective method of treatment. The diet is fairly consistent with the generally accepted understanding of the concept of healthy eating, so try adding the following types of foods to your diet:

• Citrus fruits (in the absence of allergies).
• Olive oil.
• Fresh herbs and vegetables.
• Mineral water.
• Fish and foods rich in phosphorus, proteins, magnesium and calcium.
• Dairy and dairy products.

An excellent auxiliary tool will be ready-made vitamin complexes, which can be found in a large assortment in pharmacy chains. Remember that all medications should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

What symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should you see a doctor?

The main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is pain. It can occur in different places, depending on the level where the pathological process is located: in the neck, shoulder girdle, arm, heart region. By nature, pain sensations are boring, they can be burning, aching.

Other manifestations of the disease:

• Headache, dizziness, "fly before the eyes", noise, ringing in the ears.
• Weakness in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle, arms.
• Violation of the sensitivity of the skin.
• Shoulder-shoulder periarthritis: painful neck pains passing to the arm, difficulty abducting the arm above 90 °, weakness and atrophy of the shoulder girdle muscles.
• Shoulder-hand syndrome: pain in the shoulder and hand, swelling and stiffness of the fingers, weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the hand.
• Vertebral artery syndrome. Bone growths appear on the vertebrae, which compress the nerves, causing a reflex spasm of the vertebral artery, which takes part in the blood supply to the brain. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are accompanied by constant headaches starting from the back of the head, spreading to the temple, crown, nausea, noise in the head, ringing in the ears, flickering of bright spots in front of the eyes.
• Anterior scalene syndrome. There is an anterior and middle scalene muscle on the neck - they are close together, and between them there is a small space where the nerves and blood vessels pass. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the anterior scalene muscle stiffens and compresses it, causing symptoms such as pain on the inner surface of the forearm, shoulder, and fingers. Sometimes the pain radiates to the back of the head. The skin on the hand may become cold, pale, and numbness occurs.
• epicondylitis syndrome. In the lower part of the shoulder, on the sides of the elbow joint, there are bony protrusions - epicondyles. With epicondylitis syndrome caused by cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in them, which increases when pressed. Other symptoms also occur: pain in the neck, pain when pressing certain points in the region of the cervical vertebrae.

If two sections of the spine are affected at the same time, with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms may include pain between the shoulder blades, in the region of the heart.

With osteochondrosis, the risk of intervertebral hernia and stroke increases. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor.

Conclusion

Now you know how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine without resorting to surgery. The operation is the most radical method of treatment when the disease is already in progress and there is no other way out. But it is in your power to do this so as not to bring your health to such a state.