Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex of degenerative diseases in the upper part of the spine, causing damage to the intervertebral discs, changes in their texture and functionality. More often, intervertebral 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 most involved in head movements, which means it is subject to 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 more often the disease occurs in 30–50 years. Before the first attacks of pain appear, the effect of cervical osteochondrosis is hardly noticeable - discomfort and some heaviness in the neck, dizziness, blinking stars before the eyes. Often people are unaware of the true cause of these ailments. However, the sooner the diagnosis is made and competent treatment is initiated, the greater the chances of a full recovery. Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck will help restore health and give 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 they are also less durable. Due to the weak neck muscles, the vertebrae are more heavily loaded 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 vertebrae and intervertebral discs are favored by metabolic disorders in the body, lack of exercise, incorrect posture and curvature of the spine, obesity, infectious diseases, hypothermia, stressful situations, incorrect training and injuries.
Stages of development of the disease
- With cervical osteochondrosis of the first degree, the pain is still insignificant. During this time, after prolonged exertion, discomfort in the neck and tension in the muscle ligaments occur. All this can be corrected with the help of physiotherapeutic exercises, physiotherapeutic procedures, ointments, taking vitamin complexes.
- With osteochondrosis of the second degree, when pinching of nerve endings and the appearance of herniated discs are possible, the pain becomes severe, especially when a person stands. Periodically dizzy and dark in the eyes. In addition to physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory and painkillers are necessary.
- The third degree is characterized not by paroxysmal, but by constant pain, spreading to the shoulder region and upper limbs. 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, surgical intervention is required during the third degree of the disease.
- With cervical osteochondrosis of the fourth degree, the pain decreases, but this is by no means the beginning of recovery. By this time there is almost complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, osteophytes grow at the junctions of the vertebrae, injuring the vertebrae and nerve branches. Nutrition of the brain deteriorates, as a result of which dizziness occurs, tinnitus appears, vision decreases, and coordination of movements is disturbed.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Symptoms of osteochondrosis can be different depending on the damaged segment of the spine 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, chest. Possibly numbness of the fingertips and tongue, general weakness, increased pressure, decreased visual acuity and hearing, grinding when moving the throat.
With cervical osteochondrosis, the characteristic symptoms are:
- Root Syndrome. When a nerve is pinched, the resulting pain goes from the neck to the shoulder and spreads to the forearm, hands, fingers, and swelling occurs. The firmness and elasticity of the skin decreases and it becomes pale due to poor blood circulation.
- Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by throbbing pain in the occiput, crown, affects the temporal lobes and the eyebrow regions. The pain can increase if the head is in an uncomfortable position for a long time, for example in truckers who have to constantly monitor the road while driving. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, dizziness, deterioration of vision and hearing, malfunctions of the vestibular apparatus.
- Cervical migraine syndrome occurs when the branches of the sympathetic nodes 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, noise in the head, congestion and ringing in the ears.
- Hypertensive syndrome is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. The patient feels a headache bursting from the inside, nausea, vomiting may appear, body temperature rises, ESR rises.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
The earlier the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is started, the more likely it will stop its development and get rid of the disease. In advanced cases, when irreversible processes have occurred, treatment only helps to reduce pain and inflammation. What is dangerous osteochondrosis and the development of what diseases can provoke it:
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias;
- vertebral cervicalgia (limited neck mobility);
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- migraines and severe headaches that do not go away even after taking modern painkillers;
- deterioration of vision and hearing;
- paresis;
- the formation of osteophytes;
- deterioration of blood supply to the brain and 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;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- medical gymnastics;
- methods of manual therapy;
- In extreme cases, when conservative treatment does not help and the patient's condition worsens, or when paralysis of the limbs occurs, surgery is performed.
Identifying the causes of cervical osteochondrosis based on specific symptoms and treatment is not a quick process. Depending on the patient's immunity, the condition of the body and the stage of the disease, the course of intensive therapy can last from 1 to 3 months, and then maintenance measures are carried out for about a year.
Medical therapy
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine is aimed at:
- pain relief;
- removal of inflammation;
- get rid of swelling;
- improved metabolism;
- Suspension of degenerative processes and tissue regeneration.
At the moment, no drugs have been developed that can cope with all the tasks at once, so the doctor may prescribe taking several drugs at once.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the drugs used 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 manage pain. 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 funds include chondroprotectors, vitamin C and B vitamins.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine
Physiotherapeutic procedures act locally on the damaged area, improve blood microcirculation, relieve swelling, inflammation and 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);
- magnetotherapy;
- ultrasonic treatment,
- Therapy with "soft" laser beams.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is not used at all stages of osteochondrosis and not in all patients, so a qualified specialist doctor should prescribe and conduct treatment. The application is prohibited, for example, in the case of infectious diseases, benign and malignant tumors, blood diseases and herniated discs. What are the positive effects of this therapy method? After the necessary treatment, such signs and symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis as pain, numbness of hands, dizziness and tinnitus disappear. The performed manipulations 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 should prescribe it and monitor the course.
In a relaxed home environment, it is convenient to perform a set of physical therapy exercises. Gymnastics will help strengthen the muscles of the neck, improve blood circulation, and therefore nutrition of the vertebrae, and reduce pain. The main thing in home treatment is the 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 classes 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, liniments in oils, homemade ointments and liniments.
- To relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the evening before bedtime, take a leaf of horseradish, steam it in boiling water for a few minutes, cool slightly, then fasten it to the neck with the inside and wrap it with a warm onescarf on. Leave overnight. Cabbage leaves are also suitable for a healing compress, only before applying them they are not steamed, but lightly beaten with a kitchen hammer.
- To relieve unpleasant symptoms and treat osteochondrosis of the throat, make a honey-potato compress once a week. Grate 2 potatoes on a fine grater, add ½ tsp. honey, mix well. Apply the resulting slurry to the affected area for an hour and a half to two hours, wrap your neck and try to lie down without moving. Then wash off the pulp with warm water.
- Rub for treating osteochondrosis of the throat and relieving symptoms: Take ½ cup of elderberries and 2 cups of alcohol and leave in a tightly closed container in a dark place for a week. Rub the resulting product into the cervical collar zone.
- A decoction of elecampane roots is used to make anti-inflammatory compresses. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of two-year-old elecampane roots, simmer for 10 minutes, then cool and strain. Apply warm decoction compresses to the cervical collar area twice a day (morning and evening) and leave on for about 20 minutes. It is also useful to take baths with a decoction of elecampane (to take a bath you need 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 made from hop cones. To prepare it, take 1 tbsp. ground hop cones, rub in well with 1 tbsp. butter or lard. Lubricate the affected area with the resulting product, then cover with a napkin and wrap with a warm scarf. Daily use of the ointment quickly brings the desired result.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with a laser device
At home, you can not only take medicines prescribed by the doctor and perform a number of exercises, but also continue physical therapy, such as: B. Paraffin pack or laser beam treatment. A unique portable laser device was developed to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its action is effective both in the acute phase of the disease and in the stage of remission. Treatment of osteochondrosis with "soft" laser beams quickly relieves neck pain, reduces inflammation, swelling and improves general well-being. To achieve the effect, it is necessary to 18-24 minutes 2-4 times a day on the lines along the damaged vertebraeand then in the direction from the vertebrae to the earlobe.