Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex of degenerative disorders in the upper part of the spine that lead to damage to the intervertebral discs, changes in their texture and functionality. Discs at the level of the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae are more often subjected to degenerative changes, because this area of the spine is more mobile, it is mostly involved in the movement of the head, which means that it experiences heavy loads. As a result of the disease, the intervertebral discs become thinner, the blood supply to the spinal column is disrupted, and nerve roots are pinched, which causes pain.
People of any age can suffer from osteochondrosis, but the disease occurs more often in 30-50 years. Before the onset of the first attacks of pain, the effect of cervical osteochondrosis is barely noticeable - discomfort and a certain heaviness in the neck, dizziness, twinkling stars in front of the eyes. People are often unaware of the true cause of these diseases. But the sooner a diagnosis is made and competent treatment is started, the better the chances of a full recovery. Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck will help restore good 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 less durable. Due to poor development of the neck muscles, the vertebrae experience increased stress and are more likely to be injured.
Regardless of the degree of development of modern medicine, the pathogenesis of this disease has not been fully elucidated. Changes in the body structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs contribute to metabolic disorders in the body, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and curvature of the spine, overweight, infectious diseases, hypothermia, stressful situations, improper training, injuries.
Stages of disease development
- In first-degree cervical osteochondrosis, 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, physiotherapy procedures, fats and taking vitamin complexes.
- In osteochondrosis of the second degree, when pinching of nerve endings and the appearance of disc protrusions are possible, the pain becomes strong, especially when the person is standing. Occasionally dizziness and darkness in the eyes. In addition to physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory and pain medications are essential.
- The third degree is characterized not by paroxysmal but by constant pain, which spreads to the shoulders and upper limbs. Due to the appearance of hernia, numbness of the arm muscles and temporary loss of sensitivity of the fingers is possible, and the mobility of the joints worsens. In some cases, during the third degree of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary.
- With fourth-degree cervical osteochondrosis, the pain decreases, but this is not the beginning of recovery at all. At this point there is almost complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, osteophytes grow at the joints of the vertebrae, injuring the vertebrae and nerve branches. The nutrition of the brain worsens, which causes dizziness, tinnitus, decreased vision and impaired coordination of movements.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The symptoms of osteochondrosis can vary 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, conversely, below - in the shoulder girdle, arms, chest. Perhaps numbness of the fingertips and tongue, general weakness, increased pressure, decreased visual and hearing acuity, creaking when moving the neck.
In cervical osteochondrosis, the characteristic symptoms are:
- Root Syndrome. When the nerve is compressed, the resulting pain passes from the neck to the shoulder, spreads to the forearm, hands, fingers and swelling appears. The firmness and elasticity of the skin deteriorates, due to poor blood circulation it fades.
- Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by pulsating pain in the back of the head, crown, involvement of the temporal lobes of the head and superciliary region. The pain can be intensified if the head is in an awkward position for a long time, for example, with truckers who have to constantly follow the road while driving. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, defects of the vestibular apparatus.
- Cervical migraine syndrome occurs when the branches of the sympathetic nodes are irritated. When they are exposed to the nodes, there is a violation of the blood vessels of the brain, the deterioration of the blood supply to the tissues. The patient feels increased pressure, rapid heartbeat, noise in the head, congestion and tinnitus.
- Hypertensive syndrome is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. The patient feels headaches that break out from within, there may be nausea, vomiting, fever, increased ESR.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
The sooner you start treatment for osteochondrosis of the neck, the more likely it is to stop its development and get rid of 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 which diseases can cause:
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias;
- vertebrogenic cervical pain (limited 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;
- osteophyte formation;
- deterioration of the brain's blood supply and more.
Treatment of diseases
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be effective only if it is comprehensive and includes:
- treatment with drugs for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, aimed at reducing pain and inflammation;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- medical gymnastics;
- methods of manual therapy;
- in extreme cases, when conservative treatment does not help and the patient's condition worsens, or if limb paralysis occurs, surgery is performed.
Identifying the cause of cervical osteochondrosis according to certain symptoms and treatment is not a quick process. Depending on the patient's immunity, the state of the organism 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
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine with drugs aims to:
- pain reduction;
- removal of inflammation;
- swelling removal;
- improved metabolism;
- suspension of degenerative processes and tissue regeneration.
There are currently no drugs developed that will handle all the tasks at once, so your doctor may prescribe taking several medications at the same time.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the drugs for relieving pain and inflammation in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Antispasmodics help relieve cramps and reduce pain. Non-steroidal ointments and topical gels also help cope with pain. Diuretics are prescribed to reduce swelling.
During the treatment of cervical and brachial osteochondrosis, it is necessary to use drugs that improve the work 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 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;
- ultrasound treatment,
- soft laser therapy.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is not used in all stages of osteochondrosis and not for all patients, so a qualified specialist should prescribe and carry out treatment. For example, its use is prohibited in the 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 treatment, such signs and symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis as pain, numbness of the hands, dizziness and tinnitus disappear. The performed manipulations relieve tension in the neck muscles, improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune system.
Treatment of diseases at home
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is quite acceptable and can not be less effective than in the 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 neck muscles, improve blood circulation, and thus nourish the spine, 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 the condition worsens during gymnastics, the pain intensifies, it is necessary to reduce the pace of the hour 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 in the evening, before going to bed, take a horseradish leaf, steam it in boiling water for a few minutes, cool it a bit, then fasten it to the inside of the neck and wrap it with a warm scarf. Leave overnight. Cabbage leaves are also suitable for therapeutic dressings, except that they are not steamed before application, but lightly beaten with a kitchen hammer.
- To alleviate unpleasant symptoms and treat cervical osteochondrosis, make a compress of honey and potatoes once a week. Grate 2 potatoes on a fine grater, add ½ teaspoons. honey, stir well. Apply the obtained porridge on the affected area for an hour and a half to two, wrap your neck and try to lie down without moving. Then rinse the porridge with warm water.
- Rubbing to treat osteochondrosis of the neck and relieving symptoms: take ½ cups of elderberries and 2 cups of alcohol, leave for a week in a well-closed container in a dark place. Rub the obtained product into the cervical-cervical zone.
- Elecampane root decoction is used to prepare anti-inflammatory dressings. Pour 2 tablespoons of the roots of the two-year-old elecampane with 1 cup of boiling water, simmer for 10 minutes, then cool and strain. Twice a day (morning and evening) put warm decoction compresses on the area of the cervix and collar and hold for about 20 minutes. It is also useful to bathe with a decoction of elecampane (for bathing 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 hop cone ointment. To prepare it, take 1 tbsp. ground hop cones, rub well with 1 tsp. butter or fat. Spread the resulting product on the affected area, then cover with a towel and wrap with a warm scarf. Daily use of fat will quickly bring the desired result.
Laser treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
At home, you can not only take the medication prescribed by your doctor and perform a set of exercises, but also continue physiotherapy, for example, paraffin wrap or laser treatment. A unique portable laser device for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system has been developed. Its action is effective both in the acute period of the disease and in the remission phase. Treatment of osteochondrosis with "soft" laser beams will quickly relieve neck pain, reduce inflammation, swelling and improve general condition. 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.