Improper diet, sedentary lifestyle and lack of nutrients cause the development of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. One of the most common lesions is cervical osteochondrosis. This is due to their excessive mobility and increased stress on the ward. The first signs of a violation require the advice of a specialist and the appointment of the correct treatment. It includes medication, physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises.
Brief information on the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis develops against the background of strong wear of cartilage tissue and bones. With age, the discs between the vertebrae lose elasticity and become more susceptible to damage. Therefore, the disease is diagnosed in an average of 90% of retirees. The chronic condition develops after temporary remission, which is usually contributed by a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, bad habits and specifics of professional activity.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually, so it is conventionally divided into several stages. In the initial phase, the elasticity of the discs is significantly reduced, and microcracks appear in them. The discomfort is almost imperceptible and is cared for for a short time, so patients rarely go to the doctor on time, attributing symptoms to fatigue.
Gradually, as it progresses, sharp excruciating pains appear, especially with prolonged exposure in one position, dizziness, numbness in the shoulders or face, panic attacks, and coordination problems. It becomes more difficult for the patient to keep his head in one position, he has problems with sight and hearing. Ignoring such symptoms is dangerous because it often leads to serious complications. The symptoms of the disease are the same in men and women.
Osteochondrosis treatment regimen
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It allows not only to identify the pathological process, but also the degree of its distribution, the severity of the course, the presence of concomitant diseases. The chosen troubleshooting tactics consist of the following points:
- Prescribing medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, B vitamins). All of these medications aim to remove swelling, improve blood circulation, repair damaged disc tissue, and protect nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy. Procedures are prescribed only after the cessation of the acute phase. The main methods are electrophoresis and magnetotherapy. They will help restore the flexibility of the door and solidify the effect.
- Manual therapy. It is used to reduce the manifestation of pain in the acute period and restore the correct position of the spine. The procedure is performed by a specialist in the field of surgery, who has a sufficient level of qualification to engage in such activities. It is worth checking this out before starting the session.
- Exercise therapy. Special therapeutic exercises or exercises specially designed for the patient help to cope with the pathological process. Also, the complexes developed by doctors have proven themselves well in this area.
With the permission of a doctor, folk remedies that eliminate unpleasant symptoms can be included in the scheme. But just replacing selected options or increasing the dose can negatively affect treatment in general, so caution should be exercised.
Treatment activities
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a lengthy process that involves various methods of removing unpleasant symptoms and repairing damaged cartilage tissue. The main goals of the therapeutic course are:
- Alleviation of unpleasant symptoms (headache, numbness, inflammation, paralysis) during the exacerbation of the pathological process.
- Normalization of blood circulation in the affected area.
- Restoration of cell and tissue nutrition to preserve their structure and functioning.
- Elimination of the causes of the development of the degenerative process.
- Prevention of possible complications.
Many patients wonder if osteochondrosis can be cured?Timely received therapy in the worsening phase enables not only the elimination of unpleasant symptoms, but also the slowing down of the degenerative process, achieving stable remission. The damage in stages 2-3 is already irreversible and the patient will have to live with the diagnosis for the rest of his life. It is periodically examined by a doctor to determine the dynamics.
Drug therapy
It is better to start treatment for cervical chondrosis by taking painkillers that help cope with the unpleasant symptoms. This is effective until the 2nd stage of development of the pathological process, when the fibrous ring has not yet been destroyed. The main goal is to prevent cartilage tissue damage and achieve stable remission. Different groups of drugs are used for this.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Treatment of neck chondrosis is not completely without the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as this group of drugs allows you to stop the unpleasant symptoms during the exacerbation of the disease. NSAIDs help relieve swelling and inflammation, which increases the effectiveness of pain medications.
They are used in the form of tablets, ointments or injections. The form of injections is one of the most effective, but it is most often used in hospital conditions, when the patient is in a serious condition.
The course of treatment with drugs of this group is not longer than 14 days. After that, disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract may occur. If the patient has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the drugs are prescribed simultaneously with the prescribed means to protect the mucous membranes of the organs.
Muscle relaxants
Any treatment regimen for cervical osteochondrosis always involves taking medication to relieve muscle cramps. It is a natural response to inflammation. They are prescribed at the beginning of treatment in the form of injections, after which it is recommended to replace them with tablets.
The course of treatment with muscle relaxants should not be longer than 1-2 weeks as they can easily become addictive. After reducing the manifestation of pain and eliminating cramps, they are canceled.
Hormonal drugs
They are prescribed to patients to get rid of pain if the pathological process has developed to 2-3 degrees. Hormonal agents have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and help to quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptom. It is unacceptable to use drugs from this group during pregnancy or there is a high probability of developing an allergic reaction.
Steroids are prescribed with caution and in combination with others because the likelihood of side effects is high. Their independent appointment is unacceptable.
Chondroprotectors
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region, but there are a number of drugs aimed at regenerating damaged tissue. They are called chondroprotectors. They are used in the form of ointments, injections and tablets. The last form is the most convenient, it allows you not to miss the meeting even on the road.
On average, the course of treatment with chondroprotectors lasts 3-6 months. Fats are mainly used for prophylaxis because they are the least effective. When choosing injections, it is enough to make 10-12 injections to start the regeneration process.
Physiotherapy
Different physiotherapeutic methods are used to control the disease only in the period of remission. They are prescribed to strengthen the muscular corset, improve the blood circulation process, normalize well-being and relieve pain. The following procedures apply:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Treatment of leeches.
- Massage.
Osteochondrosis cannot be cured by some physiotherapeutic procedures. Many techniques have a number of contraindications, for example, the period of pregnancy and lactation, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy
Different complexes of exercise therapy are useful for restoring the natural position of the spine. You can study at home according to special programs. Physical therapy is carried out according to a number of rules. All movements are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, at the same time of day. The complex usually includes the following approaches:
- The head is tilted to each side 2 times.
- Lower your arms along your body, raise your shoulders, hold for 10 seconds. Return from starting position.
- Hold on to the horizontal bar for 10 seconds. Repeat several times during the day.
- Lie on a hard surface, hang your head from the edge down, gradually lifting it, while tensing the muscles of the cervical spine only.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine requires lifestyle correction. Exercise should be a part of life to preserve the health of the injured area and the spine as a whole.
Surgery
Conservative therapy does not always give the expected result, the doctor prescribes surgery. It is performed in the neck or chest area, only if there is strong compression of the spinal nerve, with spinal deformity or acute spinal cord compression. The operation is performed from the front of the neck or from the back, depending on many factors. The surgeon's main task is to remove instability and compression. The following techniques are used for this:
- Spinal fusion. It involves connecting the vertebrae to limit their mobility. It is widely used to treat osteochondrosis. It reduces neck flexibility but permanently solves the pain problem. During the operation, a bone graft is used which is fixed with metal closures, rods and plates. They increase the speed of fusion and stabilize the cervical spine. The implant is taken from the donor or the patient himself, usually from the thigh area. An additional incision is made for this during the operation.
- Disectomy. In doing so, the problematic intervertebral disc is removed, the bone segments are fixed to each other. Special screws are used for this. This eliminates unpleasant symptoms and removes spinal cord compression.
- Correctomy. This involves removing not only the affected intervertebral disc, but also the entire bone element. The spine is stabilized, as in the previous case, with the help of special screws and fasteners.
- Laminectomy. Bone arches, spurs and ligaments are removed, all of which puts pressure on the spinal cord. This allows you to create the right space that ensures the normal functioning of the organs. But the procedure destabilizes the ridge, so the use of bindings is required.
The possible risks and consequences of the operation are discussed with each patient individually. The main ones are difficulty swallowing initially, changes in voice, difficulty breathing, infection or reaction to anesthesia.
Advice to the patient during exacerbations
Worsening of osteochondrosis lasts an average of 3-5 days, but it all depends on the age of the patient, the extent of the lesion, compliance with the doctor's recommendations. It is strictly forbidden to lubricate the damaged area with ointment or massage, it will only make the situation worse. To alleviate the condition, the following measures should be taken:
- Get in a comfortable position. During the acute phase, the cervical vertebrae need complete rest. Therefore, when pain occurs, you should lie on a flat surface, try to relax completely. This position will temporarily resolve the pain, alleviate the condition as a whole.
- Take painkillers and call a doctor for a consultation. Do not hope that the disease will go away on its own, and start treatment as soon as possible. Medications alone are not enough to slow down the degenerative process; an integrated approach is required, which includes physiotherapeutic procedures and special exercises.
- Buy an orthopedic necklace (Shantsa). This device is available at most specialty stores. It prevents the movement of the cervical vertebrae and thus minimizes the likelihood of deterioration. Depending on the density of the material, the collar can be hard or soft, but in any case it reliably secures the neck in one position.
The choice of drugs is carried out by a doctor, taking into account individual characteristics and the presence of contraindications. Standard painkillers may not work if the cartilage is severely damaged. In this case, only epidural blocks will help. Therefore, it is better not to take into account the advice of relatives and neighbors.
Patient testimonials
Osteochondrosis has long been treated with various methods of relieving discomfort. Therefore, many patients doubt the effectiveness of the chosen regimen. Examinations of patients will help to understand the problems of treatment.
- "I have been treating osteochondrosis in my neck for more than 6 years and I have never tried it. At first, pills were prescribed, but they only relieved the pain. the effect, but the disease itself does not pass. As long as there is no negative dynamics, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment, but it already becomes difficult to work at the same pace. "
- "I haven't seen a doctor for a long time with neck pain, which has caused the intervertebral disc to break. The pills don't give tangible relief, but while taking them I use rubbing and compresses. They help best with potatoes and honey. But as the disease progresses, I think about surgery. is the last resort. "
- "A few years ago I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis, I stupidly lost a lot of time on treatment with folk remedies, I was afraid of pills and therefore did not take them. As a result, the disease progressed quickly and was affected by excess weight and constant neck strain. Nowpainkillers are already helping a bit, severe pain is constantly bothering me, numbness of the skin has appeared. The doctor has not yet suggested surgery, but I think he will be around the corner if this treatment regimen fails. "
Treatment of osteochondrosis includes an integrated approach, which includes a variety of modern techniques and medications, massage, prescriptions of alternative medicine. Only this approach can slow down degenerative changes in bone and connective tissue, achieve stable remission and maintain quality of life, while minimizing the risk of serious complications.