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 osteochondrosis of the cervix. This is due to their excessive mobility and increased stress in the department. The first signs of a violation require consulting a specialist and prescribing the right treatment. It includes medication, physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises.
Brief information about the disease
Osteochondrosis of the cervix develops against the background of severe wear and tear of cartilage tissue and bones. With age, the discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity and become more prone to damage. Therefore, the disease is diagnosed in an average of 90% of retirees. A chronic condition develops after a temporary recession, which is usually facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, bad habits and the peculiarities of professional activity.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually, so it is conventionally divided into several stages. In the initial stage, the elasticity of the discs decreases significantly, small cracks appear in them. The discomfort is almost imperceptible and worries for a short time, so patients rarely go to the doctor on time, attributing the symptoms to fatigue.
Gradually, as it progresses, severe pain occurs, especially with prolonged exposure to one position, dizziness, numbness in the shoulders or face, panic attacks, and coordination problems. It becomes more difficult for the patient to hold his head in one position, vision and hearing problems occur. Ignoring such symptoms is dangerous, as it often leads to serious complications. The symptoms of the disease are the same in men and women.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. It allows not only the localization of the pathological process, but also the degree of its distribution, the severity of the course, the presence of concomitant diseases. The chosen tactic of dealing with the problem consists of the following points:
- Prescription drugs (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, B vitamins). All these drugs aim to eliminate the swelling, to improve the blood circulation, to repair the damaged disc tissue, to protect the nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy. The procedures are prescribed only after the cessation of the acute stage. The main methods are electrophoresis and magnetotherapy. They will help restore the flexibility of the neck and consolidate the result.
- Manual therapy. It is used to reduce the manifestation of pain in the acute period and to 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 qualifications to engage in such activities. It is worth checking it before the start of the session.
- Exercise therapy. Special therapeutic exercises or exercises designed especially for the patient, help to treat the pathological process. Also, bands developed by doctors have proven to be good in this area.
With the permission of the doctor, folk remedies can be included in the scheme that eliminate the unpleasant symptoms. But self-replacement of the selected options or increasing the dosage, can adversely affect the treatment in general, so care must be taken.
Therapeutic activities
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a long-term procedure that includes various methods of eliminating the unpleasant symptoms and repairing damaged cartilage tissue. The main objectives of the therapeutic course are:
- Relief from unpleasant symptoms (headache, numbness, inflammation, paralysis) during the exacerbation of the pathological process.
- Normalization of blood circulation in the affected area.
- Restoration of the nutrition of cells and tissues to maintain their structure and function.
- Elimination of the cause of the development of the degenerative process.
- Prevention of possible complications.
Many patients are wondering if osteochondrosis can be cured?Early treatment in the stage of deterioration allows not only the elimination of unpleasant symptoms, but also the slowing down of the degenerative process, to achieve a 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. They are periodically examined by the treating physician to determine the dynamics.
Medication
It is best to start treating cervical cartilage by taking painkillers that help treat the unpleasant symptoms. This is effective up to stage 2 of the development of the pathological process, when the fibrous ring has not yet been damaged. The main goal is to prevent damage to the cartilage tissue and achieve a stable recession. A variety of groups of drugs are used for this.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
The treatment of cervical cartilage is not complete without the use of NSAIDs, as this group of drugs allows you to stop the unpleasant symptoms during an outbreak of the disease. NSAIDs help eliminate swelling and inflammation, which enhances the effectiveness of analgesics.
They are used in the form of tablets, ointments or injections. The form of injections is one of the most effective, but is most often used in a hospital setting when the patient is in a serious condition.
The course of treatment with drugs of this group does not exceed 14 days. After that, disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract may occur. If the patient has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, medications are prescribed at the same time as the prescribed funds to protect the lining of the organ.
Muscle relaxants
Any treatment regimen for cervical osteochondrosis always includes taking medications to eliminate the muscle spasm. It is a natural response to inflammation. They are recommended at the beginning of treatment in the form of injections, after which it is recommended to replace them with pills.
The course of treatment with muscle relaxants should not be longer than 1-2 weeks, as they can easily become addictive. After reducing the onset of pain and eliminating the spasm, they are canceled.
Hormonal drugs
They are recommended to patients to get rid of pain if the pathological process has developed to 2-3 degrees. Hormonal factors have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and help to quickly eliminate an unpleasant symptom. It is unacceptable to use drugs of this group during pregnancy or a high probability of developing an allergic reaction.
Steroids are prescribed with caution and in combination with others, as the possibility of side effects is high. Their independent appointment is unacceptable.
Chondroprotective
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervical thoracic region, but there are many drugs that aim to regenerate damaged tissue. They are called chondroprotectants. They are used in the form of ointments, injections and tablets. The latter form is the most convenient, it allows you not to miss an appointment even on the road.
On average, the course of treatment with chondroprotectants lasts 3-6 months. Ointments are mainly used for prophylaxis, as they have the least effectiveness. When choosing injections, it is enough to make 10-12 injections to start the regeneration process.
Physiotherapy
Various physiotherapy methods are used to fight the disease only during the period of recession. They are recommended for strengthening the muscular corset, improving the blood circulation process, normalizing well-being and relieving pain. The following procedures apply:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Treatment with leeches.
- Massage.
Osteochondrosis is not treated with some physiotherapy procedures. Many techniques have a number of contraindications, for example, during pregnancy and lactation, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy
Various sets of therapy exercises are useful for restoring the natural position of the spine. At home, you can study according to special programs. Physiotherapy is performed according to a set of rules. All movements are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, at the same time of day. The band usually includes the following approaches:
- The head tilts to each side 2 times.
- Lower your arms along your body, raise your shoulders, stay for 10 seconds. Return from the starting position.
- Hold the horizontal bar for 10 seconds. Repeat several times during the day.
- Lie on a hard surface, hang your head from the edge down, lift it gradually, while stretching only the muscles of the cervical spine.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine requires lifestyle correction. Exercise should be a part of life in order to maintain the health of the injured area and the spine as a whole.
Surgery
Conservative treatment 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 deformity of the vertebrae or acute compression of the spinal cord. The surgery is done from the front of the neck or from the back, depending on many factors. The main task of the surgeon is to eliminate instability and compression. For this purpose, the following techniques are used:
- Spinal fusion. It involves connecting the vertebrae to restrict their mobility. It is widely used to treat osteochondrosis. It reduces the flexibility of the neck, but permanently solves the problem with pain. During the operation, a bone graft is used, which is fastened with metal fasteners, rods and plates. They increase the rate of fusion and stabilization of the cervical spine. The implant is taken from the donor or the patient himself, usually from the thigh area. For this, an additional incision is made during the operation.
- Discectomy. During the procedure, the problematic intervertebral disc is removed, the bone sections are fastened together. Special screws are used for this. Thus, the unpleasant symptoms are eliminated and the compression of the spinal cord is eliminated.
- Correctomy. It implies the removal not only of the affected intervertebral disc, but also of the entire bone element. The spine is fixed, as in the previous case, using special screws and fasteners.
- Laminectomy. Bone arch, spurs and ligaments are removed, all of which put pressure on the spinal cord. This allows you to create the right space that ensures the normal operation of the instrument. But the process destabilizes the ridge, so the use of bundles is required.
The potential risks and consequences of surgery are discussed with each patient individually. The main ones are difficulty swallowing at first, voice changes, difficulty breathing, infection or reaction to anesthesia.
Advice to the patient during the exacerbation
The onset of osteochondrosis lasts on average 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 ointments or massages, this will only worsen the condition. To alleviate the situation, the following measures should be taken:
- Get into a comfortable position. During the acute phase, the cervical vertebrae need complete rest. Therefore, when pain occurs, you should lie on a flat surface, trying to relax completely. This position will temporarily relieve the pain, will alleviate the condition as a whole.
- Take a painkiller and call a doctor for a consultation. Do not expect the disease to 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 needed, which includes physiotherapy procedures and specific exercises.
- Buy an orthopedic collar (Shantsa). This device is available in most specialty stores. It prevents the movement of the cervical vertebrae and thus minimizes the possibility of deterioration. Depending on the density of the material, the collar can be hard or soft, but in any case, it firmly fastens the neck in one place.
The choice of drugs is made by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics and the presence of contraindications. Typical analgesics 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 is treated for a long time, using various methods of relieving discomfort. Therefore, many patients doubt the effectiveness of the chosen regimen. Patient reviews will help to understand the issue of treatment.
- "I have been treating osteochondrosis in the neck for more than 6 years now and I have never tried it. At first, pills were prescribed, but they only relieved the pain. He then visited the office of exercise therapy and physiotherapist for a long time, but the result did not appear for long. It is considered a cumulative effect everywhere, but the disease itself does not subside. "As long as there is no negative dynamics, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment, but it is already difficult to work at the same pace. "
- "I did not go to the doctor for a long time with a sore throat, as a result of which the intervertebral disc collapsed. The tablets do not give tangible relief, but while I take them I use rubbing and compresses. They help better with potatoes and honey. "But as the disease progresses, I think of surgery, but that is the last resort. "
- "I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis several years ago, I foolishly lost a lot of time in the treatment with folk remedies, I was afraid of the pills and therefore I did not take them. As a result, the disease progressed rapidly and was also affected by overweight and constant load on the neck. Now the painkillers are already helping a little, the intense pain is constantly bothering, the skin is numb. "The doctor has not suggested another operation, but I think it will be just around the corner if this treatment regimen does not work. "
The treatment of osteochondrosis includes a comprehensive approach, which includes various modern techniques and medicines, massage, alternative medicine prescriptions. Only this approach can slow down the degenerative changes in the bones and connective tissue, achieve a stable recession and maintain the quality of life, while minimizing the risk of serious complications.