Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Current methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis are aimed at reducing symptoms, preventing complications, stopping further destruction of the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine, and preventing the patient from becoming disabled.

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

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

Mechanisms of development of osteochondrosis

The spine consists of vertebrae and the intervertebral discs between them. The intervertebral disc has a central gel-like nucleus pulposus surrounded by a dense fibrous ring at its periphery. Pulposus core is hydrophilic - saturated with moisture and characterized by high elasticity. Due to the elastic properties of the intervertebral discs, cushioning and mobility of the spine is ensured.

In people over the age of 20, the discs gradually begin to lose their elasticity. This is due to the destruction of the vessels feeding the discs, and more blood supply is due to diffusion from the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. Against the background of nutrient deficiency in the cartilage tissue, regeneration processes slow down - the disc begins to "age". First, the nucleus pulposus becomes dehydrated, loses its elasticity, becomes flat, which increases the load on the fibrous ring. Microcracks, tension zones, breaks, delamination appear in the structure of the ring.

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

The features of the pathological process in cervical osteochondrosis are associated with the anatomical structure of this spine: different structures and sizes of the cervical vertebrae, tighter articulation in the intervertebral joints and underdeveloped muscle framework. With long-term static load in the cervical region (working at 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 that lead to the development of osteochondrosis:

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

Osteochondrosis of the spine - 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 - the book that all neurologists should be guided by when making 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 completely justified when the doctor cannot fully understand what is happening to the patient. Diseases under this term, for example:

• Myofascial pain syndrome- a condition in which a spasm occurs constantly in the same muscles.
• Muscle injury.After the injury, the pain begins to bother and after a while it passes by itself.
• OtolithiasisA condition where calcium salt crystals accumulate in the inner ear. They cause dizziness - sometimes they are mistaken as a manifestation of diseases of the spine.
• Headache.They are also often associated with degenerative changes in the cervical spine. In fact, they often have other reasons.

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Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

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

• Anti-inflammatory and pain relievers.The doctor can prescribe Voltaren, Movalis, ibuprofen and other drugs.
• If the pain is very strong and does not go away- use novocaine blockade. The doctor, armed with a needle and syringe, injects anesthetic into specific areas where the transmission of pain nerve impulses is blocked.
• Physiotherapy helps:drug electrophoresis with novocaine, ultrasound, ultraviolet radiation, diadynamic currents.
• If pain makes you constantly nervous,Prescribe medication to help calm you down.
• To the area of painapply dry heat.
• To loosen the spine,different types of traction are used. The patient can be placed on a special bed with a raised headboard and secured with rings under the armpit. Underwater traction is also used in the pool.
• A doctor can recommendyou visit a chiropractor, acupuncture sessions.
• During exacerbationwear special orthopedic devices that help relax the muscles and support the spine - corsets, Shants collar.

When the exacerbation has passed, you should take measures to help prevent a new one. Therapeutic exercises and massage help strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Prescribe physiotherapy courses. Good for swimming. All methods of treating osteochondrosis have contraindications, they must be used wisely, so self-medication is not the best option. Consult a doctor.

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

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

Back pain, according to statistics, is a symptom that more than 90% of people experience at least once in their life. It is most often attributed to osteochondrosis. Not all people with back pain go to the doctor. Many are treated independently with drugs that can be obtained without a prescription in a pharmacy, folk remedies. Sometimes such a "treatment" brings temporary relief - and in the meantime, the disease may continue to progress, and perhaps the next time the back or spine will "twist" more.

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

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

Over time, this is accompanied by compression of the spinal cord and the arteries that feed it, the development of serious neurological complications: severe weakness, up to complete loss, movement and sensitivity, control of the bladder and rectum is disturbed.

Developmental stages of cervical osteochondrosis

As a disease, cervical osteochondrosis goes through several stages in its development:

I scene. The initial period is characterized by local pain in the neck, aggravated by dizziness and bending. Cervical lordosis has smoothness 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. Pain in the neck increases with radiation to the arm and shoulder. Severe headaches, weakness, decreased efficiency. Destruction of the fibrous ring continues, signs of pathological mobility and instability of the vertebra appear.

III stage. The pain in the neck is strong, constant, spreading to the arms and shoulders. The muscles of the hands weaken, numbness of the upper limbs is noted. Patients have headache, dizziness, disorientation in space. At this stage, the fibrous ring is completely destroyed. The gelatinous nucleus pulposus is unstable, protrudes from the vertebra and enters the spinal canal, forming a hernia. The protrusion of the hernia compresses nerves and blood vessels, which leads to impaired blood circulation in the cervical spine.

IV stage. This is the last 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. 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 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 doctor's experience and qualifications.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is based on the following: patient complaints, characteristic clinical picture, anamnesis of the disease, data of the patient's neurological and orthopedic examination using modern diagnostic methods: X-ray, magnetic and computer tomography. , and results of functional tests.

After making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor decides how to treat osteochondrosis of the neck in this patient, what technique should be used in a particular situation.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

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

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

Surgery is rarely used when there is a real threat of stroke, paralysis, or internal organ damage.

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 progression of the pathological process and stabilize the condition of the affected spinal segment.

An integrated approach, the cost-effectiveness of the applied therapeutic methods allow effective treatment of 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 influence on the problem areas of the spine, the goal of which is to restore the normal physiological state of the spine and intervertebral discs. During the procedure, compression of the nerve roots of the spine is removed, neck muscles in the area of pathological changes are relaxed.

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

Photodynamic phototherapy. The method is based on the ability to activate the photosensitive drug with a laser beam. A layer of a medicinal substance is applied to the skin in the area of the affected segment, which penetrates the tissues at a depth of 10-13 cm, has an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect.

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

The methods used for the treatment of neck osteochondrosis 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 even by elderly patients. groups.

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

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease that literally means "premature aging", "wearing away" of the intervertebral discs, joints, and vertebrae in the cervical spine.

Some facts about the disease:

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

What characteristics of the cervical spine cause symptoms of osteochondrosis?

• There are openings in the lateral processes of the vertebrae - the right and left carotid arteries, which supply the brain with blood, pass through.
• The initial part of the spinal cord passes through the cervical region - it contains fibers that carry nerve impulses to all parts of the body, providing movement and sensitivity. If there is compression of the spinal cord in the neck, neurological disorders occur throughout the body.
• This section of the spine has great mobility, which causes 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 foramen and form the cervical and brachial nerve plexuses. They are responsible for the movements in the muscles of the neck, arm, shoulder girdle, skin sensitivity, and regulation of vegetative functions.
• The first vertebra does not have a massive front part - the body - it is a ring of bone that is inserted into the tooth - a bony protrusion on the second vertebra. This allows the head to turn from side to side.

Neck pains, headaches, feeling of weakness, numbness in the hands are the symptoms that you should consult a neurologist. Examination by a specialist and examination using modern equipment will help to understand the causes of the pathology and take the most effective measures.

What happens to the vertebra in cervical osteochondrosis?

The obscure medical term "degenerative process" refers to the following pathological changes occurring in the cervical spine:

• First of all, the lesion in osteochondrosis involves the intervertebral discs. They become thinner, thus reducing the distance between adjacent vertebrae. Small gaps, microcracks are formed in their outer part. Over time, this can lead to a herniated disc.
• As a result of damage to the discs, the stability of the joint of the vertebrae is disturbed.
• They suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical and intervertebral joints - spondylarthrosis develops. It also promotes compression of nerve roots.
• The pathological process extends to the vertebra itself. As the functions of the intervertebral discs are disturbed, the load on them increases. The spine tries to compensate for this violation, bone protrusions appear on it - osteophytes.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

In the case of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, traction is used to loosen the intervertebral discs (the patient is placed on a bed with a raised headboard and the head is fixed with a special loop). For the same purpose, it is necessary 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 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 symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis is pain in the neck. Many people who encounter this symptom do not go to the doctor, but prefer to treat "chondrosis" with home methods. There are at least two good reasons to abandon self-medication and consult a specialist doctor.

First, painkillers and folk methods, although they help relieve pain for a while, do not solve the underlying problem. Pathological changes in the spine continue to grow. Over time, it threatens with more serious consequences. As long as surgery is required.

Secondly, neck pain does not occur 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 processrequires an integrated approach. After getting rid of the main symptoms, you can continue using various physiotherapy procedures:

• UHF therapy.Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic field. It has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect, and also helps to initiate regenerative processes.
• Amplipulse.Low-frequency currents are applied to problem areas of the body. There is expansion of blood vessels, relief from pain and spasms.
• Phonophoresis and electrophoresis.Introduction of drugs into deep tissues using ultrasound and direct current.

Massage procedures are also widely used, which is possible only after the removal of the inflammatory process. Massage helps to relax muscles and get rid of spasms.

Diet - complex treatment of osteochondrosis

It is necessary to act comprehensively with this disease, so changing the diet is a completely effective treatment method. The diet fully complies with the generally accepted concept of healthy eating, so try to add the following types of food to your diet:

• Citrus fruits (if there is no allergy).
• Olive oil.
• Fresh herbs and vegetables.
• Mineral water.
• Fish and foods high in phosphorus, protein, magnesium and calcium.
• Milk and milk products.

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

What symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should force you to consult a doctor?

The main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is pain. Depending on the level of localization of the pathological process, it can occur in different places: in the neck, shoulder girdle, arm, heart region. By nature, pain sensations are dull, can be burning, aching.

Other manifestations of the disease:

• Headache, dizziness, "flying in front of the eyes", noise, noise in the ears.
• Weakness in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle, arms.
• Violation of skin sensitivity.
• Shoulder-shoulder periarthritis: painful pains in the neck passing to the arm, difficulty in abducting the arm above 90 °, weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
• 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 in the vertebrae that compress the nerves, resulting in a reflex spasm of the vertebral artery, which is involved in the blood supply of the brain. The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are combined with constant headaches starting from the back of the head, spreading to the temple, crown, nausea, noise in the head, ringing in the ears, flickering bright spots in front of the eyes.
• Anterior scalene syndrome. There are anterior and middle scalene muscles in the neck - they are close and there is a small space between them through which nerves and blood vessels pass. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the anterior scalene muscle is strained and compressed, resulting in symptoms such as pain on the inner surface of the arm, shoulder, and fingers. Sometimes the pain spreads to the back of the head. The skin of the hands may become cold, pale, and numbness may occur.
• 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, 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 parts of the spine are affected at the same time with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms may be 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.

The result

Now you know how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine without resorting to surgical intervention. Surgery is the most radical treatment method when the disease is already ongoing and there is no other way out. However, it is up to you to do this in order not to put your health in such a situation.