Poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and nutrient deficiency provoke the development of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. One of the most common injuries is cervical osteochondrosis. This is due to their excessive mobility and increased stress on the department. The first signs of a violation require consultation with a specialist and the appointment of the appropriate treatment. This includes taking medications, physiotherapy procedures, and therapeutic exercises.
Brief information about the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis 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 susceptible to damage. Therefore, the disease is diagnosed in 90% of retirees on average. Chronic disease develops after temporary remission, which is usually facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, bad habits and the specifics of professional activity.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually, so it is classically divided into several stages. At the initial stage, the elasticity of the discs is significantly reduced, microcracks appear in them. The discomfort is almost imperceptible and uneasy for a short time, so patients rarely get to the doctor on time, attributing the symptoms to fatigue.
As it progresses, sharp pain appears, especially with prolonged exposure to one position, dizziness, numbness of the shoulders or face, panic attacks and problems with coordination. It becomes more difficult for the patient to keep the head in one position, vision and hearing problems appear. Ignoring such symptoms is dangerous, as it often leads to serious complications. Symptoms of the disease are the same in men and women.
Treatment regimen for osteochondrosis
Treatment for cervical osteochondrosis begins with a 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 tactics chosen to deal with the problem include the following:
- Prescription of drugs (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, B vitamins). All of these drugs are aimed at removing puffiness, improving blood circulation, restoring damaged disc tissue, and protecting nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy. Procedures are prescribed only after the acute stage has stopped. The main methods are electrophoresis and magnetotherapy. They will help restore the flexibility of the neck and consolidate 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 the start of the session.
- Exercise therapy. Special therapeutic exercises, or exercises designed specifically for the patient, help to cope with the pathological process. In addition, the complexes developed by doctors have proven themselves in this area.
With the permission of the doctor, folk remedies can be included in the scheme that eliminates unpleasant symptoms. But self-replacement of selected options, or increasing the dosage, can negatively affect treatment in general, so caution should be exercised.
Processing activities
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a long-term process that includes various methods of eliminating unpleasant symptoms and restoring damaged cartilage tissue. The main objectives of the therapeutic course are:
- Relief of unpleasant symptoms (headache, numbness, inflammation, paralysis) during an exacerbation of the pathological process.
- Normalization of blood circulation in the affected area.
- Restoration of the nutrition of cells and tissues to preserve their structure and function.
- Elimination of the cause of the development of the degenerative process.
- Prevention of possible complications.
Many patients want to know if osteochondrosis can be cured?Timely received treatment at the stage of exacerbation allows not only to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, but also to slow down the degenerative process to achieve stable remission. The damage in stages 2-3 is already irreversible, and the patient will have to live with the diagnosis all his life. Periodic examination by the attending physician to determine the dynamics.
Drug therapy
It is best to start treating cervical chondrosis by taking pain relievers that help cope with the unpleasant symptoms. This is effective until stage 2 of the development of the pathological process, when the fibrous ring has not yet been destroyed. The main goal is to prevent damage to cartilage tissue and achieve stable remission. A variety of groups of drugs are used for this.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Treatment of neck chondrosis is not complete without the use of NSAIDs, since this group of drugs allows you to stop unpleasant symptoms during an exacerbation of the disease. NSAIDs help eliminate swelling and inflammation, which improves the effectiveness of pain relievers.
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 a hospital setting, when the patient is in serious condition.
The duration of treatment with drugs of this group does not exceed 14 days. After that, disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract may appear. If the patient has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, drugs are prescribed simultaneously with the prescribed funds to protect the mucous membrane of the organ.
Muscle relaxants
Any treatment regimen for cervical osteochondrosis always includes taking drugs to eliminate muscle spasms. It is a natural response to inflammation. They are prescribed at the start of treatment in the form of injections, after which it is recommended to replace them with pills.
Treatment with muscle relaxants should not last longer than 1 to 2 weeks, as they can easily become addictive. After reducing the manifestation of pain and eliminating the spasm, 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 an unpleasant symptom. It is unacceptable to use drugs from this group during pregnancy or a high probability of developing an allergic reaction.
Steroids are prescribed with caution and in combination with others, since the likelihood of side effects is high. Their independent appointment is unacceptable.
Chondroprotectors
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervico-thoracic 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 practical, it allows you not to miss an appointment even on the road.
On average, treatment with chondroprotectors lasts 3 to 6 months. Ointments are mainly used for prophylaxis, since they are less effective. When choosing injections, it is enough to give 10 to 12 injections to start the regeneration process.
Physiotherapy
Various physiotherapeutic methods are used to combat the disease only during the period of remission. They are prescribed to strengthen the muscle corset, improve the process of blood circulation, normalize well-being and relieve pain. The following procedures apply:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Treatment with leeches.
- Massage.
Osteochondrosis cannot be cured by certain physiotherapeutic procedures. Many techniques have a number of contraindications, for example, the period of pregnancy and lactation, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy
Various complexes of exercise therapy are useful in restoring the natural position of the spine. At home, you can study under special programs. Physiotherapy is carried out in compliance with 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 tilts twice on each side.
- Lower your arms to your sides, lift your shoulders, linger for 10 seconds. Return from the starting position.
- Hold on to the horizontal bar for 10 seconds. Repeat several times throughout the day.
- Lie down on a hard surface, tilt your head from the edge down, gradually lift it, while straining 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.
Operation
Conservative treatment does not always give the expected result, the doctor prescribes surgical intervention. It is performed in the neck or thoracic region, only if there is strong compression of the spinal nerve, with deformation of the vertebrae or acute compression of the spinal cord. Surgery is performed 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, the following techniques are used:
- Spinal fusion. It involves the connection of the vertebrae to limit their mobility. It is widely used to treat osteochondrosis. Reduces the flexibility of the neck, but definitely solves the pain problem. During the operation, a bone graft is used, which is fixed with metal ties, 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. For this, an additional incision is made during the operation.
- Dissectomy. In the process, the problematic intervertebral disc is removed, the bone segments are attached to each other. Special screws are used for this. Thus, the unpleasant symptoms are eliminated, and the compression of the spinal cord is eliminated.
- Correctomy. This involves the removal of 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 screws and special fixings.
- Laminectomy. The bony arch, spurs and ligaments are removed, anything that puts pressure on the spinal cord. This allows you to create the right space that ensures the normal functioning of the organ. But the procedure destabilizes the ridge, so the use of fixings is necessary.
The risks and possible consequences of the operation are discussed with each patient individually. The main ones are difficulty swallowing at first, changes in the voice, difficulty breathing, infection or a reaction to anesthesia.
Advice to the patient during an exacerbation
An exacerbation 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 recommendations issued by the doctor. It is strictly forbidden to lubricate the damaged area with ointments or massages, this will only aggravate the situation. To relieve the disease, the following measures should be taken:
- Get into a comfortable position. During the acute phase, the cervical vertebrae need complete rest. Therefore, when the pain appears, you need to lie down on a flat surface and try to completely relax. This position will temporarily eliminate pain, relieve the condition as a whole.
- Take pain reliever and call a doctor for consultation. Do not expect the disease to go away on its own and start treatment as soon as possible. Drugs alone are not enough to slow down the degenerative process; an integrated approach is required, which includes physiotherapy procedures and special exercises.
- Buy an orthopedic collar (Shantsa). This device is available in most specialty stores. It prevents movement of the cervical vertebrae and thus minimizes the risk of damage. Depending on the density of the material, the collar can be hard or soft, but in any case it reliably fixes the neck in one position.
The selection of drugs is carried out by a doctor, taking into account individual characteristics and the presence of contraindications. Standard pain relievers may not work if the cartilage is severely damaged. In this case, only epidural blocks will be useful. 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 to relieve discomfort. Therefore, many patients doubt the effectiveness of the chosen regimen. Patient feedback will help to understand the issue of treatment.
- "I have been treating osteochondrosis of the neck for over 6 years now and have never tried it. At first, pills were prescribed, but they only relieved the pain. Then he visited the exercise therapy office and physiotherapist for a long time, but the result did not appear for a long time. Everywhere a cumulative effect is assumed, but the disease itself does not go away. As long as there are no negative dynamics, the doctor prescribes conservative therapy, but it is already difficult to work at the same pace. "
- "I did not go to the doctor for a long time with neck pain, as a result the intervertebral disc collapsed. The tablets do not give any tangible relief, but while taking them I use rubs and compresses. They help best with potatoes and honey. But as the disease progresses, I think about an operation, but it is as a last resort. "
- "I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis several years ago, stupidly wasted a lot of time on treatment with folk remedies, I was afraid of the pills, so I didn't take them. As a result, the disease progressed rapidly, and the excess weight and the constant load on the neck were also affected. Now analgesics help little already, severe pain constantly bothers, numbness of the skin has appeared. The doctor hasn't offered an operation yet, but I think it will be around the corner if this regimen doesn't work. "
Treatment of osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach, which includes various modern techniques and drugs, massage and alternative medicine recipes. Only this approach can slow degenerative changes in bone and connective tissue, achieve stable remission and maintain quality of life, while minimizing the risk of serious complications.