Inadequate nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and a 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 in the apartment. The first signs of a violation require the consultation of a specialist and the appointment of the correct treatment. It includes taking medications, physical therapy procedures, and therapeutic exercises.
Interesting facts 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 an average of 90% of pensioners. A chronic condition develops after a temporary remission, which is facilitated, as a rule, by a sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, bad habits, and the specifics of professional activity.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually, therefore it is conventionally divided into several stages. At the initial stage, the elasticity of the discs is noticeably reduced, microcracks appear on them. The discomfort is almost imperceptible and worries for a short period of time, which is why patients rarely go to the doctor in time, attributing the symptoms to fatigue.
Gradually, as it progresses, sharp pains appear, especially with prolonged exposure to a position, dizziness, numbness in the shoulders or face, panic attacks, and coordination problems. It becomes more difficult for the patient to keep the head in one position, vision and hearing problems appear. Ignoring these 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 of cervical osteochondrosis begins with a diagnosis. It allows not only to identify the pathological process, but also the degree of distribution, the severity of the course, the presence of concomitant diseases. The tactics chosen to address the problem consist of the following points:
- Medication prescription (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, vitamin B). All of these drugs are aimed at eliminating swelling, improving blood circulation, restoring damaged disc tissue, and protecting nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy. Procedures are prescribed only after stopping the acute stage. 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 qualification level to participate in such activities. This is worth checking 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, 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 eliminate unpleasant symptoms. But self-replacement of the selected options, or increasing the dose, can adversely affect the overall treatment, so caution should be exercised.
Treatment 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 cell and tissue nutrition to preserve their structure and function.
- Elimination of the cause of the development of the degenerative process.
- Prevention of possible complications.
Many patients are interested in whether osteochondrosis can be cured.Timely received therapy at the stage of exacerbation allows not only to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, but also to slow down the degenerative process to achieve a stable remission. Damage in stages 2-3 is already irreversible and the patient will have to live with the diagnosis his entire life. Periodically subjected to an examination by the attending physician to determine the dynamics.
Drug therapy
It is better to start treating cervical chondrosis by taking painkillers that help to 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 cartilage tissue damage and achieve stable remission. For this, various groups of drugs are used.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Treatment of chondrosis of the neck 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 course of treatment with drugs of this group is no more than 14 days. After this, 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 medication to eliminate muscle spasm. 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 pills.
The course of treatment with muscle relaxants should not last more than 1-2 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 eliminate 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 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 probability of side effects is high. His independent appointment is unacceptable.
Chondroprotectors
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region, but there are various drugs aimed at regenerating damaged tissue. They are called chondroprotectors. They are used in the form of ointments, injections and tablets. The last way is the most convenient, it allows you not to miss an appointment even on the go.
On average, the course of treatment with chondroprotectors lasts 3-6 months. Ointments are used primarily for prophylaxis, as they are the least effective. When choosing injections, it is enough to do 10-12 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 muscular corset, improve the blood circulation process, normalize well-being and relieve pain. The following procedures apply:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Leech treatment.
- Massage.
Osteochondrosis cannot be cured with some physiotherapeutic procedures. Many techniques have a number of contraindications, for example, the period of pregnancy and lactation, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy
Various exercise therapy complexes are helpful in restoring the natural position of the spine. At home, you can study according to special programs. Physiotherapy 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 generally includes the following approaches:
- The head is tilted to each side 2 times.
- Lower your arms along the body, raise your shoulders, stay for 10 seconds. Come back from the starting position.
- Hang onto the horizontal bar for 10 seconds. Repeat several times throughout the day.
- Lie down on a hard surface, hang your head from the edge down, gradually lift it up, while stretching the muscles only of the cervical spine.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine requires lifestyle correction. Exercise must be part of life to maintain 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 a 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. The 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 connecting the vertebrae to limit their mobility. It is widely used to treat osteochondrosis. It reduces the flexibility of the neck, but permanently solves the problem of pain. During the operation, a bone graft is used, which is fixed with metal fasteners, rods and plates. They increase the speed of fusion and stabilization of the cervical spine. The implant is taken from the donor or the patient himself, generally from the thigh area. To do this, an additional incision is made during the operation.
- Discectomy. In the process, the problematic intervertebral disc is removed, the bone segments are fixed to each other. Special screws are used for this. Thus, unpleasant symptoms are eliminated and spinal cord compression is eliminated.
- Correctomy. It involves the removal not only of the affected intervertebral disc, but also of the entire bone element. The spinal column is stabilized, as in the previous case, by means of special screws and fasteners.
- Laminectomy. The bony arch, spurs, and ligaments are removed - anything that puts pressure on the spinal cord. This allows you to create adequate space that ensures the normal functioning of the organ. But the procedure destabilizes the ridge, which is why the use of ties is required.
The possible risks and consequences of the operation are discussed with each patient individually. The main ones are difficulty swallowing at first, voice changes, shortness of breath, infection or 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 injury and 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 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 appears, you need to lie on a flat surface, try to fully relax. This position will temporarily eliminate pain and alleviate the condition as a whole.
- Take a pain reliever and call a doctor for a consultation. Don't wait for 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 required, including physical therapy procedures and special exercises.
- Buy a neck brace (Shantsa). This device is available in most specialty stores. It prevents movement of the cervical vertebrae and therefore minimizes the likelihood of deterioration. Depending on the density of the material, the collar can be hard or soft, but in either 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 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 to relieve discomfort. Therefore, many patients doubt the efficacy of the chosen regimen. Patient reviews will help to understand the topic of treatment.
- "I have treated osteochondrosis in the neck for more than 6 years and have never tried it. At first, pills were prescribed, but they only alleviated the pain. Then he visited the physiotherapy and physiotherapist office 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 is no negative dynamic, the doctor prescribes a conservative treatment, but it is already becoming difficult to work at the same rate. "
- "I did not go to the doctor for a long time with pain in my neck, as a result, the intervertebral disc collapsed. The tablets do not give tangible relief, but while I take them I use rubs and compresses. They help better with potatoes and honey. But as the disease progresses, I am thinking of an operation, but this is as a last resort. "
- "I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis several years ago, I foolishly lost a lot of time in treatment with folk remedies, I was afraid of pills and that's why I didn't take them. As a result, the disease progressed rapidly and the excess weight and constant load on the neck they were also affected. Now painkillers are already helping little, severe pain is constantly bothering, numbness of the skin has appeared. The doctor has not yet proposed an operation, but I think it will be just around the corner if this treatment regimen it does not work ".
Treatment of osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach, which includes various modern techniques and drugs, massage, recipes 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.