Improper nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and a deficiency of nutrients provoke the development of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. One of the most common lesions is osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. This is due to their excessive mobility and increased stress on the department. The first signs of a violation require the consultation of a specialist and the appointment of the correct treatment. It includes taking medications, physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises.
Brief information about the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis develops against the background of severe wear of cartilage 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, unhealthy diet, bad habits and the specifics of professional activity.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually, so it is conventionally divided into several stages. At the initial stage, the elasticity of the discs is noticeably reduced, and microcracks appear in them. The discomfort is almost imperceptible and bothers a short period of time, so patients rarely go to the doctor on time, attributing the symptoms to fatigue.
Gradually, as the progression progresses, sharp aching pains appear, especially with prolonged stay in one position, dizziness, numbness in the shoulders or face, panic attacks and problems with coordination. It becomes more difficult for the patient to keep his head in one position, problems with vision and hearing appear. 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 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 its distribution, the severity of the course, the presence of concomitant diseases. The chosen tactics of dealing with the problem consists of the following points:
- Prescription of medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, B vitamins). All these drugs are aimed at eliminating puffiness, 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, consolidate the effect obtained.
- Manual therapy. It is used to reduce the manifestation of pain in the acute period and restore the correct position of the spinal column. 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 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. Also, complexes developed by doctors have proven themselves well 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 an increase in dosage, can negatively affect treatment in general, 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 nutrition of cells and tissues to preserve their structure and functioning.
- 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 stable remission. Damage at stages 2-3 is already irreversible and the patient will have to live with the diagnosis all his life. Periodically undergoing examination by the attending physician to determine the dynamics.
Drug therapy
It is better to start treating cervical chondrosis with taking painkillers that help to cope with unpleasant symptoms. This is effective up to 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 a stable remission. A variety of groups of drugs are used for this.
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 enhances 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 used most often 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 organ.
Muscle relaxants
Any treatment regimen for cervical osteochondrosis always includes taking medications 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 be 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 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 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 an appointment even on the road.
On average, the course of treatment with chondroprotectors lasts 3-6 months. Ointments are used mainly for prophylaxis, since they are of the least effectiveness. When choosing injections, it is enough to make 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 muscle corset, improve the blood circulation process, normalize well-being and relieve pain. The following procedures apply:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Treatment with leeches.
- Massage.
Osteochondrosis cannot be treated with some physiotherapeutic procedures. Many techniques have a number of contraindications, for example, the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy
Various exercise therapy complexes are useful for restoring the natural position of the spine. At home, you can study according to special programs. Physical therapy 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:
- Head tilts in each direction 2 times.
- Lower your arms along the body, raise your shoulders, linger for 10 seconds. Return from starting position.
- Hang on 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 raise it, while straining the muscles of only the cervical spine.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine requires a 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 therapy 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 a 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 permanently solves the problem with pain. During the operation, a bone graft is used, which is fixed 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.
- Dissectomy. 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 implies the removal of not only the affected intervertebral disc, but also the entire bone element. The spine is stabilized, as in the previous case, using special screws and fasteners.
- Laminectomy. Bone arch, spurs and ligaments are removed, all 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 bindings is required.
Possible risks and consequences of the operation are discussed with each patient individually. The main ones are difficulty with 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 patient's age, 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 massage, this will only aggravate the situation. To alleviate the condition, the following measures should be taken:
- Get into a comfortable position. The cervical vertebrae during the acute phase need complete rest. Therefore, when pain appears, you should lie on a flat surface, try to completely relax. This position will temporarily get rid of the pain, alleviate the condition as a whole.
- Take a pain reliever 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 physiotherapy procedures and special exercises.
- Purchase an orthopedic collar (Shantsa). This device is available in most specialty stores. It prevents the movement of the cervical vertebrae and thereby minimizes the likelihood of deterioration. Depending on the density of the material, the collar can be hard or soft, but in any case, it securely fixes the neck in one position.
The selection of medicines 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 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've never tried it. At first, pills were prescribed, but they only relieved the pain. Then he visited the exercise therapy and physiotherapist office for a long time, but the result did not appear for long. Everywhere a cumulative effect is assumed, but the disease itself does not go away. As long as there is no negative dynamics, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment, but it is already becoming difficult to work in the same rhythm. "
- "I didn’t go to the doctor for a long time with pain in my neck, as a result, the intervertebral disc collapsed. Tablets do not 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 am thinking about an operation, but this is as a last resort. "
- "I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis several years ago, foolishly I 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 rapidly, and the excess weight and constant load on the neck also affected. Now the painkillers are not helping much, the severe pain is constantly bothering me, numbness of the skin has appeared. The doctor has not yet offered an operation, but I think it is not far off if this treatment regimen does not work. "
Treatment of osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach, which includes various modern techniques and drugs, massage, alternative medicine recipes. 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.