Malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle and malnutrition lead to the development of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. One of the most common lesions is cervical osteochondrosis. This is due to their excessive mobility and increased stress in the department. The first signs of a disorder require consultation with a specialist and the appointment of proper treatment. Includes medication, physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises.
Brief information about the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis develops against the background of severe erosion of cartilage and bone. As you age, the discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity and become more susceptible to damage. Therefore, an average of 90% of retirees are diagnosed with the disease. A chronic condition usually develops after a temporary remission facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, bad habits, and occupational activities.
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 significantly reduced, they form micro-cracks. Anxiety is almost imperceptible and worries for a short time, so patients rarely associate symptoms with fatigue and seek medical attention in a timely manner.
Gradually, as you progress, you will experience severe pain, especially in prolonged stay in one position, dizziness, numbness in the shoulders or face, panic attacks, and coordination problems. The patient has difficulty holding his head in one position, vision and hearing problems occur. It is dangerous to ignore such symptoms, as they often lead 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 diagnosis. It allows to determine not only the pathological process, but also the degree of spread, the severity of the course, the presence of concomitant diseases. The tactics chosen to solve the problem include the following:
- Prescribing drugs (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, B vitamins). All these drugs are aimed at eliminating swelling, improving blood circulation, repairing damaged disc tissue, protecting nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy. Procedures are prescribed only after the cessation of the acute phase. The main methods are electrophoresis and magnetotherapy. They will help restore neck elasticity and enhance the effect.
- Manual therapy. It is used to reduce the manifestations of pain in the acute period and to restore the correct position of the spine. The procedure is performed by a surgeon who is qualified enough to perform such activities. It is worth checking this before the session starts.
- Exercise therapy. Special therapeutic exercises or exercises specially designed for the patient help to cope with the pathological process. Also, the complexes developed by doctors have proved their worth in this area.
With the permission of a doctor, folk remedies can be included in the scheme, which eliminates the unpleasant symptoms. However, self-replacement of the selected options or increasing the dose can generally adversely affect treatment, so caution should be exercised.
Therapeutic activities
Treatment of cervical spine osteochondrosis is a long-term process that combines different methods of eliminating unpleasant symptoms and repairing damaged cartilage tissue. The main objectives of the therapeutic course are:
- Elimination of unpleasant symptoms (headache, numbness, inflammation, paralysis) during the exacerbation of the pathological process.
- Normalization of blood circulation in the affected area.
- Restoration of nutrition to maintain the structure and function of cells and tissues.
- Eliminate the cause of the development of the degenerative process.
- Prevention of possible complications.
Many patients are interested in the cure of osteochondrosis?Timely therapy in the acute phase allows not only to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms, but also to slow down the degenerative process and achieve stable remission. Stage 2-3 damage is now irreversible and the patient will have to live with the diagnosis for the rest of his life. It is regularly examined by the attending physician to determine the speakers.
Drug treatment
It is better to start the treatment of cervical chondrosis with painkillers that help to cope with the unpleasant symptoms. It is effective up to the 2nd stage of 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. Different groups of drugs are used for this purpose.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Treatment of cervical chondrosis is not complete without the use of NSAIDs, as this group of drugs allows you to stop the unpleasant symptoms during the exacerbation of the disease. NSAIDs help relieve swelling and inflammation, which increase the effects of painkillers.
It is used in the form of tablets, ointments or injections. The injection form is one of the most effective methods, but is most commonly used in a hospital setting when the patient's condition is severe.
The course of treatment with drugs of this group does not exceed 14 days. After that, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract may appear. If the patient has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, drugs to protect the mucous membrane of the body are prescribed at the same time as the prescribed means.
Muscle relaxant
Any treatment regimen for cervical osteochondrosis always involves taking medication to relieve muscle spasm. It is a natural response to inflammation. It is prescribed in the form of injections at the beginning of treatment, after which it is recommended to replace them with pills.
The course of treatment with muscle relaxants should not exceed 1-2 weeks, as they can easily become addictive. They are eliminated after reducing the pain and eliminating the spasm.
Hormonal drugs
If the pathological process develops to 2-3 degrees, patients are prescribed to get rid of the pain. Hormonal substances have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and help to quickly eliminate an unpleasant symptom. The use of drugs from this group during pregnancy is unacceptable or there is a high probability of developing an allergic reaction.
Steroids are prescribed with caution and in combination with others, because the likelihood of side effects is high. Their independent appointment is unacceptable.
Chondroprotectors
It is not possible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region, but there are a number of drugs aimed at repairing damaged tissue. They are called chondroprotectors. It is used in the form of ointments, injections and tablets. The latter form is the most convenient, it allows you not to miss such a meeting on the road.
The course of treatment with chondroprotectors lasts an average of 3-6 months. Because ointments are the least effective, they are mainly used for prophylactic purposes. 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 in remission. It is prescribed to strengthen the muscle corset, improve the circulatory process, normalize well-being and relieve pain. The following procedures apply:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Treated with leech.
- Massage.
Osteochondrosis cannot be treated with some physiotherapy procedures. Many techniques have a number of contraindications, such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy
Various exercise therapy complexes are useful to restore the natural condition of the spine. You can study at home according to special programs. Physical therapy is carried out according to a number of rules. All movements are performed at the same time of day, without sudden movements, in a smooth manner. The complex generally includes the following approaches:
- The head is bent twice in each direction.
- Lower your arms across your body, raise your shoulders, and lie down for 10 seconds. Return to starting position.
- Hang on a horizontal bar for 10 seconds. Repeat several times during the day.
- Lie on a hard surface, hang your head from the outside down, lift slowly and only tighten the cervical spine muscles.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine requires lifestyle adjustments. Exercise should be a part of life to maintain the health of the injured area and spine.
Surgery
Conservative therapy does not always give the expected result, the doctor prescribes surgery. It is performed in the neck or thoracic region, only if there is a strong compression of the spinal nerve, deformity of the spine or a sharp compression of the spinal cord. Surgery is performed on the front or back of the neck, depending on many factors. The main task of the surgeon is to eliminate instability and compression. The following methods are used for this:
- Spinal fusion. This involves closing the spine to limit mobility. It is widely used in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Reduces neck elasticity, but permanently solves the problem with pain. During the operation, a bone graft fixed with metal fasteners, rods and boards is used. Increases melting and stabilization of the cervical spine. The implant is taken from the donor or the patient himself, usually from the thigh. To do this, an additional incision is made during the operation.
- Disectomy. In the process, the problematic intervertebral disc is removed, and the bone segments are fixed to each other. Special screws are used for this purpose. Thus, unpleasant symptoms are eliminated and spinal cord compression is eliminated.
- Correctomy. It involves the removal of not only the affected intervertebral disc but also the entire bone element. The spine, as in the previous case, is fixed using special screws and fasteners.
- Laminectomy. Bone arcs, sparks, and ligaments are removed, all of which put pressure on the spinal cord. This allows you to create the right space that allows the body to function normally. However, the procedure stabilizes the chain, so the use of connectors is required.
The possible risks and consequences of the operation are discussed individually with each patient. The main ones are initially having difficulty swallowing, voice changes, difficulty breathing, reacting to infection or anesthesia.
Advise the patient in case of aggravation
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis lasts an average of 3-5 days, but it all depends on the age of the patient, the degree of lesion, compliance with the recommendations of the doctor. It is strictly forbidden to lubricate the affected area with ointment or massage, which will aggravate the situation. The following measures should be taken to alleviate the situation:
- Hold a comfortable position. In the acute stage, the cervical vertebra needs complete rest. Therefore, when pain appears, you should lie on a flat surface and try to relax completely. This position will temporarily relieve the pain and alleviate the situation as a whole.
- Take a painkiller and see a doctor. 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; A holistic approach is needed, including physiotherapy procedures and specific exercises.
- Get an orthopedic collar (Shantsa). This device is available in most specialty stores. Inhibits the movement of the cervical vertebrae, thereby minimizing the possibility of deterioration. Depending on the density of the material, the collar may be hard or soft, but in any case it reliably straightens the neck.
The choice of medication is made by the doctor, taking into account individual characteristics and the presence of contraindications. If the cartilage is severely damaged, standard painkillers may not work. Only epidural blocks will help in this situation. Therefore, it is better to ignore the advice of relatives and neighbors.
Patient Feedback
Osteochondrosis is treated for a long time using various methods to relieve anxiety. Therefore, many patients doubt the effectiveness of the chosen regimen. Patient feedback will help you understand the topic of treatment.
- "I have been treating osteochondrosis of the neck for more than 6 years and have never tried it. At first the pills were prescribed, but the pain was relieved. Then I visited the exercise therapy and physiotherapist's office for a long time, but the result was not visible for a long time. It does not go by itself. In the absence of negative dynamics, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment, but it is already difficult to work in the same rhythm. "
- "I did not go to the doctor for a long time with a sore neck, as a result of which the intervertebral disc collapsed. The tablets do not give noticeable relief, but I use rubs and compresses when taking. They help best with potatoes and honey. remains. "
- "A few years ago I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis, I spent a lot of time in insane folk medicine, I was afraid of pills and therefore did not take. As a result, the disease progresses rapidly, the excess weight and constant load on the neck is affected. "The severe pain is always bothersome, the skin is numb. The doctor has not yet suggested surgery, but I think this treatment regimen will not work in the corner. "
The treatment of osteochondrosis involves a single approach that combines a variety of modern techniques and medications, massage, and alternative medicine prescriptions. 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.