Improper nutrition, sedentary lifestyle and lack of nutrients 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 the stress on the class. The first signs of an infringement require the consultation of a specialist and the appointment of appropriate treatment. This includes taking medications, physiotherapy procedures, and therapeutic practices.
Brief information about the disease
Cervical osteochondrosis develops against the background of severe wear on cartilage tissue and bones. As we age, intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and are more susceptible to injury. Therefore, the disease is diagnosed in an average of 90% of retirees. A chronic condition develops after a temporary remission, which is usually facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating, bad habits, and the peculiarities of professional activity.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually and is therefore traditionally divided into several stages. In the initial stage, the elasticity of the plates decreases noticeably, with microcracks appearing in them. The discomfort is almost imperceptible and worries for a short time, so patients rarely go to the doctor on time, attributing the symptoms to fatigue.
Gradually, as you progress, sharp painful pains appear, especially with prolonged exposure in one position, dizziness, numbness of the shoulders or face, panic attacks, and coordination problems. The patient has a harder time holding his head in one position, with vision and hearing problems. Ignoring such symptoms is dangerous as it often leads to serious complications. The symptoms of the disease are the same in men and women.
Osteochondrosis treatment regimen
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis begins with diagnosis. This makes it possible not only to identify the pathological process, but also the extent of its distribution, the severity of the course, and the presence of concomitant diseases. The tactics for dealing with this problem consist of the following points:
- Prescribing medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, vitamins B). The purpose of all these drugs is to eliminate bloating, improve blood circulation, restore damaged plate tissue, and protect nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy. Procedures are prescribed only after the acute stage has been stopped. The main methods are electrophoresis and magnetotherapy. They help restore neck elasticity and solidify the effect.
- Manual therapy. It is used to reduce the onset of pain during the acute period and to restore the correct position of the spine. The procedure is performed by a surgeon who is appropriately qualified to perform such activities. You may want to check this before the session begins.
- Practical therapy. Special therapeutic exercises, or exercises specifically designed for the patient, will help cope with the pathological process. Furthermore, complexes developed by physicians have proven successful in this area.
With the permission of the doctor, folk remedies can be included in the system that eliminate the unpleasant symptoms. But self-modification of selected options or dose escalation may adversely affect treatment in general, so caution should be exercised.
Management activities
Treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a long-term process that involves various methods of eliminating unpleasant symptoms and restoring damaged cartilage tissue. The main goals of the therapeutic course are:
- Alleviation of unpleasant symptoms (headache, numbness, inflammation, paralysis) during the worsening of the pathological process.
- Normalization of blood circulation in the affected area.
- Restoring the nourishment of cells and tissues to preserve their structure and function.
- Eliminate the cause of the degenerative process.
- Prevention of possible complications.
Many patients are interested in whether osteochondrosis is curable?Timely therapy in the stage of exacerbation allows not only the elimination of unpleasant symptoms, but also the slowing down of the degenerative process and the achievement of stable remission. The injury is shown in Figs. Stages are already irreversible and the patient must live with the diagnosis throughout their lives. Occasionally, a test is performed by your doctor to determine the dynamics.
Drug therapy
It is better to start treating cervical chondrosis by taking painkillers that will help you cope with the unpleasant symptoms. This is effective until stage 2 of the pathological process, when the fibrous ring has not yet died. The main goal is to prevent cartilage tissue damage and achieve stable remission. Different groups of drugs are used for this.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Treatment of cervical chondrosis is not complete without the use of NSAIDs, as this class of drugs allows the cessation of unpleasant symptoms as the disease worsens. NSAIDs help eliminate swelling and inflammation, which increases the effectiveness of painkillers.
It is used in the form of tablets, ointments or injections. The injection form is one of the most effective, but is most often used in a hospital setting when the patient is in a serious condition.
The medication for this group is up to 14 days. Thereafter, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract may occur. If the patient has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the medication is prescribed at the same time as the prescribed means to protect the mucous membranes of the organ.
Muscle relaxants
Any treatment regimen for osteochondrosis of the neck will always include taking medications to eliminate muscle cramps. This is a natural response to inflammation. They are prescribed as an injection at the beginning of treatment and then it is recommended to replace them with tablets.
Treatment with muscle relaxants should not exceed 1-2 weeks as they can easily be addictive. They are cleared after the pain has been reduced and the seizure has been resolved.
Hormonal drugs
These are prescribed to patients to get rid of the pain if the pathological process has developed to 2-3 degrees. Hormonal drugs have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and help to quickly eliminate unpleasant symptoms. 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 of the high likelihood of side effects. Their independent appointment is unacceptable.
Chondroprotectors
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region, but many drugs exist to regenerate damaged tissues. They are called chondroprotectors. They are used in the form of ointments, injections and tablets. The last form is the most convenient, allowing you not to miss an appointment even on the road.
Treatment with chondroprotectors lasts on average 3-6 months. Ointments are primarily used for prevention as they are the least effective. When selecting injections, it is sufficient to give 10-12 injections to start the regeneration process.
Physiotherapy
Various physiotherapy methods are used to combat the disease only during the period of remission. They are prescribed to strengthen the muscular corset, improve blood circulation, normalize well-being, and relieve pain. The following procedures apply:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Treatment with leeches.
- Massage.
Osteopondrosis cannot be cured by certain physiotherapy procedures. Many techniques have a number of contraindications, such as pregnancy and lactation, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Physiotherapy
Various training therapy complexes are useful in restoring the natural position of the spine. You can study at home according to special programs. Physiotherapy is performed according to 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 along your body, raising your shoulders, for 10 seconds. Back from starting position.
- Hold the horizontal bar for 10 seconds. Repeat several times during the day.
- Lie on a hard surface, hang your head down from the edge, gradually lift it while stretching only the muscles of the cervical spine.
Lifestyle correction is required for osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine. Exercise should be a part of life to preserve the injured area and the spine as a whole.
Surgery
Conservative therapy does not always give the expected result, the doctor prescribes surgery. It is performed in the neck or chest region only if the nerve in the spinal cord is strongly compressed, deformity of the vertebrae, or acute compression of the spinal cord. The 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 techniques are used:
- Spinal fusion. This includes 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 with pain. The operation uses a bone graft that is secured with metal fasteners, rods, and plates. They increase the rate of fusion and stabilize the cervical spine. The implant is taken from the donor or from the patient himself, usually from the thigh area. To do this, an additional incision is made during the operation.
- Autopsy. In the process, the problematic intervertebral disc is removed, and the bone segments are attached to each other. Special screws are used for this. Thus, the unpleasant symptoms disappear and the spinal cord compression ceases.
- Correction. This includes not only the removal of the affected intervertebral disc, but also the removal of the entire bone element. The spine is stabilized, as in the previous case, with the help of special screws and fasteners.
- Laminectomy. The bones, spurs, and ligaments are removed, all putting pressure on the spinal cord. This allows you to create the right space to ensure the normal functioning of the organ. But the procedure destabilizes the spine, so the use of bandages is necessary.
The potential risks and consequences of surgery are discussed separately with each patient. The most important are the first difficulty swallowing, changes in voice, difficulty breathing, infection, or a reaction to anesthesia.
Advice to the patient during exacerbation
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis lasts on average 3-5 days, but it all depends on the age of the patient, the extent of the lesion, and adherence to the recommendations issued by the doctor. It is strictly forbidden to apply ointments or massages to the damaged area, this will only aggravate the situation. The following measures should be taken to alleviate the situation:
- Place in a comfortable position. In the acute phase, the cervical vertebrae need complete rest. Therefore, when the pain appears, you should lie on a flat surface and try to relax completely. This situation temporarily relieves the pain, relieves the whole condition.
- Take painkillers and call a doctor for a 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 the degenerative process; an integrated approach is needed that includes physiotherapy procedures and specialized practices.
- Buy an orthopedic collar (Shantsa). This tool is available in most specialty stores. It prevents the movement of the cervical vertebrae and thus minimizes the likelihood of deterioration. Depending on the density of the material, the collar may be hard or soft, but in any case it securely secures the neck in one position.
The choice of drugs is made by a doctor, taking into account individual characteristics and the presence of contraindications. Conventional painkillers may not work if the cartilage is severely damaged. In this case, only epidural blocks help. Therefore, it is better not to take into account the advice of relatives and neighbors.
Patient recommendations
Osteochondrosis is treated for a long time with various methods to relieve the discomfort. Therefore, many patients doubt the effectiveness of the treatment they choose. Patient feedback helps to understand the issue of treatment.
- "I have been treating osteochondrosis of the neck for over 6 years and have never tried it. At first, pills were prescribed, but these only relieved the pain. Then he visited the body medicine and physiotherapist’s office for a long time, but the result didn’t appear for long. A cumulative effect is assumed everywhere, but the disease itself does not go away. As long as there is no negative dynamics, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to work at the same rate. "
- "I didn’t go to the doctor for a long time with the pain in my neck, as a result of which the intervertebral disc collapsed. The tablets do not provide tangible relief, but I use rubbing and compresses while taking them. They are best helped with potatoes and honey. But as the disease progresses, I think about a surgery, but that’s just a last resort. "
- "I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis several years ago, I foolishly lost a lot of time treating with folk remedies, I was afraid of pills, so I didn’t take them. As a result, the disease progressed rapidly and was also affected by overweight and constant strain on the neck. Now the painkillers do little to help, the severe pain is constantly disturbing, numbness of the skin has appeared. The doctor has not yet recommended surgery, but I think there will be in the near future if this treatment regimen does not work. "
The treatment of osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach that includes various modern techniques and medicines, massage, alternative medical prescriptions. 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.