Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

11 August 2022

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative and dystrophic disease of one of the sections of the spine. With the development of the disease, the intervertebral discs of the neck suffer the most, and the damage also extends to the articular surfaces, ligaments and vertebrae. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine depends on the current stage of the disease. Pathology occurs mainly in patients over 30 years of age, but cases are also recorded in young people, especially if a person leads an unhealthy lifestyle and is at risk.

The most common symptom is severe pain in the neck area, which can spread down the spine, move to the upper extremities, deform into a severe headache. Next, we will look at which symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are better to start treatment, find out the causes of the disease and the methods that are used to combat the problem.

Causes and risk factors

The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis in humans is the ability to walk upright acquired with evolution. When walking, the vertebrae put excessive pressure on each other. Every year, this leads to the fact that the amount of intervertebral fluid and connective tissue between the vertebrae decreases, as a result, the bones begin to rub against each other, causing severe pain.

The more osteochondrosis of the cervical region develops without the necessary treatment, the less chance there is to stop the degenerative processes. In old age, it is almost impossible to restore connective tissue.

Cervical osteochondrosis in old age is a predominantly natural process that is not associated with the influence of external factors. If the problem begins to develop at a young age, if the pain intensifies too quickly, it is necessary to search for the cause of such a violation.

The development of cervical osteochondrosis at a young age is most often due to the following factors:

Lack of physical activity in daily life. In the modern world, a person leads a predominantly sedentary lifestyle: he works in the office all day, spends time sitting on the couch or at the computer in the evening, often drives a car;
In the process of performing work tasks, the human body often takes a tense and unnatural position (a strong deviation forward when working at a computer);
Excessive sports. The opposite reason is playing sports with uncontrolled loads. The problem is faced not only by ordinary citizens, but also by professional athletes;
The reasons that cause the spine to be in an incorrect position are flat feet, wearing uncomfortable shoes with heels, scoliosis, arthritis, etc. ;
Junk food abuse, obesity;
Severe hypothermia of the cervical spine;
Nervous tension - frequent stress in everyday life and at work, lack of adequate sleep at night.

spinal syndrome

The symptom complex is associated with damage to the bones and cartilage of the spine. It includes:

mobility problems in the cervical region;
pain when turning the head;
X-ray signs of damage to the vertebrae and the space between them.

vertebral artery syndrome

The symptoms are caused by the narrowing or spasm of the vertebral arteries, which are partially responsible for supplying blood to the brain. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:

noise in the ears;
dizziness;
jumps in blood pressure;
nausea and vomiting;
headache;
visual disability;
Decreased work capacity;
drowsiness;
Fainting.

cardiac syndrome

It resembles a condition with damage to the heart muscle and includes:

pain or burning sensation behind the breastbone;
weakness and fatigue;
rapid pulse.

root syndrome

The condition is associated with damage (compression or pinching) of the nerve roots that emerge from the spinal column in the cervical region. Depending on the level of damage, a person may experience:

numbness or pain in the back of the head;
numbness of the tongue;
collarbone pain, trouble swallowing, hiccups;
discomfort in the shoulder area, aggravated by hand movements;
pain in the shoulder blades and forearms;
numbness of the index and middle fingers;
numbness of the ring finger and little finger.

In most cases, several nerve roots are involved in the pathological process at once, as a result of which several characteristic symptoms are observed at once.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

All these risk factors and lifestyle features lead to the fact that the intervertebral discs in the cervical region are malnourished. If the problem is not identified and eliminated, the discs will gradually begin to collapse, the distance between them will decrease, and as a result, this will lead to constant friction of the bones with each other. As the connective tissue is depleted, bony growths begin to form on the spines, which are prone to uncontrolled growth. In advanced cases, the growths begin to put pressure on the surrounding tissues, blood vessels, and nerves found in the cervical spine.

Cervical osteochondrosis does not develop instantly, in the absence of proper treatment of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the problem is aggravated. The entire course of the disease can be divided into 4 stages. The symptoms that the patient encounters directly depend on the current stage of the problem. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

Discomfort in the neck that extends to the shoulder area;
The appearance of pain in the cervical region during sports practice;
Stiffness when turning the neck;
Private headaches that are not caused by external factors;
When you change the position of the head, you can hear a characteristic cracking sound;
Numbness and loss of sensation of some areas on the skin of the back of the head, shoulders, arms, neck;
Hypoxia of trophodependent organs;
Development of pathologies of the circulatory system;
Severe pain leads to complete immobilization of the upper shoulder girdle.

The further the disease progresses, the more discomfort the patient experiences. In the later stages of the problem, the patient's quality of life deteriorates significantly. Common symptoms for all stages of the problem include headache, ringing or noise in the ears, visual defects, nausea and vomiting with a sudden change in head position.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. The sooner a problem is diagnosed, the more likely it is to be completely fixed. A neurologist is engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis of the spine.

After the patient's appeal, the neurologist will interview the patient and, based on her complaints, will conclude that the disease is present. Very often, patients complain of pain, discomfort, problems with the movement of the upper extremities. After the interview, the doctor will perform a visual examination of the patient. Will be evaluated:

correct posture;
At what angle are the shoulder blades, shoulders, and hip bones;
Location of the line of spinous processes along the spine.

A visual examination allows you to determine what pathological processes have begun in the spine, how much they have affected the spine and surrounding tissues.

The final diagnosis is not made only on the basis of examination and questioning of the patient. Additional tests are required. Most often, the patient is sent for x-rays, computed tomography. If for one reason or another a definitive diagnosis cannot be made, the patient is referred for an MRI. Additional examinations include dopplerography, the procedure allows you to find out what state the circulatory system is in the cervical region.

Degrees of cervical osteochondrosis

The choice of methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis directly depends on the stage of the disease that is diagnosed in a particular patient. It is customary to subdivide 4 stages of osteochondrosis, the division is conditional, since some symptoms may pass from one stage to another or not appear at all.

1 degree

The initial stage of the problem, at this stage, if pain is felt, it is often attributed to stress or other disorders (improper sleep, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position). The patient may experience a slight stiffness and limitation in movements, especially sudden ones. If you seek treatment for cervical osteochondrosis at this stage, you can eliminate the symptoms at home. To completely get rid of the problem, it will be possible to limit yourself to special exercises and visits to physiotherapy procedures. For prevention, it will be useful to start an active lifestyle (it is enough to do 20 minutes of daily walks in the fresh air), adjust the diet (exclude too fatty, fried and salty foods, give preference to fermented milk products, fruits and vegetables , foods with sufficient calcium and trace elements, necessary for the restoration of connective and cartilage tissue).

2nd grade

The pain intensifies, begins to become permanent. Sudden movements and turns bring discomfort, the patient is faced with a severe headache and begins to notice that he is very tired from everyday activities. Patients are often distracted because they only think about the pain. Some experience numbness in certain areas of the face.

3rd grade

In the area of damaged discs, hernias begin to develop, which leads to dizziness and weakness in the arms. Not only the head and neck hurt, the pain gradually spreads to the entire shoulder girdle.

4th grade

A characteristic process is the destruction of the intervertebral discs, the replacement of "empty places" with connective tissue. This leads to pinched nerves, the pain becomes unbearable, does not go away without taking special medications. The patient experiences dizziness, especially with sudden turns of the head and a change in the position of the body, ringing appears in the ears, sleep is disturbed, the quality of life deteriorates sharply, disability is possible if left untreated.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

The doctor selects the appropriate method of treating the patient, depending on the stage of the disease. The most widely used drug treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in combination with a visit to physiotherapy. In advanced cases, surgery may be required to remove overgrown connective tissue and bony processes.

Conservative treatment

Most of the time it is based on the intake of certain medications. Pharmacological treatment helps reduce pain, eliminate muscle tension and localize inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, as well as pain relievers.

Often the doctor also includes chondroprotectors in the prescription. This group of drugs activates the restoration of destroyed tissues in the region of intervertebral discs.

These medications are prescribed as injections or tablets. NSAID-based ointments demonstrate a good therapeutic result. They are rubbed into the damaged area and relieve pain in 10-20 minutes. The main advantage of ointments is a local effect on the painful area and a minimal effect on other organs.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures have several goals at once:

Localization of the inflammatory process;
Elimination of muscle spasms;
Pain syndrome relief;
Launch of regenerative processes;
Increased general and local immunity;
Restoration of the normal position of the nerve fibers, elimination of compression and pinching.

In most cases, with cervical osteochondrosis, the following procedures are prescribed:

Shock wave therapy. With the help of a special device, an acoustic wave is directed directly at the cartilage tissue of the spine, which has been damaged. As a result, metabolic processes are started, salt and calcium deposits are destroyed, which interfere with the normal movement of joints and vertebrae. The procedure is characterized by a cumulative effect, often the first results are noticeable only 2-3 months after the start of treatment.
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is often used to treat and prevent cervical osteochondrosis. It is important that the procedure is performed only by a qualified doctor, otherwise you may find not only a lack of effect, but also an aggravation of the current condition. The essence of the procedure is that special needles are installed in biologically active points, forcing the body to start metabolic processes and stimulating the production of natural painkillers.
Massage. The main goal is to reduce pain and improve blood circulation in the damaged area of the cervical segment of the spine. With proper massage, the muscles acquire a lost tone, as a result, it is possible to eliminate the risk of recurrence of osteochondrosis in the future. Visiting the first massage sessions, the patient is faced with severe pain, it is important not to stop treatment because of pain, but to follow all the procedures prescribed by the doctor.

Surgery

It is prescribed mainly in advanced stages of the disease, when the use of medications and visits to physiotherapy procedures do not bring any results. The indication for surgical intervention is a catastrophic narrowing of the spinal canal.

Modern methods of surgery allow the patient to be discharged from the hospital after 3-5 days and switch to outpatient treatment of symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. For the next three months, the patient undergoes rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy

A correctly chosen set of exercises for osteochondrosis can not only improve the general condition of the patient, but also speed up the process of treating the disease. There are several effective exercises:

Turns and tilts of the head in different directions. The exercise is performed sitting down, it is important not to jerk, all movements should be smooth with a gradual increase in the number of repetitions and the amplitude of the slope.
Head tilts to one side with resistance. Body position: sitting at the table, one elbow is on the table, while the palm of the hand presses on the temple. Tilt your head towards your hand, while creating a slight resistance.
Shoulder lift. Raise your shoulders as high as possible and stay in this position for a while.
Self-kneading the back of the head and neck with the fingertips. It is important that the movements are smooth and do not cause pain. You can perform self-massage in any comfortable position.

It is important not to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home without consulting a neurologist, a set of exercises should be agreed with your doctor.

Manual therapy for cervical osteochondrosis

Manual therapy treatment relieves muscle tension and joint blockage, relieves pain and restores the capabilities of the musculoarticular apparatus. The doctor assesses the condition of the muscles, determines the points of pain and the degree of spring of the spinal joint. Also, through active and passive movements of the hands, it affects the damaged tendons, ligaments and muscles. Manual therapy treatment is contraindicated during acute inflammation and instability of the vertebrae.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for cervical osteochondrosis is performed using sterile needles, which are inserted into preselected points at different depths and left for a specified time. The needles are chosen very fine to minimize discomfort. The procedure relieves pain, activates microcirculation, normalizes metabolic processes, improves general health and increases the effectiveness of drug treatment.

kinesiology bandage

It consists of the imposition of an elastic bandage in the shape of the letter Y in the area of the cervical collar, maintaining the mobility of the neck. Cervical osteochondrosis tapes relieve pain, inhibit inflammation and support the paravertebral muscles.

orthopedic collars

A collar is needed for osteochondrosis of the cervical region in the acute period of the disease. Repairs bones and joints, reducing the load on the affected segment. The collar also corrects the position of deformed vertebrae and skeletal bones and relieves pain.

Depending on the degree of fixation, orthopedic collars are of several types:

soft splint (Schanz collar). This product is made of dense and elastic polyurethane foam in a fabric cover with closure in the form of Velcro, buttons or plastic fasteners. With its help, you can adjust the volume of the collar. A soft tire is used from 2 weeks to 4 months, after every two hours of use you need to take a break;
inflatable collar. It consists of a dense and flexible material. The course of treatment depends on the stage of osteochondrosis. In the first days, it is recommended to wear the collar for five minutes twice a day, gradually increasing the time to 30 minutes. An inflatable collar is used to prevent cervical osteochondrosis;
semi-rigid neckA semi-rigid neck brace is made of polyurethane with a clasp at the back. Compared with a soft splint, it fixes the neck more firmly. It comes in different sizes;
stiff neck. Made of thermoplastic material with front and rear clamp. It is manufactured according to individual sizes and is recommended for use throughout the course of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis.

physiotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis

Complications of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis causes disruption of the most important structures - blood vessels and nerves. Without treatment, the disease can lead to the following complications:

Ischemic stroke;
loss of sensation or motor function of the hand;
difficulty to swallow;
violation of the thyroid gland;
loss or significant reduction in visual acuity.

Also, damage to the intervertebral discs and joints leads to a significant limitation of the mobility of the neck.

What is dangerous osteochondrosis of the cervix?

Many patients complain that their neck and head hurt at the same time. Patients have to choose a certain position in which the pain decreases or seems less acute. This is not always comfortable, so performance is reduced.

As the disease progresses, disc protrusion develops, intervertebral tissues are destroyed, and spaces decrease. In the late stage of the disease, the disc is completely destroyed, and connective tissue forms in its place. Due to this, the patient has a limitation of mobility: for example, he cannot turn or tilt his head.

If time does not heal osteochondrosis in the cervical region, it can lead to spinal cord compression, disability and paralysis.

Prevention

The main rule of preventive measures is that they must be comprehensive and observed permanently. Only then will they bring the expected result. Prevention is shown to people who are at risk.

Watch your posture. The ideal position of the body: the head and the back are in the same line. Always make sure your shoulders are straight, your stomach is tight, and your chest is up. Gait also plays a role: it should be elastic and even. Never give yourself indulgence, at the initial stage it is important to discipline yourself, in the future the correct posture will become a habit.
Well organized workplace. When working, the shoulders must be relaxed, the constant tension of the lumbar belt has a direct effect on the cervical spine. Basic requirements: a chair with a comfortable back and armrests, a monitor at eye level, a keyboard under the elbows (the angle between the shoulder and the forearm is about 120 degrees). During work, get in the habit of taking a break every 40-50 minutes with basic stretching exercises.
Adjust the car seat correctly. Many motorists are faced with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine due to the fact that they configure the driver's seat not according to the rules, but in the way that suits them best. The correct position of the body in the chair: the entire spine touches the back, and not just the shoulders. It is advisable to purchase special lumbar pillows that will help support the body in the desired position. With a long trip, it is important to go outside after 1, 5-2 hours and warm up.
Take care of your nutrition. Problems with the cervical spine are often associated with the fact that the patient does not eat properly. Dangerous foods that increase the risk of osteochondrosis include: white bread, rich products, sweets, dishes with a high content of salt and sugar, fried and fatty foods. The main danger is refined sugar - the substance contributes to the leaching of calcium from the body. Include in your daily diet legumes and nuts, foods rich in protein, vegetables and seasonal fruits. Low-fat fermented dairy products (kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, natural yogurts) will also have a positive effect. If you have an overweight problem, visit a nutritionist.
Daily physical activity. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home with the help of physical education is an excellent prophylactic against diseases of the spine. It is important to do exercises at a gentle pace, without exceeding the permissible load. If there is no time for a full set of exercises, make it a rule to take daily walks.
Massage. Correct techniques restore muscle tone, relieve tension, start metabolic and regenerative processes in the body. It is not necessary to visit specialists, the correct massage of the cervical spine can be carried out independently.
Correct dream. During the day, the intervertebral discs experience increased stress, complete relaxation and rest can only be achieved during a night's sleep. For the prevention of osteochondrosis, it is important to organize the right place to sleep and monitor the time (at least 8 hours).

Sanatorium treatment and its benefits

The sanatorium specializes in identifying the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis and treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including osteochondrosis of various localizations. Procedures are selected individually for each individual patient, taking into account the degree of damage to the tissues of the spine, the presence of concomitant diseases, the age of the patient and possible contraindications.

An integrated approach is practiced: a combination of drug treatment with physical therapy and physical therapy exercises. This approach helps to forget about the problem forever.

A positive effect in the treatment of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine also demonstrates mud therapy, manual and hardware massage, various physiotherapy.