Improper nutrition, inactive 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 movement and pressure on the department. The first signs of violation require expert consultation and the appointment of proper treatment. This includes taking medications, physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises.
Brief information on this disease
Cervical osteochondrosis develops against the background of severe cartilage tissue and bone utilization. With age, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and becomes more susceptible to damage. Thus, the disease is diagnosed in an average of 90% of retirees. The chronic condition develops after temporary remission, which is facilitated, as a rule, by an inactive lifestyle, unhealthy diet, bad habits and specifics of professional activities.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually, until it is conventionally divided into several stages. In the early stages, the elasticity of the disc can be reduced, microcracks appear in it. The discomfort is almost invisible and worrying for a short period of time, so patients rarely go to the doctor on time, which associates the symptoms as fatigue.
Gradually, while walking, sharp pain appears, especially with prolonged exposure in one position, dizziness, numbness in the shoulder or face, panic attacks, and coordination problems. 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 diagnosis. This makes it not only possible to identify the pathological process, but also the degree of its spread, the severity of the course, the presence of concomitant diseases. The tactics chosen to deal with the problem consist of the following:
- Prescription medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxers, corticosteroids, B vitamins). All these drugs aim to eliminate swelling, improve blood circulation, restore damaged disc tissue, protect nerve endings.
- Physiotherapy. The procedure is 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 its effects.
- Manual therapy. It is used to reduce the manifestations 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 level of qualification to engage in the activity. This should be checked before the start of the session.
- Exercise therapy. Special therapeutic exercises, or exercises designed specifically for the patient, help overcome the pathological process. Also, complexes developed by doctors have proven themselves well in this area.
With the permission of a doctor, folk remedies can be included in the scheme that eliminates unpleasant symptoms. But self-replacement of the chosen option, or increasing the dose, can have a negative impact on treatment in general, so caution should be exercised.
Treatment activities
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a long -term process that includes a variety of methods to relieve unpleasant symptoms and restore damaged cartilage tissue. The main objectives of the therapy course are:
- Relieves unpleasant symptoms (headache, numbness, inflammation, paralysis) during the pathological process worsens.
- Normalization of blood circulation in the affected area.
- Restoration of cell and tissue nutrition to maintain their structure and function.
- Elimination of the causes of the development of degenerative processes.
- Prevention of possible complications.
Many patients are interested in whether osteochondrosis can be cured?Timely received therapy at the stage of exacerbation makes it possible not only to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, but also to slow down the degenerative process, to achieve a stable remission. Damage at stage 2-3 is already irreversible and the patient must undergo diagnosis for the rest of his or her life. Undergo regular examinations by the attending physician to determine the dynamics.
Drug therapy
It is best to start treating cervical chondrosis by taking painkillers that help relieve the unpleasant symptoms. This is effective until stage 2 of the development of the pathological process, when the fibrous ring has not yet disintegrated. The main goal is to prevent damage to cartilage tissue and achieve a stable decline. Various groups of drugs are used for this.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Treatment of neck chondrosis is not complete without the use of NSAIDs, because this group of drugs allows you to stop unpleasant symptoms during the exacerbation of the disease. NSAIDs help relieve swelling and inflammation, which increases the effectiveness of painkillers.
They are used in the form of tablets, ointments or injections. The injectable form is one of the most effective, but it is most often used in hospitals, when the patient is in a serious condition.
The course of treatment with drugs of this group is not 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 in parallel with the funds prescribed to protect the mucous membranes of organs.
Relax the muscles
Any treatment regimen for cervical osteochondrosis always includes taking medication to relieve muscle spasms. This 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 relaxation should not be more than 1-2 weeks, as they can easily become addictive. After reducing the manifestations of pain and eliminating the cramps, they were canceled.
Hormone drugs
They are prescribed to patients to relieve pain if the pathological process has developed to 2-3 degrees. Hormonal agents have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and help eliminate unpleasant symptoms quickly. Do not use drugs from this group during pregnancy or most likely have an allergic reaction.
Steroids are prescribed with caution and in conjunction with others, as the likelihood of side effects is high. Their independent appointments are unacceptable.
Chondroprotectors
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervixothorax area, but there are a number of medications 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 easiest, it allows you not to miss an appointment even on the road.
On average, treatment with chondroprotectors lasts for 3-6 months. Ointments are used mainly for prophylaxis, because their effectiveness is the least. When choosing an injection, it is enough to make 10-12 injections to start the regrowth process.
Physiotherapy
Various physiotherapeutic methods are used to combat the disease only in the remission period. They are prescribed to strengthen the muscular corset, improve the circulatory process, normalize well -being and relieve pain. The following procedure applies:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Acupuncture.
- Treatment with leeches.
- Sort.
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
A variety of exercise therapy complexes are useful for restoring the natural position of the spine. At home, you can study according to a special program. Physical therapy is carried out by following a number of rules. All movements are performed smoothly, without sudden movements, at the same time of the day. These complexes typically include the following approaches:
- The head is tilted to each side 2 times.
- Lower your arms along the body, lift the shoulders, linger for 10 seconds. Return from starting position.
- Hang on a horizontal bar for 10 seconds. Repeat several times during the day.
- Lying on a hard surface, hang your head from the edge down, gradually raising it, while tensing the muscles of only the cervical spine.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine requires lifestyle corrections. Exercise should be a 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 results, doctors prescribe surgical intervention. It is performed in the neck or thoracic region, only if there is strong pressure of the spinal cord, with vertebral deformation 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 remove instability and compression. For this, the following techniques are used:
- Spinal fusion. It involves connecting the vertebrae to limit their movement. It is widely used to treat osteochondrosis. Reduces neck flexibility, but solves pain problems permanently. During the operation, bone grafts are used, which are fitted with metal fasteners, rods and plates. They increase the melting rate and stabilization of the cervical spine. Implants are taken from the donor or the patient himself, usually from the thigh area. For this, additional incisions are made during the operation.
- Dysectomy. In the process, the problematic intervertebral disc is removed, the bone segments are fitted to each other. Special screws are used for this. Thus, unpleasant symptoms are eliminated and spinal cord compression is eliminated.
- Corrections. This indicates the removal of not only the affected intervertebral disc, but also the entire bone element. The spine is stable, as in the previous case, using special screws and fasteners.
- Laminectomy. Bone arches, spurs and ligaments are removed, all of which put pressure on the spinal cord. This allows you to create the right space to ensure the normal functioning of the organ. But the procedure messes up the ridges, so the use of binders is required.
The possible risks and consequences of surgery are discussed with each patient individually. The main ones are difficulty swallowing at first, voice changes, difficulty breathing, infection or reaction to anesthesia.
Advice to patients during swelling
Osteochondrosis damage lasts an average of 3-5 days, but it all depends on the age of the patient, the extent of the lesion, compliance with the recommendations issued by the doctor. It is strictly forbidden to lubricate the damaged area with ointment or massage, this will only aggravate the situation. To alleviate the situation, the following steps should be taken:
- Get into a comfortable position. During the acute phase, the cervical vertebrae require complete rest. Therefore, when pain appears, you should lie on a flat surface, trying to relax completely. This position will temporarily relieve the pain, alleviating the overall 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. Medications alone are not enough to slow down the degenerative process; an integrated approach is required, which includes physiotherapy procedures and special training.
- Buy an orthopedic collar (Shantsa). These devices are available at most specialty stores. It prevents the movement of the cervical vertebrae and thus minimizes the possibility of deterioration. Depending on the density of the material, the collar can be hard or soft, but in any case, it can tie the neck with certainty.
The choice of medication is made by the 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 an epidural block 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 understand treatment issues.
- "I have been treating osteochondrosis in the neck for over 6 years now, and I have never tried it. At first, pills were prescribed, but only relieved the pain. Then he visited the office of exercise therapists and physiotherapists for a long time, but the results did not appear. "Wherever the cumulative effect is considered, but the disease itself does not disappear. As long as there are no negative dynamics, doctors prescribe conservative treatment, but it has become difficult to work in the same rhythm. "
- "I did not go to the doctor for a long time with pain in my neck, as a result, the intervertebral disc fell off. The tablets did not give real relief, but while taking them I used rubs and compresses. They were very helpful with potatoes and honey. But during the diseasegrowing, I'm thinking of an operation, but this is a last resort. "
- "I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis a few years ago, stupidly I lost a lot of treatment time with folk remedies, I was afraid of pills and therefore did not take them. As a result, the disease progressed rapidly, and weight gain and constant burden on the neck as wellaffect. Now painkillers have helped little, severe pain is always bothersome, numbness on the skin has appeared. Doctors have not yet recommended surgery, but I think it will be done if this treatment regimen does not work. "
Treatment of osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach, which includes a variety of techniques and modern medicine, massage, alternative medicine recipes. 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.