Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex of degenerative disorders in the upper part of the spine, causing damage to the intervertebral discs, changes in their texture and functionality. More often, the discs at the level of the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae undergo degenerative changes, as this area of the spine is more mobile, it is most involved in the movement of the head, which means that it experiences heavy loads. As a result of the disease there is a thinning of the intervertebral discs, impaired blood supply to the spine, pinching of nerve roots, which causes pain.
People of any age can suffer from osteochondrosis, but more often the disease manifests itself at the age of 30-50. Before the onset of the first attacks of pain, the effect of cervical osteochondrosis is barely noticeable - discomfort and some heaviness in the neck, dizziness, twinkling stars in front of the eyes. Often people are unaware of the true cause of these diseases. But the earlier the diagnosis is made and competent treatment is started, the greater the chances of a full recovery. Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck will help restore good health and give health in the future.
Signs, symptoms and treatment of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis has its own characteristics due to the structure of the vertebrae and their size - they are much smaller than the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and also less durable. Due to the poor development of the neck muscles, the vertebrae experience increased stress and are more likely to be injured.
Regardless of the level of development of modern medicine, the pathogenesis of this disease is not fully understood. Changes in the structure of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs are facilitated by metabolic disorders in the body, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and curvature of the spine, overweight, infectious diseases, hypothermia, stressful situations, improper training and injuries.
Stages of disease development
- In first-degree cervical osteochondrosis, the pain is still insignificant. During this period there is discomfort in the neck after prolonged stress and tension in the muscular ligaments. All this can be corrected with the help of physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy procedures, ointments and vitamin complexes.
- In second-degree osteochondrosis, when pinching of nerve endings and the appearance of disc protrusions is possible, the pain becomes severe, especially when standing. Periodically dizzy and dark in the eyes. In addition to physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are needed.
- The third degree is characterized not by paroxysmal but by constant pain spreading to the shoulders and upper limbs. Due to the appearance of the hernia, numbness of the muscles of the hands and temporary loss of sensitivity of the fingers is possible, the mobility of the joints deteriorates. In some cases, surgery is required during the third stage of the disease.
- In fourth-degree cervical osteochondrosis, the pain decreases, but this is not the beginning of recovery at all. At this time there is almost complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, osteophytes grow at the junction of the vertebrae, injuring the vertebrae and nerve branches. Nutrition of the brain deteriorates, resulting in dizziness, tinnitus, decreased vision and impaired coordination.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The symptoms of osteochondrosis can vary depending on which of the segments of the spine is damaged and the degree of damage. Most people feel pain in the neck, above (up to the chin) and, conversely, below - in the shoulder girdle, arms, chest. Perhaps numbness of the fingertips and tongue, general weakness, increased pressure, decreased visual acuity and hearing, crunch when moving the neck.
In cervical osteochondrosis the characteristic symptoms are:
- root syndrome. When a nerve is pinched, the resulting pain passes from the neck to the shoulder, spreads to the forearm, hands, fingers and swelling occurs. The firmness and elasticity of the skin deteriorates due to poor blood supply, it pales.
- Vertebral artery syndrome is manifested by throbbing pain in the back of the head, crown, affects the temporal lobes of the head and superciliary areas. The pain can increase if the head is in an awkward position for a long time, for example in truck drivers who have to constantly monitor the road while driving. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, defects of the vestibular apparatus.
- Cervical migraine syndrome occurs when the branches of the sympathetic nodes are irritated. When the nodes are exposed, there is a violation of the work of the vessels of the brain, deterioration of the blood supply to the tissues. The patient experiences high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, noise in the head, congestion and ringing in the ears.
- Hypertensive syndrome is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. The patient feels a headache that erupts from the inside, nausea and vomiting may occur, body temperature rises, ESR increases.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
The earlier you start treatment for osteochondrosis of the neck, the more likely you are to stop it and get rid of the disease. In advanced cases, when irreversible processes have occurred, treatment will only help relieve pain and inflammation. What is dangerous osteochondrosis and the development of what diseases can provoke:
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias;
- vertebrogenic cervicalgia (limited mobility of the neck);
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- migraines and severe headaches that do not go away even after taking modern painkillers;
- impaired vision and hearing;
- paresis;
- osteophyte formation;
- deterioration of the blood supply to the brain and many others.
Treatment of the disease
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can be effective only if it is comprehensive and includes:
- drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, aimed at reducing pain and inflammation;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- medical gymnastics;
- methods of manual therapy;
- in extreme cases, when conservative treatment does not help and the patient's condition worsens or if paralysis of the limbs occurs, surgery is performed.
Identifying the causes of cervical osteochondrosis through certain symptoms and treatment is not a quick process. Depending on the patient's immunity, body condition and stage of the disease, the course of intensive therapy can last from 1 to 3 months, and then maintenance procedures are carried out for about a year.
Medical therapy
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck and chest is aimed at:
- pain reduction;
- elimination of inflammation;
- elimination of puffiness;
- improved metabolism;
- stopping degenerative processes and tissue regeneration.
At present, no medication has been developed to handle all the tasks at once, so your doctor may prescribe several medications at the same time.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the drugs aimed at relieving pain and inflammation in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Antispasmodics help relieve spasms and reduce pain. Non-steroidal ointments and topical gels also help deal with pain. Diuretics are prescribed to reduce swelling.
During the treatment of cervical and brachial osteochondrosis it is necessary to use drugs that improve the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, stimulate metabolism and tissue regeneration, drugs that prevent irreversible changes in the joints. These include chondroprotectors, vitamin C and B vitamins.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck and chest
Physiotherapy procedures have a local effect on the affected area, improve blood microcirculation, relieve swelling, inflammation and relieve pain. Depending on the course of the disease, the doctor may prescribe:
- exposure to low frequency currents and electrophoresis;
- massage, including hydromassage (especially useful during the recovery period);
- magnetic therapy;
- ultrasound treatment,
- therapy with "soft" laser beams.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is not used at all stages of osteochondrosis and not for all patients, so a qualified specialist should prescribe and treat. For example, its use is prohibited in infectious diseases, benign and malignant tumors, blood diseases and intervertebral hernias. What are the positive effects of this method of therapy? After the necessary course of treatment, such signs and symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis as pain, numbness of the hands, dizziness and tinnitus disappear. The performed manipulations relieve the tension in the neck muscles, improve the blood circulation and strengthen the immune system.
Treatment of the disease at home
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is perfectly acceptable and can be no less effective than in a hospital, but the specialist must prescribe it and monitor the progress.
In a relaxed home environment it is convenient to perform a set of physiotherapy exercises. Gymnastics will help strengthen the muscles of the neck, improve blood circulation, and hence the nutrition of the vertebrae and reduce pain. The main thing in home treatment are systemic procedures. All exercises should be performed smoothly, avoiding sudden movements, gradually increasing the load and intensity of training. If during gymnastics the condition worsens, the pain intensifies, it is necessary to reduce the pace of the lesson and the range of motion.
Folk remedies for osteochondrosis
Traditional medicine also offers its solutions in the treatment of cervical and brachial osteochondrosis: the use of infusions and decoctions, therapeutic baths, rubbing with oils, home-made ointments and rubbing.
- To reduce pain and relieve inflammation in the evening, before going to bed take a horseradish leaf, boil it in boiling water for a few minutes, cool slightly, then attach it with the inside to the neck and wrap it with a warm scarf. Leave overnight. Cabbage leaves are also suitable for healing compresses, but before application they are not steamed, but lightly beaten with a kitchen hammer.
- To relieve unpleasant symptoms and treat osteochondrosis of the neck, make a honey-potato compress once a week. Grate 2 potatoes on a fine grater, add ½ tsp honey, mix well. Apply the resulting slurry on the affected area for an hour and a half to two hours, wrap your neck and try to lie down without moving. Then rinse the porridge with warm water.
- Rubbing to treat osteochondrosis of the neck and relieve symptoms: take ½ a glass of elderberry and 2 glasses of alcohol, leave for a week in a tightly closed container in a dark place. Rub the resulting product into the neck and neck area.
- Decoction of the roots of elecampane is used to prepare anti-inflammatory compresses. 2 tablespoons roots of two-year elecampane pour 1 cup boiling water, simmer 10 minutes, then cool and strain. Apply warm decoction compresses on the neck and neck area twice a day (morning and evening) and hold for about 20 minutes. It is also useful to make baths with a decoction of elecampane (to bathe, you need to prepare a decoction of 10 tablespoons of the plant).
- No less effective means of reducing inflammation, eliminating the causes and symptoms in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is an ointment from hop cones. To prepare it, take 1 tbsp ground hop cones, rub well with 1 tbsp butter or lard. Smear the affected area with the resulting product, then cover with a napkin and wrap with a warm scarf. Daily use of the ointment will quickly lead to the desired result.
Laser treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
At home, you can not only take medication prescribed by a doctor and perform a set of exercises, but also continue physiotherapy, such as paraffin or laser treatment. A unique portable laser device for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system has been developed. Its action is effective both in the acute period of the disease and in the remission stage. Treating osteochondrosis with "soft" laser beams will quickly relieve neck pain, reduce inflammation, swelling and improve overall well-being. To achieve the effect it is necessary to act on the lines along the damaged vertebrae 2-4 times a day for 18-24 minutes, and then in the direction from the vertebrae to the auricle.