Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Inadequate diet, a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of nutrients provoke 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 added stress in the department. The first signs of a violation require the consultation of a specialist and the appointment of appropriate treatment. It includes taking medication, physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises.

Brief information about the disease

Osteochondrosis of the cervix develops against the background of heavy wear of cartilage tissue and bones. With age, the discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity and become more susceptible to damage. Therefore, the disease is diagnosed on average in 90% of retirees. A chronic condition develops after a temporary remission, which is alleviated, as a rule, by a sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, bad habits and specifics of professional activity.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops gradually, so it divides conventionally into several stages. In the initial stage, the elasticity of the discs is significantly reduced, microcracks appear in them. The discomfort is almost invisible and bothers for a short period of time, so patients rarely go to the doctor on time, attributing the symptoms to fatigue.

Gradually, as it progresses, sharp aching pains appear, especially with prolonged exposure to one position, dizziness, numbness in the shoulders or face, panic attacks, and coordination problems. It becomes more difficult for the patient to hold the head in one position, problems with sight 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 a diagnosis. It allows not only the identification of the pathological process, but also the degree of its distribution, the severity of the course, the presence of concomitant diseases. The selected problem treatment tactics consist of the following points:

• Prescription medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, B vitamins). All of these medications are aimed at eliminating bloating, improving blood circulation, restoring damaged disc tissue, and protecting nerve endings.
• Physiotherapy. Procedures are prescribed only after stopping the acute phase. The main methods are electrophoresis and magnetotherapy. They will help restore neck flexibility and consolidate the effect.
• Manual therapy. Used to reduce the appearance of pain in the acute period and to 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 such activities. It is worth checking this before the start of the session.
• Exercise therapy. Special therapeutic exercises, or exercises created specifically for the patient, help to cope with the pathological process. Also, complexes developed by doctors are well proven in this area.

With the permission of the doctor, folk remedies can be included in the scheme that eliminate the unpleasant symptoms. But self-replacement of the selected options, or increasing the dose, can negatively affect the treatment in general, so caution should be exercised.

Treatment activities

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a long-term process that includes various methods of eliminating unpleasant symptoms and restoring damaged cartilage tissue. The main objectives of the therapeutic course are:

• Relief of unpleasant symptoms (headache, numbness, inflammation, paralysis) during a worsening of the pathological process.
• Normalize blood circulation to the affected area.
• Restoration of cell and tissue nutrition to maintain their structure and function.
• Eliminate the cause of the development of the degenerative process.
• Prevention of possible complications.

Many patients are interested in whether osteochondrosis can be cured?Timely therapy in the aggravation phase allows not only the elimination of unpleasant symptoms, but also the slowing down of the degenerative process, to achieve lasting remission. The damage in stages 2-3 is already irreversible and the patient will have to live with the diagnosis throughout his life. Periodically undergoes examination by the attending physician to determine dynamics.

Medication therapy

It is best to start treating cervical chondrosis by taking painkillers that help you cope with the unpleasant symptoms. This is effective until stage 2 of the pathological process development, when the fibrous ring has not yet been destroyed. The main goal is to prevent cartilage tissue damage and achieve a lasting remission. A variety of groups of medicines are used for this.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Treatment of neck chondrosis is not complete without the use of NSAIDs, as this group of medications allows you to stop the unpleasant symptoms during an exacerbation of the disease. NSAIDs help eliminate swelling and inflammation, which increases the effectiveness of pain relievers.

They are used in the form of tablets, oils 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 serious condition.

The course of drug treatment of this group is not more than 14 days. After that, disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract may appear. If the patient has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the medication is prescribed simultaneously with the prescribed funds to protect the mucosa of the organ.

Muscle relaxants

Any treatment regimen for cervical osteochondrosis always involves taking medication to eliminate muscle spasm. It 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 relaxants should not be more than 1-2 weeks, as they can easily become problematic. After reducing the manifestation of pain and eliminating the spasm, they are canceled.

Hormonal medications

They are prescribed to patients to get rid of the pain if the pathological process has developed in 2-3 degrees. Hormonal agents have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and help to quickly eliminate an unpleasant symptom. It is unacceptable to use drugs from this group during pregnancy or a high probability of developing an allergic reaction.

Steroids are prescribed with caution and in combination with others, as the likelihood of side effects is high. Their independent appointment is unacceptable.

Chondroprotectors

It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region, but there are a number of medications aimed at regenerating damaged tissue. They are called chondroprotectors. They are used in the form of oils, injections and tablets. The latter form is more convenient, allows you not to miss a meeting even on the road.

On average, the course of treatment with chondroprotectors lasts 3-6 months. Oils are mainly used for prophylaxis, as they are the least effective. When choosing injections, simply do 10-12 injections to begin the regeneration process.

Physiotherapy

Various physiotherapeutic methods are used to fight the disease only during the remission period. They are prescribed to strengthen muscle corsets, improve blood circulation, normalize well-being and relieve pain. The following procedures apply:

• Electrophoresis.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Acupuncture.
• Treatment with caterpillars.
• Massage.

Osteochondrosis cannot be cured with some physiotherapeutic procedures. Many techniques have a number of contraindications, for example, the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding, exacerbation of chronic diseases.

Physiotherapy

Various exercise therapy complexes are useful for restoring the natural position of the spine. At home, you can study according to special programs. Physical therapy 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 on each side 2 times.
• Lower your arms along your body, raise your shoulders, stand for 10 seconds. Return from the starting position.
• Hang on the horizontal bar for 10 seconds. Repeat several times during the day.
• Lie on a firm surface, hang your head from the edge down, lift gradually, while stretching only the muscles of the cervical spine.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and thorax requires a lifestyle correction. Exercise should be part of life in order to maintain the health of the injured area and the spine as a whole.

Surgery

Conservative therapy does not always give the expected result, the doctor prescribes surgical intervention. It is performed in the neck or chest area, only if there is a strong compression of the spinal nerve, with deformity of the vertebrae 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 eliminate instability and compression. For this, the following techniques are used:

• Spinal fusion. It involves tying the beads to restrict their mobility. Widely used to treat osteochondrosis. Reduces neck flexibility, but permanently solves the problem with pain. During the operation, a bone graft is used, which is fixed with metal fasteners, rods and plates. They increase the degree of fusion and stabilization of the cervical spine. The implant is taken from the donor or the patient himself, usually from the thigh area. For this, an additional incision is made during the operation.
• Dissectomy. In the process, the problematic intervertebral disc is removed, the bone segments are fixed to each other. Special screws are used for this. Thus, the unpleasant symptoms are eliminated and the spinal cord compression is eliminated.
• Correctomy. It means removing not only the affected intervertebral disc, but also the entire bony element. The back is stabilized, as in the previous case, using special screws and fasteners.
• Laminectomy. The bone arch, spurs, and ligaments are removed, all of which puts pressure on the spinal cord. This allows you to create the right space that ensures the normal functioning of the organ. But the procedure destabilizes the ridge, so the use of links is required.

The risks and possible 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 the patient during a deterioration

A worsening of osteochondrosis lasts on average 3-5 days, but it all depends on the age of the patient, the degree of the lesion, compliance with the recommendations issued by the doctor. Strictly it is strictly forbidden to lubricate the damaged area with oils or massage, it will only worsen the situation. To alleviate the situation, the following measures should be taken:

• Take a comfortable position. During the acute phase, the cervical vertebrae need complete rest. Therefore, when pain appears, you should lie on a flat surface, try to relax completely. This position will temporarily get rid of the pain, will alleviate the condition as a whole.
• Take a pain reliever 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. Medication alone is not enough to slow down the degenerative process; an integrated approach is required, which includes physiotherapy procedures and special exercises.
• Buy an orthopedic collar (Shantsa). This device is available at 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 can be strong or soft, but in any case, the neck is reliably fixed in one position.

The selection of medication is carried out by a physician, 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 epidural blocks 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 of relieving discomfort. Therefore, many patients doubt the effectiveness of the chosen regimen. Patient reviews will help to understand the issue of treatment.

• "I have been treating osteochondrosis in the neck for over 6 years, and I have never tried it. At first, the pills were prescribed, but they only relieved the pain. Then he visited the office of exercise therapy and physiotherapist for a long time, "But the result did not appear for long. Everywhere a cumulative effect is assumed, but the disease itself does not go away. As long as there is no negative dynamics, the doctor prescribes conservative treatment, but it is already becoming difficult to work at the same pace. "
• "I did not go to the doctor for a long time with pain in my neck, as a result, the intervertebral disc collapsed. The tablets do not provide tangible relief, but while taking them I use rubbing and compresses. They help best with potatoes. "And honey. But as the disease progresses, I'm thinking about surgery, but that 's like the last resort. "
• "I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis a few years ago, foolishly lost a lot of time in treatment with folk remedies, I was afraid of pills and therefore did not take them. As a result, the disease progressed rapidly, and excess weight and constant load on the neck also affected"Now the painkillers are already helping a little, the severe pain is constantly bothering me, skin numbness has appeared. The doctor has not yet proposed an operation, but I think it will be close if this treatment regimen does not work. "

Treatment of osteochondrosis includes an integrated approach, which includes various modern techniques and medicines, massage, alternative medicine prescriptions. Only this approach can slow down degenerative changes in bone and connective tissue, achieve lasting remission, and maintain quality of life, minimizing the risk of serious complications.