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, discs at the level of the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae undergo degenerative changes, since this area of the spinal column is more mobile, it is most involved in head movement, which means it experiences high loads. As a result of the disease, there is a thinning of the intervertebral discs, a violation of the blood supply to the spinal column, pinching of the nerve roots, which causes pain.
People at any age can suffer from osteochondrosis, but more often the disease occurs in 30–50 years. Before the appearance of the first pain attacks, the effect of cervical osteochondrosis is hardly noticeable - discomfort and some heaviness in the neck, dizziness, flashing stars before the eyes. Often people are unaware of the true cause of these ailments. But the sooner 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 weak development of the muscles of the neck, 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, a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and curvature of the spine, overweight, infectious diseases, hypothermia, stressful situations, improper training, and injuries.
Stages of development of the disease
- With cervical osteochondrosis of the first degree, the pain is still insignificant. During this period, there is discomfort in the neck after prolonged exertion and tension in the muscle ligaments. All this can be corrected with the help of physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy procedures, ointments and taking vitamin complexes.
- With osteochondrosis of the second degree, when pinching of nerve endings and the appearance of disc protrusions are possible, the pain becomes severe, especially when a person is standing. Periodically dizzy and dark in the eyes. In addition to physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory and painkillers become necessary.
- The third degree is characterized not by paroxysmal, but by constant pain, spreading to the shoulder region and upper limbs. Due to the appearance of hernias, numbness of the muscles of the hands and a temporary loss of sensitivity of the fingers are possible, the mobility of the joints worsens. In some cases, during the third degree of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary.
- With cervical osteochondrosis of the fourth degree, the pain decreases, but this is not at all the beginning of recovery. At this time, almost complete destruction of the intervertebral disc occurs, osteophytes grow at the junctions of the vertebrae, which injure the vertebrae and nerve branches. The nutrition of the brain worsens, as a result of which dizziness appears, tinnitus occurs, vision decreases and coordination of movements is disturbed.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Symptoms of osteochondrosis may differ depending on which of the segments of the spine is damaged and on the degree of damage. Most people feel pain in the neck, above (to the chin) and, on the contrary, below - in the area of the shoulder girdle, arms, chest. Perhaps numbness of the fingertips and tongue, general weakness, increased pressure, decreased visual acuity and hearing, crunching when moving the neck.
With cervical osteochondrosis, the characteristic symptoms are:
- Root Syndrome. When a nerve is pinched, the resulting pain passes from the neck to the shoulder, spreading to the forearm, hands, fingers, and swelling appears. The firmness and elasticity of the skin deteriorates, due to poor blood supply, it turns pale.
- The syndrome of the vertebral artery is manifested by throbbing pain in the back of the head, crown, affects the temporal head lobes and superciliary regions. The pain may increase if the head is in an uncomfortable position for a long time, for example, in truckers who must constantly monitor the road while driving. Nausea, dizziness, blurred vision and hearing, malfunctions of the vestibular apparatus may occur.
- Cervical migraine syndrome occurs when the branches of the sympathetic nodes are irritated. When exposed to the nodes, there is a violation of the work of the vessels of the brain, a deterioration in the blood supply to the tissues. The patient experiences increased pressure, increased heart rate, noise in the head, congestion and ringing in the ears.
- Hypertensive syndrome is characterized by increased intracranial pressure. The patient feels headaches that burst from the inside, nausea, vomiting may occur, body temperature rises, ESR increases.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
The sooner treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck is started, the more likely it is to stop its development 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 it can provoke:
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias;
- vertebrogenic cervicalgia (restricted neck mobility);
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- migraines and severe headaches that do not go away even after taking modern painkillers;
- deterioration of vision and hearing;
- paresis;
- the formation of osteophytes;
- deterioration of the blood supply to the brain and much more.
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 vertebrae, 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 limb paralysis occurs, surgery is performed.
Identification of the causes of cervical osteochondrosis by certain symptoms and treatment is not a quick process. Depending on the patient's immunity, the state of the body and the 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 cervical and thoracic spine is aimed at:
- pain reduction;
- removal of inflammation;
- getting rid of puffiness;
- improved metabolism;
- suspension of degenerative processes and tissue regeneration.
At present, drugs have not yet been developed that will cope with all tasks at once, so the doctor may prescribe the intake of several drugs 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 vertebrae. Antispasmodics help relieve spasm and reduce pain. Non-steroidal ointments and topical gels also help to cope 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 agents include chondroprotectors, vitamin C and B vitamins.
Physiotherapy in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine
Physiotherapeutic procedures have a local effect on the damaged area, improving blood microcirculation, relieving swelling, inflammation, and relieving 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);
- magnetotherapy;
- ultrasound treatment,
- therapy with "soft" laser beams.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy is not used at all stages of osteochondrosis and not for all patients, therefore, a qualified specialist should prescribe and carry out treatment. For example, its implementation is prohibited in case of 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 manipulations performed relieve tension in the neck muscles, improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune system.
Treatment of the disease at home
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home is quite acceptable and can be no less effective than in a hospital, but a specialist should prescribe it and monitor the course.
In a relaxed home environment, it is convenient to perform a set of physical therapy 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 is the systematic 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 in oils, home-made ointments and rubbing.
- To reduce pain and relieve inflammation in the evening, before going to bed, take a leaf of horseradish, steam it in boiling water for several 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 a therapeutic compress, only they are not steamed before applying, 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 to the affected area for one and a half to two hours, wrap your neck and try to lie down without moving. Then wash off the gruel with warm water.
- Rubbing for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck and relieving symptoms: take ½ cup of elderberries and 2 cups of alcohol, leave for a week in a well-closed container in a dark place. Rub the resulting product into the cervical-collar zone.
- A decoction of elecampane roots is used to prepare anti-inflammatory compresses. 2 tbsproots of biennial elecampane pour 1 cup boiling water, simmer for 10 minutes, then cool and strain. Apply warm decoction compresses to the cervical-collar area twice a day (morning and evening) and keep for about 20 minutes. It is also useful to take baths with a decoction of elecampane (to take a bath, you need to prepare a decoction of 10 tablespoons of the plant).
- No less effective means for 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. Lubricate 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 bring the desired result.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with a laser device
At home, you can not only take medications prescribed by a doctor and perform a set of exercises, but also continue physiotherapy, for example, paraffin wrap or laser beam treatment. A unique portable laser device has been developed for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its action is effective both in the acute period of the disease and at the stage of remission. Treatment of 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 earlobe.