Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by specific complaints of patients.
As a rule, the first and most common are pain.
They occur in the neck, between the shoulder blades, in the hands. Pain in the joints (wrist, elbow or shoulder), accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, can be characterized as shooting or aching, provoke numbness, tingling sensation. In addition, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the limbs to the influence of low temperatures, a decrease in strength, and the development of awkwardness in the hands.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often accompanied by headaches. However, they can also be of a different nature. Typical are shooting sensations in the frontal zone, in the ear, eye sockets, as well as numbness on the scalp.
This disease is also characterized by various vegetative disorders. These include instability in blood pressure and pulse, a feeling of a lump in the throat and heartbeats, shortness of breath, and in some cases the development of panic attacks.
In advanced forms, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is accompanied by a sharp restriction in movement, muscle weakness of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a disorder of cerebral blood supply.
There are frequent manifestations of dizziness, unsteadiness when walking, general weakness, visual disturbances. Patients often complain of increased fatigue, mood deterioration up to the onset of depression.
Static disorders in the disease are subluxations of the vertebrae and limited mobility of the segments.
Violation of blood circulation provokes a disorder of brain activity, expressed in single symptoms. This, in turn, can lead to vertebrobasilar insufficiency and, in some cases, stroke.
In accordance with the indications, diagnostic measures are prescribed, including radiography, possibly with functional tests; MRI of the brain (head) and cervical spine; ultrasonic dopplerography in the main arteries. If necessary, triplex or duplex scanning of intra- and extracranial vessels can be prescribed. Mandatory are blood tests, EEG, audiography, ECG, electronystagmography. The examination also includes a consultation with a cardiologist, endocrinologist, ophthalmologist and ENT doctor.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Treatment
For effective therapy, it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and identify the causes of the patient's complaints.
How to cure cervical osteochondrosis knows a neuropathologist who selects the necessary set of measures. It includes physical rehabilitation (exercise therapy), the prescription of medications (if necessary and depending on the symptoms - intravenous drip and intramuscular injections, as well as blockades). The treatment course also includes physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage, hirudotherapy.
Of course, the most effective is to carry out a complex effect on the patient's body. However, as practice shows, the longest result of treatment is observed during the physical rehabilitation of patients. Thus, in many cases, well-chosen sets of exercise therapy exercises can influence the cause of the development of the disease. At the same time, other methods mostly affect the consequences of the disease. As a result, they are usually considered as additional therapeutic measures.
It should be noted that exercise therapy exercises, as well as additional methods of influence, are always selected individually.