The diagnosis "osteochondrosis of the cervical spine" is established in more than 25% of cases of degeneration of the intervertebral discs;its characteristic symptoms and treatment should be considered in as much detail as possible.It is known that the manifestations of the disease are most often detected in people aged 35-40 years, but now there is a clear tendency to decrease the age of patients suffering from this disease.
To get rid of cervical osteochondrosis and its consequences, conservative methods allow you to: eliminate disorders in the functioning of the spinal roots, neutralize the accompanying pain and prevent the further development of degenerative changes in the specific part of the spine.If the non-surgical method is considered ineffective and there are special indications, the patient is prescribed an operation.The volume of intervention is determined by the degree of neglect and the clinical manifestations of the disease.
With the help of conservative treatment methods, you can get rid of the manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis in 1-3 months.The postoperative recovery period will take about a year.The pain syndrome can be alleviated as quickly as possible with the help of physiotherapy procedures and special exercises.To accelerate the result, the positive attitude of the patient himself, his focus on healing, patience and perseverance are extremely important.In this way, the help of specialists is needed.Therefore, it is possible to achieve the greatest effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation only in a modern medical clinic, equipped with the latest technologies and using the latest methods in the fight against diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
What methods does conservative complex treatment include:
- Physiotherapy.This method is a set of procedures using physical factors: magnetic fields, low-frequency currents, ultrasound, etc.This effect allows you to shorten the treatment time and increase its effectiveness, neutralize pain and stop inflammatory processes.
- Reflexology.The technique involves impacting active zones and acupuncture points with special methods.It allows you to improve the main treatment and activate the body's self-healing system.
- Physical therapy.The method consists in creating decompression of the nerve roots with the help of dosed loads during exercises on special equipment.It allows you to improve the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, normalize metabolism and blood circulation, increase the distance between the vertebrae in a certain area and reduce the load on the spine.
- Traction treatment.The procedure involves traction on the cervical vertebrae to increase the space between the vertebrae, relieve inflammation, reduce pain, and relieve pressure on blood vessels.
- Therapeutic massage.The procedure is performed manually by a highly qualified specialist.A set of techniques is used, which are aimed at relieving muscle tension and have a general strengthening effect.
- Drug treatment.The use of drugs is indicated if there is an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis.To improve metabolic processes in the body, prescribed drugs are administered orally or by injection.
Despite the fact that each of the described methods has proven its usefulness in the fight against degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs, a lasting effect can be obtained only through their complex use.It is very important to use specialized rehabilitation equipment to restore a full muscle corset.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women requires special attention.According to statistics, women are 2/3 of those suffering from this disease.The predisposition is associated with frequent changes in hormonal levels and a more fragile structure of the bones of the spine.Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women should be prescribed taking into account age, the presence of symptoms of cardiovascular diseases and the state of the endocrine system.
Causes of osteochondrosis
It is believed that the main cause of cervical osteochondrosis is the insufficiently active lifestyle of office workers and the elderly.However, lack of physical activity is not the only reason for the appearance of this disease.Today, even young people are not immune from the manifestation of signs of the disease, and the number of older patients is constantly increasing.The development of the disease can be facilitated by back injuries, frequent dynamic loads and other factors.Here is a list of them:
- genetic (hereditary) predisposition;
- intoxication of the body;
- infections;
- age-related changes;
- adverse environmental conditions;
- overweight;
- lack of trace elements due to poor nutrition;
- fractures, bruises of the spine;
- instability of the cervical vertebrae (hypermobility);
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine (scoliosis);
- abnormal development of the cervical spine;
- incorrect posture;
- uneven development of the skeletal system and muscles;
- wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes, too high heels;
- prolonged exposure to a stressful situation;
- sudden cessation of regular exercise;
- smoking;
- nervous tension;
- hypothermia;
- foot diseases.
People who often engage in heavy physical labor often suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae;Symptoms can appear quickly and treatment should be started immediately.The cause of the disease is: lifting weights, sudden movements, frequent flexions, extensions and rotation of the body.The pressure on the discs between the vertebrae also increases with prolonged exposure to an unnatural posture in any position - standing, lying down, sitting.A sharp transition to active physical exercises, especially those associated with moving heavy objects, can also lead to cervical osteochondrosis.To prevent this from happening, doctors recommend starting to increase the load gradually and under the supervision of an experienced trainer.
It is worth noting that the disease developing in the cervical spine is recognized as the most dangerous type of intervertebral disc dystrophy.It leads to pinching of the end of the nerve exiting the spinal cord and provokes a cerebrovascular accident.Therefore, people who are at risk for the reasons described above should pay attention to even a slight deterioration in their health and contact an experienced specialist if they suspect a disease.
Degree of development of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
If osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is confirmed in a patient, the doctor must, based on the set of symptoms, determine the stage of the disease and prescribe effective treatment.MRI diagnosis or X-ray examination of the area in different projections is mandatory.In its development, the disease passes through four stages.Let's take a closer look at them.
Osteochondrosis of the first degree is diagnosed in the preclinical stage of the disease.At that time, the disease is at the very beginning of its development, but the patient can already feel its manifestations.First of all, he starts to feel a slight pain in his neck, which gets worse if he turns his head.In this part of the spine, at that time, a loss of elasticity of the cartilage plates is observed and its compaction occurs.The patient may notice that the neck muscles begin to tire quickly even with small loads.Treatment of the disease at this stage is usually medical, aimed at relieving swelling.
The second degree of cervical osteochondrosis is diagnosed when the disease begins to cover new areas and progress.During this period, destructive changes begin in the spine itself - the discs become thinner and the vertebrae become closer, pressing the roots of the nerve fibers.The patient complains of quite severe pain in the neck.Weakness, general malaise and headache are also noted.
Due to frequent exacerbations, a person suffering from cervical osteochondrosis that has progressed to this stage may develop a "falling head" syndrome.It is characterized by almost continuous pain, which can be relieved only by supporting the head with hands and redistributing the load from the vertebrae.Treatment of the patient in this case should include not only taking prescribed drugs, but also special procedures.
The third degree of osteochondrosis is a dangerous, complex form in which a person experiences long-lasting severe pain in the cervical region, which spreads to the shoulder or arm.The X-ray of the patient will clearly show a pathological narrowing of the spinal canal and a reduction in the distances between the vertebrae.At this stage, a hernia may begin to develop, leading to a loss of sensation in the hands.Other symptoms include: distortion of the cervical vertebrae, pain on palpation, inability to hold the head on its own, loss of skin sensitivity.In this course of the disease, the patient is prescribed treatment, as in the previous stage.If this does not lead to improvement, then surgery followed by rehabilitation is inevitable.
The fourth degree of the disease is diagnosed when the intervertebral disc is almost completely destroyed and connective tissue is formed in its place.During this dangerous period, there is a high risk of pinching the artery and disrupting the brain's natural nutrition.If this happens, along with constant pain and dizziness, the patient will experience periodic disorientation in space.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the stage of rehabilitation that occurs after surgery for disc herniation.The patient should be under the supervision of a doctor and undergo regular examinations to prevent worsening of the condition.During this period, it is necessary to provide him with the most comfortable conditions for the healing of the operated area.Supportive conservative treatment is prescribed.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Many people do not know how important treatment is immediately after detecting the first symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.When the disease first begins to manifest itself, it is often mistaken for a common illness.However, the problem will worsen every day, endangering the entire human body.If the work of the nerves and arteries located in the neck is disturbed, the brain will not be able to receive adequate nutrition.This threatens to lead to constant pain, loss of coordination and impaired motor activity.Of course, such a life cannot be called full.And if the disease is neglected, in addition to the inability to perform usual activities, it can lead to stroke, ischemia and many other diseases that pose a serious threat to life.
The structure of the cervical vertebrae is slightly different from that of other parts of the spine, so the signs of osteochondrosis in this area are quite specific.The following signs indicate that you should contact a specialist as soon as possible:
- Painful sensations.They can appear not only in the indicated area, but also in the head, arms, shoulders and other parts of the body.This is explained by pinched nerve endings and muscle spasms.
- General weakness, dizziness, malaise.They occur when an artery is pinched, which leads to difficult blood circulation in the cervical vertebrae and disruption of brain nutrition.
- Weakness in arms.It occurs due to pinching of the nerve that is responsible for motor activity.
- Cramping and difficulty turning the head.They appear when the structure of the intervertebral disc begins to change and dense connective tissue forms in its place.
- Decreased sensitivity of the hands.It is explained by a pinched nerve.
- Deterioration of vision and hearing.These signs appear in the last stage of the disease, when blood circulation in the cerebellar region is impaired.
Among the clinical signs of the disease, a number of syndromes are distinguished:
- Koreshkovy.It manifests as severe pain in the neck, spreading to the scapula, shoulder or lumbar region.
- Vertebral.It is characterized by throbbing pain in the temples and occipital region.
- reflex.It manifests itself as severe pain in the back of the neck, which increases with head movement.The pain can be localized in the chest and shoulder.
- Cardinal.This syndrome is quite often confused with signs of angina pectoris;is quite difficult to diagnose independently.Often, a person who feels pain in the area of the heart takes it for an attack and begins to take appropriate drugs, for example, nitroglycerin.Since these drugs do not solve the problem, the situation can quickly worsen.
To determine the extent of the disease, it is not enough to know only the symptoms.In order to prescribe effective treatment, the doctor must collect detailed information about the patient: find out if there are relatives in the family suffering from cervical osteochondrosis, ask about his professional activity and lifestyle.Followed by a visual examination, palpation, computed tomography, X-ray of the cervix, MRI.
The situation becomes a little more complicated when it comes to a subtype of the disease such as osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine.There are vague symptoms, so it is quite difficult to correctly qualify the disease - this can only be entrusted to an experienced specialist.As a rule, the patient complains of dizziness, migraine in different areas of the head, lumbago in the neck, chest pain when coughing, shortness of breath, gray skin, increased heart rate, constant fatigue and mood changes.All this resembles the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia or angina, so confusion may arise when making a diagnosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in the Greek center
In the rehabilitation center, treatment of cervical osteochondrosis in women and men is carried out using the most modern methods of physiotherapy.The clinic is located in Greece, on the picturesque Halkidiki peninsula, washed by the waves of the Aegean Sea.A patient undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment can easily combine it with rest on pearl beaches, walks in picturesque areas and exciting excursions.And the healing sea air and ideal climatic conditions contribute to a quick recovery.
Thanks to the use of modern equipment, the diagnosis of the stages of cervical osteochondrosis in the rehabilitation center is as accurate as possible - errors are completely eliminated.The treatment includes a set of procedures aimed at restoring the connective tissue and elasticity of the intervertebral discs, relieving inflammation, relieving pain, normalizing metabolic processes and generally improving the patient's health.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists provides qualified patient care at the center.A wide range of physiotherapeutic procedures, robotic and computerized equipment is used to carry out professional rehabilitation until full recovery.The latest methods of treatment and restoration of cells damaged by cervical osteochondrosis, such as PRP therapy, are practiced.The complex includes spinal traction and hydromassage.To quickly neutralize the pain in the affected area, highly effective therapy is used - a method of physiotherapy based on the targeted impact of radio waves that are safe for people.
The high quality of medical services at the clinic is combined with excellent living conditions in comfortable hotel-type rooms equipped with everything you need.Experienced staff provides 24/7 support and assistance to patients.
In order to get rid of the pain and stiffness of the cervical vertebrae and other consequences of osteochondrosis as quickly as possible, the patient must carefully monitor the quality of his diet.It is important that during the recovery period the body receives a sufficient amount of substances responsible for the synthesis of cartilage tissue.It is also necessary to limit salt intake, include fresh fruits and vegetables in the menu and monitor the calorie content of meals.In the rehabilitation center, specialists will take care of your diet.You will be able to taste delicious dishes prepared by our chef according to recipes of homemade Greek cuisine, tailored to your diet.
The clinic has created all the conditions so that you can not only return to your previous quality of life, but also have a good rest.Indulge in our library, playground and beautiful flower garden.Regardless of the length of your treatment, you will feel at home.