Osteochondrosis of the cervical column is known and well studied.At present, most of the active population suffers from this disease.This type of osteochondrosis is developing not only in the adult population, but quite often in adolescents, SM-appeal juvenile osteochondosis.
The cervical service is the most mobile part of the spine, so the burden of this department is quite large.The disease is developing gradually, it is characterized by frequent exacerbations, which can lead to a significant decrease in the quality of the patient's life.
The causes of the disease
The causes of the disease, as a rule, are several and may depend on the age of the patient.We highlight the most frequent:
- violation of the exchange of calcium-phosphorus of all etiology;
- Various traumatic back damage;
- Unslawed load on the spine (hypodynamia or vice versa the influence of the improved load);
- cardiovascular system diseases;
- Congenital malformations of the spine;
- Change of posture, including by a scoliotic type;
- circulatory disorders, leading to a deterioration of the power of the intervertebral disc;
- Dystrophic violations linked to the age of bone tissue.
In adolescence, the main causes of the development of the disease are physical activity and not balanced (training process).In elderly patients, the main reason is a usual long position during work activity, a violation of the hormonal context.
Additional predisposing factors in the development of the disease may be:
- heredity;
- hypothermia;
- Exacerbation poorly or not completely treated with osteochondrosis;
- Stress situations and overwork.
Osteochondosis is gradually developing.A person, constantly doing sport, may not guess what is subject to this disease.
Above all, this condition is found in people over the age of twenty.Osteochondrosis of the cervical column is characterized by the fact that the process develops from the upper sections.However, if you do not receive medical care, the process can gradually affect the lower segments of the spine.
Symptoms of cervical column osteochondrosis in adults and children
Since the disease develops for years, in many cases, the process is asymptomatic.Sometimes it happens that by chance, depending on radiological images, the initial signs of the disease can be determined, while complaints will be actively absent.It should be remembered that the older the patient, the more various complaints he will have.
The main complaints of cervical osteochondosis are:
- Frequent headaches and dizziness;
- numbness at your fingertips and weakness in the hands;
- Vegetative manifestations;
- Increase in blood pressure;
- Discomfort for movements in the neck;
- Painful or constant burning pain along the spine;
- Frequent myosites of neck muscles;
- posture changes;
- restrictions in the movements of the head;
- In addition, a forced position of the head can develop;
- noise in the ears;
- Improve dependence;
- Crunch in the neck when making movements;
- Sleep violation.
These are the most commonly expressed symptoms that the patient may present.Unfortunately, the process can start to develop from young people and adolescents will present such complaints.
More often, these symptoms appear jointly.Osteochondrosis of the cervical column takes place with the episodes of exacerbation and remission.This is due to the effect of causing factors on the body.We must not forget that if a similar diagnosis is made, catering therapy and the rehabilitation course must be carried out every six months in order to avoid an acute period.
Since the main reason for the development of the disease is reduced by the trophies of the intervertebral disc and the lack of adequate therapy, the process can end with the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Complaints and clinical image of the disease - Photo
Vascular manifestations in the form of dizziness or headache intensifies when performing the tasks of the elementary engine (inclination or turning of the head).In all complaints, the patient tries to also take a forced position to reduce symptoms, which worsens the nutrition of the intervertebral disc.
It is these complaints that most often encourage the patient to see a doctor.If you do not make treatment, complaints will intensify and have more persistent nature, that is to say that they will not pass on their own.
Pain with cervical osteochondosis, as a rule, a constant and painful and burning character.The disease can be accompanied by periodic "bastards", which are caused by net movements.
An increase in blood pressure in the context of osteochondrosis encourages the patient to be examined by the therapist.If you do not perform a competent treatment in a timely manner, an increase in blood pressure will become constant, which contributes to the development of secondary hypertension.In these situations, a properly assembled story is of great importance.
When the process is located in the cervical region, unpleasant sensations propagate on the posterior surface of the neck, the constant tension of the bone muscle system helps limit movements and the formation of a forced position of the head.
The pain in cervical osteochondosis is accompanied by an altered sensitivity.Due to constant discomfort, the muscular roller is gradually formed in the shoulder, the patient is unpleasant in this area.
In addition to constant discomfort, the patient may feel acute pain and pulled in the neck.The occurrence of such complaints suggests that the patient must give complete rest to reduce pain.In some cases, the pain is so serious that a person cannot perform the simplest actions (turn their head, take a deep inspiration, straighten your back).In all cases, the patient must examine the doctor and confirm the diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
Changing the hormonal context also plays an important role in the development of cervical disease.Consequently, the physical activity selected with jurisdiction will reduce general clinical symptoms and relieve the patient's condition.Due to the fact that pain in the neck is constantly worried, a disturbance in secondary sleep occurs.It is difficult for a person to take a practical position in the bed, worries, which leads to psycho-emotional stress.
In addition, the patient pays attention to sensitivity.Describe them like "goosebumps" that are felt at their fingertips.In some cases, unpleasant sensations can be located throughout the hand, muscle strength decreases.
Diagnosis of the disease
It is quite difficult to make a diagnosis based on a single exam.Basically, the following measures are made to clarify the diagnosis:
- in -depth collection of complaints;
- consultations with specialized specialists (cardiologist, endocrinologist, neurologist);
- X-ray examination of the cervical column;
- Magnetic resonance tomography.
Inspections of specialized doctors are necessary to exclude acute states from the cardiological profile and others.With the exclusion of acute somatic pathology, we can talk about the diagnosis of osteochondrosis.In addition to general clinical manifestations, the diagnosis can be confirmed using an X-Ray examination of the spine.
X-Ray is the most affordable and easily in progress study which helps to establish a diagnosis.In the image, you can see the narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, which indicates the dystrophy of the intervertebral disc.Along the edges of the vertebrae, bone growths can be distinguished.If osteochondrosis is complicated by instability in the cervical region, the X -ray can be noted by the displacement of the vertebrae with each other.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical column is a disease that can show radiologically which area is the most damaged.Even when examining a cervical segment, we can see that the process is not evenly common.
In particularly complex cases, magnetic resonance tomography is carried out, which helps to diagnose the complication of osteochondrosis-hernie-hernie.Thanks to the image of the MRI layer, even the minimal hernias and immediately indicate the level of damage.
Treatment of cervical column osteochondrosis
Only a doctor knows how to treat cervical osteochondosis in an acute and inter-finished period.Therapy, prescribed for this state, should be complex.When exacerbating the disease, this includes:
- drugs;
- Complex recovery therapy (physiotherapy, gymnastics, massage, acupuncture, manual therapy);
- Physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF, magnetotherapy, laser therapy);
To avoid exacerbation of osteochondrosis, they use:
- treatment of sanatorium-retalus;
- traditional medicine;
- Wearing special bandages and corsets;
- Change of lifestyle (weight loss, balanced physical activity).
Medicines for the treatment of osteochondrosis in the cervical column are as follows:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- drugs that improve blood circulation;
- vitamin complexes;
- in acute situations of pain relievers;
- Means that reduces muscle tension.
In addition to pills and injections, creams, ointments and gels are actively prescribed, which are applied to the affected area.By their influence, they contribute to the irritation of the skin in a certain area, which improves blood circulation in small vessels, thus ensuring the delivery of nutrients to damaged segments and muscle tension decreases.
After an acute period, physiotherapy, massage and physiotherapy exercises are signed.Restorative therapy is an addition to the main drug treatment.As the condition will improve, the power and the trophy of the intervertebral disc will also be better.
In the context of treatment, the patient will note an improvement in well-being, an increase in performance and mood.If the treatment is stopped without finishing, exacerbations of osteochondosis will often be passed.
Rehabilitation will say how to treat cervical osteochondosis during the recovery period.Before talking about a restorative therapy complex, it should be noted that any treatment must be accompanied by a correction of sleeping accessories.These include mattresses and orthopedic pillows.
Experts also recommend that you wear a Chanstz pass constantly or for a certain period of time.This method is particularly widely used in the practice of children, when patients dressed it for the homework period.The Shanz pass is individually selected from the orthopedic salons.
The orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondosis is selected for each patient.It must be suitable for the size of the bed and selected according to the patient's constitution.It should not be very small or very large, the main directive is the width of the person's shoulders.
A pillow for long sleep and rest must be of average rigidity and look like a square or a rectangle.The pillows of a different shape are suitable for a short rest.According to the activity of the degenerative process, the orthopedic pillow for cervical osteochondosis should change.
Exercises and gymnastics (exercise therapy)
Restorating therapy must be attributed to gymnastics.The main task of the exercises is to strengthen the muscles of the neck and back, the upper shoulder belt, to improve the mobility of the spine and the elimination of muscle pliers.In addition, cervical osteochondosis exercises affect the deeply located muscles.
Following gymnastics with cervical osteochondosis, physiological turns are gradually restored and the load on the intervertebral discs is reduced.We must not forget that the exercises for cervical osteochondosis should also grasp breast segments.
Gymnastics for cervical osteochondosis is made with an instructor.It helps patients understand on which areas to concentrate.The load and the volume of the tasks are individually selected and it depends:
- of the patient's age;
- of the prevalence of the process;
- the availability of additional concomitant diseases;
- The effectiveness of the drug.
First, simple and non -complex tasks are performed, because the body begins to adapt to new conditions, and the muscles do its work in sufficient volume, the exercises are complicated and the duration of the classes increases.
LFK for cervical osteochondosis includes simple actions.These inclined the head forward and backwards, gradually add the circular movements of the head.It should be kept in mind that even for medical physical education can be contraindications.As a rule, the complex of a lesson includes tasks that aim to develop and influence all segments of the spine.
After exercises in the cervical region, they gradually add tasks to improve the work of the chest and the lumbar.Media physical education for cervical osteochondosis can be carried out in a standing or seated position.The tasks are carried out sedially, at a short rate, this will allow an addition to respiratory gymnastics.
Contraindications to physiotherapy exercises:
- acute pain syndrome;
- Increase in blood pressure and the presence of a heart pathology in the acute phase;
- violations of coordination and disease of the vestibular apparatus;
- fever;
- exacerbation of another chronic pathology;
- Condition after surgical treatment.
Special equipment exercises
This technique is based on a progressive restoration of the normal activity of the bone muscle system.The gymnastics exercises carried out on a specialized simulator allow you to gradually restore the work of the structures of the cervical column.
First of all, the pain is relieved, then the blood circulation is restored, the muscle tension is eliminated and classes are carried out to extend motor activity in the cervical region.The method is also supported by massage lessons, classes in the pool.
Massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical column
In addition to the general reinforcement classes, a very good effect gives a massage.Massage for cervical osteochondosis can be used by different (classic, segmental, point).In some cases, a combination of various techniques in a single session is authorized.
We must not forget that the massage with cervical osteochondosis is carried out on a solid surface, face down and its duration may vary from ten or more sessions.The frequency of the course repetition is also determined by the attending physician.The efficiency of the massage will last longer if the patient sleeps on a well -chosen pillow.
Physiotherapeutic procedures as aimant or electrophoresis have a local irritating effect.Magnetotherapy is an painless procedure which is well tolerated by adults and children.Manipulation lasts several minutes, the patient should be motionless, therefore, older patients are most often recommended.
Electrophoresis is a manipulation carried out using a special device.During the procedure, the patient feels a slight tingling, which is created using currents.The frequency and impulsiveness of the signal for each age are his.
With the help of this technique, the introduction of a drug is made, which has a positive effect.This manipulation is more aggressive compared to magnetotherapy, therefore, there should be strict indications for its implementation.
A balanced diet is of great importance in this disease.Patients are recommended to eat fruits, vegetables, meat, green vegetables, fish.The consumption of salt and all kinds of spices, seasoning, smoked or fried products, sugar should be limited.It is best to drink decoctions and teas of plants, it is advisable to avoid the use of coffee and alcohol.
The use of traditional medicine aims to reduce pain.Most often, compresses and mixtures are used, which are superimposed on the damage area.The success of the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical column depends largely on the patient's awareness.Do not throw lessons and therapy as soon as you felt better.It is irrational to constantly use pain relievers which provide temporary relief and the disease itself is not treated.