Symptoms and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is the result of a sedentary lifestyle and improper nutrition. The first signs of the disease can appear as early as 25 years old, if treatment is not started, serious complications can occur. An integrated approach is used in the treatment of the disease - medication, diet therapy, physical therapy and physiotherapy.

Causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Cervical osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic change of the intervertebral discs and joints, which leads to a decrease in neck mobility and the appearance of severe pain. The main reason for the development of the disease is a violation of mineral metabolism, which makes bones and joints less strong. ICD-10 code - M42, M50-54.

Why does cervical osteochondrosis occur?

• overweight, sedentary lifestyle;
• bad posture, scoliosis;
• rheumatism;
• goose feet;
• VSD;
• poor nutrition.

Injuries, spinal bruises, excessive physical activity and stress can provoke the deformation of the cervical vertebrae. In women, osteochondrosis often occurs during pregnancy and menopause - against the background of hormonal changes, the amount of calcium decreases, and the bone tissue becomes fragile.

Important! The tendency to osteochondrosis is inherited.

General symptoms and signs

In the case of a constantly increased load on the cervical vertebrae, muscle spasms occur, the vessels of the cervical spine are compressed, blood circulation is disturbed, metabolic processes are disturbed - the structure of the intervertebral discs changes, they deform and begin to protrude. beyond the spine.

How is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifested:

• radicular syndrome - against the background of compression of nerve endings, pain occurs, which spreads from the neck to the shoulder blades, forearms and covers the front wall of the chest;
• muscle weakness in the arms, noticeable swelling of the neck;
• when you move your head, you hear a characteristic crunch;
• weakness, chronic fatigue, changes in blood pressure;
• lack of coordination, frequent bouts of dizziness, nausea, vomiting;
• deterioration of vision and hearing, noise, tinnitus;
• numbness of the limbs, tongue;
• frequent migraine;
• In women aged 45-65, pain, numbness, and tingling in the upper limbs appear during sleep, and the attacks may recur several times during the night.

In the case of cervical osteochondrosis, the brain's nutrition and blood supply are interrupted, neurotic disorders occur - anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sleep disorders.

Classification of cervical osteochondrosis

During the development of osteochondrosis, it goes through several stages of development, each of which has characteristic signs. In the photo, you can see what the affected part of the spine looks like at different stages.

The degree of development of the disease:

1. grade osteochondrosis - the initial stage occurs without particularly pronounced symptoms, the person is disturbed by rare and minor pain when turning and tilting the head, the back muscles tire quickly.
2. degree osteochondrosis - the vertebrae become unstable, a nerve is pinched, discomfort is expressed in the neck, which radiates to the shoulder and arm. Additional symptoms are increased fatigue, frequent headaches in the occipital region, absent-mindedness.
3. degree osteochondrosis - the pain becomes chronic, covers the upper back, arms, severe muscle weakness is observed, limbs become numb, intervertebral hernia develops, and dizziness attacks often occur.
4. degree osteochondrosis - complete destruction of the intervertebral discs occurs, connective tissue replaces them, the pathological process extends to several segments of the spine. Lack of coordination, dizziness attacks become more frequent, tinnitus occurs.

Acute osteochondrosis is a consequence of the chronic form of the disease, which is characterized by a severe attack of sharp pain that occurs suddenly after waking up.

Which doctor should I see?

If signs of cervical osteochondrosis appear, you should see a neurologist, some hospitals have a vertebrologist - a specialist who treats diseases of the spine.

Diagnostic methods

Advanced forms of osteochondrosis have a pronounced clinical picture, which makes it possible to make an initial diagnosis already during the initial examination. Instrumental diagnostic methods help determine the degree of degenerative changes in the vertebrae.

The main types of examination of osteochondrosis:

• X-ray– the method is effective only in the early stages of the development of the pathology;
• MRI– the structure of the bone structures, the size and direction of development of intervertebral hernias, and the condition of the spinal cord are clearly visible on the screen;
• CT– the method is less effective than MRI, as it does not provide accurate information on the presence and size of hernias;
• double-sided scanning– enables viewing of blood flow disorders;
• electroneurography– shows the presence of entrapment, inflammation and other nerve damage;
• rheoencephalogram– prescribed for problems with blood supply to the brain.

For a targeted and thorough study of the condition of certain vertebrae, a discography is performed - a contrast agent is injected into the intervertebral disc, which makes it possible to see the smallest changes in the tissues and distinguish scar changes from a hernia.

Methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

In the initial stages of development, osteochondrosis can be cured without drugs, it is enough to follow the diet, daily routine and special exercises regularly. In advanced forms of the disease, effective treatment is possible only with the use of various drugs that help stop degenerative changes in the vertebrae.

The complex of therapeutic measures necessarily includes physical procedures - electrophoresis with drugs, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. These methods help to cope with pain, inflammation, tissue swelling, improve metabolic processes and blood circulation.

First aid

Painkillers help relieve the pain caused by osteochondrosis. You can warm the affected area with a mustard or pepper plaster.

Drink rosehip decoction and other diuretics to reduce swelling of inflamed tissues. Massaging the inflamed area with an ice cube helps relieve severe neck pain; continue the procedure until the skin is slightly reddened.

Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy is prescribed during the recovery period, exercise is contraindicated when osteochondrosis worsens; exercise is easy, you can do it at home and you should do it regularly.

Bubnovsky's gymnastics for the treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis:

1. In a standing position, lower your arms freely along your body. Tilt your head forward, try to reach your chest with your chin, fix the position on the count of 3. Tilt your head back, stand up, count to 3. Return to the starting position.
2. In a standing position, turn your head to the right, to the left, and fix the position at each extreme point for a few seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side.
3. In a standing position, tilt your head to the right, left, try to reach your shoulder with your ear and hold the position for 30 seconds. Do 6 reps in each direction.
4. Standing, hands on the belt, chin parallel to the floor, stretched forward. Turn your head, place your chin on your shoulder, turn your torso slightly, hold for half a minute. Do 6 reps in each direction; slight pain in the spine may occur.
5. In a sitting position, with a straight back, hands on knees. Extend your straight arms to the side, move them back a little, tilt your head back at the same time, return to the starting position, repeat 5 times.
6. In a sitting position, turn your head to the right, place the palm of your left hand on your right shoulder, elbow parallel to the floor, rest your right hand on your knee and return to the starting position. Do 6 reps in each direction.
7. In a sitting position, raise your arms above your head, connect them, bend your elbows slightly, turn your head to the side until a slight pain appears, fix the position at the extreme point for a few seconds. Repeat 6 turns in each direction.

Rest for 30 seconds between exercises. Before starting gymnastics, you should take a warm shower and do several smooth head tilts in different directions to warm up the muscles. After finishing the exercise, gentle stretching will help to avoid discomfort the next day.

Drug treatment

Drug therapy for osteochondrosis is aimed at eliminating discomfort, restoring the mobility of the vertebrae and slowing down the degenerative changes in the tissues. Acute pain attacks are alleviated with injections of NSAIDs or corticosteroids, while the chronic form of the disease is treated with ointments and tablets.

Ways to treat osteochondrosis:

• NSAIDs- it is made in the form of tablets and products intended for external use, it eliminates swelling and pain;
• corticosteroids- relieves acute pain syndrome;
• B vitamins- restoration of metabolic processes in tissues;
• chondroprotectors– promotes the restoration of cartilage tissue;
• drugs to improve blood flow and brain nutrition;
• nootropics– improves brain function and memory;
• muscle relaxants– eliminates muscle spasms;
• Anti-inflammatory, warming ointments and gels are used for local treatment.

In order for drug therapy to be effective, it must be combined with exercise therapy and follow a diet, otherwise no medication will help get rid of osteochondrosis.

Important! If conservative treatment has no effect, surgery is prescribed.

Folk remedies

Traditional treatment should be used as a supplement to drug therapy and exercise, non-traditional methods do not help to completely get rid of the disease.

What to do against cervical osteochondrosis at home:

1. Pour boiling water over a fresh horseradish leaf, cool it down a bit, apply the inside to the neck, and secure it with a thin natural cloth. Do the procedure before going to bed, leave the compress all night.
2. Raw potatoes are grated on a fine grater and mixed in equal proportions with warm liquid honey. Use the mixture for compresses, perform the procedure 1-2 times a week.
3. Mix a raw egg with 100 ml of sunflower oil, 20 ml of vinegar and 20 g of flour, put the mixture in a dark place for 48 hours, remove the film from the surface. Apply the product to the inflamed area before going to bed and store it in the refrigerator.
4. In May, collect pine buds that are no more than 2 cm long, cut them into thin slices and place them in a dark glass container. For 1 part of raw materials, take 2 parts of sugar and put the medicine in a dark place for 2 weeks. Drink 5 ml of the mixture three times a day, do not swallow it immediately, keep it in your mouth for 2-3 minutes. The duration of the course is 15-20 days, repeated 2-3 times a year.
5. Grind 150 g of peeled garlic and 400 g of cranberries, put the mixture in a glass container, add 800 ml of honey after 24 hours, mix. Take 5 ml of medicine three times a day before meals.

Cabbage leaves smeared with honey help to cope with severe pain and absorb excess salts; fasten the compress on your neck with a warm scarf and leave it overnight.

Massage for cervical osteochondrosis

Massage strengthens muscle tone, improves blood circulation in the tissues; in severe forms of osteochondrosis, the sessions are performed by a specialist. In mild forms of the disease, self-massage helps in prevention - the treatment is carried out at home.

Massage technique:

1. Warm up your muscles- run intensively along the back, side surface of the neck from top to bottom with both hands. Warm-up time: 2 minutes.
2. Press the edge of your palm to the base of your neck,move it with sliding movements to the area of hair growth and then to the shoulder joints.
3. Make rubbing circular motions with the fingertips of both handsin the occipital region from the hairline to the forearm - from the spine to the ears and back.
4. Pinch the muscles of the neck from the bottom up, then in the opposite direction.
5. Stroking from the back of the head to the shoulder blades– do it after every type of exercise.

Important! Do not massage protruding vertebrae, lymph nodes, or carotid arteries.

Diet

The aim of the osteochondrosis diet is to supply the body with collagen and proteins, these substances are involved in the synthesis of cartilage tissue, most of them are found in aspic, jelly fish and jelly.

Prohibited products	Authorized products
any alcoholic beverage; fatty meats, refractory fats, smoked meats; soups with rich broths; hot, spicy foods, preserves, pickles; mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup; radishes, radishes, horseradish, onions, garlic; fast food, semi-finished products; fast carbohydrates - sweets, baked goods, pasta made from premium flour; potato; limit salt intake to 5 g per day.	diet meats; fish, seafood; fermented milk products; cereals; light soups; whole wheat bread; honey, jam, marmalade, lozenges, nuts, dried fruit, oatmeal cookies; fresh and baked vegetables and fruits; egg; vegetable oils; natural fruit juices, green tea, fruit drinks.

Important! In order to avoid dehydration of the intervertebral disc tissue, you should drink at least 2. 5 liters of clean non-carbonated water per day.

Possible consequences and complications

In the neck region, the vertebrae are located close to each other, the height of the intervertebral discs is small, so the various complications of osteochondrosis also occur with minor degenerative changes in the bone tissue.

Why is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine dangerous?

• frequent migraine attacks;
• heart rhythm disorders, atherosclerosis;
• protrusion, intervertebral hernia, bone growth of the vertebrae;
• severe brain pathologies;
• narrowing of the lumen of the vertebral artery, which leads to the development of VSD, cerebral hypertension and disability;
• spinal stroke.

Important! In advanced osteochondrosis, the spinal cord is compressed, which can be fatal.

Contraindications for cervical osteochondrosis

To live a full life with osteochondrosis, you must avoid activities that can cause pain and aggravation of the disease.

What not to do with cervical osteochondrosis:

• sleep on a very hard or soft mattress, on a high pillow;
• lift weights; if you have to lift something heavy, you should do it with a straight back and bent knees;
• carry a bag on one shoulder;
• when the pathology worsens, perform active movements in the head and neck area;
• smoking, drinking alcohol;
• walk without a scarf in cold weather, sit in a draft, near an air conditioner;
• stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time, sit;
• wear high heels;
• your neck will crack.

Thermal procedures - warming compresses, visits to the bath, warming up with a blue lamp - can only be performed during the remission phase of the disease. During an exacerbation, the heat relieves the pain only for a short time, but soon the unpleasant sensations return and the degree of their manifestation increases.

Disease prevention

To maintain the health of the spine, it is enough to follow simple prevention rules.

How to avoid cervical osteochondrosis:

• get rid of excess weight;
• exercise every morning, go swimming, yoga, dance;
• spend more time outdoors, morning walks are especially useful;
• eat right, check salt intake, follow the drinking regime;
• during sitting work, warm up your neck every hour and pay attention to your posture;
• keep your neck warm;
• get enough sleep, avoid physical, mental and emotional fatigue.

Sleep properly. Only your head, neck and shoulders should rest on the pillow on the mattress, and a small pillow should be placed under your feet. It is better to sleep on your back or in the fetal position, only on your side if the disease worsens. The mattress is orthopedic, medium hard, the pillow is rectangular, orthopedic, 15-20 cm high. When sleeping in the correct body position, the spine is straight, there are no bends in the various parts, and the muscles are relaxed.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic, slowly progressive disease, the signs of the disease do not appear immediately. A competent combination of traditional and folk treatment methods, exercise and diet will help to cope with unpleasant symptoms, and simple preventive measures will help to avoid a relapse of the pathology.