Osteochondrosis is a pathology in which the intervertebral discs that separate the vertebrae are destroyed. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in tissues can develop at different speeds and manifest with different symptoms. The clinical picture depends on which part is affected and what caused the disease.
general characteristics
Destructive processes in the spinal column can lead to irreversible consequences that significantly complicate a person's life. They can affect any region - cervical, thoracic or lumbar - or spread to the entire spine.
In most cases, osteochondrosis occurs in waves: periods of exacerbations alternate with periods of remission. In this case, 3 flow options are possible, of different nature:
- progressive - each subsequent deterioration is accompanied by more severe symptoms, the intervals between them decrease;
- regressing – the frequency and intensity of attacks is constantly decreasing;
- stable – exacerbations occur regularly with the same symptoms.
It is also worth noting that damage to different parts of the spine not only manifests itself differently. The therapeutic approach and treatment methods also have their own characteristics.
Phases
Pathological changes in discs and vertebrae do not occur immediately. Their development is preceded by deterioration of blood circulation and nutrition of paravertebral (paravertebral) structures caused by external and internal factors.
Degeneration of osteochondral tissue occurs in all people with age and serves as one of the signs of aging. However, this process can be dramatically accelerated after an injury or as a result of a general illness.
The early appearance of chondrosis is greatly facilitated by overloading the back - both dynamic and static, when a person is forced to stay in the same position for a long time.
Cervical osteochondrosis occurs in 3 stages, each of which is characterized by its own manifestations:
- Stage 1. Occasional headaches and discomfort in the back of the head and neck;
- Stage 2. Headaches become more frequent, sometimes you feel dizzy, and performance decreases. In phase 2, patients most often turn to a doctor, but it is no longer possible to achieve complete restoration of the damaged structures;
- Stage 3, finals. It is characterized by extensive damage to the vertebrae, discs and ligament system. It manifests itself as severe and almost constant headaches, loss of coordination of movements, stiffness of the cervical spine, as well as reduced vision and hearing.
Some experts distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis: the last one is accompanied by almost complete loss of mobility and severe neurological symptoms.
From stage to stage, the nucleus pulposus of the disc loses moisture, and thus the elasticity disappears, and the cushioning properties decrease. The intervertebral disc dries out, flattens and cracks. Adjacent vertebrae move closer together, which in turn causes movement of the facet joints. All this leads to pinching of spinal nerves, pain and other symptoms.
IMPORTANT: the therapy of osteochondrosis of the 2nd and 3rd stages is reduced to the prevention of recurrence and the maximization of the remission phase.
Causes of exacerbation
In order for cervical chondrosis to worsen, it is necessary to be exposed to one or more factors, among which doctors call:
- high loads on the back and spine associated with lifting heavy weights or changing training programs for athletes;
- psychoemotional overload;
- massages or manual therapy procedures performed by an unqualified professional;
- seasonality - exacerbations occur most often in spring and autumn;
- hormonal imbalance during pregnancy and menopause;
- the presence of chronic diseases that weaken the body, including frequent colds;
- sudden weight gain.
Symptoms
An attack of cervical osteochondrosis may begin with discomfort in the shoulder girdle and occipital region. At the same time, the general well-being deteriorates, the person gets tired quickly, copes worse with professional and everyday duties.
Sometimes there is a sudden exacerbation with severe headaches. Often (in 72% of cases) certain signs indicate an approaching attack - in particular, a feeling of heaviness in the head, dull pain in the neck and shoulder girdle. Symptoms are usually worse in the morning.
Symptoms of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis have significant similarities with the general clinical picture of this disease. The main symptom is pain of varying intensity and nature. The back of the neck on one or both sides and the head may hurt. Often the pain spreads to the collarbone and shoulder area. In some people, the painful sensation occurs only when turning or tilting the head, or moving the arm.
IMPORTANT: sometimes cervical chondrosis "masks" as a heart attack and causes pain behind the sternum, under the shoulder blade and in the left arm.
Signs of acute osteochondrosis may also include:
- dizziness;
- deterioration of sleep, reduced concentration, memory problems;
- flickering spots before the eyes, noise and ringing in the ears;
- nausea that turns into vomiting;
- violation of diction;
- sensitivity disorder in the neck and arm.
There are no "painless" variants of the course of osteochondrosis, damage to any part is manifested by pain of different localization and intensity
Cervical chondrosis cannot be ignored; Without treatment, it will not only worsen more often, but can also cause a serious complication in the form of a stroke. The cause of acute cerebrovascular infarction is the compression of the large arteries that supply the brain.
How long does an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis last?
The duration of the attack depends on the factor that caused it, the season and the state of general health of the person, as well as on the methods of treatment. Exacerbation is more difficult to tolerate and lasts longer in the cold season.
On average, the acute period lasts from 4 days to a week, and then the pain gradually decreases, which takes about three more weeks. The total duration of the exacerbation is a month and a half.
What to do
The best thing you can do if you suspect cervical chondrosis is to see a neurologist or orthopedist. He will prescribe the necessary studies, find out what leads to exacerbations and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Before visiting the doctor, you should avoid any stress on your back and take the most comfortable position. It is recommended to lie on a flat and elastic surface in order to relax the muscles of the neck as much as possible and reduce the intensity of the pain. It is preferable to isolate the painful area with a scarf, handkerchief or wrap yourself in a blanket.
It is very important to immobilize the cervical spine and try not to turn or tilt the head too much. For this purpose, doctors even advise wearing special orthopedic collars. You can make them yourself from cotton wool and cardboard or buy them at a pharmacy.
IMPORTANT: the orthopedic collar should not be worn for more than four hours a day, otherwise it will cause harm, not benefit, and recovery will be delayed.
The most famous of the neck braces is the Shants collar. This is an indispensable tool for temporary relief and stretching of the spine in the neck area. Despite its rather rough appearance, such a splint, when properly selected, provides comfort and significantly reduces pain.
Severe pain is relieved with painkillers. The most effective drugs are from the group of NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If osteochondrosis worsens, it is forbidden to heat the painful area in any way - with heating ointment, applying mustard plasters or poultices or taking a steam bath in a sauna. Do not massage the affected area or self-medicate.
Treatment
Treatment of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis is carried out by medical and non-medical methods. The latter include physiotherapy, massage and gymnastics. Traditional medicine can have a good effect, with their agreement with the attending physician.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out only in extreme cases and consists of partial or complete removal of hernias, osteophytes (bone growths)
In the acute period, the main efforts are aimed at alleviating pain. Depending on its intensity, analgesics and NSAIDs in the form of injections or tablets are prescribed. These can be medicines based on the substances diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide, metamizole sodium. In addition to them, it is recommended to use anti-inflammatory ointments.
Muscle relaxants will help relieve muscle spasms. If there is swelling, then diuretics are prescribed to remove excess fluid, thereby reducing the pressure on the nerve endings.
After the elimination of acute symptoms, vitamin complexes containing B vitamins are added to the treatment; nootropics that normalize the transmission of impulses along nerve fibers; chondroprotectors for restoring and strengthening cartilage tissue of intervertebral discs.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy, which can be prescribed in the subacute phase and continued in the remission period, helps to quickly alleviate the deterioration of cervical osteochondrosis. They help to improve blood supply to the damaged segment, relax the muscles and reduce pain and inflammation. Electrophoresis, ultrasound, magnetic and cryotherapy (treatment with cold) are traditionally considered the most effective methods.
At the beginning of the remission period, massage sessions are prescribed, which can be done in a specialized office or at home. It is best to practice both.
Exercise therapy
If chondrosis of the cervical spine has worsened and is accompanied by severe pain, the person is prescribed strict bed rest. As the pain subsides, they first switch to a semi-recumbent mode and then to a mild motor mode.
For all patients at any stage of chondrosis, it is useful to sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow. Such supplements maintain the anatomically correct position of the body and relieve stiffness and pain in the morning due to the gentle traction of the spine. In hospitals, a Glisson loop is used for this purpose.
The preferred positions for cervical chondrosis are on the side and on the back. An important condition is a comfortable and "correct" pillow, preferably orthopedic.
When the acute pain passes, physical exercises begin. In combination with other methods, its efficiency is very high. The first training sessions should be performed under the supervision of an instructor who will select you and teach you how to perform the exercises correctly.
IMPORTANT: tempo and amplitude should be gradually increased, expanding the program and increasing the load over time.
Gymnastics according to Bonina
- While sitting or standing, raise your arms up. With an inhale, connect the fingers at the top and lower the joined hands down. The neck stays in place.
- Half rotation of the shoulder. Pull your shoulders back, drawing an arc in the air, and bring it back along the same arc.
- Stretch your head forward and stay in this position for a few seconds.
- Turn your head now to the right, now to the left, looking over your shoulder each time.
- Raise your right shoulder and lower your left shoulder at the same time.
Gymnastics according to Bubnovski
- Sitting on a chair, turn your head to the right and lower your chin to your shoulder, stay in this position. Then repeat the exercise on the left side.
- Tilt your head toward your chest while gently pulling your neck forward and up.
- Turn your head with your chin up, first to the right, then to the left. Then repeat the exercise, raising your arms up and connecting your fingers.
- Place your left hand on your right shoulder and turn your head to the left. Hold for a few seconds and turn your head to the right, place your right hand on your left shoulder.
- Place your hands on your hips and slowly straighten up, rolling your back back and pulling your neck up.
- Starting position – standing, head down. Move your chin smoothly first to the right and then to the left shoulder, each time lowering it in the middle towards the chest.
Traditional methods
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis at home includes water and heating procedures, and the use of orthopedic aids. Lotions and poultices made from vegetables and herbs are always in demand and popular.
In case of worsening, you can take a warm shower and wrap your neck with a warm scarf. To reduce pain and inflammation, lotions are made from herbs - for example, sage and peppermint. To prepare a medicinal solution, boil one or two spoons of the plant in a glass of boiling water and leave for 15-20 minutes. After it cools down to a comfortable temperature, soak a cotton pad or bandage in it and apply it to the place where it hurts for 10-20 minutes. The procedure is performed up to 4 times a day.
Onion compress is prepared from grated or chopped onion in a blender. The resulting mass is distributed on gauze and applied to the neck, covering the top with transparent film and a cotton cloth. After 2-3 hours, the dressing is removed and the skin is washed with warm water.
Therapeutic wraps are a simple, affordable and very effective method of treatment if used correctly.
Applying kerosene is done like this: dip a linen or cotton cloth (you can use gauze or a bandage) in kerosene and apply it to the neck area. Cover the top of the liner with cotton wool or polythene to prevent spreading. Leave it on for no more than three hours, if there is a strong burning sensation, remove immediately and rinse with water.
As an emergency aid for acute chondrosis of the cervical vertebra, a product with the following composition is used:
- 5 tablets of analgin crushed into powder;
- ethyl alcohol - 15 ml;
- camphor alcohol - 5 ml;
- iodine - 5 ml.
Mix everything and rub it into the skin over the painful area.
Osteochondrosis can also be treated "inside", by taking, for example, an infusion of pine buds. In this recipe, they are used ready-made from the pharmacy or fresh, collected in early spring. Fresh buds must be cut off beforehand.
For medicinal purposes, it is better to use medium-sized buds, because they contain more useful substances.
The raw materials are covered with sugar in a ratio of 1: 2 and infused for two weeks. Use one teaspoon of the finished product three times a day. To enhance the effect, it is necessary to keep it in the mouth for some time and only then swallow it. The course of treatment is up to three weeks.
Things to consider
All doctors insist that the initial stages of osteochondrosis occur almost imperceptibly and are not particularly disturbing. At this stage, when the symptoms are limited to mild discomfort and mild stiffness in the morning, you can be cured only with the help of exercise therapy. You will not need any medication, but you will need to adjust your diet and lifestyle.
The best prevention of both the disease itself and its relapses is physical activity. Regular physical exercise will maintain good posture and prevent the development of destructive processes in the spine.
In severe, advanced cases, there is also much that can be done. Systematic application of the complex of therapeutic gymnastics and the course of drug treatment will significantly improve well-being and reduce the risk of new exacerbations.
FAQ
What symptoms of deterioration of cervical osteochondrosis can appear?
During the worsening of cervical osteochondrosis, the patient may feel pain in the neck, shoulders, hands, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands, as well as limited mobility of the neck.
What factors can cause cervical osteochondrosis to worsen?
Aggravation of cervical osteochondrosis can be caused by overloading the neck, prolonged stay in the wrong position, trauma, stress, as well as age-related changes in the spine.
What methods of treatment of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis can be effective?
Non-medical methods (massage, physiotherapy, exercises), drug therapy and, in some cases, surgical intervention can be used to alleviate symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis exacerbation.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Maintain proper posture and avoid staying in the wrong position for long periods of time. Do neck and back exercises regularly to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
Tip #2
Avoid sitting at a computer or monitor for long periods of time. Take regular breaks to stretch your neck and back, do eye exercises, and do neck and shoulder relaxation exercises.
Tip #3
Use a pillow and mattress that support the proper position of your neck and back while you sleep. This will help reduce the load on the spine and prevent the deterioration of osteochondrosis.