Symptoms, prevention and treatment of cervical spine chondrosis

Today, such a disease, such as osteochondrosis of the chest and cervical spine, is considered a fairly common disease among people of different ages.

osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

A sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, and wearing uncomfortable shoes can lead to a fairly serious illness that is almost impossible to diagnose in the initial stages.

Characteristics of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, most commonly referred to as thoracic chondrosis, is a disease of the intervertebral plates of the thoracic spine. Chest degenerative disc disease is also called a "chameleon" because the symptoms are not immediately detected and can be mistaken for a completely different disease.

The disease is most often caused by metabolic disorders as well as excessive stress on the intervertebral discs. Chest chondrosis disrupts the normal functioning of the intervertebral disc.

Unlike other types, chest osteochondrosis is less pronounced and has the following symptoms:

  • Painful chest pain,worse at night, and with sharp twists or hypothermia.
  • Pain between the shoulder bladesby sharply raising or sharply bending the limb.
  • Sharp pain when sighingand chest tightness.
plate changes in osteochondrosis

The above symptoms indicate the initial stage of the disease.

The following symptoms may occur during a long course without medical intervention:

  • Numbness in small areas of skin.
  • Itching or burning in the legs.
  • Severe flakes.
  • Mild pain in the throat or esophagus.
  • Poor gastrointestinal function.

Cervical spine osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, or cervical chondrosis, is a disease that weakens the intervertebral discs, leading to changes in the structure of the discs and cervical joints. The nerve endings can become inflamed, compressed by destructive vertebral discs.

According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) M42. It has code 02.

The following sensations of pain are present in the disease:

  • Intermittent headache.
  • Occasionally aching pain in the neck, back, shoulders.
  • Short-term visual impairment.
  • Decreased sensitivity of the collar zone.

Symptoms of cervical chondrosis

symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The second stage is characterized by the appearance of small spinal hernias and the following symptoms:

  • Pain in the cervical spine, strong crackling on a sharp turn of the head.
  • Intermittent loss of sensitivity in the arms and shoulders.
  • Visual impairment and recurrent tinnitus, sleep disturbance.
  • Numbness of the face and neck, weakening of the upper limbs.
  • Intermittent sharp pain in the shoulder blades.

The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis is difficult to treat. The size of the intervertebral hernia increases, there is a deformity of the spine.

In the third stage, the following symptoms appear:

  • Severe pain in the neck and heart.
  • Loss of sensitivity of the scalp, arms, shoulders.
  • Paralysis of the upper extremities.
  • Hernia of the cervical vertebrae.

The fourth stage is characterized by exacerbation of the above symptoms.

Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis

A fairly common disease that immediately affects the neck and chest regions. It can start at absolutely any age due to back injuries, a sedentary lifestyle, and being overweight. Hereditary factors and work in hazardous production (excessive vibration) play an important role.

According to ICD-10, this type of osteochondrosis has the code M 42. 02.

Symptoms of cervicothoracal osteochondrosis include:

how does osteochondrosis manifest itself
  • Sudden dizziness.
  • Aching pains in the neck and shoulders.
  • Pain in the right hypochondrium.
  • Blood pressure drops and tachycardia.

Osteochondrosis with radical syndrome

The disease got its name from the interference of normal function in the roots of the intervertebral nerves.

When the roots are involved, there are a number of rather disordered symptoms, including sharp "shot" pains in the lumbar region and neck.

Symptoms may include:

  • Short-term loss of execution of movements.
  • Loss of sensation in the limbs.
  • Muscle hypotrophy.
  • Changes in neurological reflexes (detected by a neurologist).

The occurrence of radicular syndrome is associated with the following factors:

  • Uneven loading of the spine is overweight during pregnancy when wearing uncomfortable shoes.
  • Asymmetry of the lower limbs, flat legs.
  • Injuries, sharp loads on the spine.

If the disease is detected at an early stage, no surgery is required.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

causes of osteochondrosis

Main causes of osteochondrosis:

  • Heavy weight and sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle.
  • Previous spinal injuries and spinal curvature.
  • Stress and nervous strain.
  • Lack of physical fitness.
  • Lack of healthy eating.

Extent of osteochondrosis of the chest and neck region

The development of osteochondrosis of the cervix is ​​characterized by the following stages of the disease:

  • The first stageis ​​characterized by changes in the intervertebral discs. The changes begin to occur from the nucleus of the intervertebral discs due to the disappearance of fluid reserves. The pain is not yet perceptible.
  • In the second stage, the intervertebral discs become flatter. As a result, there are strong loads on the ligaments and muscles that start to numb due to the constant strong load. Constant dizziness is characteristic.
  • The third stageis ​​characterized by significant changes in bone and cartilage tissue, the appearance of arthrosis.
  • The fourth stageis ​​characterized by the appearance of vertebrae on the vertebrae.

Diagnostics

To diagnose osteochondrosis, a complete examination of the spine must first be performed. Signs of osteochondrosis in the initial stage can be confused with many other diseases. Diagnosis should be performed by a highly trained professional.

To diagnose the disease, you should contact your doctor, who will consult a specialist with a narrower profile. The earlier a patient seeks medical help, the faster and safer the treatment.

diagnosis of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is not really treated by one specialist, but by several people:

  • Radiologist.Once the X-ray results are received, the picture of the disease will be clearer.
  • Chiropractor. It determines the exact location and stage of the disease.
  • The doctor is an osteopath.The method of treatment is very similar to manual therapy.
  • Doctor - neuropathologist.Osteochondrosis is closely linked to diseases of the nervous system. Your doctor will help treat the disease, both in the first and second stages.
  • Doctor - Physiotherapist.Specialist in physiotherapy practices. Physical education only helps in the early stages of the disease.

Acute exacerbations of the disease are considered to be quite common. In such cases, consult a neurologist immediately. Osteochondrosis of the neck, chest, and lumbar region is closely associated with neurological disease. Your neurologist will prescribe special painkillers.

Osteochondrosis during pregnancy and lactation in women

Osteochondrosis during pregnancy is a common phenomenon because during pregnancy, a woman undergoes a global restructuring and puts a very heavy strain on her entire body. Fetal disease has no effect, but it can cause a number of serious problems during childbirth.

And it is recommended that the doctor observe the duration of breastfeeding and wear a corrective corset to reduce spinal tension.

osteochondrosis during pregnancy

Causes of osteochondrosis during pregnancy include:

  • Weight gain and severe stress on the spine as well as wearing uncomfortable shoes.
  • Uterine pressure on adjacent organs.
  • Changes in hormonal levels.
  • Lack of useful vitamins and minerals.
  • Lack of rest and sleep, various stress.

To prevent the disease, consult a doctor after the first signs of confusion. You should not wait for the end of your pregnancy. After childbirth, the disease can progress and become much more difficult to cure.

If any illness is detected, the pregnant woman is instructed to wear a prenatal bandage, vitamin and mineral regimen, and special exercise.

First aid for worsening osteochondrosis at home

The duration of exacerbation depends on the type and extent of neglect of the disease. Most often, exacerbation can last from 1 week to 1 month.

Attention! In case of aggravation of the disease is prohibited: warming up in a bath or any other warming, massage and self-healing.

If a sudden attack occurs, you should do the following before the doctors arrive:

  1. Provide maximum rest for the patient.
  2. If possible, lay the patient on a solid surface.
  3. Cool a compression to the affected area.
  4. Apply anti-inflammatory ointment to the affected area.

If it is impossible to visit a professional in the near future, you should take the following steps:

  • Take a warm, relaxing shower.
  • Do not make sudden movements.
  • Do not lift weights.
  • Hold the neck firmly to avoid further squeezing.

Dorsago and dorsalgia

Dorsagois ​​a symptom of inflammation of the thoracic spine. Dorsagora is characterized by sharp pain in the region of the heart, most often in people who do monotonous sedentary work, or after a long, uncomfortable position. Short-term breathing difficulties are possible with sudden movement.

Dorsalgia- a pain syndrome that occurs during a sharp worsening of the disease, lasting about 2 weeks. In dorsalgia, the pain sensations gradually increase. The pain is especially severe if you lean forward or breathe deeply. Tensile pain is most common in the shoulder blades, the lumbar region.

Methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck and chest

Different methods of treating osteochondrosis are used in the disease.

physiotherapy for osteochondrosis

The most common are:

  • Physiotherapy- paraffin compressions, magnetic therapy, laser therapy.
  • Physiotherapygymnastics and massage.
  • Reflexotherapy- treatment is performed with needles acting on the affected areas. A specialist should be consulted before starting treatment, as there are many contraindications.
  • Folk remediesand diet.
  • Medication- prescribed only after full examination by a specialist.

Medication

Doctors most often prescribe medication to relieve spinal pain. As the stage progresses, the medications relieve the pain for a short time. Therefore, to relieve pain and further inflammation, doctors prescribe NSAIDs in the form of tablets or capsules.

Condom Protectors- other types of medicines prescribed for osteochondrosis. The formulations are designed to protect and strengthen bone and cartilage tissues from destruction.

In the event of a severe inflammatory process in muscle tissue, the patient is prescribed medications to relieve muscle cramps.

Dosage should be determined by your doctor. The process of drug use is up to 3 weeks.

One of the effective methods of medication is the use of pain-relieving injections.

Repair Tool

In case of complex treatment, the patient may be required to wear a special fastening corset and bandage.

Exercises for osteochondrosis

Exercises prescribed in a physiotherapy room can not only relieve pain, but can also strengthen the muscles of the spine, further preventing the development of various complications. And even after many physiotherapy practices, posture improves significantly.

Well-known physician Bubnovsky has developed a series of practices for the treatment of osteochondrosis that can be used at home.

The most common exercises are:

  • Walk, raising arms and legs smoothly.
  • Rotation of the shoulders in different directions, tightening and lengthening of the shoulder blades.
  • Slow head bends sideways.
  • Stretch exercises for the spine and neck muscles.
  • Bending the arms and legs.

In osteochondrosis of the neck, rotation of the head is prohibited as it is possible to induce a complication of the disease.

Physiotherapy treatments

Physiotherapy is primarily aimed at reducing spinal pain. The procedure improves blood circulation, enriches the muscles with oxygen.

physiotherapy methods

The most common physiotherapy procedures today are:

  • Vibrating Massage- helps get rid of pinched nerves in the intervertebral discs. Contraindications - pregnancy, high blood pressure.
  • Acupuncture- relieves pain. It also helps to relax the back muscles. Contraindications to epilepsy.
  • Electrotherapy- the method consists of applying a weak effect of the current to the affected areas of the spine. Contraindicated in the presence of heart disease.
  • Ultraviolet- Enriches the body with vitamin D, which allows calcium to be absorbed faster. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the affected area. Contraindications to the procedure are blood diseases, the presence of allergic reactions on the skin, cancer.

Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies

In the complex treatment of the disease, some doctors also recommend the use of folk remedies to eliminate the disease. During complex treatment, it is especially important to adhere to the correct dosage and method of treatment.

Folk remedies for home use relieve muscle and joint pain and also restore joint mobility:

  • Pine and turpentine ointment.150g. melt all animal fat in a water bath 1 tbsp. pine oil and turpentine. After 20 minutes, remove the ointment from the heat, allow to cool and apply only to the affected areas of the spine.
  • Mustard compaction.Combine mustard powder, vodka and camphor alcohol in equal amounts. After thorough mixing, add 4 egg whites. Allow the mixture to boil for 4 hours. Apply a compression to the affected areas.
  • Turpentine bath.Shake the vial containing the solution well. Then pour 5 ml of emulsion into a warm bath. In the following times, the solution can be increased to 10-15 ml. You have to spend 20 minutes in such a bath. The water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. It must also be ensured that the water does not reach the area of ​​the heart.

How to treat osteochondrosis according to Valentin Dikul

This technique is quite common in the treatment of the disease. Valentin Ivanovich Dikul first tried his method on his own. Dikul's technique is indicated for diseases of the spine and intervertebral hernia.

The following principles should be followed during exercise:

  • Adherence to the order of exercises.
  • Gradually load your body with exercise.
  • Regular performance.
  • Excluding quick exercises, the technique moves smoothly and slowly.

Principles of nutrition in osteochondrosis

nutritional principles

In case of complex treatment, a special diet should be followed, which includes the following:

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals in the food.
  • Consume foods rich in protein and calcium.

Diet assumes an exception:

  • Fried, fatty and spicy foods.
  • Reject quick snacks (sandwiches, fast food).
  • Avoid eating for hours before going to bed.

Preventive measures

The following prophylaxis should be used to prevent the disease from developing or to stop its progression:

  • Always watch your posture, do yoga or do morning exercises.
  • Limiting the sharp load on the spine.
  • Restricts jerking movements.
  • Avoid uncomfortable shoes as well as high heels.
  • Even distribution of spinal load during any work.

Conclusion

Almost any disease can be cured by following the recommendations above and referring them to specialists in a timely manner. Treating osteochondrosis takes a lot more time and money, but an advanced disease can lead to a wheelchair.