Symptoms, prevention and treatment of chondrosis of the cervical spine

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

Sedentary lifestyle, improper posture and wearing uncomfortable shoes can lead to a rather serious disease, which is almost impossible to diagnose in the initial stages.

Features of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, commonly called thoracic chondrosis, is a disease of the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. Also, thoracic osteochondrosis is called a “chameleon” because the symptoms are not detected immediately and can be mistaken for a completely different disease.

The disease most often occurs due to metabolic disorders, as well as excessive stress on the intervertebral discs. Thoracic chondrosis interferes with the normal functioning of the intervertebral disc.

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

• Painful chest pains,stronger at night, as well as with sharp bends or hypothermia.
• Pain between the shoulder bladeswith sudden limb lifting or sharp bending.
• Sharp pain when sighingand chest tightness.

The above symptoms refer to the initial stage of the disease.

With an extended course without medical intervention, the following symptoms may occur:

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

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

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

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

The following feelings of pain are characteristic of the disease:

• Periodic headaches.
• Occasionally painful pain in the neck, back, shoulders.
• Short-term visual impairment.
• Decreased collar zone sensitivity.

Symptoms of cervical chondrosis

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

• Pain in the cervical spine, strong crunching when turning the head suddenly.
• Occasional loss of sensation in arms and shoulders.
• Visual impairment and repeated ringing in the ears, sleep problems.
• Numbness of face and neck, weakening of upper limbs.
• Periodic sharp pain in the shoulder blades.

The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis is difficult to treat. Intervertebral hernia increases in size, spinal deformation is observed.

For the third stage, the following symptoms will appear:

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

The fourth stage is characterized by worsening of all the above symptoms.

Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis

A fairly common disease that immediately affects the cervical and thoracic regions. It can start at absolutely any age due to back injuries, an inactive 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 code M 42. 02.

Symptoms of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis include:

• Sudden dizziness.
• Painful pains in neck and shoulders.
• Pain in right hypochondrium.
• Drop in blood pressure and tachycardia.

Osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome

The disease got its name due to dysfunction in the roots of the intervertebral nerves.

When the roots are affected, a number of rather disordered symptoms develop, including sharp “shooting” pains in the lumbar region and neck.

Symptoms may also include:

• Short-term loss of ability to perform any movements.
• Loss of sensation in the limbs.
• Muscle hypotrophy.
• Changes in neurological reflexes (detected on examination by a neurologist).

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

• Uneven load on the spine during overweight, pregnancy, wearing uncomfortable shoes.
• Asymmetry of lower limbs, straight feet.
• Injuries, sharp loads on the spine.

If the disease is detected at an early stage, surgical intervention is not required.

Causes of cervical osteochondrosis

Main reasons for the development of osteochondrosis:

• Heavy weight and inactive work, sedentary lifestyle.
• Previous spinal injuries and spinal curvature.
• Stress and nervous tension.
• Lack of physical fitness.
• Lack of a healthy diet.

Degree of osteochondrosis of the thoracic and cervical region

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

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

Diagnostics

To diagnose osteochondrosis, the first step is to perform a complete examination of the spine. Signs of osteochondrosis in the initial stage can be confused with a number of other diseases. It is necessary to perform the diagnosis by a highly qualified specialist.

To diagnose the disease, you need to contact a doctor who will refer you to a specialist. The sooner a patient seeks medical help, the faster and safer it will be.

In fact, osteochondrosis is not treated by one specialist, but by several:

• Radiologist.After receiving X-ray results, the picture of the disease will be clearer.
• Chiropractor. It determines the exact place 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 related to diseases of the nervous system. The doctor will help treat the disease, both in the first and second stages.
• Physiotherapist.is ​​a physiotherapy specialist. Physical education helps only in the early stages of the disease.

Acute exacerbation of the disease is considered quite common. In such cases, you should consult a neurologist immediately. Osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar region is closely related to nerve diseases. The neurologist will prescribe a course of taking special medications that relieve pain.

Osteochondrosis during pregnancy and lactation in women

Osteochondrosis during pregnancy is a common phenomenon, as during pregnancy a woman undergoes global restructuring and a very strong load on the whole body. The disease has no effect on the fetus, but it can cause serious problems during childbirth.

And the period of breastfeeding is also recommended by the doctor and wearing corrective corsets to reduce the tension of the spine.

Reasons for osteochondrosis during pregnancy include:

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

To prevent the disease, you must consult a doctor at the first disturbing signs. You should not wait for the pregnancy to end. After childbirth, the disease can progress and will be much harder to cure.

If the disease is detected, pregnant women will be given a prenatal bandage, a course of vitamins and minerals, as well as special gymnastics.

First aid for worsening osteochondrosis at home

The duration of exacerbation depends on the type and degree of neglect of the disease. Worsening can usually last from one week to one month.

Attention! In case of exacerbation of the disease, it is forbidden: heating in the bath or any other heating, massage and self-medication.

If a sudden attack occurs, you must do the following before the doctor arrives:

1. Allow the patient maximum rest.
2. If possible, place the patient on a solid surface.
3. Apply a cold compress to the affected area.
4. Apply anti-inflammatory ointment to the affected area.

If a visit to a specialist is not possible in the near future, you must resort to the following actions:

• Take advantage of the warm, relaxing shower.
• Don't make sudden movements.
• Don't lift weights.
• To avoid further tightening, keep your neck still.

Dorsago and dorsalgia

Dorsagois ​​the name of one of the symptoms of thoracic spine inflammation. Dorsago is characterized by sharp pains in the area of ​​the heart, most often occurring in people who work monotonously sitting work or after a long stay in an awkward position. Sudden movements may cause short-term breathing difficulties.

Dorsalgiais ​​a pain syndrome that occurs with a sharp worsening of the disease and lasts for about 2 weeks. With dorsalgia, the sensations of pain gradually increase. The pain is especially strong when you bend forward or breathe deeply. The most common withdrawal pains occur in the area of ​​the shoulder blades, the lumbar region.

Methods for treating cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis

In case of illness, various methods of treating osteochondrosis are used.

The most common are:

• Physiotherapy- paraffin wraps, magnetic therapy, laser therapy.
• Physiotherapygymnastics and massage.
• Reflexology- the treatment is performed using needles that act on the affected areas. It is necessary to consult a specialist before starting treatment, as there are a number of contraindications.
• Folk remediesand nutrition.
• Medication- prescribed only after a complete examination by a specialist.

Medications

To relieve back pain, doctors usually prescribe medication. When the phase has progressed, medications briefly relieve the pain. Therefore, to relieve pain and further inflammation, doctors prescribe NSAIDs in the form of tablets or capsules.

Chondoprotectors- another type of medication prescribed for osteochondrosis. The drugs are intended to protect and strengthen bone and cartilage tissue from destruction.

In case of a strong inflammatory process that occurs in the muscle tissue, the patient will be prescribed medications to relieve muscle cramps.

Dosage must be determined by the attending physician. The course of medication is not longer than 3 weeks.

Also one of the effective methods of drug treatment is the use of injections that can relieve pain.

Fixing agents

In case of complex treatment, the patient may be prescribed to wear special corsets and bandages.

Exercises for osteochondrosis

Exercises prescribed in the physiotherapy room can not only alleviate the pain, but also strengthen the muscles of the spine, which additionally prevents the development of all kinds of complications. Also, after a few courses of physiotherapy exercises, the position significantly improves.

Well-known doctor Bubnovsky has developed a set of exercises for the treatment of osteochondrosis, which can be used at home.

The most common exercises are:

• Walking, slightly raising arms and legs.
• Rotation of the shoulders in different directions, bringing and expanding the shoulder blades.
• Slow head bends to the side.
• Stretching exercises for the muscles of the spine and neck.
• Flexion of arms and legs.

In case of cervical osteochondrosis, turning the head is forbidden, because it is possible to cause a complication of the disease.

Physiotherapy treatments

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

Today, the most common physiotherapy procedures are:

• Vibration massage- helps remove pinched nerves on the intervertebral discs. Contraindication - pregnancy, high blood pressure.
• Acupuncture- relieves pain. It also helps you relax your back muscles. Contraindication is epilepsy.
• Electrotherapy- the method consists in the use of a weak effect of current on the affected areas of the spine. Contraindication is the presence of heart disease.
• Ultraviolet- enriches the body with vitamin D, thanks to which calcium is absorbed faster. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the affected area. Contraindication for the procedure is the presence of blood diseases, allergic skin reactions, 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. In complex treatment, it is especially important to adhere to the correct dosage and method of treatment.

Folk remedies for home use relieve pain in the muscles and joints, and also restore joint mobility:

• Fir and turpentine ointment.150g. dissolve any fat of animal origin in a water bath 1 tbsp. fir oil and turpentine. After 20 minutes, remove the fat from the heat, let it cool and apply exclusively to the affected areas of the spine.
• Mustard wrap.Combine mustard powder, vodka and camphor alcohol in equal amounts. After mixing well, add 4 egg whites. Let the mixture cook for 4 hours. Apply the compress to the affected areas.
• Turpentine bath.Shake the solution bottle well. Then pour 5 ml of emulsion into a warm bath. In subsequent times, the solution can be increased to 10-15 ml. You need to spend 20 minutes in such a bath. The water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. It is also necessary to ensure that water does not reach the heart area.

Method of treatment of osteochondrosis according to Valentin Dikul

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

The following principles should be followed during exercise:

• Compliance with the sequence of exercises.
• Gradually load your body with exercise.
• Regular performance.
• Turn off fast exercises, the technique involves smooth and slow movements.

Dietary principles for osteochondrosis

In case of complex treatment, a special diet must be followed which includes:

• Drinking lots of water.
• Adequate amount of vitamins and minerals in food.
• Eat foods rich in protein and calcium.

The diet assumes an exception:

• Fried, fatty and spicy foods.
• Refusing fast snacks (sandwiches, fast food).
• Avoid eating for a few hours before bed.

Preventive measures

To prevent or stop the development of the disease, the following prophylaxis should be used:

• Always monitor your posture, do yoga or morning exercises.
• Limitation of sharp loads on the spine.
• Limit awkward movements.
• Avoid uncomfortable shoes as well as shoes with high heels.
• Even distribution of the load on the spine when performing any job.

Conclusion

By properly following all the above recommendations, as well as timely referral to specialists, almost any disease can be cured. It takes a lot more time and money to treat osteochondrosis, but advanced disease can lead to wheelchairs.