Osteochondrosis (bone - osteon, cartilage chondros, Greek.)– it joints, degenerative changes in the cartilage of the intervertebral disc, the start eating disorders, weakening of the metabolism and lead to aging and tissue destruction of the hard disk of cartilage and the intervertebral.
Diagnosis and treatment of degenerative disc of the neck, diseases of the spine – it is a complex process, as this supports the spine flexible and the muscles, the vertebrae, to train the weak and heavy. A further difficulty is that the bracket for the cervical spine, in contrast to the corsets and bandages for the other departments of the spine is to carry difficult to hide since it is impossible under the clothes.
Why the osteochondrosis
Causes of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are many and varied – to the hereditary tendency to the constant high loads. In today's world, osteochondrosis younger, his symptoms begin to appear in people of 20 years and sometimes younger.
The main causes of the disease are the following:
- Static overload when the person is forced to a longer period of time in a monotonous attitude. To drive the constant sitting in the Computer chair or a car is one of the main causes for degenerative disc disease, including in the neck area;
- Dynamic overload – sudden motion, rotation, incorrectly calculated strain during sports. Frequent change of body position, lifting and moving of heavy loads;
- Incorrect posture while sitting at the table or the constant wearing of a backpack on the shoulder;
- Injuries of the spine, permanent Myositis neck muscles.
The most important reasons of the disease are additional factors such as hypothermia, the influence of some chemical substances in air and food, the non-observance of the nutrition and leisure time, obesity, hereditary predisposition,trophic pathology of the joints, hormonal disorders. All of these factors can hardly be the cause of degenerative disc disease, but in the complex with the main reasons for this is the risk of occurrence increase.
How to recognize the disease
Signs of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are so obvious that every person is easily able to recognize it:
- Difficulties occur when you try to turn the head. Depending on the localization and the intensity of the violation of the rotation angle can be different – sometimes the person is not able to rotate the head, and sometimes there is only mild pain;
- Neck muscles are in constant tension, this starts to be pain in the whole shoulder girdle. In each experiment, the shoulders and relax your neck muscles with pain;
- Complaints in the Hand, on the length from the shoulder to the Hand. A numb feeling spreading in the outer part of the Hand and is so strong, that in addition to knead by Hand;
- Cutting acute pain, accompanied by tingling;
- Even slight pressure on the shoulders, or a Hand increases the pain. In the acute Phase of the pain can be so strong that people seems to be prohibitively difficult draped over shoulders coat;
- Any sudden movement, sneezing, coughing, turning the head, especially in the direction of the healthy parts of the neck, the pain is worse.
The diagnosis of the disease
These are the simplest signs of osteochondrosis, to notice and to recognize every person for themselves.
Actually, the symptoms of degenerative disc of the neck, diseases of the spine are many and varied. Some of them are so similar to the symptoms of diseases of the CCC and back, thoracic vertebrae pain, to distinguish between what only a specialist can:
- Sometimes the Patient may numbness felt in the lower extremities, the limits of mobility;
- In the case of compressed vertebral artery migraine to occur, in connection with the restriction of the blood supply to the tissues of the brain. In the development of cervical degenerative disc disease headaches can be permanent;
- The character of the headache can be very different, but mostly they arise in the back of the head moved, and in the Temporo-parietal part. The bending and twisting of the head, the pain intensified, and even if the metallic consciousness;
- Sometimes there is pressure, persistent pain in the inner area.
All of these symptoms are non-specific and specific diseases for cervical degenerative disc and correctly to define the place of localization of the pathology, the expert can only. During the diagnostic-instrumental methods to be used:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
- Fluoroscopic Research;
- Computed tomography;
- The Ultrasound Investigation.
These and other techniques allow the doctor to determine what type of vertebrae amazed in what place pathology localized, and in accordance with the intensity of the problem, appropriate treatment.
The basic principles of the treatment
How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, only the doctor can determine. Self-treatment is not in most cases leads to the desired result, but only worsens the Problem.
The treatment of osteochondrosis consists of two phases:
- The drug treatment is based on the decrease of inflammation and the elimination of a painful syndrome. The main drugs used are NSAIDs and analgesics, the oral can be taken, and can be administered intramuscularly,. The second route of administration is preferable, because the drug acts faster and has no influence on the digestive tract. In the hospital patients, the implementation of the procedure of electrophoresis, the fast Penetration of active ingredients promotes to the hearth of inflammation;
- Physiotherapy treatments, the start lead to the decrease of the inflammation and relieve pain.
The main physiotherapeutic methods of treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease are the following:
- Massage, which should only do a expert. Do not trust Amateurs, because each incorrect pressure or a violent motion can lead to a worsening of the problem. The effect, instead of a normal massage oil used anti-inflammatory and pain can be ointments are breastfeeding, the active substances during the Massage to penetrate easier barrier of the skin and act directly on the inflammation and pain. The minimum number of sessions – 10 if necessary, can be extended of course;
- Electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs;
- UHF, Laser therapy, treatment with magnetic fields.
All of these procedures can be performed in a hospital, and some of them even at home with special portable devices:
- Physiotherapy, consisting of selected autogenic Training. For the exercises, various simulators, lessons must be under the supervision of a specialist. A powerful method for the treatment of degenerative disc of the cervical spine, the exercises are diseases on a wooden wall, with the movable arms of two levels using the loop Glisson. Should not carry out such exercises, because every wrong movement can lead to a worsening of the condition;
- The use of special kinesiology tape that is pasted in the course of the muscle fibers in the area of the pain. You want to take part of the load, which significantly speeds up the process of recovery of the spine, to reduce pain;
- During the treatment, and in the future to prevent experts recommend special head and neck bandages, for example, a Bus of a trench. These elastic products take part of the loads, tension in the muscles, accelerates the Regeneration. Those who are constantly in the monotonous posture, such a collar to the recommended daily 1⁄2 - 1 hour, the neck muscles relaxed.
How to help yourself
After the disease, patients often ask the question, what to do in order to avoid recurrences or aggravation of the disease.
The main recommendations are the following:
- We lead the right way to wander in life – while working continuously on the physical 5 minutes;
- To change the static Position not necessarily the position regularly and necessarily at least 1 time per day to wear a Neck Brace for the relief of the neck muscles and relaxation;
- 1-2 times a year for a masseuse for the implementation of preventive course;
- To play sports. The best sports for relieving and strengthening of the muscles – swimming;
- At the first sign of cervical degenerative disc disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor who can examine and prescribe the necessary treatment.