The osteochondrosis (bone - osteon, cartilage - chondros, the Greek.)– is dystrophic changes in the tissue cartilaginous intervertebral disk, which begin in violation of the food, the weakening of the processes of change and lead to aging and destruction of the tissues of the disc cartilage and intervertebral joints.
Diagnosis and treatment of degenerative disease of the cervical disc is a rather complex process, since it is a department of the spine more flexible, and the corset muscle, compatible with that of the vertebrae, the more weak and difficult training. Another difficulty lies in the fact that the bandage for the cervical region, unlike the corss and rollers for other departments of the spine to be difficult enough, since you can not hide under the clothing.
Why occurs osteochondrosis
The causes of the degenerative disease of the cervical disc are diverse – the tendency to permanent work loads. In the modern world of the osteochondrosis visibly has rejuvenated, your symptoms begin to appear in people 20 years of age, and sometimes younger.
The main causes of the onset of the disease, the following:
- Static overload when the man is forced to live for long periods in the monotonous posture. Permanent seat in a chair or driving of a vehicle is one of the main causes of degenerative disc disease, in particular in the cervical region;
- Dynamic overload – sudden movements turns, incorrectly calculated the workload for the practice of sport. Frequent changes in body position, lifting and handling of heavy loads;
- Incorrect posture for the time to sit at the table or continuing the use of the backpack in a shoulder;
- The injury of the vertebrae, permanent myositis of the cervical vertebrae.
The main causes of the disease, in addition to other factors, such as hypothermia, the influence of some of the chemicals that enter the air and food, the failure of the regimes of food and of rest, excess weight, hereditary predisposition,trophic pathology of the joints, hormonal disorders. All of these factors, by themselves, can hardly be the cause of the degenerative disc disease, but in a complex with the main causes that increase the risk of their occurrence.
How to recognize the disease
The signs of the degenerative disease of the cervical disc are so obvious that any person with ease is able to recognize:
- The difficulties that arise when trying to rotate the head. According to the place of the location and the intensity of the violation of the angle of rotation can be different – sometimes the man can not rotate the head, and, sometimes, it feels only a little pain;
- Neck muscles that are in constant tension, this starts to hurt the entire region of the shoulders. Any attempt to straighten the shoulders and relax the neck muscles accompanied by pain;
- The discomfort in the hand in extension, from the shoulder to the brush. Sensation of numbness extending through the outer part of the hand and is so strong that it falls in addition flexes the hand;
- Cut the sharp pain, accompanied by tingling;
- Even a small pressure on the shoulders or hand aggravates the pain. In the acute phase, the pain may be so strong that the man seems to be too heavy even draped over shoulders coat;
- When any sharp movement – sneezing, coughing, rotating the head, especially on the healthy side of the neck, the pain intensifies.
The diagnosis of the disease
It is the simplest of the signs of degenerative disc disease, that can observe and recognize any person regardless.
In reality, the symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the cervical vertebrae are different. Some of them are so similar to the symptoms of diseases of the eap and the osteochondrosis vrtebras, which distinguish them can only specialist:
- Sometimes, the patient may feel numbness in the lower extremities, which limits mobility;
- The compression of the vertebral artery may occur headaches that are related to the restriction of blood supply to the tissues of the brain. When the later development of degenerative disc disease, cervical headaches can be permanent;
- The nature of the headaches may be more different, but more often occur in the occipital part and move in the parietal part. When grades and curves of the head the pain is amplified, and when too much of the consciousness;
- Sometimes it is produced by pressing, persistent pain in the heart area.
All of these symptoms are not specific and characteristic only for the degenerative disc disease cervical, therefore, to correctly determine the place of location of the pathology can only be a specialist. During the diagnosis tools are used techniques:
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Fluoroscopic of the research;
- Ct scan;
- The ultrasound scan.
These and other techniques allow the doctor to properly determine what is the vrtebra surprised by the place in which is located the pathology, and in accordance with the intensity of a problem of allocating the appropriate treatment.
Basic principles of treatment of
How to cure osteochondrosis cervical can determine only the doctor. The medication in most cases, does not lead to a desired result, and only exacerbates the problem.
The treatment of osteochondrosis consists of two stages:
- Medical therapy, which consists in the removal of the inflammation and resolution of pain syndrome. The major drugs: nsaids and painkillers that can be taken by mouth, and injected by intramuscular route. The second route of introduction is preferable, since the drug acts faster and does not affect the gastrointestinal tract. In the hospital the patient can carry out the procedure of electrophoresis, which favours the rapid penetration of the active substances to the focus of inflammation;
- Physical therapy procedures that start to happen after the removal of the inflammation and reduce the pain.
The main physiotherapy methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of cervical the following:
- The massage should be done only by the specialist. It is not worth to rely on The fans, as well as any bad pressure or a sudden movement can aggravate the problem. To enhance the effect instead of the normal massage oil can be used as anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments, the active substances of which are in the process of massage is easier to penetrate through the barrier and have a direct impact on the focus of the inflammation and the pain. The minimum number of sessions: 10, if necessary, the course may be increased;
- Electrophoresis with the use of anti-inflammatories and painkillers;
- Uhf, laser therapy, treatment with magnetic fields.
All of these procedures can be performed in the hospital, some of them in the home with the use of special portable devices:
- Therapeutic exercise, which consists of specially selected complex of exercises. To perform the exercises using various exercise machines, classes must pass under the control of a specialist. Effective for the treatment of degenerative disease of the cervical disc exercises are in the wood panel, which is equipped with movable arms of two levels with the use of a loop of Glisson. It is not worth performing these exercises, as any movement reckless can lead to a worsening of the state;
- The special use of kinesiology tape, which is pasted on the progress of the muscle fibers in the area of pain. She take part of the burden in itself, thanks to which accelerates the recovery process of the vertebrae, decrease the pain;
- During the treatment, and in the future, for the prevention, specialists recommend the use of a special collar trusses, for example, the bus the moat. These elastic products bear some of the burden, relieve muscle tension, accelerate the process of recovery. The fact that it constantly lies in the monotonous position, this collar is recommended to wear each day is a 1⁄2 - to 1 hour to neck the muscles rested.
How to help yourself
After suffering from the disease of the patients often wonder what to do to prevent the recurrence or worsening of the disease.
The main recommendations of the following:
- It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle – hiking, during the time of working constantly to carry out the 5 minutes;
- When it is static necessarily to change the posture, and is required even if 1 time a day putting on the collar dressing for the discharge of the cervical and leisure
- 1-2 times a year to visit a massage therapist for the execution of preventive maintenance of the courses;
- Do sport. The best sport for the download and the strengthening of the muscles – swimming;
- When the first signs of the degenerative disease of the cervical disc is necessary to consult a doctor, who will perform the survey and will prescribe the necessary treatment.