Osteochondrosis (bone - osteon, cartilage - chondros, Greek.)– and degenerative changes of the cartilage of the intervertebral disc, which begin in the case of a breach of power, the weakening of the metabolic processes and lead to the aging and destruction of the fabric disk of cartilage and joints, and the intervertebral.
Diagnosis and treatment of degenerative disease of the cervical disc – this is a complicated process, as this is the department of the vertebral column that is more agile and muscular, supports the vertebrae, the more weak and difficult to workout. Another difficulty consists in the fact that the bandage for cervical unlike the corsets and drums for other areas of the spine to wear quite difficult, as you cannot hide under clothing.
Because it occurs back pain
The causes of cervical arthrosis are many – of the hereditary predisposition to the continuous stress. In the modern world, low back pain visibly younger, the symptoms begin to appear the people for 20 years, and sometimes and younger.
The main causes of the disease are the following:
- Static overload when the man is forced to a long period of being in a monotonous pose. Permanent seat on the computer chair or driving a car is one of the main causes of degenerative disc disease, between which and the cervical;
- Dynamic overload – sudden movements, twists, properly calculated the load during sports activity. Frequent changes of body position, lifting and moving heavy loads;
- The correct posture during the sit at the table or standing wearing a backpack on one shoulder;
- Lesions of the vertebrae, a permanent myositis of the muscles of the neck.
The main reasons for the disease you add additional factors, such as hypothermia, the effect of some chemical substances that enter with the air and food, the failure of the power mode and the sleep, being overweight, a genetic predisposition,disorders of trophic disease of the joints, hormonal disorder. All of these factors, in and of itself can hardly be the cause of degenerative disc disease, but on the whole, with the main causes that increase the risk of its occurrence.
How to recognize the disease
Signs of cervical arthrosis are so obvious, that anyone with ease can recognize:
- The difficulties encountered in the attempt to turn the head. Depending on the place of localization and intensity of the violation angle of rotation can be different – sometimes a man can not absolutely turn the head, and sometimes you feel only a slight pain;
- The muscles of the neck are in constant tension, this begins to hurt the whole of the shoulder belt. Any attempt to straighten the shoulders and relax the muscles of the neck, accompanied by pain;
- The discomfort in the hand-tailored from the shoulder to the brush. Feeling of numbness extends along the outside of the hand and is so strong that it is necessary to knead by hand;
- Cutting the acute pain, accompanied by itching;
- Even a slight pressure on the shoulder or the hand increases the pain. In the acute phase, the pain can be so strong that the man seems to be too heavy, also draped over shoulders coat;
- For any sudden movement – you sneeze, you cough, turn your head, especially towards the healthy part of the neck, the pain intensifies.
The diagnosis of the disease
This is the simplest of the signs of degenerative disc disease, that can observe and recognize any person alone.
In reality the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine are many. Some of them are so similar to the symptoms of diseases of the CCC and back pain thoracic vertebrae, which, to distinguish only an expert will be able to:
- Sometimes the patient may feel numbness of the lower limbs, which restricts the mobility;
- When the compressed vertebral artery can arise from migraine headaches, which are associated with the limitation of vascularization of the tissues of the brain. With the further development of arthrosis of the cervical headaches can become permanent;
- The headaches can be very different, but most often occur in the part of the occipital and moving in the temporo-parietal part. When you fold and curve of head pain are amplified, the s of conscience;
- Sometimes occur pressure, prolonged pain in the heart area.
All these symptoms are non-specific and typical only for cervical degenerative disc disease, so it is good to assess the location of the pathology can only specialist. In the course of diagnostic techniques are used instrumental:
- Tomography, magnetic resonance imaging;
- Fluoroscopic research;
- Computed tomography;
- The use of ultrasound.
These and other techniques allow the physician to correctly identify you, such as vertebrae, and amazed, at the point where it is localized of the disease, and depending on the intensity of the problem, prescribe the proper treatment.
The main treatment guidelines
How to cure back pain cervical can define only a doctor. Self-medication in most cases does not lead to the necessary result, and only exacerbates the problem.
The treatment of degenerative disc disease consists of two phases:
- Medical therapy, which consists in the collection of inflammation and resolution of pain. The main drugs – NSAIDS and analgesics, which can be taken orally, and can be administered via the intramuscular route. The second route of administration is preferable, as the drug acts more quickly and does not affect the GASTROINTESTINAL tract. In the hospital environment, the patient can perform the procedure of electrophoresis, which facilitates the rapid penetration of the active substances to the hearth of inflammation;
- Physiotherapy treatments, which begin to pass after a relieve the inflammation and reduce the pain.
The main therapies physiotherapy, cervical arthrosis the following:
- Massage, which should only do a expert. It's not worth to trust amateurs, as well as any improper pressure, or a sudden movement can lead to a worsening of the problem. To increase the effect instead of a normal massage oil can be used anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving ointments, the active substances of which are in the process of massage is easier to penetrate through the skin barrier and have a direct impact on the outbreak of inflammation and pain. The minimum number of sessions – 10, if necessary, the course can be increased;
- Electrophoresis with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers;
- UHF, laser therapy, treatment of magnetic fields.
All of these procedures can be performed in a hospital environment, and some of them, and in the house with the use of special portable devices:
- Therapeutic exercise, consisting of chosen exercise program. To perform the exercises are used in a variety of simulators, courses must be under the supervision of a specialist. Effective for the treatment of degenerative disc disease cervical spine exercises on wooden panel, equipped with furniture, weapons two levels, with a loop Glisson. Not worth the effort to perform these exercises alone, as well as any wrong move can lead to the deterioration;
- The use of a special kinesiology tape, which is glued to the movement of the muscle fibers in the area of pain. She takes a part of the work load on itself, making it considerably accelerated the recovery process of the vertebrae, decreases the pain;
- In the course of treatment and, in the future, to prevent the experts recommend to use special cervical bandages, for example, the bus of the Pit. These elastic products take some of the load, relieve muscle tension, speeds up the process of recovery. Who is constantly in monotonous pose, so collar it is advisable to wear every day for 1⁄2 hour - 1 for muscles of the neck tense.
How to help yourself
After the pain of the disease the patients often raise the question of what to do to prevent the recurrence or aggravation of the disease.
The main recommendations are the following:
- We have to lead a correct life style – hiking, during the continuous operation of physical 5 minutes;
- When continuously in a static position necessarily periodically change the pose and necessarily at least 1 time per day to wear the collar for the discharging of the muscles of the neck, and leisure;
- 1-2 times a year to participate in a masseur for the conduct of the course;
- Do sports. The best sport for the unloading and strengthen the muscles – swimming;
- At the first sign of cervical osteoarthritis it is necessary to contact the doctor who will perform the examination and prescribe the appropriate treatment.