Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by patient-specific complaints.
As a rule, the first and most common are pain.
They occur in the neck, between the shoulder blades, in the hands. Pain in the joints (wrist, elbow or shoulder), which accompanies osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, can be characterized as tearing or pain, causing numbness, tingling sensation. In addition, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the limbs to the influence of low temperatures, a decrease in strength and the development of awkwardness in the hands.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often accompanied by headache. However, they can also be of a different nature. Typical are the sensations of shooting in the frontal area, in the ear, in the eye sockets and numbness of the scalp.
This disease is also characterized by various vegetative disorders. These include instability in blood pressure and pulse, feeling of a lump in the throat and palpitations, shortness of breath and, in some cases, the development of panic attacks.
In advanced forms, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is accompanied by a sharp restriction of movement, muscle weakness of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a disturbance of the cerebral blood supply.
There are frequent manifestations of dizziness, instability when walking, general weakness, visual disturbances. Patients often complain of increased fatigue, a deterioration in mood up to the onset of depression.
Static disturbances in the disease are subluxations of the vertebrae and limited mobility of the segments.
Violation of blood circulation causes a disturbance of brain activity, expressed in individual symptoms. This, in turn, can lead to vertebrobasilar insufficiency and, in some cases, to stroke.
In accordance with the indications, diagnostic measures are prescribed, including radiography, possibly with functional tests; MRI of the brain (head) and cervical spine; ultrasonic dopplerography in the main arteries. If necessary, triplex or duplex scanning of intra and extracranial vessels may be prescribed. Mandatory are blood tests, EEG, audiography, ECG, electronystagmography. The exam also includes a consultation with a cardiologist, endocrinologist, ophthalmologist, and ENT doctor.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Treatment
For effective therapy, it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and identify the causes of the patient's complaints.
How to cure cervical osteochondrosis knows a neuropathologist who selects the necessary set of measures. It includes physical rehabilitation (physical therapy), prescription of drugs (if necessary and depending on the symptoms: intravenous drip and intramuscular injections, as well as blockages). The course of treatment also includes physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage, hirudotherapy.
Of course, the most effective is to perform a complex effect on the patient's body. However, as practice shows, the longer result of treatment is observed in the physical rehabilitation of patients. Therefore, in many cases, well-chosen sets of physical therapy exercises can influence the cause of the development of the disease. At the same time, other methods mainly affect the consequences of the disease. Consequently, additional therapeutic measures are generally considered.
It should be noted that physical therapy exercises, as well as additional methods of influence, are always selected individually.