Symptoms of cervical chondropathy, prevention and treatment

Nowadays, diseases such as thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis are considered to be quite common diseases among people of different ages.

A sedentary lifestyle, incorrect posture and uncomfortable shoes can cause quite serious illnesses, which are almost impossible to diagnose at the initial stage.

Characteristics of thoracic osteochondrosis

Thoracic spine osteochondrosis, commonly called sternal osteochondrosis, is a disease of thoracic intervertebral discs. In addition, thoracic degenerative disc disease is called "chameleon" because the symptoms will not be detected immediately and may be mistaken for a completely different disease.

The most common diseases are caused by metabolic disorders and excessive tension of the intervertebral discs. Thoracic chondrosis disrupts the normal function of the intervertebral disc.

Unlike other types of sternal osteochondrosis, it has a poor pronunciation and has the following symptoms:

• Chest pain,is ​​worse at night, when you make sharp turns or hypothermia.
• Pain between the shoulder bladesThe limb is lifted sharply or bent sharply.
• Sighing will cause severe painand chest tightness.

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

If long-term treatment is performed without medical intervention, the following symptoms may occur:

• Numbness in a small area of ​​the skin.
• Itchy or burning legs.
• The skin is severely peeling.
• Mild pain in the throat or esophagus.
• Poor gastrointestinal function.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis or cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that weakens the intervertebral disc, causing changes in the structure of the intervertebral disc itself and the joints of the cervical spine. The nerve endings are compressed by the destructive disc and become inflamed.

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

The disease is inherently painful:

• Recurrent headaches.
• Make neck, back, and shoulder pain regularly.
• Short-term visual impairment.
• Reduce the sensitivity of the neckline area.

Symptoms of cervical chondropathy

The second degree is characterized by small spinal hernia and the following symptoms:

• Cervical spine pain, severe chewing when turning the head vigorously.
• The sensation in the arms and shoulders disappears regularly.
• Visual impairment and repeated ear movements make it difficult to fall asleep.
• Numbness in the face and neck, weak upper limbs.
• Periodic severe pain in the shoulder blade.

The third stage of cervical osteochondrosis is difficult to treat. The size of the intervertebral hernia increases and the spine deforms.

For the third stage, the following symptoms will appear:

• Severe neck and heart pain.
• Loss of sensitivity in the scalp, arms, and shoulders.
• Paralyzed upper limbs.
• Cervical hernia.

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

Symptoms of cervical and thoracic spine chondropathy

A fairly common disease that immediately affects the cervix and chest area. Due to back injuries, sedentary lifestyle and overweight, it can definitely start at any age. Genetic factors and dangerous production (excessive vibration) play an important role.

According to ICD-10, the code for this osteochondrosis is M 42. 02.

Symptoms of cervical thoracochondrosis include:

• Suddenly dizzy.
• Sore neck and shoulders.
• Pain in the lower right cartilage.
• Decreased blood pressure and tachycardia.

Osteochondrosis with radiation syndrome

The name of the disease comes from the dysfunction of the intervertebral nerve roots.

When the root is infected, there are some rather untidy symptoms, including severe "shooting" pain in the waist and neck.

Symptoms may also include:

• Short-term loss of the ability to perform any actions.
• Loss of sensation in the limbs.
• Muscle atrophy.
• Changes in nerve reflexes (detected by a neurologist).

The following factors are related to the occurrence of neurological syndrome:

• Overweight, pregnant, uneven spine load when wearing uncomfortable shoes.
• Lower limbs, feet asymmetrical.
• Injury, sharp load on the spine.

If the disease is detected early, no surgical intervention is required.

Causes of cervical chondropathy

The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis:

• Heavy objects and sedentary work, a sedentary lifestyle.
• Previous spinal injury and curvature of the spine.
• Stress and nervousness.
• Lack of physical fitness.
• Lack of healthy nutrition.

Degree of osteochondrosis in the chest and cervical spine area

In the development of cervical osteochondrosis, the following diseases have the following characteristics:

• The first stageThe changes in the intervertebral disc are characteristic. As fluid reserves in the nucleus of the intervertebral disc disappear, changes begin to occur. The pain is not yet obvious.
• In the second stagethe disc becomes flat. As a result, there is a strong load on the ligaments and muscles, and they begin to become numb due to the continuous heavy load. Often dizziness is characteristic.
• The third stageis ​​characterized by significant changes in bone and cartilage tissue, and the appearance of arthritis.
• The fourth stageis ​​characterized by bone growth on the vertebrae.

Diagnosis

To diagnose osteochondrosis, the first step is to conduct a comprehensive examination of the spine. The signs of early osteochondrosis can be confused with many other diseases. It must be diagnosed by highly qualified experts.

To diagnose the disease, it is necessary to contact the attending doctor, who will consult a narrow specialist. The sooner the patient seeks medical help, the faster and safer the treatment will be.

Actually, osteochondrosis is not treated by one expert, but by several experts:

• Radiologist.After receiving the X-ray examination results, the picture of the disease will be clearer.
• Chiropractor. Determine the exact location and stage of the disease.
• The doctor is an osteopath.The treatment method is very similar to artificial therapy.
• Physician-Neuropathologist.Osteochondrosis is closely related to neurological diseases. In the first and second stages, the doctor will help treat the disease.
• Physician-Physiotherapist.is ​​an expert in physical therapy practice. Physical education only helps in the early stages of the disease.

Acute exacerbations of this disease are considered common. In this case, you should consult a neurologist immediately. Osteochondrosis in the neck, thoracic and lumbar areas is closely related to neurological diseases. The neurologist will prescribe special medications to relieve pain.

Osteochondrosis during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Osteochondrosis during pregnancy is a common phenomenon, because during pregnancy, women have undergone overall structural adjustments, and the whole body bears a very heavy burden. It has no effect on fetal diseases, but it will cause many serious problems during delivery.

It is also recommended that doctors observe the time of breastfeeding and wear corrective corsets to reduce the tension on the spine.

The causes of osteochondrosis during pregnancy include:

• Weight gain, heavy pressure on the spine, wearing uncomfortable shoes.
• The pressure of the uterus on adjacent organs.
• Changes in hormone levels.
• Lack of useful vitamins and minerals.
• Lack of rest and sleep, all kinds of stress.

To prevent this disease, you must consult a doctor when you first develop symptoms. You should not wait for the pregnancy to end. After delivery, the disease may progress and it will be more difficult to cure.

If an illness is detected, pregnant women will be assigned to wear prenatal bandages, a series of vitamins and minerals, and special gymnastics.

First aid to exacerbate osteochondrosis at home

The duration of the deterioration depends on the degree and type of disease neglect. The most common situation is that the condition worsens and can last for 1 week to 1 month.

Attention! If the condition worsens, it is forbidden to heat the body in the bathtub, or perform any other heating, massage and self-medication.

If it happens suddenly before the doctor arrives, you must do the following:

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

If you cannot access the experts in the near future, you must take the following measures:

• Take a warm, relaxing shower.
• Do not move suddenly.
• Don't lift weights.
• To avoid further pinching, please keep your neck stable.

Dorsago and back pain

Dorsagois ​​the name of one of the symptoms of thoracic spine inflammation. Dorsago is characterized by severe pain in the heart area, which usually occurs in people sitting monotonously or after staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time. If you exercise suddenly, it may cause short-term breathing difficulties.

Back painis ​​a pain syndrome that occurs as the disease worsens and lasts for about 2 weeks. When backache, the pain will gradually increase. The pain is particularly severe when bending forward or breathing deeply. The most common is that the pain occurs in the shoulder blade area, waist area.

Treatment of cervical and sternum osteochondrosis

In the case of disease, a variety of treatments for osteochondrosis can be used.

The most common are:

• Physiotherapy-Paraffin compression, magnetic therapy, laser therapy.
• PhysiotherapyGymnastics and massage.
• Reflexology-Use needles that act on the affected area for treatment. Since there are many contraindications, it is necessary to consult a specialist before starting treatment.
• Folk remediesand diet.
• Medications-Prescriptions can only be made after thorough examination by experts.

Drugs

In most cases, doctors prescribe medicine to relieve spinal pain. In the late stage, the medicine can relieve pain in a short time. Therefore, to relieve pain and further inflammation, doctors prescribe NSAIDs in the form of tablets or capsules.

Chondoprotectors-Another medicine used to treat osteochondrosis. These drugs are designed to protect and strengthen bone and cartilage tissue from destruction.

If a strong inflammatory process occurs in the muscle tissue, the patient will be prescribed drugs to relieve muscle spasms.

The dosage must be determined by the attending doctor. The medication process should not exceed 3 weeks.

One of the effective methods of medication is to use injections that can relieve pain.

Fixed method

For complex treatments, the patient can be required to wear a special corset and bandage.

Osteochondrosis exercise

Exercise in the physical therapy room can not only relieve pain, but also strengthen the spinal muscles, thereby further preventing various complications. And after several courses of physical therapy exercises, the posture has also improved significantly.

The famous doctor Bubnovsky developed a set of exercises for treating osteochondrosis, which can be used at home.

The most common exercises are:

• Walk, raising arms and legs steadily.
• Rotate the shoulders in different directions to stretch the side-by-side blades.
• Slowly bend his head to the side.
• Exercises to stretch the spine and neck muscles.
• Curved arms and legs.

If it is osteochondrosis of the neck, it is forbidden to rotate the head because this may cause complications of the disease.

Physical Therapy

The main purpose of physical therapy is to relieve the pain of the spine. This procedure improves blood circulation and enriches muscles with oxygen.

Today, the most common physical therapy procedures are:

• Vibration massage-Helps to eliminate nerve tension in the intervertebral disc. Contraindications-pregnancy, high blood pressure.
• Acupuncture-To relieve pain. It also helps relax your back muscles. The contraindication is epilepsy.
• Electrotherapy-This method involves applying a weak current to the affected part of the spine. The contraindication is the presence of heart disease.
• Ultraviolet rays-Rich in vitamin D, it can absorb calcium faster. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the affected area. Contraindications for this process are blood diseases, skin allergic reactions, cancer.

Folk remedies to treat osteochondrosis

In the comprehensive treatment of diseases, some doctors also recommend the use of folk remedies to eliminate diseases. In complex treatments, it is particularly important to observe the correct dosage and treatment method.

Home folk remedies can relieve pain in muscles and joint areas and restore joint mobility:

• Fir and turpentine ointment.150 grams. Melt any fat of animal origin in a 1 tablespoon water bath. Fir oil and turpentine oil. After 20 minutes, remove the ointment from the fire, allow it to cool and apply only to the affected area of ​​the spine.
• Mustard sauce.Mix equal amounts of mustard powder, vodka and camphor alcohol. After mixing well, add 4 egg whites. Let the mixture brew for 4 hours. Apply the compress to the affected area.
• Turpentine bath.Shake the solution bottle thoroughly. Then pour 5 ml of emulsion into a warm water bath. In the subsequent time, the solution can be increased to 10-15 ml. You need to spend 20 minutes in such a bathtub. The water temperature must not exceed 40 degrees. It must also be ensured that water does not reach the heart area.

According to Valentin Dikul's osteochondrosis treatment method

This technique is very common in disease treatment. Valentin Ivanovich Dikul first tested himself. Dikul's technology is suitable for spine and intervertebral hernia diseases.

The following principles should be followed in the practice:

• Follow the order of practice.
• Gradually load the body into exercise.
• General performance.
• Does not include fast movements, this technique means smooth and slow movements.

Nutritional principles of osteochondrosis

If you have complex treatments, you must follow special dietary habits, including:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Sufficient vitamins and minerals in food.
• Eat foods rich in protein and calcium.

There are exceptions to dietary assumptions:

• Deep fried, fatty and spicy food.
• Reject fast food (sandwiches, fast food).
• Avoid eating a few hours before bed.

Preventive measures

In order to prevent or stop the development of the disease, it is necessary to take the following precautions:

• Always pay attention to your posture, do yoga or do morning exercises.
• Limit sharp loads on the spine.
• Limit jitter.
• Avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes and high heels.
• When performing any work, the load on the spine is evenly distributed.

Conclusion

Correctly follow all the above suggestions, and promptly refer to a specialist, almost all diseases can be cured. The treatment of osteochondrosis takes more time and money, but advanced disease can cause wheelchairs.