Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by specific patient complaints.
Typically, the first and most common is pain.
They occur in the neck, between the shoulder blades, in the hands. Pain in the joints (wrist, elbow or shoulder), accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, can be characterized as throbbing or aching, 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 clumsiness in the hands.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often accompanied by headaches. However, they can also be of a different nature. Shooting sensations in the frontal area, in the ear, eye sockets, as well as numbness of the scalp are typical.
This disease is also characterized by various vegetative disorders. These include unstable 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 strong restriction of movement, muscle weakness of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a disorder of cerebral blood supply.
There are frequent manifestations of dizziness, unsteadiness when walking, general weakness, visual disturbances. Patients often complain of increased fatigue, deterioration of mood, up to the onset of depression.
Static disorders of the disease are subluxations of the vertebrae and limited mobility of the segments.
Violation of blood circulation causes a disorder of brain activity, expressed in single symptoms. This, in turn, can lead to vertebrobasilar insufficiency and, in some cases, stroke.
In accordance with the indications, diagnostic measures are prescribed, including radiography, possibly with functional tests; MRI of brain (head) and cervical spine; ultrasound dopplerography in the main arteries. If necessary, a triplex or duplex scintigraphy of the intra- and extracranial vessels can be prescribed. Mandatory are blood tests, EEG, audiography, ECG, electronystagmography. The examination also includes a consultation with a cardiologist, an endocrinologist, an ophthalmologist and an ENT doctor.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Treatment
For effective treatment, 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 (rehabilitation through exercise), prescription of drugs (if necessary and depending on the symptoms - intravenous infusion and intramuscular injections, as well as blockades). The course of treatment also includes physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage, hirudotherapy.
Of course, the most effective is to achieve a complex effect on the patient's body. However, as practice shows, the longest result of treatment is observed in the physical rehabilitation of patients. Thus, in many cases, well-chosen sets of exercise 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. Therefore, they are generally considered as additional therapeutic measures.
It should be noted that exercises in exercise therapy, as well as additional methods of influence, are always selected individually.