Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by specific patient complaints.
As a rule, the first and most common is pain.
They occur on the neck, between the shoulder blades, on the hands. Joint pain (wrist, elbow or shoulder), which accompanies osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, can be characterized as a twinge or pain, causes numbness, tingling sensation. In addition, it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the limbs to the influence of low temperatures, decrease in strength and development of strangeness in the hands.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is often accompanied by headaches. However, they can also be different in nature. Typical are shooting sensations in the forehead, ear, eye sockets, as well as numbness in 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 marked 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, deteriorating mood and the onset of depression.
Static disorders 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 unique symptoms. This, in turn, can lead to vertebrobasilar insufficiency and, in some cases, stroke.
According to 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 physician.
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 meets a neuropathologist who selects the necessary set of measures. It includes physical rehabilitation (exercise therapy), medication prescription (if necessary and depending on symptoms - IV drip and intramuscular injections, plus blocks). 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 longest treatment result is observed in the physical rehabilitation of patients. Thus, in many cases, well-chosen sets of therapeutic exercises can influence the cause of disease development. At the same time, other methods mainly affect the consequences of the disease. As a result, they are generally regarded as additional therapeutic measures.
It should be noted that exercise therapy exercises, as well as additional methods of influence, are always selected individually.