Uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine is one of the forms of arthrosis characterized by degenerative changes in the processes of the vertebrae. As a result of the course of the pathology, hook-shaped formations grow.
Due to the constant malnutrition of the cartilage, its gradual destruction occurs. There is friction between the vertebrae, which leads to a change in the intervertebral discs. This affects the nerve roots and adjacent vessels.
Features of the disease
Unvertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine is a chronic disease that leads to damage and destruction of the intervertebral discs. The negative effect is the strong compression of adjacent nerve endings, resulting in pain during head movements, as well as a feeling of severe stiffness. In addition, bone growths that destroy joints can form.
The disease affects primarily the intervertebral disc. It consists of dense cartilage and is located between the vertebrae. The intervertebral disk acts as a shock absorber during movements, protecting nearby vessels, nerve endings and muscles from damage.
With the occurrence of uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine , thinning of the cartilage tissue occurs, it loses its elasticity for normal operation. Bone growths directed towards each other form on the vertebrae.
After the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity, it gradually begins to protrude, squeezing the adjacent tissues. This leads to strong and persistent pain in the neck.
Causes of occurrence
There are many factors that contribute to this disease. In particular, these can be congenital and acquired pathologies. Among the congenital abnormal structures or abnormal development of the cervical vertebrae can be noted, in particular, it can be Olenik syndrome.
Among the acquired causes of uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine can be identified:
- Injury to the cervical spine.
- Flat feet.
- Weak nutrition of the intervertebral cartilage.
- Thyroid disease.
- Metabolic disease.
- The consequences of the course of poliomyelitis.
In addition, such predisposing factors are important in the formation and course of this disease:
- Overweight.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Hard physical work.
Key features
The very first symptom of uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine is the occurrence of local pain in the problem area. Discomfort felt at the same time worsens the quality of life. The protruding intervertebral discs, which gradually begin to affect the ligaments, provoke pain. The neck muscles also tighten, which makes it difficult to perform any head movements.
At the initial stage of the course of uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine, pain occurs periodically when a person makes any too abrupt movements. If you seek the help of a doctor in a timely manner, then all existing violations can be completely eliminated. If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, then the pathology will begin to progress very quickly.
As a result of this, subluxations of the joints will periodically occur, and with a prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position the discomfort will only intensify. That is why patients with this disease are forced to move and change their position all the time. Massage will help ease the pain. As soon as the joint is in its normal position, the patient will hear a characteristic click.
In addition to pain in the neck, among the main signs of uncovertral arthrosis of the cervical spine can be distinguished such as:
- Persistent headache.
- Dizziness.
- Pressure drops.
- Visual impairment.
- Pain in the chest and back.
The vertebral discs begin to protrude, as a result of which a hernia is formed, which squeezes the nerve roots and adjacent vessels. All this brings unbearable pain to the patient.
Diagnostics
Before determining how to treat uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis, which will help to understand the features of the course of the disease and choose the treatment technique. Initially, the doctor conducts a survey of the patient, which allows us to conclude about the duration of the pathology, the nature of the course, as well as the degree of tissue change.
Diagnostics includes:
- Visual inspection of the patient.
- Definition of a neurological condition.
- Radiograph of the cervical spine.
- Tomography.
During the examination, the doctor discovers the localization of the pathological process, determines the peculiarity of muscle cramps, as well as the degree of development of the disease. In addition, additional consultation may be required:
- Cardiologist.
- Neurosurgeon.
- Oculist.
- Otolaryngologist.
These doctors will help rule out other causes of symptoms that may be similar to arthrosis. When diagnosing arthrosis of the uncovertebral joints of the cervical spine, it is very important to determine the peculiarity of the functioning of blood vessels, are there osteophytes and how much the ligaments are affected.
Treatment features
Depending on the cause of uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine, treatment is selected individually for each patient. In all cases, it is necessary to eliminate the provoking factor. It is important to carefully monitor your posture, eliminate heavy loads, bring your weight back to normal. Special orthopedic devices help maximize the resting state of the vertebrae.
Treatment for uncovertral arthrosis of the cervical spine includes:
- The use of medications.
- Conducting physiotherapy.
- Doing exercises.
- Compliance with the diet.
- Folk techniques.
- Surgical intervention.
- Treatment in a sanatorium.
With the course of this disease, it is strictly forbidden to engage in self-medication, as this can only provoke a deterioration in well-being. If the first signs of pathology occur, you should immediately contact a qualified doctor.
Drug therapy
Depending on the symptoms of uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine, treatment is selected individually, but based on generally recognized methods. During therapy, the patient needs to minimize the load on the affected area. Drug therapy is carried out immediately in several directions:
- Elimination of pain.
- Maintaining proper nutrition and blood circulation.
- Maintaining the general condition of the patient.
To eliminate pain, stop inflammation, as well as normalize muscle tone, prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Diclofenac, Nimesulide. If the pain continues to bother the patient, the doctor prescribes painkillers "Ibuprofen", "Analgin" and their analogues. In especially severe cases, novocaine blockade is indicated.
To normalize blood circulation and nutrition of adjacent tissues and cartilage, it is recommended to use vasodilator drugs, such as Pentoxifyline, Prodectin, Actovegil. Chondroprotectors have a good effect, as they can stop the destruction of cartilage. However, when using them, you need to be very careful not to further aggravate the degenerative process.
To maintain the patient’s normal state of health during therapy, it is recommended that you take a special complex of vitamins and minerals. The effect of drug treatment of uncovertral arthrosis of the cervical spine is not bad. To fix it, doctors prescribe physiotherapeutic procedures.
If the symptoms of the disease are very pronounced, then the patient may be recommended to use muscle relaxants, the most effective and safe of which is considered "Midokalm". This drug promotes good relaxation of muscle tissue, and also helps to effectively eliminate pain.
Local treatment of arthrosis of the uncovertebral joints of the cervical spine involves the use of various gels and ointments made on the basis of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as bee and snake venoms. The dosage of drugs and the course of treatment will be determined only by the attending doctor.
Non-drug methods
Spondylarthrosis and uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine can be treated quite effectively using such methods:
- Massotherapy.
- Manual therapy.
- Physiotherapy.
All these techniques help relieve stress from the spine and relax muscles. In order for drug therapy to bring the desired result, it must be combined with physiotherapeutic procedures. They can be used for preventive purposes. When exposed to a magnetic field, inflammation and swelling of the tissues can be eliminated. Ultrasonic phonophoresis is used to deliver drugs intended for freezing nerve endings to the lesion site.
The modulated current helps very quickly eliminate even the most severe pains. Therapeutic massage and manual therapy help to quickly restore joint mobility and eliminate muscle cramps.
Physiotherapy has a positive effect on the existing symptoms of the disease. Barotherapy and special applicators have a good result. They help restore blood circulation and eliminate some of the causes of arthrosis. However, it is worth noting that it is far from always possible to use methods of physiotherapy, as this is strictly contraindicated for some patients. For example, these procedures are prohibited for heart disease.
Alternative methods of treatment
Traditional methods of therapy are widely used, which combine well with traditional treatment. The most popular are rubbing and compresses, as well as various infusions of medicinal herbs. A feature of the application of folk methods is that their use should be systematic and long-term. The course of treatment with folk remedies is more than 2 months.
To reduce pain in osteochondrosis and uncovertral arthrosis of the cervical spine, you need to apply hot cakes made from wholemeal flour. Widely used ointment made from pork fat and hop cones. These components must be mixed to a homogeneous mixture.
A compress helps to cope with painful sensations, for which you need to take:
- Honey - 200 g.
- Aloe juice - 100 g.
- Alcohol - 300 g.
The resulting mixture should be removed for 3 days in a warm place. The course of therapy with this tool is 10 days. With severe pain, you can use alcohol tincture of bearberry flowers as a compress. For the manufacture of ointments and rubbing, mainly such means are used:
- Linseed oil.
- Propolis.
- Animal fat.
- Tincture of ficus.
To reduce the symptoms of the disease, you need to use for grinding a mixture prepared on the basis of linseed oil and turpentine. This tool should be rubbed into the affected area of the neck.
Orthopedic treatment
With the course of the disease, it is very important to provide the cervical muscles with complete rest, as well as eliminate painful sensations. During exacerbation, wearing a collar of Shants is shown. This special rigid orthopedic device needs to be fixed on the neck. It helps to remove load from the vertebrae and adjacent muscles.
How long you need to wear a collar is determined only by the attending doctor. As soon as it becomes possible to eliminate the exacerbation, and the patient begins to feel better, then special medical gymnastics and massage are required.
One of the varieties of manual therapy is massage, which has a good effect on the cervical spine. It helps to normalize blood circulation, eliminate muscle spasm, and restore joint function.
Operation
In especially severe and neglected cases, when osteophytes have already formed on the vertebrae, conservative methods cannot help get rid of the problem. Then the patient is assigned a surgical excision of existing growths.
During the operation, not only bone growths are removed, but the spinal disc is completely restored. Thanks to this, a person can again move his neck, his pain completely disappears.
Possible complications
With the course of the disease, the cervical vertebrae are pinched, which leads to an increase in the load on the entire spine and trauma to the vessels, as well as the muscles of the cervical spine. If you ignore the symptoms of the disease, as well as in case of untimely seeking medical help, various kinds of complications may arise:
- Hernia of the intervertebral disc.
- Radiculitis.
- Severe, ongoing pain.
- Paralysis of the limbs.
- Inflammation of nerve fibers.
Unverterbral arthrosis is a rather dangerous and complex disease that requires competent and timely treatment in order to quickly eliminate the existing symptoms of the pathological process.