Miscellaneous

Herniated cervical spine: symptoms and treatment, physiotherapy

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If you think that the hernia of the cervical spine is peculiar only to people older and not very active, you are mistaken. In modern society, pathology younger every year. There are cases when the diagnosis is made to citizens under the age of 30 years! But the favorite category of illness - middle-aged people, from 30 to 50 years.

Agree, in such years, does not want to suffer from chronic conditions, especially from a herniated disc. When localization in absolutely all segments of the cervical spine disease is able to spoil the fun life, restricting labor activity of man and bringing discomfort, stiffness and pain during movement.

What it is?

Herniated Disc - a protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. The main cause of pathology - rupture disc anulus due to degenerative changes intervertebral cartilage formation (osteochondrosis), injuries or effects on the spine uneven loads.

Most susceptible to ailment middle-aged overweight people, especially men. Detection of these same defects in children suggests innate pathology.

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Causes of

Herniated discs of the cervical spine occurs due to the impact of various factors.

By reason of the disease include:

  1. Injury. Any damage, injuries, strokes cervical spine can cause the formation of disease. The nature of their occurrence can be different: sports or household injuries.
  2. Disease. Often a prerequisite for the formation of a hernia is the presence of other diseases of the spine, these include low back pain, spondylosis, scoliosis.
  3. Lifestyle. Sedentary work, low activity during the day, the lack of basic physical activities can serve as a herniation of the cervical spine.
  4. Age. People under the age of thirty - fifty years are in the area of ​​disease risk. As a rule, they are inactive lifestyle, spine and intervertebral discs lose their former strength, they have not received the necessary number of useful components.
  5. Congenital. Abnormal formation or changes in the spine can cause the development of herniation of the cervical spine.
  6. Bad habits, poor diet. Smoking, excessive alcohol or fatty foods inhibit the flow to the spine of useful substances, whereby the intervertebral discs become weak, lose their elasticity, firmness, that provokes the formation of a hernia cervical spine.

Classification

By location distinguish hernia:

  • Rear - they grow up just to the side of the spinal canal and in the worst case can lead to cross-compression of the spinal cord, the development of spastic paralysis of legs and arms flaccid paralysis.
  • Front - they are completely safe, because it will never lead to a compression of the spinal roots or spinal cord.
  • SHmorlja hernia - if the disc nucleus pulposus grows into the body of the underlying vertebra, it is not dangerous hernia and often does not manifest itself. Just radiographic find!
  • Posterolateral hernias - also quite dangerous, because it leads to compression of spinal roots, persistent pain syndrome in the hand and sometimes no other treatment except surgery, the patient can not help.

Largest emit different sizes hernial protrusion:

  • Hernias - the destruction of fibrous filaments and the outer portion of the disc space filling gel substance. In this case the outer wall still retains integrity by holding the gelatinous mass loss, but thinner and supports the edge of the disk from 2-3 mm and more;
  • Protrusions - slight extrusion of the outer ring disc when fully intact dense outer wall. This is the initial, reversible stage herniation;
  • Sequestrated hernia - a breakthrough and loss of much of the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc border. A very dangerous variant of the disease, in which only the operation can help.

The correctness of the treatment significantly affects the course and outcome of degenerative disc disease. They will form a hernia or not, what size they will be depends on how much time and effort you devote to your health, treatment and prevention of neck pain.

Symptoms of a hernia of the cervical spine

This disease, hernia of the cervical spine is rich in symptoms. Conventionally, two types of symptoms are: general and focal (see. Photo).

General symptoms include:

  1. Cervical migraine.
  2. The weakness of the hand muscles.
  3. Pain at the level of the lesion. In the early stages of formation of the hernia symptoms may not be at all or their intensity is negligible. Few people pay attention to such "trifles", as a weak pain. As the proliferation of hernia occurs compression of nerve roots, pain becomes more clearly. It gives discomfort in the upper limbs, jaw, chest.
  4. Among the first symptoms of spinal herniation of the cervical spine "card" manifestations become numb forearms and fingers.
  5. Feeling of crawling "chills" on the forearm and hand. This is a formidable manifestation it says that in the pathological process of nerve endings involved.
  6. Headache. Formed in response to compression of the hernia vessels feeding the brain.
  7. blood pressure disorders. Blood pressure "jumps". Hypertension usually observed. Possible options.
  8. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency. It develops as a complication of pathology. It characterized by impaired vision, dizziness, impaired coordination.

Specific (patchy) signs of herniation of the cervical spine differ from patient to patient. All because of its location.

  1. Localization hernia at a C2-C3. Makes itself felt numbness of the tongue, throat, reduced vision. Possible violations of the heart rate, breathing.
  2. Herniation at C5-C6. It manifests a sense of weakness of the hands, especially the elbow. Patient difficult to manipulate with your fingers, make fine motor movements.
  3. Localization C6-C7. In people with a hernia between 6 and 7 cervical vertebrae numb pain and rear shoulder surface partially forearm, back of the brush, as well as middle and ring fingers. Patients with severe bend the hand into a fist and do the opposite movement. Appears "vatnost" limbs.
  4. Localization C3-C4. Characteristic signs of herniation between the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae: a pain in the neck, collarbone, "Pursuit", the restriction of movements of the head, as well as increased discomfort when trying to lift the shoulders.
  5. Defeat at the C4-C5 level. Unable to lift his arm felt shoulder pain, numbness, muscle.

Signs of herniation of the cervical spine develops gradually. Important time to listen to their own state of health and prevent the disease from progressing.

Diagnostics

hardware test is scheduled after the inspection, some of the tests, initial diagnosis:

  1. Magnetic resonance imaging. The most popular and informative method of diagnosing a hernia of the cervical spine. Indicators when you need to get information about the structure, parameters, hernia localization. If the doctor interested in the state of the vertebrae, it is better for this purpose resort to CT.
  2. Radiography. In order to study the state of the cervical vertebrae make two kinds of shots: full face and profile. To detect the tumor by means of this method it is impossible, but the doctor can examine the state of the vertebrae and to establish the cause that triggered the illness in question.
  3. Invasive CT-myelography. It is used in a hospital environment, when there is a suspected trapped by a hernia of the spinal cord. For this manipulation using a contrast medium, which is introduced into the region around the spinal cord.
  4. CT scan. It gives a complete picture of the status of disks, visualizes the location of small defective formations.

complications

If time does not diagnose pathology, it will progress, which is extremely unfavorable subsequently can affect human health and lead to complications such as:

  • pronounced lateral deformation of the spine - scoliosis;
  • respiratory failure or arrest due to severe damage of the spinal cord, which requires immediate medical intervention;
  • muscle weakness of the upper limbs, including partial or complete paralysis;
  • neurotic disturbances, impairment of hearing and vision, frequent fainting, disorders of the stomach (the state of nausea, vomiting), raskoordinatsiya Gait et al .;
  • poor circulation of blood flow in the systems of brain and spinal departments such acute disorders lead to a stroke strikes.

The above effects are among the extremely dangerous complications, which not only can significantly spoil the quality of worldly existence, but also cost a person lives. If the pathology brought up to the critical point of damaged nerve and spinal cord structure without surgery in this case is not indispensable. That is why it is important in the early stages of the disease to take a medical examination, when all else is solved by simple methods - medication and physiotherapy.

How to treat a hernia cervical spine?

The treatment of said pathology is determined the severity of symptoms, presence of concomitant disease, the effectiveness of conservative therapy, as well as the specialist to whom the patient is addressed for help.

To reduce the inconvenience caused by a herniated disc, and prevent further progression of the disease, it is necessary:

  • to minimize the stay in positions that cause pain and increase the symptoms;
  • not podnimate heavy objects;
  • not to make any sudden movements of the head and neck;
  • the right to rest (to choose an orthopedic pillow for sleeping and comfortable mattress);
  • use anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce pain;
  • take a course of manual therapy (massage).

medication

Treatment with medication is carried out after the diagnosis of a doctor's prescription. The following groups of drugs are used to relieve the patient's condition:

  • Anti-inflammatory (they relieve pain by eliminating inflammation enzyme). During the first 3-5 days of their better accept by injection (a "diclofenac", "Analgin", "Denebola"), then move to receiving these drugs in tablet form ( "Ibuprofen", "meloxicam", "Nimesil").
  • Muscle relaxants (muscle relaxation). These are preparations, eliminates spasms only "squeezed" muscles. This "Tizalud", "Mydocalm", "tolperisone," "Sirdalud". Their first administered in the form of intramuscular injections. then move on to the tablet.
  • Chondroprotectors. This "Artra", "Don", "Struktum" and other drugs. They need to take at least six months to start the recovery process of the fibrous ring of the disc.
  • If expressed marked weakness, numbness, burning sensation in the arm or may be useful blockade affected segment via novocaine supplemented with glucocorticoids. This procedure is not necessary to repeat 3-4 times for 2 months of treatment.

Blockade

Depending on the location of the hernia and its attendant symptoms your doctor may be appointed drug blockade carried out using lidocaine, novocaine, etc. trimekaina. Such a step has several important advantages:

  • It gives an excellent analgesic effect;
  • non-toxic and safe;
  • Nervous tissue is sensitive to injected drug.

However, this procedure is considered surgery, so it is possible the development of complications, which you should read, before agreeing to carry it out.

Massage

Massage hernia cervical spine relates to an effective method of treatment. With its help it is possible to establish the blood circulation in the neck area and the affected tissues, relieve the muscle tone, eliminate pain, have a relaxing effect on all the body's muscles. Herniation of the cervical spine are often accompanied by an infringement of the nerve endings. the therapeutic effect is achieved by a massage that allows to remove the spasm and release the pinched nerve.

The session is conducted by a qualified technician in a hospital or at home. A number of treatments and massage chosen individually for each patient by the attending physician.

Physiotherapy

Exercises hernia of the cervical spine is divided into three periods. The first, acute, which lasts for the first 7 days of starting treatment, it is possible to perform only lying on the diaphragmatic breathing exercises breathing.

A week later, it is already possible to expand the exercises. Neck still can not move, but should begin to strengthen the muscles of the arms. To produce this:

  • circular motion brushes;
  • hands clenching into fists and unclamping fists;
  • circular motion at the elbows;
  • flexion-extension at the elbow.

Gymnastics hernia after 2 or more weeks of treatment consists of exercises that will strengthen the muscle of the neck corset:

  • lying on her back, push back of his head on the couch;
  • from the same position, apply pressure to the palm of the physician or assistant, forehead;
  • lying on his stomach, forehead push down on the couch;
  • from the previous position is necessary to press on the occiput assistant's hand;
  • now we need to put pressure on the assistant arm forehead, the back of the head (but not at full strength), from a sitting position;
  • just sitting, but with his hand on the table, raise and lower the shoulders;
  • from a sitting position, hands free to lie on his knees, slowly turn your head to the right and to the left, gradually increasing the steering angle;
  • the next step will be the head tilts from side to side, and then - forward and backward;
  • stand on the legs, arms hanging loosely along the body, back straight. Slowly drop your head, trying to get his chin to his chest.

Keep in mind, with the appearance of pain, dizziness or any unpleasant symptoms, should stop the exercise.

Physiotherapy

Pressing issue today is the intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine and treated with physiotherapy. The main methods of this type of treatment include:

  • electrophoresis;
  • acupuncture;
  • phonophoresis;
  • magnetic therapy;
  • interstitial electromyostimulation

Physical therapy is based on the use of natural resources, such as heat, light, magnetic waves, electricity. This type of treatment is widely used in the postoperative period, and during the rehabilitation of patients after severe disease.

Each of the methods of physical therapy has its contraindications. Use of a particular method of treatment is permitted strictly prescribed by a doctor with all the necessary recommendations.

operative therapy

In that case, if the conservative treatment of hernia in the cervical spine has been ineffective and the operation is necessary. What evidence exists for surgical intervention?

  • Increase in pain, which is not stopped;
  • Progression of muscle weakness, paralysis and paresis;
  • The emergence of spinal symptoms associated with spinal cord compression.

Hernia surgery of the cervical spine often boil down to the implementation of small microdiskectomy access. A large incision is required. Apart from removing the disc, the second step is to conduct stabilization between the adjacent vertebrae.

This is due to the fact that in the cervical great mobility. Furthermore, this achieves the normal distance between the vertebrae and restore foraminal (intervertebral) blood flow. To do this, use your own bone autograft, which is taken from the pelvic bone of the patient, which is inserted between the adjacent vertebrae, and fused with them in a few months.

Thus, the price for the treatment of pain and paralysis - a slight limitation in the neck.

A more modern technique is to install Cage or a mesh containing bone chips patient. This cage with time also grows bone, immobilizing two adjacent vertebrae.

The most modern method is to install an artificial intervertebral disc, which completely replaces the remote, while maintaining flexibility and mobility in the area of ​​operations. Artificial disc has the same mobility and cushioning properties as human cartilage.

Such an endoprosthesis cervical disc can be done in 35 - 40 thousand dollars abroad.

In conclusion, we can say that a hernia of the cervical spine, the symptoms and the treatment that we reviewed does not arise suddenly. And always, in varying degrees, the patient is lost precious time.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of herniation in the cervical spine, at the stage of minimal changes, allowing the patient to do without surgery in many cases.

Preventive actions

Perform simple preventive measures under the force of each person. If you want to keep the spine healthy and prevent the formation of intervertebral hernia, you should:

  1. Try to avoid excessive physical loads on the neck.
  2. Give up bad habits, if they are available.
  3. Pay attention to your bed. Spine Health recommended sleep pillow-top mattresses with sufficient rigidity.
  4. Avoid the appearance of weight loss. Extra weight significantly load your spine, which adversely affects the intervertebral discs.
  5. To live an active lifestyle. This concept turns on properly organized working day and complete rest. You must be quite a moving person engaged in improving daily exercise, practice sessions in the pool and eating right.

These simple preventive rules in conjunction with good motivation, will help preserve health and in most cases avoid such unpleasant diseases like intervertebral hernia.

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