Protrusion of the cervical spine: symptoms and treatment

The protrusion of the cervical spine is a disease of the spine, arising from the protrusion of the intervertebral disc, due to degenerative-dystrophic processes and having a progressive nature.

Pathology develops slowly and initially does not show any symptoms. The main enemy of intervertebral discs , is dehydration, which occurs as a result of aging of the body.

Protrusion is manifested due to a decrease in the strength of the walls of the discs, the gelatinous nucleus begins to exert pressure on the cartilage ring, and then protrudes outward. The size of the protrusion in the neck is 1-5 mm, and in the dorsal region from 1 to 12 mm.

Causes of

disease protrusionin the cervical region can manifest as after traumatic consequences of the neck, stretching of the muscles, fractures and strongx overload.

• Lordosis( curvature of the spinal column back);
• Kyphosis( curvature of the spinal column forward);
• Scoliosis( curvature of the spinal column to the side);
• Osteoporosis( brittle bones).

The neck is a little defended and refined part of the back, many nerve roots accumulate in it, which makes this area very vulnerable. As a consequence, the protrusion in the cervical region is the most dangerous condition, in relation to its occurrence in other areas of the spine.

Symptoms of

The typical symptoms of begin to appear in the late stages of the disease, when the disc reaches a significant degree of convexity. They can have:

• Sleep disorders and irritability;
• Decreased mental activity and headaches;
• Weakening of the muscles of the hands, which is manifested by a feeling of weakness in performing normal physical exercises;
• Feeling of crawling crawling in the upper limbs or loss of sensitivity( possible on one side or at once two);
• Frequent sensations of pain in the neck region, radiating to the interlopar zone, ear, shoulder or arm.

Symptoms of the protrusion of the cervical spine also depend on the degree of severity of the pathology that develops in the Stage 3 of the :

1. Under the constant pressure of the disk, the pulpous core collapses and the fibrous structure of the ring becomes loose;
2. A 4 mm disc runs into the spinal canal;
3. The integrity of the fibrous ring is violated and subsequently the pulpous substance partially falls out.

Finally, a herniated disc of the cervical spine appears, and the symptoms begin to be felt by the person.

Diagnosis of the disease

Before the appointment of a doctor, the doctor must conduct a diagnosis to the patient. This is necessary to exclude other diseases that show similar symptoms, and to achieve the maximum positive results in treatment. The following research methods are assigned as diagnostics:

1. Computed Tomography( CT);
2. Magnetic resonance imaging( MRI).Thanks to this method, you can get all the information about the disease. It is safer and more informative than CT.

In case of timely assistance, disposal of protrusions is observed in 9 cases out of 10.

Treatment methods

At the heart of the treatment is the use of all medical measures in the complex. This approach gives more effective results. The main methods of treatment of protrusions of the cervical spine are:

Medical therapy

This direction is symptomatic, and counted as an additional measure. As drugs, painkillers and non-steroidal drugs are prescribed. Immunostimulants, mineral and vitamin complexes are indicated for general strengthening of the body, which the doctor prescribes, taking into account the stage of the development of the disease. These medicines include :

• Naproxen;
• celecoxib;
• Aspirin;
• Ibuprofen;
• Metocarbamol;
• Cyclobenzaprine;
• Carisoprodol

Physiotherapy

This method is used to stimulate blood circulation, as well as metabolic processes of tissues affected by the disease. The most effective procedures in this direction are:

• Magnetotherapy;
• Myostimulation;
• Paraffinotherapy;
• Electrophoresis.

Massage

Massage procedures, like physiotherapy, are not recommended during the period of exacerbation of the disease. With severe clinical manifestations, you can massage only hands, shoulders and thoracic part. When the period of exacerbation is over, a neck massage, which strengthens, on the cervical muscular skeleton is possible and helps to restore the initial position of the disc while reducing the size of the protrusion.

In the process of massage, the vertebra spines try to protect the nerve roots from compression in the future "however" the symptoms can worsen even as a result of the slight movement of the vertebrae that occurs when pressing.

Exercises

This technique helps strengthen muscle tissue in the cervical spine. During the exercises, the exercise complex is aimed at tilting the trunk in both directions, pulling the chin to the sternum and tipping back to the head.

During training, you must not make sharp and strong head movements.

Here are some of them:

1. Standing in front of the mirror to direct your head forward, take your shoulders back slightly. Chin tilted down to the sensation of an easy stretch in the front of the neck. After that, the chin should be strained and move it a little back, strengthening the stretching. In this situation, you need to stay, counting to two and then return to the starting position. Run 10 times;
2. Standing straight you need to take your shoulders back and relax your neck muscles, then slowly raise your chin, up and down. Stay in this position for 15 seconds, then return to the original position. Repeat 5 times;
3. Put your hands behind your back and twist fingers between your hands, then raise your arms, up to the sensation of stretching in the front of your shoulders and stay there for 10 seconds. Return to the original position and do the exercise 2 more times;
4. Standing straight to put your feet apart and look forward, bend your hands, at the elbow joints trying to get your hands to the collarbone. Pull your arms in the elbows and pull your shoulders back, imagining that the shoulder blades touch each other, take a deep breath and 20 seconds.stay in this position, finish the exercise and do 3 more times.

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LFK

Physiotherapy can also be performed during an exacerbation, since the treatment includes gentle exercises. They are best performed under the supervision of a specialist - it will be more effective and lead to a quick recovery. The complex of exercises is selected by the doctor, each separately, which depends on the stage and degree of severity of the disease.

In addition to the listed methods of treatment, many others are used, which by their action activate the metabolic processes, improving blood circulation and eliminating the obstacles of energy and muscle in the fight against stagnant phenomena that form in the spine. Due to the mechanism of their action, the normal functions of the intervertebral discs are restored. These methods include:

• Hirudotherapy;
• Mixotherapy;
• Stone therapy;
• Acupuncture;
• Acupressure;
• Vacuum Therapy.

In case of ineffectiveness of the above measures, a surgical method of treatment is indicated. The medicine of our time has a qualitative new technique called "Laser Valorization" .The essence of this treatment is the partial laser removal of the gelatinous nucleus, thereby reducing the size of the disc. As a result of this procedure, he returns to the starting position.

Problems in the treatment of

The main problem in the treatment of protrusion of cervical spine discs is inability to provide this department with the resting , because it is the most mobile in the spine. In this regard, the doctor is looking for a suitable method to pull and fix the spine, while you have to impose on the neck area a special collar that removes the extra load from the affected disc.

Prevention of disease

Prevention of neck protrusion

As a preventive measure, the following recommendations should be observed:

• Be able to lift heavy objects correctly;
• Follow the posture( keep it right);
• No smoking;
• Track weight;
• To eat properly to optimally provide the body with an increase in body tone and also immunity;
• Regularly perform physical exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the neck and back.

To achieve the desired result in treatment, it is possible only with the help of a qualified specialist who will prescribe the correct treatment and will keep it under control until the patient recovers completely.

With the help of regular exercise the body will remain physically fit. Correct posture will give a significant delay to the age-related wear of all organs, including fibrous tissue of the discs of the intervertebral department.

Video: Manual exercises for the cervical spine