We will learn how we can get rid of cervical problems, but before that, we have to know what exactly is a cervical problem. As we know a person cannot solve a problem before knowing it properly. In the medical world, it is cervical spondylosis!! But again what it is?
What is cervical spondylosis?
The neck is made up of seven bones called the cervical spine. Symptoms such as cervical pain caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc (aging phenomenon) due to the aging of the cervical spine and thickening and hardening of the ligaments are collectively called cervical spondylosis. Which compress Nerve roots and spinal cord, causing pain near the neck and scapula, and pain and numbness from the neck and shoulders to the arms, and hands. Depending on the site of injury, it is cervical spondylotic myelopathy or cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. In addition, the two may combine.
Cause
The intervertebral disc which acts as a cushion for the cervical spine loses water and loses elasticity with age from around the age of 20, and degenerates (aging phenomenon) such as cracking and gradual collapse. Is said to start. It is not a disease in itself because degeneration of the intervertebral disc occurs in everyone, and there is a cure only when the spinal canal (path of the spinal cord) and the intervertebral foramen is narrowed, and the spinal cord and nerve roots compress and symptoms appear.
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy
With cervical spondylotic myelopathy, degeneration of the intervertebral disc progresses with aging, and the bone grows like a spine to form the osteophytes and ligaments. Becomes thicker and harder, which compresses the spinal cord in the spinal canal, causing pain, numbness, and impaired movement in the limbs (both limbs).
Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy
In cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, degeneration of the cervical spine (disc herniation, osteophyte formation, etc.) causes stenosis of the intervertebral foramen, compression of the nerve roots, and mainly to one side. It is a disease that causes pain and numbness.
Symptoms
In cervical spondylotic myelopathy, paresthesias such as numbness in the limbs are first seen. Gradually, it progresses to finger dexterity and muscle weakness, and bladder and rectal disorders may also occur. Obstacles such as inconvenience in a controlled work in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, pain, numbness, and weakness (difficulty in exerting force) may appear on the neck, shoulders, and fingers. Most of the symptoms are on one side.
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Neck pain
I have pain in the back of my neck. When the neck deflected pain may occur backward or when carrying heavy luggage.
Numbness, paresthesias
Symptoms such as numbness and paresthesias occur in “both left and right hands (and legs).”
Disability of limbs
Impaired legs and the stimulus cannot perceive normally (for example, the pain runs without touching).
Detailed work of hands becomes inconvenient
Buttoning, using chopsticks, and writing letters can be clumsy.
Gait disturbance
Symptoms such as difficulty in pushing your legs forward, difficulty walking fast, awkward walking, and fear of going down may occur.
Bladder and rectal disorder Excretion function can impair.
Treatment
Conservative therapy (orthosis therapy using the cervical collar, drug therapy) is first unless the spinal cord symptoms such as gait disturbance, and delicate movement disorder of fingers progress, or dysuria are severe. In addition, hyperthermia treatment and traction treatment are also used. In addition, if the pain is out of control will us nerve blocks. Surgical treatment is also considered for advanced cervical spondylotic myelopathy and cervical spondylotic radiculopathy for which conservative treatment is ineffective.
Orthosis therapy
To reduce pain while maintaining local rest this treatment method Is expected to reduce pain while maintaining local rest. We use orthoses such as the cervical spine collars for the purpose of “holding joints”, “correcting/preventing deformation,” and “substituting functions.”
Drug therapy
In many cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are mainly used as pain relievers. In addition, for nerve pain such as numbness-related pain and sharp pain that occurs spontaneously (called electric shock pain), “neuropathic pain remedy,” for the purpose of relieving muscle tension and relieving symptoms, ” “Muscle relaxants” are also used.
Traction therapy
A belt is hung mainly around the chin and pulled with a weight of about 1/10 of the bodyweight to reduce the pressure applied to the cervical spine and reduce pain and radiculopathy. Symptoms may worsen depending on the direction and strength of the traction, so be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Hyperthermia
It is a treatment method that uses the physical energy of heat. There is a “hot pack” that uses electric heat to transfer heat by directly contacting the living body.
Physical therapy (rehabilitation)
It is a treatment method for the purpose of improving metabolic function and physical function such as exercise and massage.
Nerve block therapy
A local anesthetic is a treatment that blocks pain from being transmitted through nerves. It is mainly carried out in orthopedics, anesthesiology, and pain clinics.
Surgical therapy
Surgery is rarely performed from the beginning in the treatment of cervical spondylosis unless there is a significant disruption to the activities of daily living. However, if other treatments are not very effective then surgery is the only option left.
For prevention / improvement
To prevent and improve cervical spondylosis, it is important to be careful about your posture, and how to move your neck in your daily life.
Precautions for daily life
For cervical spondylotic myelopathy:
1) Do not tilt or rotate the cervical spine excessively back and forth
2) Don’t sleep in a prone position
3) Do not go to the desk with your neck bent for a long time
4) Do not curl up and put a strain on the cervical spine
5) For cervical spondylotic radiculopathy:
Avoid overextension of the cervical spine (overextended than normal)
Read also: How to get rid of tonsils quickly?
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