Osteochondrosis is a relatively unpleasant spinal disease, which belongs to the degenerative-dystrophic type. It leads to abnormal compaction of the intervertebral disc and in turn goes beyond the normal range. As a result, the patient begins to feel severe pain.
With the progression of the disease, the nature and frequency of pain will only increase. In this case, the patient is prescribed an injection of the drug. They quickly lead to the desired result, because their entry into the circulatory system takes several minutes. In addition, it is possible to use the drug locally. For example, injections directly into the affected joint.
But this method of treatment has some drawbacks. For example, there is a possibility of infection or damage to joint tissue at the injection site. Therefore, such treatment is prescribed only when it is absolutely necessary. Below we will take a closer look at cervical osteochondrosis, its symptoms and treatment by injection.
Typical and atypical symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The main difference between the cervix and lumbar is that the vertebrae are located more closely in relation to each other. For this reason, the appearance of pathology in at least one of them can cause disturbances in the normal functioning of the entire spine. To exclude the possibility of other diseases with similar symptoms, to prescribe appropriate treatment and injections for osteochondrosis, it is important to establish an accurate diagnosis.
The main problem is that the early forms of cervical osteochondrosis practically do not appear. And already in a neglected state, various unpleasant and painful sensations begin, arising from the process of changing the structure of cartilage and pinching the arteries.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- It all starts with the appearance of pain in the cervical area. This pain begins to cover the muscles of the back of the head, accompanied by unpleasant, frightening cramps and becomes stronger when turning the head. Severe headache possible, radiating to the neck, chest on the left and past the lower back;
- There may be nausea. This is due to a violation of normal cerebral circulation. There may be signs of vegetovascular disease, there is a feeling of heat, severe sweating, hearing loss and numbness of the tongue.
- Difficulty breathing is possible. They are associated with excessive irritation of the diaphragm due to damage to the neck vertebrae. There may be severe shortness of breath, as well as a feeling of shortness of breath. This can lead to memory impairment and permanent brain damage;
- In addition, the condition is characterized by visual impairment. It occurs due to arterial distortion. This leads to the appearance of blurred vision, blinking spots in front of the eyes, difficulty focusing vision and the occurrence of atherosclerosis;
- Due to arterial spasm and disruption of normal blood flow in the brain, dizziness can occur, which can spill over into unexpected loss of consciousness and unstable pressure.
The need for treatment with injections may arise depending on the stage of the disease and the extent to which it has successfully deformed the vertebrae. In any case, the sooner you start being treated, the more likely you are to get rid of osteochondrosis forever. Ignoring this disease can lead to dangerous consequences up to disability.
Indications for the appointment of injections for cervical osteochondrosis
Traditionally, when osteochondrosis occurs, such treatment methods are prescribed as:
- Sort;
- Special gymnastics;
- Manual therapy;
- Yoga;
- Oriental medical methods;
- Others.
All of the above are intended to restore the spine and counteract the consequences of osteochondrosis. But such a procedure may not be feasible. This is due to the severe pain experienced by the patient. It is for this injection is needed for cervical osteochondrosis.
With cervical osteochondrosis, several types of pain are possible, depending on the origin:
- reflex;
- Spastic;
- neuropathic;
- Compression.
The greatest attention should be paid to the latter, as these are the most common and dangerous varieties. In the inflammatory process, pain is more easily treated. So it is possible to get rid of it even with just one drug.
Depending on the type of syndrome, a course of treatment is prescribed:
- The effect is accelerated. By skipping the process of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, the drug reaches the target organ almost immediately;
- weird. Certain drugs can only lead to destruction in the gastrointestinal tract, as a result, their effectiveness will be worse, especially compared to drugs that directly enter the bloodstream;
- Selective. Some injections for cervical osteochondrosis are placed directly at the site of the lesion. This is necessary to improve their performance.
The most effective injections for osteochondrosis are prescribed on the recommendation of a doctor. The greatest effect can be achieved precisely when using injections.
What injections are prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis
All injections from osteochondrosis are strictly prescribed by the doctor after the patient is admitted to the hospital during the exacerbation of the disease. The patient is undergoing an intensive course in which all medications are given parenterally.
The main indication for prescribing treatment of osteochondrosis with injections is severe pain that ointments or tablets can not cope with.
Among the exacerbations, injections may also be prescribed for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Basically, these are chondroprotectors and vitamin complexes to improve the condition of the spine. This helps to minimize the number of deteriorations. Which injections are prescribed for osteochondrosis will be discussed below.
Muscle relaxation and antispasmodic
This drug should be combined with other drugs. It is used to relieve muscle spasms and relieve pinched nerve endings. With the right medication prescription, they give good results.
If we talk about some drugs from this group, then the dose is 25 mg for 10 days.
Painkillers
Such drugs are usually prescribed in cases where anti-inflammatory drugs are not powerful. Mostly analgesic. The most effective painkiller injections for osteochondrosis:
- Analgesics and antipyretics of the pyrolone group. Although it belongs to the NSAIDs, it has almost no anti-inflammatory effect. But quickly overcame the pain. It must be given intravenously 2 times a day;
- Analgesics that act directly on opioid receptors in the head to relieve pain. The effect appears within 30 minutes and lasts for six hours. The drug is addictive, but not strong.
Vitamin complex
Often with osteochondrosis, injections of vitamins A, E and C are prescribed. They can reduce inflammation of affected tissues and nerve endings, and have a positive effect on microcirculation.
For the most part, vitamin injections from cervical osteochondrosis are issued in the form of oily or aqueous solutions. Inserted only intramuscularly. A course of treatment lasts for several weeks.
NSAIDs
Regardless of the stage of osteochondrosis, one of the major pathogenic factors is inflammation. Such medications are designed to relieve symptoms (in particular, pain). They cannot help to overcome the disease itself.
Chondroprotectors
Contributes to the protection and rehabilitation of the intervertebral disc. The composition of the preparation includes the same ingredients as in the composition of articular tissue. They quickly overcome pain and inflammation.
They are given intramuscularly, depending on the doctor's prescription, daily or several times a week. The duration of the course is a few weeks.
Methods of drug administration for cervical osteochondrosis
During the injection process, it is important to follow the rules of antisepsis and asepsis, because the integrity of the skin is violated and there is a risk of infection. There are several types of injections given for osteochondrosis, namely:
- intravenous;
- epidural;
- intraosseous;
- Intramuscular.
The intramuscular injection process is as follows:
- It is necessary to treat the skin at the injection site with iodine or alcohol;
- Pull the medicine into the syringe according to the dose indicated in the instructions;
- Insert the needle about two-thirds into the muscle.
If you can do it all yourself when injecting into a muscle, then you definitely need an experienced assistant to make the injection in the neck.
Various cervical osteochondrosis is far more dangerous than lumbar or thoracic. All because blood vessels are clogged and blood circulation in the brain is disrupted. Distortion of the structure itself and deformation of the intervertebral disc can cause compression of nerve roots, as well as destruction of the channels responsible for cerebral blood circulation.
As a result, with disturbed blood circulation, a person begins to become stupid and unaware of it. In addition to the above treatments, it is important to get rid of the pathological cause as much as possible, for example:
- Lack of activity in daily life;
- Too much weight;
- Violation of metabolic processes;
- unhealthy diet;
- Constant stress;
- Severe hypothermia;
- injuries;
- Often sit still.
Treatment with properly prescribed injections in a short time can relieve pain, relieve inflammation, and restore normal blood flow. With a severe attack of the disease, the patient may be given a dropper with a mixture of several medications.