Osteophytes of the cervical spine: symptoms, treatment, photos, videos

Osteophytes of the cervical spine is a bony growths on the vertebrae of the neck. In the cervical spine this pathological process develops most often because here the vertebrae are the most subtle and mobile.

To avoid surgical intervention as soon as possible to consult a doctor. Will be assigned a treatment consisting of taking analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When the period of aggravation will go away, it is useful to pay attention to physical therapy and neck massage.

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Not to look for ways to get rid of osteophytes, pay advance attention to the causes of their development. The treatment of cervical osteophytes are usually required for patients who suffer from:

• Extra pounds;
• Long-term back strain;
• Osteoarthritis cartilage;
• Violations of hormonal background;
• Degenerative processes of the intervertebral discs;
• Mechanical injuries of the cervical spine;
• Flat feet;
• Spondylitis of cervical vertebrae;
• Clips of the nervous tissue;
• Of metabolic disorders.

Isolated osteophytes can grow after compression fractures. In place of the damaged cervical bones of the body builds up new, there is excess fabric into the osteophytes.

• See also: Arthrosis of the cervical spine – what is it?

When there is too highly compressed the intervertebral discs due to osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease, the vertebrae of the neck can begin to experience friction with each other. To protect cartilage, the body increases the osteophytes on the spine.

Cervical growths can arise from the fact that the affected bone tissue is malignant or malignant tumors, softened or infected (i.e., developed spondylitis).

It may happen that changes in the endocrine levels are beginning to change the skeleton. To compensate for the deformation, begins to grow bone tissue. The main risk group – the elderly people, whose bone of the spine comprehensively wears out.

Characteristic symptoms

Osteophytes of the cervical occur often because the neck region of the backbone is the most sensitive to all sorts of deformations. Symptoms usually develops due to the fact that due to osteophytes are clamped nerves and blood vessels. As a result of deteriorating oxygen supply to the brain.

• Interesting to know: the widow's hump – how to remove lump on her neck

The main symptoms of cervical osteophytes:

• Sharp pain when moving neck;
• Movement disorders and sensitivity of the cervical;
• Occasionally the deterioration of eyesight complications of defecation and urination;
• Sometimes, simultaneous pain in the lumbar and cervical spine when the patient stands or walks;
• Dizzy, dark eyes, noise in ears, increased blood pressure, may experience presyncopal state.

With such complex symptoms, the doctor first uses a method of palpation, to understand how situated osteophytes. But this method helps to evaluate the development of only large osteophytes, so then used:

• Elektrokardiograficheskie method. It turns out, how well the nerves pinched any of them;
• Imaging on the computer and MRI. Give a very detailed picture of bone spurs, at the same time show the state of the nerves;
• X-ray diffraction method. Still in use, but has less accuracy than CT and MRI.

Treatment

The first thing to eliminate pain, to restore patient mobility and quality of life. For this purpose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac). They help to release the inflammation on the nerve roots. To resolve the painful symptoms, are appointed painkillers (Ketanov, Ketorol).

To relax the muscles, relieve spasm, used in vitamin-mineral complexes, Niacin, muscle relaxants.

To combat inflammation fit various creams and gels that need to apply to the neck region. Especially careful you have to be using in the cervical region a warming ointment (such as Helps) – be careful that they don'tgot on mucous membranes!

• See also: Blockade of the cervical spine.

To prevent further friction the vertebrae together, can be used in orthopedic devices, such as a collar of the Trench.

Physical therapy

If you want to avoid surgery and to inhibit the formation of osteophytes, it is necessary not only to use medicines. Need to change your way of life, accustoming themselves to a constant light physical activity. Very suitable for this even normal Hiking, but it is better to start to regularly perform exercises of physiotherapy. Suitable also swimming in the pool. Osteophytes of the cervical spine and their treatment require physical activity.

During the acute period when the patient suffers severe pain and limited range of motion. Need to spend more time in peace and quiet. Then you need to consult a physician to return to medical gymnastics.

Popular recipes

Three tablespoons of hawthorn flowers to be mixed with ½ liter of hot water. It is necessary to insist about forty minutes. Drink before each meal one tablespoon.

• See also: Distortion of the cervical spine.

Elder leaves tablespoon pour a glass of boiling water, and then precipitate ten minutes. Take half a Cup twice a day.

Operation

If conservative treatment for a long time does not give the desired effect, and the patient threatening complications, it becomes necessary the surgeon. The following surgical methods to relieve the patient's condition:

• Vasectomy. Completely removed the facet cartilage, which overgrow the bone;
• Is foraminotomy. Expanding the space between the vertebrae to release the nerve roots from the clip;
• Laminectomy. Rarely used – if this operation is completely removed, the bone plate;
• A laminotomy. A little expanded within the lumen of the bony plates, which protects the spinal canal. Suited to release from compression of the spinal cord.

• See also: the violation of the statics of the cervical spine.

The doctors are trying to the last to delay surgical treatment of the spine, to prevent the occurrence of the following complications:

• Infection;
• Deformation of the spinal cord;
• Displacement of the vertebrae;
• Pain syndrome;
• Other neurological symptoms, such as problems with urination.