Imaging examination can provide detailed information to guide diagnosis and treatment.
X-ray film is the earliest imaging method used to diagnose cervical spondylosis, and its application is relatively mature, which is of great significance in the general survey and preliminary diagnosis of cervical spondylosis. From the X-ray functional films of cervical spine, we can know the degeneration of cervical spine: segmental instability of cervical spine, transverse hyperplasia of uncinate joint, intervertebral space degeneration and cervical curvature change. X-ray film of neck can also exclude rare and serious causes of neck pain and stiffness, such as inflammation, tumor, tuberculosis, trauma, deformity and so on.
In addition, CT plain scan and three-dimensional imaging technology of neck can provide rich image information, which has very important application value in the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis. Spiral CT vertebral artery imaging can directly display the relationship between transverse foramen, uncinate joint, soft tissue and vertebral artery, and can judge the stenosis, degree, cause and deformity of vertebral artery. Therefore, CT scan provides an ideal examination method for the image diagnosis of cervical spondylosis.
Moreover, the cervical magnetic resonance (MRI) examination can obtain the morphological changes of the bone joints and soft tissues around the cervical spine, which is helpful to understand the compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. At the same time, magnetic resonance angiography can show the compression, displacement, tortuosity, obstruction, deformity or atherosclerosis of vertebral artery, and also provide anatomical basis for the treatment of cervical spondylosis.
The treatment of cervical spondylosis mainly depends on the patient's signs and symptoms. The purpose of treatment is to relieve pain, help patients keep daily activities as much as possible, and prevent permanent damage to spinal cord and nerves.
Mild cervical spondylosis can be improved and treated by lifestyle and family therapy. Such as regular exercise habits. Even if you have to stop some exercises that will cause neck and shoulder pain because of neck pain, you should keep your exercise habits. People who keep exercising every day will accelerate the recovery of neck and shoulder pain. Oral over-the-counter painkillers. Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are usually enough to control the pain related to cervical spondylosis. Cold and hot compress alternate. Heating or ice compress on the neck can relieve neck muscle pain. Soft neck support.
The neck brace can rest the neck muscles. However, it should be noted that the neck brace can only be worn for a short time, but not for a long time, because it will eventually weaken the strength of the neck muscles. The correct sleeping position. Lying on the left side, lying on the right side and lying on your back are all suitable sleeping positions, which can protect cervical vertebrae and relieve cervical spondylosis. And don't keep a posture when sleeping every night, turn over properly, so as not to oppress one nerve for a long time.
If over-the-counter painkillers can't effectively relieve pain, you need to find a specialist to prescribe medicine. It mainly includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs with stronger anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, such as celecoxib and diclofenac sodium, are needed to effectively relieve the pain and inflammation related to cervical spondylosis. Muscle relaxant. Certain drugs, such as eperisone hydrochloride, can help relieve neck muscle spasms.
There are other conservative treatments, such as physical therapy. Physiotherapists will teach patients some exercise methods to help stretch and strengthen the muscles of the neck and shoulders. At the same time, it will also be used in combination with pulse therapeutic instrument and infrared therapeutic instrument. It has the function of relieving pain and improving local blood circulation, and can achieve good results. Cervical traction. Some patients with cervical spondylosis will benefit from traction. If nerve roots are compressed, it can help the spine to provide more space and reduce the compression of nerve roots, thus effectively relieving symptoms. Manual therapy. The general techniques are mainly rolling, pressing, kneading and holding. The operating parts are behind the neck, scapula and shoulder and back. Manipulation can relax muscles, release adhesions, relieve or relieve the compression and spasm of vertebral artery and improve blood circulation. Generally, good curative effect can be achieved.
If conservative treatment fails or neurological symptoms (such as limb weakness) worsen, surgery may be needed. Surgical treatment can relieve the compression of spinal cord and nerve, restore their functions, stabilize the spine and avoid further injury. Surgery may involve: removal of protruding intervertebral disc or nucleus pulposus, uncinate process joint resection, intervertebral foramen enlargement, intervertebral bone graft fusion, subtotal cervical resection, expanded spinal canal plasty, etc. The choice of surgical methods includes traditional open surgery and emerging minimally invasive surgery, including anterior surgery, posterior surgery and combined anterior and posterior surgery. These surgical methods have strict indications and need to be decided by orthopedic experts according to specific conditions.
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