Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative-inflammatory process: damage to intervertebral discs, vertebrae, joints. When the disease is at the initial stage of development, to completely eliminate it, it is enough to treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis with injections and avoid surgery if the disorder is detected in a timely manner. Drug therapy is carried out 3 times more often than surgical therapy, but the doctor immediately warns that the injection of drugs is not a matter of one day. And the course of treatment itself must be carried out completely: do not interrupt it as soon as you feel the pain in your neck easing (this does not mean that recovery has occurred).
Causes of development of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the spine never develops simultaneously - it is important to understand this even at the stage of prevention of the disorder in question. And the degenerative-inflammatory process inside the cervical vertebrae is no exception. The first warning signs of the disease should serve as a signal that you are making some of the mistakes every day.
The main reasons that lead to the development of osteochondrosis:
- unhealthy diet – consumption of processed fats and oils, abuse of sugars. The listed nutritional errors have a doubly harmful basis - they do not benefit the body (they do not nourish it with the necessary elements), but at the same time they stop the physiological production of the necessary components. For example, refined compounds interfere with the production of chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin. The listed components are necessary for the normal condition of the cartilaginous part of the vertebrae. Deficiency leads to disruption of metabolic processes and the subsequent development of osteochondrosis;
- excess weight. The cause of uneven distribution of the load on the spine, compression of blood vessels and insufficient blood supply to tissues (including the brain);
- poor posture in various manifestations – scoliosis, lordosis;
- rheumatism in remission, flat feet;
- physical inactivity associated with professional activities;
- almost complete absence of daily physical activity;
- previous injuries to the neck area, spinal injuries;
- excessive physical activity;
- constant exposure to a stressful environment.
The disease in 30% of cases develops due to hereditary predisposition and abnormal development of the cervical spine.
How and where is the injection given?
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There are different types of injections depending on what effect is needed.
The choice of technique is made by the attending physician:
in the upper third of the gluteal muscle. This method allows the active substance to penetrate the bloodstream as quickly as possible, as a result of which the fastest results can be achieved;
Pay attention to how to properly make injections for lumbar osteochondrosis. Intramuscular injections- Intravenous administration of the solution is used if it is necessary to eliminate extensive inflammation and relieve severe pain;
- Subcutaneous injections in the lumbar region . In this way, it is recommended to administer vitamin preparations that actively penetrate deeper tissues, normalizing their nutrition;
- Drug blockade of pain syndrome - injection of an anesthetic solution directly into the lesion (the place where there is the largest accumulation of nerve endings) is used for unbearable pain that immobilizes the patient.
Symptoms
The disease manifests itself gradually, and therefore it can be detected at an early stage if you pay more attention to your health. The onset of disorders within the cervical spinal column can be understood by the following signs:
- Headaches of paroxysmal, burning nature. Localization can be different: in some patients, the knocking occurs inside the temples, and then, in the form of tension, moves to the back of the head. For others, it is pain inside the parietal region, spreading to the rest of the head.
- Pain in the back of the head and shoulders.
- Feeling of weakness in the arms.
- Darkness before the eyes, noise in the ears, flickering of flies, dizziness, problems with vision and hearing.
- An audible crunching sound accompanying head turns. Additionally, there is pain and a feeling of tightness in the neck.
- Fatigue, general weakness.
- Poor coordination, instability.
Additionally, there are difficulties with diction (the patient’s words become slurred), mild numbness of the tongue, which makes it difficult to pronounce words.
Treatment with medications
The degenerative-inflammatory process inside the cervical spine is characterized by disorders of several organs and tissues. Therefore, the doctor prescribes medications that interact, enhancing each other’s pharmacokinetics. The beneficial effect occurs simultaneously on the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, heart and blood vessels.
Only the doctor determines the therapeutic program and decides which injections for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine will be effective in a particular case. The goal of treatment is to achieve the following results:
- local anesthetic effect;
- analgesic effect;
- anti-edema effect;
- desensitizing effect;
- reduction in the spectrum of the inflammatory focus;
- absorbent action.
The main therapeutic program involves prescribing the following drugs to improve the condition and functional activity of organs:
- Analgesics. There are several options for effective relief of pain attacks. Painkillers help reduce the manifestations that cervical osteochondrosis is known for: treatment with injections and paravertebral blockades will be beneficial. For this purpose, a combination of analgesics with adrenal hormones is used. Vitamin B12 is also included in the medication kit.
- Injections for cervical osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by severe muscular-tonic syndrome, with muscle relaxants. Most often administered to relieve overstrain Tolperisone and Tizanidine.
- In addition to the listed medications, they use Actovegin. The main purpose of the prescription is to improve energy metabolism. By administering Actovegin, patients are relieved of persistent dizziness, which is in second place after pain on the scale of complaints for cervical osteochondrosis. Although the therapeutic effectiveness of this drug has been proven, doctors do not prescribe it for separate administration - the solution is administered along with general therapy for osteochondrosis. It is contraindicated to try to get rid of dizziness using traditional methods.
- To eliminate muscle spasms and simultaneously achieve an analgesic effect, muscle relaxants and tranquilizers are prescribed. Short courses of benzodiazepine derivatives are useful. Average therapeutic dosages are prescribed Diazepam, Clonazepam.
- Among the injections prescribed for cervical osteochondrosis, doctors sometimes include Berlition. It belongs to lipoic acid preparations. The medicine is not used separately, but as a complement to general pathogenetic treatment. The main purpose of Berlition is to improve the energy metabolism of cells, normalize axonal transport, while simultaneously reducing oxidative stress by binding free radicals. Stopping their synthesis and reducing the activity of oxidants restores cell membranes.
- Vitamin therapy . Injections for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine involve the administration of vitamins, both separately and as part of preparations. B vitamins have a positive effect on the condition and functional ability of the neuromuscular system. Additionally, the quality of blood circulation improves and pain relief is provided. Vitamins B1 (thiamine) and B6 (pyridoxine) are involved in carbohydrate-protein metabolism, activating metabolic processes. Vitamin therapy improves the speed and quality of metabolic processes in the form of individual preparations and as part of complexes containing B vitamins (Milgamma, Combilipen). Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) significantly reduces pain by stimulating nucleic acid metabolism. The drug Milgamma contains Lidocaine. The drug reduces pain when administered intramuscularly.
Thus, the main task of the prescribed therapeutic approach is solved - to ensure a beneficial effect on the body's systems.
Nonsteroidal drugs
The main goal of the therapeutic program is pain relief. For this purpose, patients are prescribed injections of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for cervical osteochondrosis. They are among the most effective drugs (given their analgesic effect).
According to the pharmacokinetics, NSAIDs suppress the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX), resulting in inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandins, prostacyclins and thromboxanes. The listed reactions determine not only the main therapeutic properties, but also side effects.
Currently, 2 types of non-steroidal drugs are used in orthopedics - non-selective and selective (COX-2 inhibitors) . Among the representatives of the first group, acetic acid derivatives (Diclofenac, Ketorolac), arylpropionic acid preparations (Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen), and oxicam group drugs (Piroxicam, Lornoxicam) are used. Selective non-steroidal drugs include Nimesulide, Meloxicam, Celecoxib. But despite their proven effectiveness, the use of NSAIDs has its limitations.
Short-term use of NSAIDs in small dosages causes complications. They occur in 25% of clinical cases, and in 5% of patients they are fatal.
If you have a confirmed intolerance to non-steroidal drugs, you need to tell your doctor about this: drugs from this group will be replaced with alternative ones without compromising your overall health.
To reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions (especially damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive system), experts see the advisability of treating NSAIDs, which are selective COX-2 inhibitors.
Pentoxifylline injections
Since pathology involves the development of microcirculatory disorders, when prescribing injections for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the doctor also includes the administration of medications that can normalize blood supply to the problem area in a short time. In terms of treatment of vascular platelet disorders, Pentoxifylline has proven itself to be positive.
It is advisable to prescribe the drug at a dose of 20 mg, 1 time per day for 1 week. The medicine has the following characteristics:
- promotes continuous release of the active substance;
- ensures uniform absorption from the digestive tract;
- improves blood flow;
- normalizes microcirculation and tissue trophism in the area of the degenerative-inflammatory process;
- reduces the severity of root swelling;
- promotes pain regression and relief of typical neurological symptoms.
The listed properties of the drug make it popular in the treatment of spinal cartilage degeneration . But the properties of the medicine require monitoring of well-being during the course of their use for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - treatment with injections greatly reduces blood pressure levels.
Alflutop
Alflutop is a drug for injection. The solution is an extract of 4 sea fish. The drug contains glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate. These components are present in the cartilaginous part of the intervertebral discs. The low content of these substances leads to the destruction of cartilage tissue, its degeneration, depletion, followed by replacement with bone tissue.
Advantages of the drug:
- chondroprotective effect;
- slows down and then completely stops the inflammatory process;
- high analgesic effect;
- participates in the regulation of metabolic processes within cartilage tissue.
Alflutop also contains proteoglycans. The compounds have a trophic effect and are characterized by a replacement effect. It is possible to visualize the dynamics of improvements using MRI. The level of ability to absorb moisture, the height of cartilage, and the microrelief of bone tissue are also taken into account.
List of injection drugs for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
To treat lumbar osteochondrosis and eliminate the symptoms of this disease, various medications in the form of injections are used.
Below is a list of the most popular injectables
The most popular among them are:
| Drug name | Description | Price |
| Milgamma | It has a combined effect, since the product contains not only anti-inflammatory non-steroidal components, but also vitamins. This makes it possible to provide a pronounced therapeutic effect: relieve inflammation and pain, normalize metabolic processes in damaged tissues. | Cost about 450-500 rubles. |
| Combilipen | A drug based on lidocaine and B vitamins. It has a pronounced analgesic effect, eliminates the inflammatory process, and improves blood flow in the affected area. | Cost – about 200 rubles. |
| Diprospan | A drug of the glucocorticosteroid group. It is prescribed only in emergency cases, when the use of other drugs does not give the desired effect (since the drug can lead to numerous side effects). It has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, normalizes metabolic processes at the site of its application. | Price – about 200 rubles. |
It is important to remember that the choice of medication, especially when it comes to potent drugs, is made only by a doctor. Self-prescription of medications is unacceptable, as it can lead to very adverse consequences. .
Emergency conditions
The neck area contains many nerve fibers and blood vessels, including the vertebral artery. Incorrect blood circulation in it causes impaired coordination of movements, dizziness, decreased vision and hearing, the development of stroke, and hypertensive crisis.
The table reflects 2 types of common complications of cervical osteochondrosis:
| Evaluation criterion | Stroke | Hypertensive crisis |
| How to quickly recognize the condition? | The patient develops signs by which the condition can be differentiated:
In severe cases, loss of consciousness occurs | The patient complains of spots before the eyes, weakness, severe dizziness, nausea, pulsation in the temples and crown of the head |
| How can I help the patient? | Provide access to fresh air. Immediately arrange transport to hospital | Provide oxygen access. Apply cold to your temples and forehead. Arrange transportation to a medical facility |
| Therapy | The patient is hospitalized in the neurological department, where osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not eliminated - treatment with injections is aimed at normalizing blood supply to the brain, and only then chondroprotectors and other treatment are prescribed | Actovegin is prescribed with antihypertensive drugs and actively eliminates the root cause of the condition – osteochondrosis |
Arguments in favor of injections
There are many of them, and when it comes to intramuscular injections, the complexity of execution is not an argument against, since a person, with minimal skills, can do such an injection himself, or someone close to him will do it.
Important! Epidural administration requires the presence of the patient in a hospital where conditions of high sterility are created. This procedure can only be performed by a senior medical specialist, a practicing experienced doctor.
Epidural administration of the drug
There are a number of advantages of injections over tablets and ointments.
- They have a quick effect, while tablets and local drugs begin to act only after a period of time.
- They deliver the drug to the site of pain in the shortest possible way (epidural - directly), without causing it to wander through the gastrointestinal tract and multiply side effects.
Spinal needles - They have a high speed of action, since the active substance enters the blood and thus reaches the nerve endings.
- With injection treatment, it is easiest to calculate the exact dosage.
- The entire substance that makes up the contents of the injection works in full to reduce pain, while part of the tablet drug undergoes enzymatic destruction in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines before being absorbed into the blood.
By the way. Another way to relieve a patient of pain quickly, evenly distributing the supply of medication, is to use a dropper. Intravenous administration of an analgesic drug often gives the best results.
During an epidural injection, a special needle is inserted into the opening of the sacrum
The most effective injection is a blockade, which is performed into the affected area of the spine, directly into the vertebral body or epidural space, hits the nerve roots directly and stops the pain impulse, blocking its path to the brain.