Neck sciatica - a painful disorder caused by inflammation or pinching the spinal cord in the cervical spine. Most often are struck roots seventh (60%) and sixth vertebrae (25%). This - the lowest vertebrae of the cervical spine, coming to the thoracic.

Sciatica cervical spine occurs much less frequently than lumbar sciatica Lumbar sciatica: how to get rid of pain . In young patients, sciatica cervical spine is often the result of spinal herniation or injury that resulted in a pinched nerve Pinched nerve - what to do when severe pain? . In older people, it is a violation usually develops as a result of degenerative processes in the spine associated with the general aging of the body. Among the factors that influence the development of cervical sciatica - heavy physical work, in which a person regularly have to lift loads weighing more than 11 kg, smoking, driving vehicles or machine control with a strong vibration. This disorder can also develop in people who have frequent and intense sports. In rare cases, cervical sciatica develops due to spinal tumors and infectious diseases.

Types and symptoms of cervical sciatica

There are several types of cervical sciatica, depending on where it is struck by the roots of the spinal cord. Disorders in which inflammation occurs at the root level of the fifth vertebra (C5), sometimes referred to as sciatica humeral neck. In this disease there is often pain and weakness in the arms, shoulders and shoulder blades. Sometimes patients complain of tingling and numbness in these areas.

When radiculitis segment C6 is usually observed pain and / or weakness in the hands, including hands. If struck roots in the segment C7 (the most common form of cervical sciatica), the patient may complain of pain or weakness in the neck and arms.

Inflammation of the spinal cord in the other segments is rare, and can cause pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the neck and arms, at least - in the shoulders. In general, for any type of cervical sciatica pain may be given into the hands, shoulders and even the chest. In some cases, patients have problems with motor coordination, and most often it concerns the movements of the hands.

Diagnostics

After the doctor will ask the patient in detail about the symptoms and will examine it usually appoints radiography .  This diagnostic procedure in many countries, primarily used for the examination of patients complaining of chronic back pain .  If the result of X-ray diffraction proved to be insufficient, it may be used computed tomography .  It allows to identify, for example, herniated vertebral discs, up from 72% to 91% .  The use of contrast agents can further increase the accuracy of diagnosis .  Even contrast agents do a CT scan more accurate means for identifying soft tissue pathologies than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) .  With MRI is possible to identify various lesions that gradually lead to the development of cervical sciatica, in the very early stages, when they have not yet led to any symptoms .

For the diagnosis of cervical sciatica can also be used electromyography - it can detect physiological abnormalities the spinal cord, and to avoid some other disorders that can cause symptoms similar to the symptoms of sciatica Symptoms of sciatica - what could be the manifestation .

Forecast

With adequate and timely treatment, the prognosis for patients with cervical radiculitis Sciatica - ask for help in a timely manner   very favorable .  In 80-90% of cases, conservative treatment is quite effective, and surgery is not required .  However, the prognosis is favorable for those who have to do the surgery .  The vast majority of patients tolerate surgery without major complications recover quickly and return to work .  After surgery, patients usually given a course of physiotherapy, in which often fails to fully restore the range of motion, and restore the old fitness .  The greatest difficulty is postoperative recovery for people who are seriously involved in sports .  So it is very important for patients to work closely with his physiotherapist and coach to return in good shape, without causing any harm, and avoid serious injury in the future .  People who are engaged in heavy physical labor, after treatment of cervical sciatica need to talk with your doctor about how to do their job, causing the least possible damage to the spine .  Fortunately, in most cases, cervical sciatica does not lead to disability .

Treatment crystalline polyarthritis

The attack of gouty arthritis acute Gouty arthritis: all the pain of the salt   without treatment lasts several days, with the help of treatment it can be removed in a few hours. To do this, appointed by the various anti-inflammatory drugs, reduces swelling of tissues and reduce pain. These so-called non-specific anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin. But the effect of these agents appear only after 12-24 hours, so when first administered strong pain relieving inflammation another drug - Colchicine (preferably administered intravenously, as it often causes gastrointestinal complications). If these drugs for some reason contraindicated for the treatment of pain are assigned a short-term hormone therapy (prednisone).

For the prevention of exacerbations is assigned to a diet that limits foods rich in purines (liver, kidneys, brains, preserved fish) rich alkaline water. Means of reducing the excretion of uric acid (eg, allopurinol), appointed only with frequent attacks of arthritis and kidney disease, as these drugs have severe side effects.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis consists of several stages. First of all, when the first detection of the disease are appointed by NSAIDs that relieve swelling and pain in the joints Joint pain - how to understand what is going on? . If NSAIDs do not bring relief, as well as the presence of lesions of the internal organs and the general condition is assigned to hormone therapy (prednisone). Hormones are used in extreme cases when all other options have been exhausted.

During exacerbation of the disease in the joints impose a tire, fixing the limb in a comfortable position for the patient. Pain is also facilitated by heat. As the pain subsided range of motion in the joint increases, the patient begins to move with the help of orthopedic devices (eg crutches). At this time, to improve joint mobility necessary to conduct physical therapy sessions.

There is also the so-called basic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis - permanent debilitating joint pain Which slows down the destruction of cartilage and bone. Appointed by drugs which inhibit immunological processes (hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine), as the main cause of joint disease in this case are higher immune responses of the body. If such therapy is ineffective, the prescribers, inhibiting cell proliferation of tissues (eg, methotrexate). This prevents the proliferation of granulation tissue in the joints, which destroys the cartilage. Preparations of these groups can be used only under medical supervision.

In case of emergency to reduce pain and improve joint function performed surgery and even prosthetic (artificial joint).

Physiotherapy and spa treatment polyarthritis

Physiotherapy polyarthritis is aimed at relief of pain, swelling and inflammation in the joint. For this purpose, introduced by electrophoresis and phonophoresis drugs (hydrocortisone, NSAIDs, Novocain and others), the courses of other physical treatments (magnetic therapy, ultrasound, paraffin, ozokeritotherapy, cryotherapy - exposure to cold).

Treatment of arthritis (especially rheumatoid) should be constant. First of all - it's follow-up treatment by a physician and regular hospital treatment. Spa treatment is performed in a state outside of an exacerbation. Courses baths, mud, physiotherapy treatments allow patients even with severe disease live a long time without relapse, as it was during the spa treatment restores blood circulation in the joints, normal metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting That contributes to the restoration of cartilage and bone.