How to treat cervical spondylosis

Non-surgical treatment is the first choice, which is suitable for most patients with cervical spondylosis, especially cervical type and nerve root type. Non-surgical treatment methods include:

Neck rest: avoid lowering your head or raising your head for a long time to reduce the burden on your neck.

Traction or manipulation of spinal correction: stretching or adjusting the position of cervical spine with external force can relieve the compression of nerve and blood vessels caused by cervical disc herniation or bone spurs. It is recommended to do it under the guidance of a professional doctor.

Collar or brace fixation: By wearing a collar or brace, the cervical spine can be protected, nerve wear and intervertebral joint trauma can be reduced, which is conducive to the regression of tissue edema and consolidation of curative effect.

Drug treatment: through oral or external use of Chinese and western medicines with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, local blood circulation can be improved and inflammation and muscle spasm can be alleviated.

Physical therapy: through electrical stimulation, ultrasound, infrared ray, cold compress, etc. Promote local blood circulation and reduce muscle tension and edema.

Neck exercise: By doing some exercises that can relax and strengthen the neck muscles, the flexibility and stability of the cervical spine can be improved and the degeneration of the cervical spine can be prevented.

Surgical treatment is a radical treatment method, which is suitable for a few patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who are ineffective in non-surgical treatment. Surgical treatment methods mainly include:

Anterior cervical surgery: the hyperplastic osteophyte and protruding intervertebral disc are removed from the front of the cervical spine to directly relieve the compression on the spinal cord, nerves and blood vessels; At the same time, bone blocks or artificial intervertebral discs are implanted between the vertebral bodies, so that the vertebral bodies can be fused or kept moving, and the cervical vertebrae can be stabilized again.

Posterior cervical surgery: enlarge the spinal canal, relieve the compression behind the spinal cord, widen the space where the spinal cord is located, make the compressed spinal cord retreat backward, and indirectly relieve the compression on the spinal cord caused by osteophyte in front of the spinal cord, disc herniation or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.