Neck myositis (cervical myositis)
Neck myositis is an acute inflammatory process in the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle. The disease is polietiologic, that is, it can arise as a result of many factors. Lack of treatment for acute inflammation of the cervical muscles leads to chronicity of the process with periods of remission and exacerbation.
According to statistics, cervical myositis is the most common type of all available myositis. The disease has no gender or age restrictions and can occur in any person.
Content:
- Symptoms of cervical myositis
- Causes of cervical myositis
- Neck myositis treatment
Symptoms of cervical myositis
Acute cervical myositis develops quickly, several hours after the end of the exposure to the provoking factor. Less commonly, the process of inflammation develops after a few days. This sign allows you to distinguish cervical myositis from osteochondrosis and radiculitis, in which pain occurs during severe physical exertion.
The symptoms of cervical myositis are as follows:
- Pain. The nature of the pain is intense, with a gradual increase. The pain becomes especially pronounced when moving the neck (during turns, during tilting of the head), while probing the inflamed muscle and adjacent areas. Therefore, a person spares his neck as much as possible, trying to limit any impact on it. The pain radiates to the shoulder girdle, sometimes spreading to the entire arm, to the back of the head, to the muscles of the face, to the ears, to the interscapular region. Often, pain occurs on only one side of the neck.
- Tension of the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle. Stiffness of movements in the joints is possible (with an extensive inflammatory process).
- The muscle swells, which contributes to the formation of swelling in the affected area.
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If the patient suffers from purulent myositis, then there is hyperemia of the skin, the pain becomes more intense, the body temperature rises. Often, purulent myositis is accompanied by a febrile condition with headaches and general symptoms of intoxication.
- Headache is a frequent companion of non-purulent cervical myositis. It occurs in the back of the head, can pulsate in the temporal zone. The chewing muscles tense, hindering the movement of the jaw. Sometimes the patient even has difficulty eating for this reason.
- Symptoms of chronic myositis are pain that tends to intensify at night. Often the affected muscle reacts with pain to changing weather conditions. With a long course of the disease, atrophy of the cervical muscles increases.
- Cough, shortness of breath, dysfunction of swallowing are symptoms of a severe stage of cervical myositis. In this case, inflammation spreads to the adjacent healthy muscles of the esophagus, throat and larynx, disrupting their functioning. In rare, advanced cases, cervical myositis can lead to suffocation.
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Dermatomyositis of the cervical spine is accompanied by the appearance of rashes, it is possible that other muscle groups and internal organs are involved in the process. The skin becomes covered with a small purple rash, swelling of the lips and eyelids is often observed.
- Parasitic myositis, which affects the cervical muscles, leads to the fact that a person's local and general body temperature rises. Pain occurs in the neck region, in the muscles of the shoulder and chest girdle, intensifying as microorganisms multiply and grow - Trichinella and cysticercus.
If the disease has a mild course, then after a few days it will self-destruct. However, under the influence of provocative factors, a recurrence of cervical myositis is not excluded.
Causes of cervical myositis
The causes of cervical myositis are varied, including injuries, diseases, toxic effects:
- Postponed infectious diseases. Often, cervical myositis develops after ARVI, tonsillitis, tonsillitis. Muscle inflammation can result from chronic rheumatism. The cause of post-infectious cervical myositis is a violation in the functioning of immune forces.
- Specific working conditions often lead to the development of the disease. So, pianists, violinists, office workers are prone to inflammation of the cervicobrachial muscles. It is these people who are forced to spend several hours a day in an uncomfortable monotonous position.
- Any injury to the cervical spine can provoke myositis. These can be both direct blows and fractures of the upper limbs, muscle strain.
- It has been proven that prolonged stress can affect the development of myositis.
- Often, the disease develops due to hypothermia.
- Parasitic invasions. In this case, cervical myositis will be of a toxic-allergic nature.
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Diseases of the joints. A hernia of the spine, osteochondrosis, arthrosis - all these diseases of the musculoskeletal system lead to the fact that a person intuitively assumes the position that seems to him as comfortable as possible. However, the forced position of the body does not always have a good effect on the condition of the muscles. If they are in an anatomically incorrect position for a long time, this will lead to their stretching and inflammation.
- Intoxication of the body, which occurs as a result of poisoning with various substances, including alcohol, cocaine or drugs, often causes cervical myositis. This condition is aggravated by the existing metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, gout.
The combination of several factors leads to the fact that cervical myositis is more likely to occur, for example, if, after a viral infection, a person has undergone hypothermia. In adolescence, myositis often occurs as a result of excessive physical exertion during training, against the background of emotional stress, during the examination period.
Different types of cervical myositis will have different causes:
- Purulent cervical myositis occurs due to staphylococci, streptococci or other types of bacteria getting into an open wound. A similar situation can occur with neck injuries or during cervical surgery.
- Infectious cervical myositis often occurs during the acute stage of an infectious or other disease or after ARVI, rheumatism, lupus erythematosus.
- Neuromyositis, in addition to the cervical muscles, affects the peripheral nerve fibers, leading to their dystrophic changes. The cause of the disease lies in the whole complex of influences: physical overwork must be combined with hypothermia of an already inflamed area. Also, this type of disease can be systemic, that is, it may arise due to disturbances in the functioning of the immune system.
- Ossifying myositis of the cervical spine can be congenital in nature, or it can occur due to injuries, infections, diseases of internal organs.
- Dermatomyositis can develop due to hormonal disorders in the body, it can be inherited, it can be of a viral and autoimmune nature.
A neurologist will help determine the type of disease and clarify the cause of cervical myositis.
Neck myositis treatment
Treatment for neck myositis depends on the underlying cause. But in any case, therapy requires an integrated approach with a combination of medication and physiotherapy.
Taking medicines
To relieve inflammation and reduce pain, it is possible to prescribe NSAIDs and analgesics. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed until the inflammation is eliminated. With severe pain, edema, hyperemia, fever, NSAIDs can be used in the form of injections: Meloxicam (Movalis, Amelotex), Ketoprofen (Ketonal, Flamax, Fleksen), Diclofenac (Voltaren, Naklofen), etc. Combined drugs that effectively eliminate pain and inflammation, are Next (ibuprofen + paracetamol), Panoxen, Dolaren (diclofenac + paracetamol).
Muscle relaxant drugs, such as Tolperisone, Midocalm, Hydroxyzin, Baclofen, Tizanidine, etc., can relieve muscle spasm and pain.
If the disease is systemic, the doctor may recommend taking immunosuppressive drugs. Most often these are corticosteroids: Triamcinolone, Betamethasone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone. They have a depressing effect on the immune system and help to quickly relieve inflammation. However, these funds have a large number of contraindications and side effects dangerous to health, therefore, only a specialist can prescribe them.
For the treatment of purulent myositis, antibacterial and antipyretic agents are prescribed. Local warming ointments are contraindicated in this case, since their use will contribute to the progression of the disease. Antibacterial drugs of the penicillin series, drugs from the group of cephalosporins, macrolides are prescribed.
Ointments for the treatment of cervical myositis
In the absence of contraindications, it is possible to apply warming ointments to the affected area. It improves blood flow and helps to relieve pain. Such ointments are: Vipratox, Viprosal, Apizartron.
Fastum gel (Fast gel) has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. The combined Dolobene ointment helps to eliminate swelling, relieve pain and inflammation.
Local treatment with ointments has a pronounced effect on inflammation caused by hypothermia and muscle tension.
Diet for cervical myositis
During an exacerbation of the disease, fried, spicy, salty foods should be excluded from the menu. The more in a person's diet there are foods rich in coarse dietary fiber and fiber, the faster toxins will be eliminated from the body.
In addition, it is necessary to observe an adequate drinking regime, especially against the background of an increased body temperature. To prevent exacerbations, the amount of fluid you drink should not be less than two liters. Rosehip decoction allows to remove tissue edema.
There is evidence that regular intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids in food prevents the development of inflammation in the muscles. Therefore, fatty fish should be included in the weekly menu: salmon, salmon, herring, blue whiting, tuna, chum salmon, etc.
Exercise for cervical myositis
The selection of a medical complex is carried out on an individual basis, since the age of the patient, the cause of the development of inflammation and the degree of its severity are important.
However, the general guidelines are as follows:
- Physical activity should not cause discomfort in the affected area, for which the sore muscle should be given maximum attention. Exercise must be interspersed with rest.
- It is important to monitor your posture, and if you have problems, contact a specialist for their correction.
- Allows you to strengthen the muscles of the back and neck, increase their tone, relieve tension in the pool. Aqua aerobics has practically no contraindications, it is suitable for the prevention and treatment of myositis both in adults and in childhood. In addition to swimming, gymnastics and cycling are useful.
It is good if the exercises are performed under the supervision of a specialist.
Massage for cervical myositis
Massage of the cervical collar zone for the treatment of myositis plays a significant role. With the right approach, a visit to the massage therapist's office allows you to relieve inflammation, get rid of congestion, and reduce pain. The combination of reflexology and massage has proven itself well.
As for the prognosis for recovery, it is most often favorable, in the event that cervical myositis manifested due to hypothermia, overstrain. Systemic varieties of the disease are less susceptible to therapy, however, compliance with medical recommendations allows you to restrain the disease for a long time and maintain your ability to work.
Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist
Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.
