Cervical osteochondrosis is a damage to the vertebral discs of the cervical spine, resulting in degenerative-dystrophic changes. The main reason for its development is a violation of the normal course of metabolic processes, which leads to a violation of the structure of vertebral bodies and cartilage discs. In the case of localization in the neck, the pathological symptoms are largely determined by the constriction of large vessels. Treatment methods are selected depending on the stage, the specificity of the course, the severity, the main symptoms.
Features of the disease
The cervical form is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis: the brain leads to circulatory disorders, because the spinal artery passes through this area - one of the largest vessels that provide the brain with the necessary substances and oxygen.
Vertebral displacement, abnormal changes, and excessive growth of bone and fibrous tissue disrupt normal vascular function. The specificity of the symptoms of osteochondrosis in this part is determined, among other things, by one of the structural features of the cervical vertebrae, which are closer to each other. As a result, any change in one segment leads to the failure of the entire department.
Clinic depending on the stage
Cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages of development. How does it manifest itself in each of them?
- Stage 1. It is characterized by the appearance of primary disorders in the stability of intervertebral discs. Symptoms are mild or absent. Unexplained pain and local muscle tension are possible.
- Stage 2. The disc protrusion begins, the gaps between the vertebrae decrease, and the ring fibrosis collapses. In many cases, the pain as a result of compression of the nerve endings is mainly of a point nature. When they return, they bend their necks and tighten. Decreases tone, weakness is often visible.
- Stage 3. The final process of destruction of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of hernias. This stage is characterized by a significant deformation of the spine. Increased pain and fatigue occur against the background of sensitive disorders and limited mobility in the affected area.
- Stage 4 is the most difficult. Severe pain syndrome manifests itself with attempts to move, which significantly limits the mobility of this department. Sometimes the pain decreases, but this does not indicate an improvement, but an increase in the size of the bone growths, which significantly limits movement. They often cause disability.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Predominant symptoms of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine:
- pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, arms;
- restriction of movements, crushing in different turns, bending the neck
- weakness in the hands;
- radiate to the appropriate arm and cause pain in the left side of the chest;
- burning in the intercapular zone;
- recurrent headaches;
- weakness;
- dizziness (may cause fainting with severe cervical osteochondrosis);
- coordination of movements is disturbed, which is mainly reflected in walking;
- hearing loss, ringing in the ears;
- decreased vision;
- sore throat;
- poor dental health;
- weakening or muffling of sound;
- Snoring is the result of tension in the neck muscles.
The symptoms of the cervicothoracic type are similar to the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. This is:
- asthenic syndrome;
- dizziness and headache;
- periodic pressure fluctuations;
- flies flashing in front of the eyes;
- pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
- muscle weakness;
- numbness, tingling, coldness of the fingers;
- chest, heart pain;
- nausea;
- tongue, face;
- dental problems;
- A feeling of current flowing through the arms while trying to bend the neck.
Syndromes
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them is more pronounced depends largely on the specific goal. Many manifestations can be mistakenly associated with other pathological conditions. Therefore, it is often the case that the wrong treatment is prescribed.
The symptom complex is divided into the following groups:
- radical;
- vertebral artery syndrome;
- Irritant-reflex syndrome.
Radical Syndrome
The second name is cervical sciatica. The syndrome develops as a result of compression of the nerve endings in the neck. The pains are lowered from the neck, given to the shoulder blades, and transmitted along the shoulder to the fingers outside the lower wrist. This condition is often seen:
- creepy feeling;
- tingling of hands, wrists, fingers;
- dough.
Manifestations also vary depending on the area of the lesion. If the ends of the central nerve are affected, the lobe extends to the head, middle, and index fingers. When the ends of the brachial nerve are compressed, it is affected by the little finger and ring finger.
Irritant-reflex syndrome
Acute pain in the cervical-occipital region occurs during movement after a static position: after sleep, a sharp dizziness when sneezing becomes a symptom. Often the pain spreads to the shoulder and chest.
Vertebral artery syndrome
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent), spread to the temporal region, crown, back of the head and eyebrows;
- increased anxiety after certain actions or prolonged stay in a restless state;
- general weakness;
- nausea;
- loss of consciousness;
- hearing problems;
- vestibular apparatus disorders;
- eye pain;
- blurred vision.
Heart Syndrome
With the onset of this complex of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck, a picture almost resembles angina pectoris, which often leads to incorrect treatment. Muscle spasms and spasms around the heart are most likely a reflex response to the contraction of nerve endings in the lower cervical region. Cardiac syndrome is a result of irritation of the phrenic nerve (fibers cause pericardium) or the pectoralis major muscle:
- pains appear suddenly, last a long time;
- aggravated by sharp movements of the neck, coughing, sneezing;
- tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
- The pain does not stop after taking a coronary dilator;
- There are no signs of circulatory disorders on the ECG.
disease exacerbation
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in the acute phase are:
- increased pain and radiation to the scapula, intercostal space, arms, shoulders;
- difficulty moving the shoulders, torso, arms, sometimes breathing (breathing and exhalation);
- pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
- Clinically similar to gastritis or cholecystitis when there is pain in the right hypochondrium or bladder area;
- headaches are long-lasting, have imbalances, vision and hearing functions;
- skin trophism is disturbed in the innervation zone, tingling, numbness, dryness, paleness, burning, coldness appear;
- increases the tone of the cervical muscles;
- weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
- possible sleep disorders, memory disorders, concentration problems.
Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia
Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to subluxation of the first cervical vertebra to the right or left, leading to the development of VSD (vegetative vascular dystonia). This is very difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often absent or mild. In this case, it is possible:
- compression of the sympathetic nerve plexuses leading to the appearance of neurological symptoms or VSD;
- constriction of blood vessels and disruption of cerebral circulation;
- constriction of blood vessels, which leads to disruption of blood flow and subsequent jump in intracranial pressure;
- Compression of the spinal cord impairs the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, which results in high pressure inside the skull;
- Muscle spasm that aggravates symptoms as a result of severe constriction of blood vessels and nerves.
The resulting processes are:
- headaches;
- darkening of the eyes;
- dizziness;
- visual acuity impaired;
- double vision (diplopia);
- flashing in front of the eyes of "flies";
- high or low pressure;
- sometimes nausea with vomiting;
- loss of consciousness.
Vertebral subluxation is detected by X-ray examination. Reduction is a very complicated procedure, usually performed under general anesthesia.
How is the disease diagnosed
The leading methods for the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- radiography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- computed tomography;
- Doppler ultrasound;
- duplex scanning.
The last two methods are used to check the condition of the cervical veins.