Cervical osteochondrosis is a lesion of the spinal discs of the cervical spine, as a result of which they undergo degenerative-dystrophic changes. The main reason for its development is a violation of the normal course of metabolic processes, which leads to distortion of the body structure of the vertebrae and cartilaginous discs. In the case of localization on the neck, the symptoms of the pathology are mainly determined by the compression of the large vessels. Treatment methods are selected depending on the stage, specificity of the course, severity and main symptoms.
Characteristics of the disease
The cervical form is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis: it leads to worsening of cerebral circulation, because the vertebral artery passes through this area - one of the largest vessels that supply the brain with the necessary substances and oxygen.
Vertebral displacement, abnormal changes, and excessive growth of bone and fibrous tissue disrupt the normal functioning of the vessel. The specificity of the symptoms of osteochondrosis in this part is determined, among other things, by one of the structural characteristics of the cervical spine, which consists in their closer adherence. As a result, any change in one segment causes the failure of the entire department.
Clinic, depending on stage
In the process of its development, cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages. How does this manifest on each of them?
- Phase 1. It is characterized by the appearance of initial disturbances in the stability of the intervertebral discs. Symptoms are mild or absent. Not very pronounced feelings of pain and local muscle tension are possible.
- Phase 2. The disc protrudes, the gaps between the vertebrae decrease, the annular fibrosus collapses. In many cases, as a result of compression of nerve endings, pain occurs, mostly punctate in nature. They intensify when turning, tilting the door. Decreases tone, weakness often occurs.
- Stage 3. The process of final destruction of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of a hernia. This phase is characterized by significant spinal deformity. Increased pain and fatigue occur in the background of sensory disturbances and limited mobility in the affected area.
- Phase 4 is the hardest. Intense pain syndrome is manifested by any attempt to move, which entails a significant limitation of mobility of this department. Sometimes the pain subsides, but this does not show an improvement in the condition, but only indicates an increase in the size of the bone growths, significantly restricting movement. They often lead to the patient's disability.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
When located in the cervical spine, the predominant symptoms of osteochondrosis are:
- pain in neck, nape, shoulder, arms;
- restriction of movement, crunching at different turns, neck tilt;
- weakness in the hands;
- withdrawal pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the appropriate arm;
- burns in the interscapular zone;
- recurrent headaches;
- weakness;
- dizziness (severe course of cervical osteochondrosis may result in loss of consciousness);
- is impaired coordination of movement, which is mainly reflected in gait;
- hearing impairment, tinnitus;
- reduced vision;
- sore throat;
- poor dental health;
- weakening or hoarseness of voice;
- snoring is due to tension in the neck muscles.
In the cervicothoracic type, the symptoms are almost similar to the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. This:
- asthenic syndrome;
- dizziness and headache;
- periodic pressure fluctuations;
- flashes of flies before the eyes;
- pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
- muscle weakness;
- numbness, tingling, coldness of the fingers;
- chest pain, heart area;
- nausea;
- numbness of tongue, face;
- dental problems;
- feeling the current flowing along the arms when trying to bend the neck.
Syndromes
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them is most pronounced depends largely on the specific goal. Many manifestations can be mistakenly associated with other pathological conditions. Therefore, there are often cases when the wrong treatment is prescribed.
The symptom complex is divided into the following groups:
- radicular;
- spinal artery syndrome;
- irritative-reflex syndrome.
Radicular syndrome
His other name is cervical sciatica. The syndrome develops as a result of tightening of the nerve endings in the neck. The pain is transmitted from the neck, given to the shoulder blades, down the shoulder, along the outside of the forearm, to the fingers. In this case, the following often appear:
- creepy feeling;
- tingling in the hands, forearms, fingers;
- pasty.
Manifestations also vary depending on the area of the lesion. If the endings of the central nerve are affected, the pastiness extends to the thumb, middle, index finger. When the ends of the brachial nerve are completed, the small and the ring finger are affected.
Irritable-reflex syndrome
Burning acute pain in the cervico-occipital region, which occurs during movement after a static state: after sleeping, when sneezing, a sharp turn of the head becomes its sign. The pain often radiates to the shoulder and chest.
Spinal artery syndrome
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become:
- pulsating or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent), spreading to the temporal area, scalp, nape of the neck and eyebrow ridges;
- increased discomfort with certain movements or after a long stay in an uncomfortable position;
- general weakness;
- nausea;
- loss of consciousness;
- hearing problems;
- disorders of the vestibular apparatus;
- eye pain;
- blurred vision.
Cardiac Syndrome
With the appearance of this complex of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck, an image almost similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to wrong treatment.
Muscle contractions and cramps around the heart are most likely a reflex response to compression of nerve endings in the lower cervix. Cardiac syndrome is caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve (its fibers lead to the pericardium) or the large chest muscle:
- pains appear suddenly, last a long time;
- aggravated by sharp neck movements, coughing, sneezing;
- tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
- pain does not stop after taking coronary dilators;
- on the ECG there are no signs of impaired circulation.
Worsening of the disease
In the worsening phase, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- increased pain and its radiation to the shoulder blade, interscapular zone, arms, shoulders;
- Difficulty moving shoulders, torso, arms, and sometimes breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
- pain syndrome is often reminiscent of heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
- when pain occurs in the right hypochondrium or iliac, the clinic is similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
- headaches are long-lasting in nature, there is an imbalance, visual and auditory functions;
- in the innervation zone, skin trophism is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, pallor, burning, coldness appear;
- cervical muscle tone increases;
- weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
- possible sleep disorders, memory disorders and concentration problems.
Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia
Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to subluxation of the first cervical spine by moving to the right or left, which provokes the development of VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia). It is quite difficult to recognize, because often there are no symptoms or they are mild. In this case it is possible:
- compression of the sympathetic nerve plexus, leading to the appearance of neurological signs or VSD;
- compression of arteries and damage to cerebral circulation;
- compression of veins, causing a violation of blood flow and a consequent jump in intracranial pressure;
- compression of the spinal cord, causing worsening of cerebrospinal fluid movement, which also results in high pressure inside the skull;
- muscle spasm that worsens symptoms as a result of strong compression of blood vessels and nerves.
The resulting processes are:
- headaches;
- darkening of the eyes;
- dizziness;
- impaired visual acuity;
- double vision (diplopia);
- flickers before the eyes of the "fly";
- high or low pressure;
- nausea, sometimes with vomiting;
- loss of consciousness.
Reproduction reveals vertebral subluxation. Its reduction is a rather complex procedure, usually performed under general anesthesia.
How the disease is diagnosed
Leading methods for the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- radiography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- computed tomography;
- Doppler ultrasound;
- double-sided scanning.
The last two methods are used to check the condition of blood vessels.