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Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.

Cervical osteochondrosis is an injury to the discs of the cervical vertebrae, as a result of which they undergo degenerative-dystrophic changes.The main reason for its development is a disturbance in the normal course of metabolic processes, which leads to a distortion of the structure of the vertebral bodies and cartilaginous discs.In the case of localization in the neck, the symptoms of the pathology are largely determined by the compression of large vessels.Treatment methods are selected depending on the stage, specific course, severity and main symptoms.

Characteristics of the disease.

The cervical form is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis: it leads to a deterioration in cerebral circulation, since the vertebral artery passes through this area - one of the largest vessels that supplies the brain with the necessary substances and oxygen.

Displacement of the vertebrae, abnormal changes and proliferation of bone and fibrous tissue alter 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 features of the cervical vertebrae, which consists in their best fit to each other.As a result, any change in one segment causes a disruption in the entire department.

Clinic according to stage.

During its development, cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages.How does it manifest itself in each of them?

  1. Stage 1. It is characterized by the appearance of initial alterations in the stability of the intervertebral discs.Symptoms are mild or non-existent.Mild pain and local muscle tension may occur.
  2. Stage 2. Disc protrusion begins, the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced and the annulus fibrosus is destroyed.In many cases, due to compression of the nerve endings, pain appears, mainly punctual.They intensify when turning or tilting the neck.The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
  3. Stage 3. The process of final destruction of the annulus fibrosus leads to the formation of hernias.This stage is characterized by significant deformation of the spine.Increased pain and fatigue occur against the background of sensory disorders and limited mobility in the affected area.
  4. Stage 4 is the most serious.Intense pain occurs with any attempt to move, which represents a significant limitation in the 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 bone growths, which significantly limit movement.They often lead to patient disability.
Pain is the main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.

When located in the cervical spine, the predominant symptoms of osteochondrosis are:

  • pain in the neck, neck, shoulders, arms;
  • limitation of movements, crunching in various turns, tilting of the neck;
  • weakness in the arms;
  • persistent pain in the left half of the chest, which radiates to the corresponding arm;
  • burning in the interscapular area;
  • recurrent headaches;
  • weakness;
  • dizziness (in severe cases of cervical osteochondrosis, it can reach the point of loss of consciousness);
  • coordination of movements is disturbed, which is mainly reflected in walking;
  • hearing loss, ringing in the ears;
  • decreased vision;
  • sore throat;
  • poor dental condition;
  • weakening or hoarseness of the voice;
  • Snoring is a result of tension in the neck muscles.

In the cervicothoracic type, the symptoms are almost similar to those of cervical osteochondrosis.These are:

  • asthenic syndrome;
  • dizziness and headaches;
  • periodic pressure fluctuations;
  • flickering of flies before the eyes;
  • pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
  • muscle weakness;
  • numbness, tingling, chills in the fingers;
  • pain in the chest, heart area;
  • nausea;
  • numbness of the tongue, face;
  • dental problems;
  • Sensation of current passing through the arms when trying to bend the neck.

Syndromes

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical.Which of them is more pronounced depends largely on the specific target of the injury.Many of the manifestations can be erroneously 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:

  • root;
  • vertebral artery syndrome;
  • Irritant reflex syndrome.

radicular syndrome

Its second name is cervical radiculitis.The syndrome develops as a result of pinching of nerve endings in the cervical region.The pain travels from the neck to the shoulder blades, along the shoulder and along the outside of the forearm to the fingers.In this case the following usually appears:

  • feeling of “goosebumps”;
  • tingling in the hand, forearm, fingers;
  • pastiness.

The manifestations also vary depending on the affected area.If the central nerve endings are affected, the pastiness extends to the thumb, middle and index fingers.When the brachial nerve endings are pinched, the little finger and ring finger are affected.

irritative reflex syndrome

Its symptom is a sharp, burning pain in the cervical-occipital region, which appears during movement after a static state: after sleeping, when sneezing or when suddenly turning the head.The pain often radiates to the shoulder and chest.

Vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

  • throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent), spreading to the temporal region, crown, back of the head, eyebrow arch;
  • increased discomfort during certain movements or after prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position;
  • general weakness;
  • nausea;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • hearing problems;
  • dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus;
  • eye pain;
  • blurred vision.

cardiac syndrome

When this symptom complex of osteochondrosis of the neck appears, a picture almost similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to erroneous treatment.
Muscle contractions and spasms in the heart area are probably a reflex response to compression of nerve endings in the lower cervical region.Cardiac syndrome is a consequence of irritation of the phrenic nerve (its fibers lead to the pericardium) or the pectoralis major muscle:

  • the pain appears suddenly and lasts a long time;
  • worsens with sudden movements of the neck, coughing, sneezing;
  • tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
  • pain is not relieved after taking coronary dilators;
  • there are no signs of impaired circulation on the ECG.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Exacerbation of the disease.

In the acute stage, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:

  • increased pain and its radiation to the shoulder blades, interscapular area, arms, shoulders;
  • difficulty moving the shoulders, torso, arms, and sometimes breathing (inhalation and exhalation);
  • the pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
  • when pain appears in the right hypochondrium or in the iliac area, the clinical picture is similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
  • The headaches are long-lasting, there are alterations in balance, visual and auditory functions;
  • in the zone of innervation, the trophism of the skin is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, paleness, burning and chills appear;
  • increases the tone of the neck muscles;
  • weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
  • There may be disturbances in sleep, memory and difficulty concentrating.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with a shift to the right or left, which provokes the development of VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia).It is quite difficult to identify, since many times there are no symptoms or they are mild.In this case it is possible:

  • compression of the sympathetic nerve plexuses, causing neurological signs or VSD;
  • compression of the arteries and deterioration of cerebral circulation;
  • compression of the veins, which causes impaired blood flow and a subsequent increase in intracranial pressure;
  • compression of the spinal cord, which causes a deterioration in the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, which also causes high pressure inside the skull;
  • muscle spasm, which increases symptoms as a result of severe compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The result of the described processes is:

  • headaches;
  • darkening of the eyes;
  • dizziness;
  • impaired visual acuity;
  • double vision (diplopia);
  • “flies” flickering before the eyes;
  • high or low blood pressure;
  • nausea, sometimes with vomiting;
  • loss of consciousness.

Vertebral subluxation is detected by x-rays.Its reduction is a fairly complex procedure, generally performed under general anesthesia.

How is the disease diagnosed?

The main methods for diagnosing 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 vessels in the neck.