Cervical osteochondrosis signs symptoms

23 November 2020

The diagnosis of osteochondrosis, in my opinion, is not as sad as dyscirculatory encephalopathy and vegetative-vascular dystonia. Yes, under "osteochondrosis" we and abroad refer to completely different pathologies. Abroad: these are serious skeletal injuries, mainly in children. In our country, it is enough to complain of pain in the neck, do an X-ray or MRI (where there will surely be degenerative changes), and here is the diagnosis of osteochondrosis.

The main causes of back pain

In most cases, the patient is diagnosed with osteochondrosis with back pain. But in fact the reasons are different:

Nonspecific back pain
Caused by muscles, ligaments, tendons. It does not require MRI. This is the most common cause of back pain and the most favorable option, because doctors usually prescribe quite adequate therapy - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs for muscle relaxation, exercise therapy. It should be noted that for chronic pain lasting more than 3 months, completely different medications are needed.
A fairly rare cause of back pain. Are you surprised? And if a hernia was found on an MRI and your back hurts, isn't the hernia the cause of the pain? In most of the cases, no. With a hernia, in addition to pain, there must be other symptoms: weakness of certain muscles, decreased tendon reflexes, impaired sensitivity in the zone of innervation of the root. There are no such symptoms; You can forget about the hernia as the cause of the pain.

Serious causes other than pain and other symptoms are excluded based on MRI.

It is much worse when the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made with completely different complaints: increased pressure, dizziness, weakness, anxiety, headache. What should we exclude in this case?

Tension headache and migraine.
Not related to your neck. Healing the neck means going the wrong way, bringing the chronicization of your pain closer. Tension headache may be accompanied by muscle tension, but it is still a tension headache, not osteochondrosis.
Dizziness
Not due to acute sadness. The real causes of dizziness: benign paroxysmal positional dizziness, vestibular data lesions, vestibular migraine, Meniere's disease, vestibular paroxysm, pathology of the cerebellum and trunk, psychogenic dizziness, iron and vitamin B 12 deficiency, heart disease, diseaselungs and much more.
High blood pressure.
Sometimes I come across the opinion that if a patient's blood pressure rises, the neck should be checked, and of course the neck vessels. Have you found arterial hypoplasia, tortuosity, degenerative changes in the cervical spine? Let's blame them for the increased pressure. This is absurd. Actually, there is no connection between the increased pressure and the neck.
Depressive anxiety disorders.
Do you have anxiety, dizziness, weakness and fatigue, sleep disorders? Let's go back to Benim to the neck. And the poor patient, instead of consulting a psychiatrist with antidepressants and tranquilizers, receives physiotherapy, massages and some kind of homeopathy.
Iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction.

Always be aware when complaining of fatigue, weakness, decreased concentration, dizziness, headache.

Changes occur in our body over the years. The baby's skin is soft and elastic. At age 30, no matter how much we resort to cosmetic procedures, she is no longer like that. Imagine a sailor who has spent her whole life sailing - her skin is rough and wrinkled. The same happens with our spine. In most cases, bumps and hernias are natural age-related changes. If there are many provoking factors in your life, for example, carrying heavy loads, then the probability of having a large hernia increases.

Numerous studies have established that disc bulges are found in healthy people: at 20 years - up to 40% of those examined (remember, these are patients without back pain), at 70 years - up to 90%. Also, the severity of the changes on the MRI is not related to the degree of pain syndrome: with a large hernia, there may be no pain at all, and with small bumps, the patient may have severe pain (because thecause is not in the bumps, but in something else).

Does a hernia never hurt?

Of course it is! In about 1-4% of all back pain cases. How do you recognize this? A hernia causes not only pain, but also other disorders: impaired sensation, changes in reflexes, and sometimes decreased muscle strength. All this is determined by a competent doctor during a neurological examination.

If the muscle strength is sufficient, the reflexes when striking with a hammer are symmetrical, not weakened, there are no sensory disturbances, then it is extremely unlikely that the back pain is caused by a hernia.

Also, by squeezing the spinal root to a certain level (if you read the results of the MRI, you will see that the bumps and hernias are described at the level, for example, C3-C5 or L5-S1), the herniait causes not just a decrease in sensitivity anywhere, but in certain segments, and strictly defined changes in reflexes. The neurologist correlates the level of the lesion with the MRI data.

Classification of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

The development of this ailment sometimes occurs before the age of 30-35, therefore, signs of the disease can occur even in adolescence. The signs of cervical osteochondrosis are discussed in detail below, the disease has become a real problem in the modern world. Sedentary work, prolonged stay in front of a computer negatively affects the state of health and well-being of a person. All the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are associated with the malfunction of various systems:

In advanced cases, there are signs of compression, the integrity of the spinal cord located in the spinal canal is affected.
The pathological nervous process can influence the peripheral system. The roots of the spinal cord, located near the foci of deformation of bone and cartilage tissue, are adversely affected.
In some cases, pinching of the vertebral arteries occurs. These blood vessels carry nutrients, oxygen, to brain cells. Violation of these processes leads to a sharp deterioration of human well-being.

It is known that one of the first signs of the development of the disease is pain in the cervical spine. At first, it passes quickly, it is periodic, but then it becomes chronic. The main locations of pain are:

occipital muscles (intensifies when turning the neck, tilting the head);
shoulder area;
neck.

It can hurt in different ways depending on the location of the injury, the unpleasant sensations can be sharp, shooting, periodically disappearing, painful and constant. Over time, head movements become more difficult due to tension in the neck muscles. If an artery is pinched, a cervical migraine is sometimes observed (with a weakening of the blood supply, lack of oxygen, a headache appears).

Nausea

In some cases, the vessels of the circulatory system are compressed, providing oxygen and nutrients to the human brain and inner ear. Because of this, nausea occurs with osteochondrosis. This symptomatology is accompanied, as a rule, by loss of appetite, which causes weight loss, deficiency of the necessary nutrients. In advanced stages, the disease can cause vomiting when turning the head, walking or bending over. This is due to a lack of blood supply to the middle ear, where the center of balance is located.

Neurological symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Some manifestations of the disease cannot be immediately attributed to characteristic signs. You need to know what symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis can not be ignored, for example, shortness of breath. If this section is damaged, phrenic nerve irritation syndrome can develop. The patient has difficulty breathing, there is a lack of oxygen, which causes shortness of breath and even severe suffocation.

This manifestation of pathology is usually accompanied by snoring, it intensifies if you take an uncomfortable position during sleep. This leads to the fact that a person does not rest at night, wakes up feeling generally unwell, weak, feels tired and overwhelmed. This condition, if left untreated, can lead to memory impairment, decreased concentration, and irreversible changes in brain tissue.

Vestibular signs

Another direction, how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself: vestibular signs. The supply of the brain with all the necessary nutrients occurs through the vertebral arteries. If cervical chondrosis develops, in which the inner ear is disturbed, the patient experiences tinnitus and ringing. In certain cases, these symptoms are compounded by hearing impairment or loss.

Lump in the throat

In some cases, the disease manifests itself in only one symptom: pharynx. There is a feeling that a lump has formed in the throat with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there is perspiration, itching, dryness, difficulty swallowing. These manifestations are associated with altered conductivity of the neurovascular trunks emanating from the spinal cord. A lump in the throat is not a specific symptom of chondrosis; it may indicate a tumor or an inflammatory process. When this sign appears, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Visual signs of cervical osteochondrosis

The symptoms of chondrosis of the cervical spine can vary, but the most common are visual acuity disorders. The delivery of visual analyzers occurs through the carotid and vertebral arteries. If there is a decrease in blood circulation due to compression of the latter, a decrease in vision begins, which does not improve with the use of glasses. Cervical osteochondrosis - symptoms:

low blood pressure;
floating and blinking points;
atherosclerosis of the arteries in the brain;
violation of focus on subject;
shroud, mist before the eyes.

A characteristic sign that a decrease in vision occurs due to the pinching of a blood vessel by a vertebra, impaired blood circulation, will be the lack of improvement when wearing glasses, performing special exercises. Only prompt treatment of the underlying disease (before irreversible tissue damage occurs) will help change the condition.

Arterial signs

The spinal column plays an important role in the human body, so any disease affects many systems. There are certain arterial signs of cervical osteochondrosis that indicate this disease. These include sudden loss of consciousness. This is the most unpleasant and dangerous symptom inherent in this disease. This happens due to impaired blood circulation, when blood temporarily stops flowing through the cerebral arteries.

Severe arterial spasm occurs due to the response of deformed bone processes to irritation of nerve endings. If your friend has osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and has lost consciousness, they should be lying down, with their legs elevated to a slight elevation to increase blood outflow from the extremities and increase flow to the brain. After that, people tend to recover quickly.

Unstable blood pressure is another symptom of this disease. Doctors can diagnose spasmodic indicators if the blood supply is interrupted. This is not a specific symptom of chondrosis, but it does fit the overall picture of the disease. Blood pressure can go up or down sharply. A person feels a deterioration in his condition, so he needs to ensure peace.

Dizziness

Previously, it was described that unconsciousness sometimes occurs with this disease. This applies to cases where blood flow to the brain was very difficult. Most often, patients feel dizzy with cervical osteochondrosis. This is a common symptom that accompanies all patients with this disease. This phenomenon has a spontaneous manifestation. This condition is caused by a reduction in the amount of oxygen delivered to the inner ear. It is located in the human brain and is responsible for the sense of balance. Dizziness occurs when:

turning the head, neck;
if you suddenly get out of bed.

Temperature in osteochondrosis

In some cases, pathological processes spread between structures in the cervical segment of the spinal cord. This happens with the protrusion of the disc, stenosis of the canal. Temperature in osteochondrosis is the body's response to these pathologies. The same reaction is possible with vertebral artery syndrome. This is a common occurrence in osteochondrosis in the later stages of the development of the disease. Therefore, an increase in temperature refers to nonspecific symptoms of the disease.

This symptom will not necessarily be present, body thermoregulation may be normal. If you feel constant pain in the back of your head, shoulders, neck, and when turning or tilting your head aggravation occurs, you should consult a specialist and undergo an examination. Lack of treatment will definitely lead to the fact that the condition will worsen, the comfort level of life will decrease.

Find out more about what to do if you are diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a lesion of the vertebral 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 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 based on the stage, the specificity of the course, the severity and the main symptoms.

Characteristics of the disease

The cervical form is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis: it leads to impaired cerebral circulation, as the vertebral artery passes through this area, one of the largest vessels supplying the brain with necessary substances andthe Oxigen.

Displacement of the vertebrae, abnormal changes, and overgrowth of bone and fibrous tissue disrupt normal vessel function.

The specificity of the symptoms of osteochondrosis in this part is determined, among other things, by one of the structural characteristics of the cervical vertebrae, which consists of their greater adherence to each other. As a result, any change in one segment causes the failure of the entire department.

Clinic according to stage

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

Stage 1. It is characterized by the appearance of initial alterations in the stability of the intervertebral discs. Symptoms are mild or absent. Mild pain sensations and local muscle tension are possible.
Stage 2. The disc bulge begins, the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced, the fibrous ring collapses. In many cases, as a result of compression of the nerve endings, pain appears, mainly of a specific nature. They intensify when turning, tilting the neck. The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
Stage 3. The final destruction process of the annulus fibrosus leads to the formation of hernias. This stage is characterized by a significant deformation of the spine. Increased pain and fatigue occurs against the background of sensory disturbances and limited mobility in the affected area.
Stage 4 is the most difficult. The severe pain syndrome manifests itself with any attempt at movement, which leads to a significant limitation of the mobility of this department. Sometimes the pain subsides, but this does not show an improvement in the condition, it only indicates an increase in the size of the bone growths, which significantly limits movement. They often lead to the disability of the patient.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

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

Pain is the main symptom

pain in the neck, occiput, shoulder, arms;
restriction of movement, crunching in various turns, neck tilt;
weakness in the hands;
drawing pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the corresponding arm;
burning in the interscapular zone;
recurring headaches;
weakness;
dizziness (with a severe course of cervical osteochondrosis, you can become unconscious);
coordination of movements is impaired, which is mainly reflected in gait;
hearing impairment, ringing in the ears;
decreased vision;
sore throat;
poor dental health;
weakening or hoarseness of the voice;
snoring is a consequence of tension in the neck muscles.

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

asthenic syndrome;
dizziness and headaches;
periodic pressure fluctuations;
flies flashing before 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;
sensation of current flowing through the arms when trying to bend the neck.

Syndromes

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them are more pronounced largely depends on the specific goal. Many of the 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:

root;
vertebral artery syndrome;
irritant reflex syndrome.

Root syndrome

creepy feeling;
tingling in hand, forearm, fingers;
pasty.

Manifestations also vary depending on the area of injury. If the endings of the central nerve are affected, the dough extends to the thumb, middle and index fingers. When the brachial nerve endings are pinched, the little finger and ring finger are affected.

Irritant reflex syndrome

Burning and sharp pain in the cervico-occipital region, which appears 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.

Vertebral artery syndrome

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become:

stabbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent in nature), extending to the temporal region, dark, occiput, superciliary arches;
increased discomfort with certain movements or after prolonged stay in an awkward position;
general weakness;
nausea;
loss of consciousness;
hearing problems;
vestibular apparatus disorders;
eye pain;
blurred vision.

Cardiac syndrome

With the appearance of this complex of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck, a picture almost similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to wrong 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 pains appear suddenly, they last a long time;
aggravated by jerking neck movement, coughing, sneezing;
tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
pain does not stop after taking coronary dilators;
there are no signs of impaired circulation on the ECG.

Exacerbation of the disease

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

increased pain and its radiation to the scapula, interscapular area, arms, shoulders;
Difficulty in movement of the shoulders, torso, arms, sometimes breathing (inhalation and exhalation);
pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
when pain appears in the right upper quadrant or in the iliac area, the symptoms are similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
headaches are prolonged in nature, imbalance, visual and auditory functions are impaired;
in the zone of innervation, the skin trophism is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, paleness, burning, coldness appear;
increases the tone of the cervical muscles;
appear weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability;
possible sleep disturbances, memory disturbances and concentration problems.

How the disease is diagnosed

The main methods for the diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis are:

radiography;
magnetic resonance imaging;
computed tomography;
Doppler ultrasound;
duplex scan.

The last two methods are used to check the status of the neck vessels.

Signs of cervical osteochondrosis

The cervical spine contains a large number of blood vessels that provide nutrition to the brain. Therefore, any problem with the neck, including cervical osteochondrosis, can lead to a deterioration in the blood supply to the brain. Therefore, and the most common signs of cervical osteochondrosis:

regular headaches and dizziness,
occasionally - sudden fainting,
impaired coordination of movements, appearance of "looseness" in gait,
hearing impairment, ringing in the ears,
visual impairment,
the onset of dental disease
the appearance of hoarseness in the voice, changing the timbre of the voice, its weakening,
snoring,
persistent sore throat.

Other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include a feeling of coldness in the fingers, numbness, weakness in the arms, pain in the neck and shoulders, often accompanied by dizziness and nausea.

How to treat this ailment

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatmentdepend on the patient's condition, the severity of the disease and the nature of the injury to the cervical vertebrae.

In the acute period, hospitalization and medication may be required.

General Purpose Painkillers, Novocaine Muscle Block, Muscle Relaxers, Muscle Spasm Relief; chondroprotectors for the nutrition of cartilage tissue; sedatives that calm the nervous system, B vitamins that improve neuromuscular conductivity.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is always long-term and must be comprehensive.

During periods of remission, when there are no acute symptoms, physiotherapy (electrophoresis, ultrasound, etc. ), physical therapy, massage, as well as non-traditional procedures such as acupuncture are widely used.

There are many conservative treatments for osteochondrosis that can stop the progression of the disease. However, each patient needs an individual course of treatment, taking into account the stage of the disease, the characteristics of the organism, gender and age.

The goal of cervical osteochondrosis treatment is:

Elimination of pain and swelling at the site of inflammation.
Relaxation of tense neck muscles.
Release of pinched nerve roots.
Improved blood circulation.
Activation of metabolism.
Improved nutrition of the intervertebral discs.

Targeted comprehensive treatment can prevent intervertebral bulges and hernias.

In order not to initiateosteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment, and to avoid serious complications of the disease, prompt treatment should be initiated.