Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine, which leads to the destruction of the intervertebral discs with the corresponding consequences.Osteochondrosis "infects" the entire spine, but the symptoms of the disease are most pronounced when the cervical region, the most mobile, and the lumbar region are affected.The thoracic region suffers the least.
Symptoms of neck osteochondrosis are very diverse, and they often resemble other diseases, making differential diagnosis and early identification of pathology difficult.In this article we will look in detail at how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself and what will help you suspect this disease.
degree of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic progressive disease with periods of remission and exacerbation.Obvious clinical symptoms do not appear immediately, but after some time, when the degenerative process enters the second or third stage.
There are only 4 degrees of pathology:
- The initial stage is characterized by pathological changes inside the intervertebral disc.It loses moisture, causing dystrophic changes, the disc height decreases and the fibrous capsule ruptures.As a rule, there are no signs at this stage.Diagnosis is only possible using MRI of the spine.This is the most favorable stage to start treatment, since in this case it is possible to completely restore the damaged disc, which cannot be done in the future.
- Osteochondrosis of the second degree is characterized by worsening damage to the intervertebral discs.Their height reduces significantly, which leads to relaxation of the muscles and ligaments of the spine.All this causes instability of the damaged section of the spinal cord, increased mobility of the vertebrae, their displacement and slipping relative to each other and the spine axis.As a rule, it is at this stage that the first signs of the disease appear in the form of pain and other symptoms specific for damage to the cervical spine.
- In the third stage, bulging and herniation of the intervertebral discs develop.The symptoms of the disease are completely clear.
- The fourth step is the final one.In this case, osteophytes and spinal deformity form.The body tries to somehow stabilize the damaged section of the spine, which is why osteophytes develop, ossification of the ligaments and other processes occur that lead to stabilization of the vertebrae, but, unfortunately, this process is accompanied by vertebral subluxation and various types and types of spinal deformities.
The nature of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The manifestations of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine are associated with 3 mechanisms of negative impact of this pathology:
- Direct compression of the spinal cord, which runs in the canal of the spinal column.It should be noted that this rarely happens with the advanced degenerative process and its complications.Compression of the spinal nerve tissue may be caused by a large intervertebral hernia, which protrudes directly into the lumen of the spinal canal;Stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal due to degenerative changes;Dislocation, subluxation, fractures of damaged vertebrae.
- Negative effect on the structures of the peripheral nervous system (spinal cord roots and nerve fibers) exiting the cervical spine.They may become compressed between adjacent vertebrae or herniate bulges, and cause swelling and irritation.All this gives rise to many serious symptoms.This is the most common group of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
- This has a negative effect on the blood vessels passing near the damaged area of the spinal cord.In particular, a very important arterial vessel is of clinical importance – the vertebral artery, which passes into the cranial cavity from the openings of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and supplies blood to the posterior third of the brain and cerebellum.
Let us consider each group of mechanisms in detail and what symptoms they cause.
Symptoms associated with spinal cord injury
As already mentioned, spinal cord compression with cervical osteochondrosis is very rare.This is a very serious condition which can lead to loss of not only a person's health but also his life.
Damage to the upper cervical spine is life threatening.The cardiovascular and respiratory centers are affected, leading to immediate death.With compression at the level of 3-4 segments of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops (paralysis of all limbs and muscles below the injury).The respiratory muscles and diaphragm are also affected, which can lead to respiratory arrest and death.
If the damage occurs at the level of the fourth-fifth segment of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops, but without respiratory impairment.When 5-8 segments of the spinal cord are compressed, various muscle groups of the upper extremities are affected and paraparesis of the legs and disruption of the pelvic organs occurs.
Symptoms associated with nerve damage
pain syndrome
First of all, attention should be paid to the pain syndrome, which can be chronic (cervicalgia) and acute as lumbago (cervicalgia).There is pain in the neck, back of the head and shoulder girdle.It is usually caused by irritation, compression and inflammation of the nerve roots of the cervical spine, as well as pathological spasm of the muscles of this area, which are innervated by these nerves.
The pain of cervicalgia is almost constant, aching, and varies in intensity.As a rule, the pain syndrome can be tolerated.It appears or is intensified by sudden movements, turns and tilts of the head.Movement in the neck is accompanied by a characteristic crackling sound.
Cervical pain occurs suddenly like a shot or an electric shock.It's so intense, it goes up one arm.Lasts for a few seconds or minutes, then develops into pain in the cervix.This is usually caused by sudden movement and compression of the nerve.
radicular syndrome
All major nerves of the upper extremity (median, ulnar, and brachial) are formed from nerve fibers that arise from the cervical spine.Thus, in the presence of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis, these neural structures may be affected.All these nerves are mixed, that is, they have both sensory and motor functions.Symptoms will vary depending on which root is affected.For example, the second or third fingers may lose sensation, and paralysis of one or more muscles may occur.All these symptoms of nerve damage are classified into separate syndromes, which only a neurologist can determine.
occipital neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia develops when the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which are formed by the second, third and fourth pairs of cervical spinal nerves, are damaged.When these structures become compressed, irritated or inflamed due to the degenerative-dystrophic process in the spine, headaches in the back of the head begin to occur, which women often complain of.
This pain is so specific that only its description makes it possible to make the correct diagnosis in 90% of cases.It is also called shooting cranialgia.The pain attack occurs suddenly, its localization is unilateral (rarely pain occurs on both sides), patients compare the nature of the pain with an electric shock.The attack lasts for several minutes, but may be repeated several times a day.The pain originates on the posterolateral surface of the neck and extends upward to the occipital protuberance (repeating the physiological course of the occipital nerve).Also, sensitivity disorders (numbness, crawling sensation) of the skin on the back of the head may develop.
cardiac syndrome
This name is due to the fact that this manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is similar to angina pectoris and other heart diseases.The cause of this phenomenon is damage to the nerve fibers that innervate the pectoralis major muscle and the phrenic nerve, the fibers of which are woven into the pericardium of the heart.
The cause of pain is the spasm of the pectoralis major muscle due to pathological impulses along damaged nerve fibers.However, patients often mistake this pain for heart pain.In contrast to coronary pain, the duration of the pain syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis is longer (sometimes several hours or days), which does not occur with angina pectoris, is not associated with physical activity, but has a connection with the position of the body.The pain intensifies with sudden movements, turning the head, coughing, sneezing, which does not happen with angina pectoris.Antianginal medications (nitroglycerin, etc.) will not be effective.
Important!In any case, such symptoms require thorough differential diagnosis, as there are also atypical forms of angina and heart attack.To avoid any serious disease, you first need to get ECG done.With osteochondrosis, no pathological changes will be recorded.
Symptoms associated with vertebral artery injury
Compression of the vertebral artery during cervical osteochondrosis can cause a large number of unpleasant manifestations, which are mainly associated with a decrease in blood flow and hypoxia of the part of the brain that feeds this vessel (the posterior third of the brain and the cerebellum).
Symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome:
- Headache of a diffuse or pulsating nature in the occiput, temples and parietal region;
- Dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- visual disturbances;
- Ringing in the ears, decreased acuity of hearing;
- impaired coordination and balance;
- Development of drop attack (sudden fall without losing consciousness due to sudden turn of the head);
- Memory loss, decreased performance, ability to concentrate.
Important to remember!With pronounced changes in the spinal cord, the artery can become so narrowed that it can lead to the development of ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar region of the brain.Therefore, it is important to suspect pathology in time and take all the necessary measures to improve the health of the spine and prevent further pathological changes.
FAQ
What symptoms accompany cervical osteochondrosis?
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include pain and stiffness in the neck, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, and tingling or numbness in the arms and shoulders.
How can you relieve the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis?
To relieve the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to do physical exercises, maintain correct posture, avoid sitting for a long time in one position, use special pillows and mattresses, and use physical therapy methods.
useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms, which may be symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.The pain may be sharp, dull or localized to certain points.
Tip #2
Pay attention to numbness or weakness in the arms, fingers or shoulders, as this can also be caused by cervical osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
Pay attention to headaches, dizziness, and tinnitus, as these symptoms may also be associated with cervical osteochondrosis.