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 case of localization in the neck, the symptoms of the pathology are largely determined by the compression of large vessels. Treatment methods are chosen depending on the stage, the specificity of the course, the severity, the main symptoms.

Characteristics of the disease

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

Displacement of the vertebrae, abnormal changes and proliferation 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 features of the cervical vertebrae, which is their closer adhesion to each other. As a result, any change in one segment causes the entire department to fail.

Clinic according to stage

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

1. Stage 1. It is characterized by the appearance of initial disturbances in the stability of the intervertebral discs. Symptoms are mild or absent. Slight pain sensations and local muscle tension are possible.
2. Step 2. Disc protrusion begins, the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced, the fibrosus ring collapses. In many cases, as a result of the compression of the nerve endings, pain appears, mainly of a point nature. They intensify by turning, tilting the neck. Decreases tone, weakness often appears.
3. Step 3. The process of final 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 sensory disturbances and limited mobility in the affected area.
4. Step 4 is the most difficult. Intense pain syndrome is manifested by any attempt to move, which leads to a significant limitation in the mobility of this department. Sometimes the pain goes away, but this does not show improvement in the condition, but only indicates an increase in the size of the bone growths, which significantly limits movement. They often lead to disability of the patient.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

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

• pain in neck, back of head, shoulder, arms;
• restriction of movement, crunches at various turns, neck tilt;
• weakness in the hands;
• pulling the pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the corresponding arm;
• burning in the interscapular area;
• recurring headaches;
• weakness;
• dizziness (with severe course of cervical osteochondrosis may lead to loss of consciousness);
• coordination of movement 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 muscles of the neck.

In the cervicothoracic type, the symptoms are almost similar to those in cervical osteochondrosis. This:

asthenic syndrome
• ;
• dizziness and headache;
• periodic pressure fluctuations;
flashing
• flies in front of the eyes;
• pain in shoulder girdle and arms;
• muscle weakness;
• numbness, tingling, chills of the fingers;
• pain in chest, heart region;
• nausea;
• numbness of the tongue, face;
• dental problems;
• sensation of current flowing down the arms while trying to bend the neck.

Syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them is the most pronounced depends largely on the specific target. Many manifestations can be wrongly 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
• ;
• irritative reflex syndrome.

Radicular syndrome

Its second name is cervical sciatica. The syndrome develops as a result of the pinching of nerve endings in the neck. The pain is transmitted from the neck, to the shoulder blades, along the shoulder along the outside of the forearm to the fingers. In this case, often appear:

• scary feeling;
• tingling of the hand, forearm, fingers;
• pasty.

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

Irritative reflex syndrome

Sharp, burning pain in the cervico-occipital region, appearing during movement after a static state: after sleep, when sneezing, a sharp turn of the head becomes its sign. Often the pain radiates to the shoulder and chest.

Vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• stabbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent), extending to temporal region, crown of head, back of head and eyebrows;
• increased discomfort with certain movements or after being in an awkward position for a long time;
• 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 almost similar picture of angina develops, which often leads to wrong treatment.
Muscle contractions and spasms around the heart are most likely 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, last a long time;
• aggravated by sudden neck movement, coughing, sneezing;
• tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
• the pain does not stop after taking coronary dilators;
• there is no sign of impaired circulation on the ECG.

Exacerbation of the disease

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

• increased pain and its irradiation to the scapula, interscapular area, arms, shoulders;
• Difficulty moving shoulders, torso, arms, sometimes breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
Pain syndrome
• often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
• when pain appears in the right hypochondrium or iliac region, the clinic is similar to manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
• headaches are long term in nature, there is imbalance, visual and auditory functions;
• in the area of ​​innervation, the trophicity of the skin is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, pallor, burning, chills appear;
• the tone of the cervical muscles increases;
• weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
• possible sleep disturbances, memory problems, concentration problems.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with displacement to the right or to the left, which causes the development of VSD (vegetative vascular dystonia). It is quite difficult to identify it, because often there are no symptoms or they are mild. In this case, it is possible:

• compression of the sympathetic nerve plexuses, leading to the appearance of neurological signs or VSD;
• compression of the arteries and impaired cerebral circulation;
• compression of the veins, causing a violation of blood flow and a subsequent jump in intracranial pressure;
• compression of the spinal cord, causing deterioration of the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, which also causes high pressure inside the skull;
• muscle spasm that worsens symptoms due to severe compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The resulting processes are:

• headache;
• darkening of the eyes;
• dizziness;
• impaired visual acuity;
• double vision (diplopia);
• blinking before the eyes of "flies";
• high or low pressure;
• nausea, sometimes with vomiting;
• loss of consciousness.

Vertebral subluxation is detected by X-rays. Its reduction is a rather complicated procedure, usually performed under general anesthesia.

How the disease is diagnosed

The main methods of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

radiography
• ;
magnetic resonance imaging
• ;
• computed tomography;
• Doppler ultrasound;
• two-sided scanning.

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