Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine, leading to damage to the intervertebral discs with corresponding consequences.Osteochondrosis “infects” the entire spine, but the symptoms of the disease are most pronounced when the cervical region, as the most mobile, and the lumbar region are affected.The thoracic region is least affected.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the neck are very diverse, and often similar to other diseases, making differential diagnosis and early recognition 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.
Degrees of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic progressive disease that occurs with periods of remission and exacerbation.Obvious clinical symptoms do not appear immediately, but after some time, when the degenerative process enters the 2nd or even 3rd stage.
There are only 4 degrees of pathology:
- The initial stage is characterized by pathological changes within the intervertebral discs.It loses moisture, which causes dystrophic changes, decreased disc height, and cracking of the fibrous capsule.Usually, there are no signs at this stage.Diagnosis can only be made using MRI of the spine.This is the most favorable stage to start treatment, because in this case the damaged disk can be completely restored, which cannot be done in the future.
- Grade 2 osteochondrosis is characterized by worsening damage to the intervertebral discs.Their height decreases significantly, which causes sagging of the muscles and ligaments of the spine.All this leads to instability of the damaged spinal segment, increased mobility of the vertebrae, their displacement and displacement relative to each other and the spinal axis.Usually, it is at this stage that the first signs of the disease appear in the form of pain and other signs specific for damage to the cervical spine.
- In the 3rd stage, protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc develops.The symptoms of this disease are fully expressed.
- Stage 4 is the final stage.In this case, the formation of osteophytes and deformation of the spine occurs.The body tries to stabilize the damaged spinal segment, which is why osteophytes develop, hardening of the ligaments and other processes leading to the stabilization of the spine, but, unfortunately, these processes are accompanied by subluxations of the vertebrae and various types and degrees of spinal deformity.
The nature of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The manifestation of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is associated with 3 mechanisms of the negative impact of this pathology:
- Direct compression of the spinal cord, which runs in the spinal canal.It should be noted that this is very rare in advanced degenerative processes and their complications.Compression of spinal cord nerve tissue can be caused by large intervertebral hernias that protrude directly into the lumen of the spinal canal;spinal cord canal stenosis (narrowing) due to degenerative changes;dislocation, subluxation, fracture of damaged spine.
- Its negative effect on the structures of the peripheral nervous system (spinal cord roots and nerve fibers) exiting the cervical spine.They can become wedged between adjacent vertebrae or hernia bulges, and can become inflamed and irritated.All of this causes a number of severe symptoms.This is the most common group of signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Negative effect on blood vessels passing near the damaged area of the spine.In particular, one very important arterial vessel is of clinical importance - the vertebral artery, which passes through the openings of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae into the cavity of the skull and supplies blood to the posterior third of the brain and cerebellum.
Let's consider in detail each group of mechanisms and what symptoms they cause.
Symptoms Associated with Spinal Cord Injuries
As already mentioned, spinal cord compression in cervical osteochondrosis is very rare.This is a very serious condition that can not only harm a person's health, but also his life.
Damage to the upper cervical spine is life-threatening.Cardiovascular and respiratory centers suffer, leading to immediate death.With compression at the level of segments 3-4 of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops (paralysis of all limbs and muscles below the injury).The respiratory muscles and diaphragm also suffer, which can lead to respiratory arrest and death.
If damage occurs to segments 4-5 of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops, but without respiratory disorders.When 5-8 segments of the spinal cord are compressed, various muscle groups of the upper extremities suffer and paraparesis of the legs and disorders of the pelvic organs occur.
Symptoms related to nerve damage
Pain syndrome
First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the pain syndrome, which can be chronic (cervicalgia) and acute in the form of back pain (cervicalgia).Pain occurs in the neck, back of the head and shoulder girdle.This is usually caused by irritation, compression and inflammation of the nerve roots of the cervical spine, as well as pathological spasms of the muscles in this area, which are innervated by these nerves.
The pain in cervicgia is almost constant, aching, and varies in intensity.Usually, the pain syndrome is tolerable.Appears or increases with sudden movements, turning and tilting of the head.Movement of the neck is accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound.
Cervical pain occurs suddenly in the form of pricking or electric shock.It's very intense, right down to one of the hands.Lasts a few seconds or minutes, then turns into cervicalgia.It is usually caused by sudden movements and nerve compression.
Radicular syndrome
All of the major nerves of the upper extremity (median, ulnar, and brachial) are formed from nerve fibers emerging from the cervical spine.So, in the presence of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis, these nerve structures may suffer.All these nerves are mixed, that is, they have both sensory and motor functions.Depending on which roots are affected, the symptoms will differ.For example, the sensitivity of the 2nd or 3rd finger may be lost, and paralysis of one or more muscles may occur.All these signs of nerve damage are classified into separate syndromes, which can only be determined by a neurologist.
Occipital neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia develops when the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which are formed by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th pair of cervical spinal nerves, are damaged.When these structures are compressed, irritated or inflamed due to degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine, headaches appear in the back of the head, which women often complain about.
This pain is so characteristic that only its description allows the correct diagnosis to be made in 90% of cases.This is also called shooting cranialgia.The attack of pain occurs suddenly, localization is unilateral (rarely pain on both sides), patients compare the nature of the pain with an electric shock.The attacks last a few minutes, but can recur several times a day.Pain occurs on the posterolateral surface of the neck and radiates upward to the occipital protuberance (repeats the anatomical course of the occipital nerve).At the same time, sensitivity disorders of the skin of the back of the head (numbness, crawling sensation) may occur.
Heart syndrome
This name is due to the fact that the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are very 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 threaded into the pericardium of the heart.
The cause of pain is spasm of the pectoralis major muscle due to pathological impulses along the damaged nerve fibers.However, patients often confuse this pain with heart pain.In contrast to coronary pain, the pain syndrome in cervical osteochondrosis has a long duration (sometimes several hours or days), which does not occur in angina pectoris, is not associated with physical activity, but is related to body position.The pain increases with sudden movements, turning the head, coughing, sneezing, which does not occur with angina pectoris.Antianginal drugs (nitroglycerin, etc.) will not be effective.
Important!However, these symptoms require a thorough differential diagnosis, as atypical variants of angina and heart attacks also occur.In order not to miss serious illnesses, you need to do an ECG first.With osteochondrosis, no pathological changes are noted.
Symptoms associated with vertebral artery injury
Compression of the vertebral arteries in cervical osteochondrosis can cause a large number of unpleasant manifestations, which are mainly associated with a decrease in blood flow and hypoxia in the parts of the brain fed by these vessels (posterior third of the brain and cerebellum).
Signs of vertebral artery syndrome:
- headache of a diffuse or throbbing nature in the back of the head, temples and parietal area;
- Dizzy;
- nausea and vomiting;
- visual impairment;
- ringing in the ears, decreased hearing acuity;
- coordination and balance disorders;
- development of a fall attack (sudden fall without loss of consciousness due to a sudden turning of the head);
- memory impairment, decreased performance, ability to concentrate.
Important to remember!With pronounced changes in the spine, the arteries can be compressed to such an extent that it causes the development of ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar region of the brain.Therefore, it is important to suspect pathology in time and take all necessary measures to improve spinal health and prevent further pathological changes.
Frequently asked questions
What symptoms accompany cervical osteochondrosis?
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include neck pain and stiffness, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and tingling or numbness in the arms and shoulders.
How to 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 too long in one position, use special pillows and mattresses, and use physical therapy methods.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Watch for pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms, which may be a symptom of cervical osteochondrosis.The pain can be sharp, dull or localized to specific points.
Tip #2
Watch out for numbness or weakness in the arms, fingers, or shoulders, as this may also be caused by cervical osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
Watch out for headaches, dizziness, and tinnitus, as these symptoms may also be associated with cervical osteochondrosis.