Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine, which leads to the destruction of the intervertebral discs with corresponding consequences. Osteochondrosis "infects" the entire spine, but the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced when the cervical region, as the most mobile, and the lumbar region are affected. The chest region suffers the least.
The signs of osteochondrosis of the neck are very different and often resemble other diseases, which makes differential diagnosis and early recognition of the pathology difficult. In this article we will look in detail at how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine appears and what will help you suspect this disease.
Degrees of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic progressive disease that occurs with periods of remission and exacerbations. Pronounced clinical symptoms do not appear immediately, but after some time, when the degenerative process enters the second or even third stage.
There are only 4 degrees of pathology:
- The initial stage is characterized by pathological changes within the intervertebral disc. It loses moisture, which leads to degenerative changes, decreased disc height and rupture of the fibrous capsule. As a rule, there are no signs at this stage. Diagnosis is possible only using an MRI of the spine. This is the most favorable stage for starting treatment, since in this case it is possible to completely restore the damaged discs, which cannot be done in the future.
- Second-degree osteochondrosis is characterized by worsening damage to the intervertebral discs. Their height is significantly reduced, which leads to sagging of the spinal muscles and ligaments. All this causes instability of the damaged segment of the spine, increased mobility of the vertebrae, their displacement and sliding in relation to each other and to the spinal axis. As a rule, it is at this stage that the first signs of the disease appear in the form of pain and other specific signs for lesions of the cervical spine.
- In the 3rd stage, protrusions and herniations of the intervertebral discs develop. The symptoms of the disease are fully expressed.
- The fourth stage is the last. In this case, the formation of osteophytes and deformations of the spine occur. The body tries to somehow stabilize the damaged segment of the spine, which is why osteophytes develop, ossification of ligaments and other processes that lead to stabilization of the vertebrae, but, unfortunately, this process is associated with vertebral subluxations and types of degreesdifferent. spinal deformities.
The nature of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The manifestations of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine are associated with 3 mechanisms of the negative impact of this pathology:
- Direct compression of the spinal cord, which passes into the spinal canal. It should be noted that this happens very rarely with an advanced degenerative process and its complications. Compression of the nerve tissue of the spinal cord can be caused by a large intervertebral hernia, which exits directly into the lumen of the spinal canal; spinal cord canal stenosis (narrowing) due to degenerative changes; dislocations, subluxations, fractures of damaged vertebrae.
- Negative effect on the structures of the peripheral nervous system (roots of the spinal cord and nerve fibers) emerging from the cervical spine. They can become compressed between adjacent vertebrae or hernial bulges and can become inflamed and irritated. All this leads to a series of severe symptoms. This is the most common set of signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Negative effect on the blood vessels that pass near the damaged area of the spine. In particular, a very important arterial vessel is of clinical importance - the vertebral artery, which passes through the openings of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae in the cranial cavity and supplies blood to the posterior third of the brain and the cerebellum.
Let's examine in detail each set of mechanisms and what symptoms they cause.
Symptoms related to spinal cord injury
As already mentioned, spinal cord compression with cervical osteochondrosis is very rare. This is a very serious condition that can cost a person not only health, but also life.
Injury to the upper cervical spine is life-threatening. Cardiovascular and respiratory centers suffer, which leads to immediate death. With compression at the level of the 3-4 segment 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 the damage occurs at the level of the 4-5 segment of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops, but without respiratory impairment. When 5-8 segments of the spinal cord are crushed, various muscle groups of the upper extremities suffer, and paraparesis of the legs and disruption of the pelvic organs occur.
Symptoms related to nerve damage
Pain syndrome
First of all, the pain syndrome should be emphasized, which can be chronic (cervicalgia) and acute in the form of lumbago (cervicalgia). The pain appears in the neck, the occipital part of the head and the 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 associated with cervicalgia is almost constant, aching and varies in intensity. As a rule, the pain syndrome can be tolerated. Occurs or intensifies with sudden movements, turns, and animation of the head. Movements in the neck are accompanied by a characteristic cracking sound.
Cervical pain occurs suddenly in the form of a shock or electric shock. It is very intense, it goes in one hand. It lasts a few seconds or minutes, then gives way to cervicalgia. It is usually caused by sudden movement and compression of the nerve.
Radicular syndromes
All the major nerves of the upper extremity (median, ulnar and brachial) are formed by nerve fibers emerging from the cervical spine. Thus, in the presence of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis, these nerve structures can suffer. All these nerves are mixed, meaning they have both sensory and motor functions. Depending on the affected root, the symptoms will vary. For example, sensation in the second or third 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 only a neurologist can determine.
Occipital neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia develops when the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which are formed by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th pairs of cervical spinal nerves, are damaged. When these structures are compressed, irritated or inflamed due to a degenerative process in the spine, a headache appears in the back of the head, which women often complain about.
This pain is so typical that only its description allows a correct diagnosis to be made in 90% of cases. Also called shooting cranialgia. The pain attack occurs suddenly, has a unilateral localization (rarely hurts on both sides), patients compare the nature of the pain with an electric shock. The attack lasts a few minutes, but can be repeated several times a day. The pain appears on the posterolateral surface of the neck and spreads upward to the occipital protuberance (repeats the anatomical course of the occipital nerve). At the same time, a sensitivity disorder may develop in the skin of the back of the head (numbness, crawling sensation).
Cardiac syndrome
This name is due to the fact that this manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is very similar to angina pectoris and other heart diseases. The reason for this phenomenon is damage to the nerve fiber that innervates the pectoralis major muscle and the phrenic nerve, whose fibers are woven into the pericardium of the heart.
The cause of the pain is the spasm of the pectoralis major muscle due to pathological impulses along the damaged nerve fiber. At the same time, patients very often confuse such pains with heart pains. Unlike coronary pain, the pain syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis has a long duration (sometimes several hours or days), which is not the case with angina pectoris, is not associated with physical activity, but is related to body position. The pain intensifies with sudden movements, turning the head, coughing, sneezing, which does not happen with angina pectoris. Antianginal drugs (nitroglycerin, etc. ) will not be effective.
Important! In any case, such symptoms require a complete differential diagnosis, because atypical variants of angina and heart attack also occur. In order not to miss a serious illness, you must first do an EKG. With osteochondrosis, no pathological changes will be recorded.
Symptoms related to damage to the vertebral artery
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 is fed by this vessel (the posterior third of the brainand cerebellum).
Signs of vertebral artery syndrome:
- headache of a diffuse or pulsating nature in the back of the head, temples and parietal region;
- dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- visual disturbances;
- tinnitus, decreased hearing acuity;
- impaired coordination and balance;
- the development of drop attacks (sudden falls without loss of consciousness due to sudden turns of the head);
- memory impairment, decreased performance, ability to concentrate.
Important to remember! With pronounced changes in the spine, the artery can be compressed so much that this will lead to the development of ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar region of the brain. Therefore, it is important to suspect the 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, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and tingling or numbness in the arms and shoulders.
How can you relieve the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis?
To alleviate the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to engage in physical exercises, maintain the correct posture, avoid prolonged sitting 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 can be symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. The pain can 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 due to cervical osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
Pay attention to headaches, dizziness and tinnitus, as these symptoms can also be associated with cervical osteochondrosis.