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Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a lesion of the discs of the cervical vertebrae, 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 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 depending on the stage, specific course, severity and main symptoms.

Features 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 that supplies the brain with the necessary substances and 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 consists in their closest fit to each other.As a result, any change in one segment causes disruption across the entire department.

Clinic depending on the stage

During its development, cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages.How does this manifest in 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 non-existent.Mild pain and local muscle tension are possible.
  2. Stage 2. Disc protrusion begins, the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced and the fibrous ring is destroyed.In many cases, due to compression of nerve endings, pain appears, mainly of a punctual nature.They intensify when turning or tilting the neck.The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
  3. Stage 3. The process of final destruction of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of hernias.This stage is characterized by significant deformation of the spine.Increased pain and fatigue occurs against the background of sensory disturbances and limited mobility in the affected area.
  4. Stage 4 is the most serious.Severe pain occurs with any attempt to move, which leads to a significant limitation in the mobility of this department.Sometimes the pain decreases, but this does not show an improvement in the condition, it only indicates an increase in the size of bone growths, which significantly limit movement.They often lead to the patient's disability.
Pain is the main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

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

  • pain in the neck, back, shoulders, arms;
  • limitation of movements, crushing in several turns, neck tilt;
  • weakness in the arms;
  • dull pain in the left half of the chest, radiating to the corresponding arm;
  • burning in the interscapular region;
  • recurring headaches;
  • weakness;
  • dizziness (in severe cases of cervical osteochondrosis this can lead to loss of consciousness);
  • coordination of movements is impaired, which is mainly reflected in gait;
  • hearing loss, ringing in the ears;
  • decreased vision;
  • sore throat;
  • poor dental condition;
  • weakening or hoarseness of the voice;
  • Snoring is a consequence of tension in the neck muscles.

In cervicothoracic type, the symptoms are almost similar to cervical osteochondrosis.These are:

  • asthenic syndrome;
  • dizziness and headaches;
  • periodic pressure fluctuations;
  • flickering of flies before the eyes;
  • pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
  • muscle weakness;
  • numbness, tingling, coldness in the fingers;
  • pain in the chest, heart region;
  • nausea;
  • numbness of the tongue, face;
  • dental problems;
  • sensation of current passing through the arms when trying to bend the neck.

Syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical.Which of these are most pronounced depends largely on the specific target of the lesion.Many of the manifestations can be erroneously 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.

radicular syndrome

Its second name is cervical radiculitis.The syndrome develops as a result of compressed nerve endings in the cervical region.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, the following often appears:

  • feeling of “goosebumps”;
  • tingling in the hand, forearm, fingers;
  • pasty consistency.

Manifestations also vary depending on the affected area.If the central nerve endings are affected, the pastiness spreads 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

Its symptom is a sharp, burning pain in the cervico-occipital region, which appears during movement after a static state: after sleeping, when sneezing or when turning the head sharply.Often the pain radiates to the shoulder and chest.

Vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

  • throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent), spreading to the temporal region, crown, back of the neck, eyebrow arches;
  • increased discomfort during certain movements or after prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position;
  • general weakness;
  • nausea;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • hearing problems;
  • dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus;
  • eye pain;
  • blurred vision.

cardiac syndrome

When this symptom complex of cervical osteochondrosis appears, a condition almost similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to erroneous treatment.
Muscle contractions and spasms in the heart region 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 pain appears suddenly and lasts a long time;
  • worse with sudden neck movements, coughing, sneezing;
  • tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
  • pain is not relieved after taking coronary dilators;
  • there are no signs of impaired circulation on the ECG.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Exacerbation of the disease

In the acute phase, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:

  • increased pain and its radiation to the shoulder blades, interscapular region, arms, shoulders;
  • difficulty moving the shoulders, trunk, arms and, sometimes, breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
  • pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
  • when pain appears in the right hypochondrium or iliac zone, the clinical picture is similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
  • headaches last, there are disturbances in balance, visual and auditory functions;
  • in the innervation zone, skin trophism is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, pallor, burning and chills appear;
  • the tone of the neck muscles increases;
  • weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
  • There may be disturbances in sleep, memory and difficulty concentrating.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

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

  • compression of sympathetic nerve plexuses, leading to neurological signs or VSD;
  • compression of arteries and deterioration of 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 in the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, which also results in high pressure within the skull;
  • muscle spasm, which increases symptoms as a result of severe compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The result of the described processes is:

  • headaches;
  • darkening of the eyes;
  • dizziness;
  • impaired visual acuity;
  • double vision (diplopia);
  • “flies” flashing before the eyes;
  • high or low blood pressure;
  • nausea, sometimes with vomiting;
  • loss of consciousness.

Vertebral subluxation is detected using X-rays.Its reduction is a very complex procedure, generally performed under general anesthesia.

How is the disease diagnosed?

The main methods for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

  • radiography;
  • magnetic resonance imaging;
  • computed tomography;
  • Doppler ultrasound;
  • duplex scanning.

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