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 intense when the cervical region, as the most mobile, and the lumbar region are affected. The thoracic region suffers less.
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 consider in detail how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself and what will help you suspect this disease.
Grades of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic progressive disease that occurs with periods of remission and exacerbations. Strong clinical symptoms do not appear immediately, but after some time, when the degenerative process enters the 2nd or even the 3rd stage.
There are only 4 degrees of pathology:
- The initial stage is characterized by pathological changes inside the intervertebral disc. It loses moisture, which leads to degenerative changes, reduced disc height and fissures of the fibrous capsule. As a rule, there are no signs at this stage. The diagnosis is possible only with the use of magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. This is the most favorable stage to start treatment, since in this case it is possible to completely restore the damaged discs, which cannot be done in the future.
- Grade 2 osteochondrosis is characterized by worsening damage to the intervertebral discs. Their height is significantly reduced, which leads to relaxation of the muscles and ligaments of the spine. All this causes instability of the damaged part of the spine, increased mobility of the vertebrae, displacement and sliding between them and the spinal axis. As a rule, at this stage, the first signs of the disease appear in the form of pain and other signs specific to lesions of the cervical spine.
- In the 3rd stage, protrusions and herniations of intervertebral discs develop. The symptoms of the disease are fully expressed.
- The 4th stage is the final. In this case, the formation of osteophytes and deformations of the spine occurs. The body somehow tries to stabilize the damaged part of the spine, so osteophytes develop, ossification of ligaments and other processes leading to stabilization of the vertebrae, but, unfortunately, this process is accompanied by vertebral subluxations and various types and degrees of deformitiesof the spine.
The nature of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Manifestations of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine are related to 3 mechanisms of negative impact of this pathology:
- Direct compression of the spinal cord, running 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 protrudes directly into the lumen of the spinal canal. narrowing of the canal of the spinal cord (stenosis) due to degenerative changes. dislocations, subluxations, 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 can be compressed between adjacent vertebrae or herniated discs and can become inflamed and irritated. All this leads to a series of serious 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, 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 into the cranial cavity and supplies blood to the posterior third of the brain and the cerebellum.
Let's examine in detail each group of mechanisms and what symptoms they cause.
Symptoms associated with spinal cord injury
As already mentioned, compression of the spinal cord with cervical osteochondrosis is very rare. This is a very serious condition that can cost a person not only his health, but also his life.
Damage to the upper cervical spine is life-threatening. The 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 damage occurs at the level of the 4th-5th segment of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops, but without respiratory failure. When 5-8 segments of the spinal cord are compressed, various muscle groups of the upper limbs 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 noted, which can be chronic (neck pain) and acute in the form of lumbar (neck pain). The pain occurs 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 in this area, which are innervated by these nerves.
The pain associated with neck pain is almost constant, aching and varying in intensity. As a rule, the pain syndrome can be tolerated. Occurs or intensifies with sudden movements, turns and tilts of the head. Movements in the neck are accompanied by a characteristic cracking sound.
Neck pain comes on suddenly in the form of a shooting or electric shock. It's very intense, it goes in one hand. It lasts for a few seconds or minutes and then subsides into neck pain. It is usually caused by sudden movement and compression of the nerve.
Radical syndromes
All major nerves of the upper limb (median, ulnar and brachial) are formed by nerve fibers emerging from the cervical spine. Thus, in the presence of cervical osteochondrosis, these neural structures may suffer. All these nerves are mixed, i. e. they have both sensory and motor functions. Depending on which root is affected, symptoms will vary. 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 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 occurs in the back of the head, which women often complain about.
This pain is so characteristic that only its description allows the correct diagnosis in 90% of cases. Also called shooting cranial pain. An attack of pain occurs suddenly, has a unilateral localization (rarely it hurts on both sides), patients compare the nature of the pain with an electric shock. The attack lasts several minutes, but can be repeated several times a day. Pain occurs on the posterior lateral surface of the neck and spreads upward to the occipital process (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 the damage to the nerve fiber that innervates the pectoralis major muscle and the phrenic nerve, the fibers of which 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 pain with heart pain. 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, is not related to physical activity, but is related to the position of the body. The pain intensifies with sudden movements, turning the head, coughing, sneezing, which does not happen with angina. Anti-anginal drugs (nitroglycerin, etc. ) will not be effective.
Great! In any case, such symptoms require a thorough differential diagnosis, because atypical variants of angina and heart attack also appear. In order not to miss a serious illness, you must first have an EKG. With osteochondrosis, pathological changes will not 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 supplied by this vessel (the 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, in the temples and in the parietal region.
- dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting?
- visual disturbances;
- ringing in the ears, reduced hearing acuity.
- impaired coordination and balance;
- development of drop attacks (sudden falls without loss of consciousness due to sudden turns of the head);
- memory impairment, reduced performance, ability to concentrate.
Important to remember! With severe changes in the spine, the artery can be compressed so much that this will lead to the development of an ischemic stroke in the spinal region of the brain. Therefore, it is important to suspect the pathology in time and take all 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 alleviate the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to exercise, maintain the correct posture, avoid prolonged sitting in one position, use special pillows and mattresses, and use physical therapy methods.
Helpful 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 in certain places.
Tip #2
Pay attention to numbness or weakness in the hands, fingers or shoulders, as this can also be due to cervical osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
Pay attention to headaches, dizziness and tinnitus, as these symptoms may also be related to cervical osteochondrosis.