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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 the case of localization in the neck, the symptoms of pathology are largely determined by the compression of large vessels. Methods of treatment are selected based on the stage, specificity of the course, severity, main symptoms.

Characteristics of the disease

The cervical form is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis: it leads to a deterioration of cerebral circulation, since the vertebral artery passes through this area, one of the largest vessels that supplies the brain with substances andoxygen needed.

The displacement of the vertebrae, the abnormal changes and the excessive growth of bone and fibrous tissue disrupt the normal functioning of the vessel.
The specificity of the symptoms of osteochondrosis in this part is determined, inter alia, by one of the structural features of the cervical vertebrae, which consists in their closest adherence to each other. Consequently, any change in one segment causes the entire department to fail.

Clinic depending on the stage

In the process of 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. Not very pronounced pain sensations and local muscle tension are possible.
  2. Phase 2. Disc protrusion begins, the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced, the fibrous ring collapses. In many cases, due to the compression of the nerve endings, pain appears, mainly of a punctual nature. They intensify when turning, tilting the neck. The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
  3. Phase 3. The final destruction process of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of hernias. This stage is characterized by a significant deformation of the spine. An increase in pain and fatigue occurs against the background of sensory disturbances and limited mobility in the affected area.
  4. Stage 4 is the most difficult. Intense pain syndrome occurs with any attempt to move, which leads to a significant limitation of the mobility of this department. Sometimes, the pain subsides, but this does not show an improvement in the condition, but only indicates an increase in the size of the bone growths, significantly limiting 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 prevailing symptoms of osteochondrosis are:

  • pain in the neck, neck, shoulders, arms;
  • limitation of movements, creaking at various turns, inclination of the neck;
  • weakness in the hands;
  • pull the pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the corresponding arm;
  • burning in the interscapular area;
  • recurrent headaches;
  • weakness;
  • dizziness (with a severe course of cervical osteochondrosis, can reach loss of consciousness);
  • the coordination of movements is impaired, which is mainly reflected in the gait;
  • hearing loss, ringing in the ears;
  • decreased vision;
  • sore throat;
  • bad dental health;
  • weakening or hoarseness of the voice;
  • Snoring is a consequence of the tension in the neck muscles.

In the cervico-thoracic type, the symptoms are almost similar to those of cervical osteochondrosis. This:

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

Syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them is more pronounced largely depends on the specific goal. Many of the manifestations can be mistakenly 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

His middle name is cervical sciatica. The syndrome develops due to pinching of the nerve endings in the neck. The pains are transmitted from the neck, to the shoulder blades, along the shoulder along the outside of the forearm to the fingers. In this case, they often appear:

  • disturbing feeling;
  • tingling in the hand, forearm, fingers;
  • pasty.

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

Irritative reflex syndrome

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

Vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis with it become:

  • throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent), extending to the temporal region, the crown of the head, the back of the head and the superciliary arches;
  • increased discomfort with certain movements or after a prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position;
  • general weakness;
  • nausea;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • hearing problems;
  • disorders of the vestibular apparatus;
  • eye pain;
  • blurred vision.

Cardiac syndrome

With the appearance of this symptom complex of osteochondrosis of the neck, an image almost similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to incorrect treatment.
Muscle contractions and spasms around the heart are most likely a reflex response to compression of the nerve endings in the lower cervical region. Heart syndrome is a consequence of irritation of the phrenic nerve (its fibers lead to the pericardium) or the pectoralis major muscle:

  • pains appear suddenly, last a long time;
  • aggravated by a sharp movement of the neck, coughing, sneezing;
  • tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
  • pain does not stop 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 phase of exacerbation, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:

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

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to the subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with displacement to the right or left, which causes the development of VSD (vegetative vascular dystonia). It is rather difficult to identify this, as there are often 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 outflow and a subsequent jump in intracranial pressure;
  • compression of the spinal cord, which causes a deterioration in the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid, which also results in high pressure inside the skull;
  • muscle spasm which aggravates symptoms following severe compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The resulting processes are:

  • headache;
  • darkening in the eyes;
  • dizziness;
  • reduced visual acuity;
  • double vision (diplopia);
  • flashing before the eyes of the "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 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.