Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine, which leads to the destruction of intervertebral discs with the corresponding consequences. Osteochondrosis "infects" the entire spine, but the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced when the cervical region, the most mobile, and the lumbar region are affected. The thoracic region is the least affected.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the neck are very diverse and often resemble other diseases, which makes differential diagnosis and early recognition of 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.
Degrees of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic progressive disease that occurs with periods of remission and exacerbations. Pronounced clinical symptoms appear not immediately, but after a while, 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 inside the intervertebral disc. It loses moisture, which leads to degenerative changes, a decrease in disc height and cracking of the fibrous capsule. Typically, there are no signs at this stage. Diagnosis is only possible using an MRI of the spine. This is the most favorable stage for starting treatment, because in this case it is possible to completely restore damaged disks, which cannot be done in the future.
- Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree is characterized by worsening damage to the intervertebral discs. Their height decreases significantly, leading 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 relative to each other and 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 signs specific to cervical spine injuries.
- At the 3rd stage, protrusions and herniations of the intervertebral discs develop. The symptoms of the disease are fully expressed.
- The 4th step is the last. In this case, the formation of osteophytes and spinal deformities occurs. The body is trying to somehow stabilize the damaged segment of the spine, which is why osteophytes develop, ossification of ligaments and other processes leading to the stabilization of the vertebrae, but, unfortunately, this process is accompanied by vertebral subluxations and various types and degrees of spinal deformities.
The nature of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are associated with 3 mechanisms of negative impact of this pathology:
- Direct compression of the spinal cord, which travels through the spinal canal. It should be noted that this very rarely occurs 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; spinal canal stenosis (narrowing) 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) that exit the cervical spine. They may be compressed between adjacent vertebrae or hernial bulges and may become inflamed and irritated. All of this leads to a number 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 the posterior third of the brain and the cerebellum.
Let's consider in detail each group of mechanisms and the symptoms they cause.
Symptoms associated with spinal cord injury
As already mentioned, spinal cord compression with cervical osteochondrosis is very rare. This is a very serious disease 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, leading to immediate death. With compression at the level of segment 3-4 of the spinal cord, quadriplegia develops (paralysis of all limbs and muscles located below the injury). The respiratory muscles and diaphragm also suffer, which can lead to respiratory arrest and death.
If lesions occur at the level of the 4th-5th segment of the spinal cord, quadriplegia develops, but without respiratory damage. When 5-8 segments of the spinal cord are compressed, various muscle groups of the upper extremities suffer, paraparesis of the legs and disruption of the pelvic organs occur.
Symptoms associated with nerve damage
Pain syndrome
First of all, it is worth noting the pain syndrome, which can be chronic (neck pain) and acute in the form of lumbago (neck pain). Pain occurs in the neck, occipital part of the head and shoulder girdle. It 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 associated with neck pain is almost constant, aching, and varies in intensity. As a rule, the pain syndrome can be tolerated. It appears or intensifies with sudden movements, rotations and tilts of the head. Neck movements are accompanied by a characteristic crunching sound.
Neck pain comes on suddenly in the form of a shooting or electric shock. It's very intense, it goes to one of the hands. Lasts a few seconds or minutes, then gives way to neck pain. It is usually caused by sudden movement and compression of the nerve.
Radicular syndromes
All major nerves of the upper limb (median, ulnar and brachial) are formed from nerve fibers emerging from the cervical spine. Thus, in the presence of cervico-brachial osteochondrosis, these nervous structures can suffer. All of these nerves are mixed, meaning they have both sensory and motor functions. Depending on the affected root, the symptoms will be different. For example, sensitivity in the 2nd or 3rd finger may be lost and paralysis of one or more muscles may occur. All of 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, 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. It is also called lancinating cranialgia. An attack of pain occurs suddenly, has a one-sided localization (it rarely hurts on both sides), patients compare the nature of the pain to an electric shock. The attack lasts several minutes, but can be repeated several times a day. The pain arises 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 disorder of the sensitivity of the skin on the back of the head may develop (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 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, the fibers of which are woven into the pericardium of the heart.
The cause of the pain is spasm of the pectoralis major muscle due to pathological impulses along the damaged nerve fiber. At the same time, patients very often confuse this pain with heart pain. Unlike coronary pain, the pain syndrome associated with cervical osteochondrosis has a long duration (sometimes several hours or days), which does not happen with angina, is not associated with physical activity, but there is a relationship with body position. The pain intensifies with sudden movements, turning the head, coughing, sneezing, which does not happen with angina. Antianginal medications (nitroglycerin, etc. ) will not be effective.
Important! In any case, such symptoms require a thorough differential diagnosis, since atypical variants of angina and heart attack also occur. In order not to miss a serious illness, you must first do an ECG. With osteochondrosis, no pathological changes will be recorded.
Symptoms associated with vertebral artery injury
Compression of the vertebral artery during cervical osteochondrosis can cause a large number of unpleasant manifestations, 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 andthe cerebellum).
Signs of vertebral artery syndrome:
- headache of a diffuse or throbbing nature in the back of the head, temples and in the parietal region;
- dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- visual disturbances;
- ringing in the ears, decreased hearing acuity;
- impaired coordination and balance;
- development of falling attacks (sudden falls without loss of consciousness due to sharp turns of the head);
- memory problems, reduced 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 an 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 the health of the spine and prevent further pathological changes.
FAQs
What symptoms accompany cervical osteochondrosis?
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, 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 exercise, maintain correct posture, avoid sitting in one position for a long time, use special pillows and mattresses, and alsouse physiotherapy methods.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to neck, shoulder and arm pain, which can be symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. The pain may be sharp, dull or localized to certain points.
Tip #2
Watch out for numbness or weakness in the arms, fingers, or shoulders, as this may also be due to cervical osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
Pay attention to headaches, dizziness, and tinnitus, as these symptoms may also be associated with cervical osteochondrosis.