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Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is damage to the discs of the cervical vertebrae, as a result of which they undergo degenerative-dystrophic changes.The main reason for its development is a disruption of the normal course of metabolic processes, which leads to distortion of the structure of vertebral bodies and cartilaginous discs.When localized in the neck, the symptoms of the pathology are largely determined by the compression of the large vessels.Treatment methods are selected depending on the stage, specific course, severity and main symptoms.

Characteristics of the disease

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

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 closer fit to each other.As a result, any change in one segment causes disruption throughout the department.

Clinic according to stage

During its development, cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages.How does it manifest itself in each of them?

  1. Stage 1. It is characterized by the appearance of first disturbances in the stability of the intervertebral discs.Symptoms are mild or non-existent.Slight pain and local muscle tension are possible.
  2. Stage 2. Disc protrusion begins, the spaces between the vertebrae are reduced, and the annulus fibrosus is destroyed.In many cases, due to compression of the nerve endings, pain appears, mainly of a point nature.They intensify by turning or tilting the neck.The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
  3. Stage 3. The process of final destruction of the annulus fibrosus leads to the formation of hernias.This stage is characterized by significant deformation of the spine.Increased pain and fatigue occur 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, resulting in significant limitation of mobility in 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 bone growths, which significantly limit movements.They often lead to disability for the patient.
Pain is the main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

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

  • pain in neck, back of head, shoulder, arms;
  • limitation of movements, crunches at different turns, tilt of the neck;
  • weakness in the arms;
  • stabbing pain in left half of chest, radiating to corresponding arm;
  • burning in the interscapular area;
  • recurring headaches;
  • weakness;
  • dizziness (in severe cases of cervical osteochondrosis, it 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.

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

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

Syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical.The most pronounced ones depend largely on the specific target of the lesion.Many manifestations may be erroneously associated with other pathological conditions.As a result, it often happens that the wrong treatment is prescribed.
The set of symptoms is divided into the following groups:

  • radicular;
  • vertebral artery syndrome;
  • irritative reflex syndrome.

Radicular syndrome

Its second name is cervical radiculitis.The syndrome develops as a result of pinched nerve endings in the cervical region.The pain is transmitted from the neck to the shoulder blades, down the shoulder, along the outside of the forearm to the fingers.In this case, it often appears:

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

The manifestations also vary depending on the affected area.If the central nerve endings are affected, the pasty character extends to the thumb, middle finger and index finger.When the brachial nerve endings are pinched, the little and ring fingers are affected.

Irritative reflex syndrome

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

Vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

  • throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent), extending to the temporal region, crown, back of the head, 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 set of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck appears, a picture almost similar to angina develops, which often leads to erroneous treatment.
Muscle contractions and spasms in the heart region are most likely a reflex response to compression of the 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;
  • worsen 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 stage, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:

  • increased pain and radiation to the shoulder blades, interscapular area, arms, shoulders;
  • difficulty moving the shoulders, torso, arms and sometimes breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
  • pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
  • when the pain appears in the right hypochondrium or the iliac area, the clinical picture is similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
  • headaches last a long time, disturbances in balance, visual and hearing functions occur;
  • in the innervation zone, the trophism of the skin is disrupted, 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 problems with sleep, memory and difficulty concentrating.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with a shift 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 the sympathetic nerve plexuses, resulting in neurological signs or VSD;
  • compression of the arteries and deterioration of cerebral circulation;
  • compression of the veins, causing a violation of the outflow of blood and a subsequent increase in intracranial pressure;
  • compression of the spinal cord, causing deterioration in the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, which also results in high pressure inside the skull;
  • muscle spasms, which increase symptoms due to 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 accompanied by vomiting;
  • loss of consciousness.

Vertebral subluxation is detected using X-rays. Its reduction is a rather complex procedure, usually carried out under general anesthesia.

How is the disease diagnosed?

The main methods of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

  • x-ray;
  • magnetic resonance imaging;
  • CT scan;
  • Doppler ultrasound;
  • double-sided scanning.

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