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Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervix is ​​an injury to 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 vertebral bodies and cartilaginous discs. In the case of localization in the neck, the symptoms of the pathology are mainly determined by the compression of large vessels. Treatment methods are chosen depending on the stage, course specificity, severity, main symptoms.

Characteristics of the disease

The shape of the cervix 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.

Dislocation of the vertebrae, abnormal changes, and excessive growth of bone and fibrous tissue disrupt the normal functioning of the vessel.
The specification 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 adhesion to each other. As a result, any change in a segment provokes the failure of the entire department.

Phase-dependent clinic

In the process of its development, cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages. How does it appear in each of them?

  1. Stage 1. Characterized by the appearance of initial disturbances in the stability of the intervertebral discs. Symptoms are mild or absent. Not very pronounced sensations of pain and local muscle tension are possible.
    2. Stage 2. Disc elongation begins, the gaps between the vertebrae decrease, the annulus fibrosus collapses. In many cases, as a result of compression of nerve endings, pain appears, mainly of a point nature. They intensify when turned, tilting the neck. The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
  2. Stage 3. The process of final destruction of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of hernias. This stage is characterized by a significant deformity of the spine. Increased pain and fatigue occur against the background of sensory disturbances and limited mobility in the affected area.
  3. Stage 4 is the hardest. Intense pain syndrome is manifested by any attempt to move, which involves a significant limitation of the mobility of this department. Sometimes, the pain subsides, but this does not indicate an improvement in the condition, but only indicates an increase in the size of the bone growths, significantly restricting movement. They often lead to patient 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 neck, back of head, shoulder, arms;
  • restricting movements, pressing in different turns, tilting the neck;
  • weakness in hands;
  • pulling pain on the left side of the chest, radiating to the corresponding arm;
  • burning in the intercapsular area;
  • recurrent headaches;
  • weakness;
  • dizziness (with a severe course of cervical osteochondrosis may achieve loss of consciousness);
  • coordination of movements is impaired, which is mainly reflected in walking;
  • hearing impairment, tinnitus;
  • decreased vision;
  • sore throat;
  • poor dental health;
  • attenuation or hoarseness of the voice;
  • snoring is a consequence of tension in the neck muscles.

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

  • asthenic syndrome;
  • dizziness and headache;
  • periodic pressure fluctuations;
  • flash flies before the eyes;
  • pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
  • muscle weakness;
  • numbness, tingling sensation, coldness of fingers;
  • pain in the chest, in the area of ​​the heart;
  • mixed;
  • numbness of tongue, face;
  • dental problems;
  • the sensation of current flowing along the arms when you try to bend the neck.

Syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them is more pronounced depends mainly on the specific purpose. Many of the manifestations can be mistakenly associated with other pathological conditions. Therefore, there are often cases when a wrong treatment is prescribed.
The symptom complex is divided into the following groups:

  • radicals;
  • vertebral artery syndrome;
  • irritant-reflex syndrome.

Radicular Syndrome

His second name is cervical sciatica. The syndrome develops as a result of nerve endings pressed into the neck. The pain is transmitted down the neck, given to the shoulder blades, down along the shoulder along the outside of the forearm to the fingers. In this case, the following often appear:

  • feeling upset;
  • tingling sensation of hand, forearm, fingers;
  • pastry.
Manifestations also vary depending on the area of ​​the lesion. If the central nerve endings are affected, the pastiness extends to the thumb, middle, index fingers. When the brachial nerve endings are gripped, the little finger and the ring finger are affected.

Irritant-reflex syndrome

Burning sharp pain in the cervico-occipital region, which occurs during movement after a static state: after sleep, when sneezing, a sharp turn of the head, becomes its sign. Often the pain radiates to the shoulder and chest.

Vertebral Artery Syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:

  • throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent) that spreads to the temporal region, the crown of the head, the back of the head, and the ridges of the eyebrows;
  • increased discomfort with certain movements or after a long time in an uncomfortable position;
  • general weakness;
  • mixed;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • hearing problems;
  • disorders of the vestibular apparatus;
  • eye pain;
  • blurred vision.

Cardiac syndrome

When this complex of symptoms of neck osteochondrosis develops, an appearance almost similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to mistreatment. Muscle contractions and spasms in the heart region are most likely a reflex response to compression of 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 large chest 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

Worsening of the disease

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

  • increased pain and its radiation to the shoulder, intercapsular area, arms, shoulders;
  • Difficulty moving shoulders, torso, arms, sometimes breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
  • pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
  • when the pain appears in the right hypochondrium or in the iliac area, the clinic is similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
  • headaches are of a prolonged nature, imbalance, visual and auditory functions are impaired;
  • in the area of ​​innervation, skin trophism is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, pallor, burning, cold;
  • increases cervical muscle tone;
  • manifests weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability;
  • Possible sleep disorders, memory disorders and concentration problems.

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 sometimes 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 the appearance of neurological signs or VSD;
  • compression of arteries and damage to cerebral circulation;
  • venous pressure, provoking a violation of blood flow and a subsequent jump in intracranial pressure;
  • oppression of the spinal cord, provoking a deterioration in the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, which also results in high pressure within the skull;
  • muscle spasm that worsens symptoms as a result of severe compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The resulting processes are:

  • headache;
  • darkening of the eyes;
  • dizziness;
  • impaired visual acuity;
  • double vision (diplopia);
  • flashing before the eyes of "flies";
  • high or low pressure;
  • mixed, sometimes with vomiting;
  • loss of consciousness.

Vertebral subluxation is detected by x-rays. Its reduction is a rather complicated procedure, which is usually performed under general anesthesia.

How is the disease diagnosed

The main methods for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

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

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