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 this disease are most noticeable when the cervical region, as the most mobile, and the lumbar region are affected. The thoracic region suffers the least.
Signs of neck osteochondrosis are very diverse, and they often resemble other diseases, which makes differential diagnosis and early recognition of pathology difficult. In this article we will see in detail how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself and what will help you suspect this disease.
Stages of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic progressive disease that occurs with periods of remission and exacerbation. Obvious clinical symptoms do not appear immediately, but after some time, 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 in the intervertebral disc. It loses moisture, which leads to degenerative changes, decreased disc height, and rupture of the fibrous capsule. As a rule, there are no signs at this stage. Diagnosis can only be made using an MRI of the spine. This is the best stage to start treatment, because in this case it is possible to completely restore the damaged disc, which cannot be done in the future.
- Osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree is characterized by worsening damage to the intervertebral disc. Their height is significantly reduced, which leads to sagging of the muscles and ligaments of the spine. All this causes instability of the damaged spinal segment, increased mobility of the vertebrae, their displacement and sliding relative to each other and the axis of the spine. As a rule, at this stage the first signs of the disease appear in the form of pain and other symptoms specific to cervical spine lesions.
- In the 3rd stage, protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc develops. The symptoms of the disease are fully expressed.
- The 4th stage is the last stage. In this case, osteophyte formation and spinal deformity occur. The body tries to somehow stabilize the damaged spinal segment, which is why osteophytes develop, ligament hardening and other processes that lead to the stabilization of the vertebrae, but, unfortunately, this process is accompanied by vertebral subluxation and various types and degrees. spinal deformity.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Manifestations of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine are associated with 3 mechanisms of negative effects of this pathology:
- Direct compression of the spinal cord, which runs within the spinal canal. It should be noted that this is very rare with advanced degenerative processes and their 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; dislocation, subluxation, fracture of damaged vertebrae.
- Negative effects on the structure of the peripheral nervous system (spinal cord roots and nerve fibers) coming out of the cervical spine. They can be compressed between adjacent vertebrae or herniated bulges, and can become inflamed and irritated. All this leads to some severe symptoms. This is the most common group of signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Negative effects on blood vessels passing through the damaged area of the spine. In particular, one very important arterial channel has clinical importance - the vertebral artery, which passes through the opening of the transverse process of the cervical vertebra into the cranial cavity and supplies blood to 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, 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 3-4 segments 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 the damage occurs at the level of the 4-5th segment of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops, but without breathing disorders. When 5-8 segments of the spinal cord are compressed, various muscle groups of the upper leg suffer and leg paraparesis and pelvic organ disorders occur.
Symptoms related to nerve damage
Pain syndrome
First of all, it is necessary to note the pain syndrome, which can be chronic (cervicalgia) and acute in the form of lumbago (cervicalgia). Pain occurs in the neck, occipital part of the head and shoulder girdle. It is usually caused by irritation, compression and inflammation of the cervical spinal nerve root, as well as pathological spasm of the muscles in this area, which are innervated by this nerve.
The pain associated with cervicalgia is almost constant, aching, and varies in intensity. As a rule, the pain syndrome is acceptable. It appears or worsens with sudden movement, turning and tilting of the head. Movement in the neck is accompanied by a characteristic crackling sound.
Cervical pain occurs suddenly in the form of a shot or electric shock. It was so intense, it went to one of the hands. Lasts a few seconds or minutes, then gives way to cervicalgia. It is usually caused by sudden movement and nerve compression.
Radicular syndrome
All the major nerves of the upper extremity (median, ulnar and brachial) are formed from nerve fibers emerging from the cervical spine. Therefore, in the presence of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis, this nerve structure may suffer. All these nerves are mixed, that is, 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 a separate syndrome, which can only be determined by a neurologist.
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 this structure is compressed, irritated or inflamed due to degenerative processes in the spine, headaches occur in the back of the head, which women often complain about.
This pain is so typical that only its description allows the correct diagnosis to be made in 90% of cases. It is also called shooting cranialgia. Pain attacks occur suddenly, have unilateral localization (rarely pain on both sides), the patient compares the nature of the pain to an electric shock. Attacks last a few minutes, but can be repeated several times a day. Pain occurs on the posterolateral surface of the neck and spreads upward to the occipital protuberance (retracing the anatomical course of the occipital nerve). At the same time, sensitivity disorders on the back of the head may develop (numbness, crawling sensation).
Cardiac syndrome
This name is due to the fact that this manifestation of cervical spine osteochondrosis is very similar to angina pectoris and other heart diseases. The reason for this phenomenon is damage to the nerve fibers that innervate the pectoralis major muscle and the phrenic nerve, whose fibers 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 fibers. At the same time, patients 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 pectoris, is not associated with physical activity, but there is a relationship with body position. The pain increases with sudden movements, turning the head, coughing, sneezing, which does not happen with angina pectoris. Antianginal drugs (nitroglycerin, etc. ) will not be effective.
Important! In any case, such symptoms require a thorough differential diagnosis, as atypical variants of angina and heart attacks also occur. In order not to miss a serious illness, you need to do an ECG first. 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, which are mainly associated with a decrease in blood flow and hypoxia of the part of the brain fed by this vessel (posterior third of the brain and cerebellum).
Symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome:
- Diffuse or throbbing headache in the back of the head, temples and parietal area;
- dizziness;
- dizziness and vomiting;
- visual impairment;
- ringing in the ears, decreased hearing acuity;
- impaired coordination and balance;
- the development of a drop attack (a sudden fall without loss of consciousness due to a sudden turn of the head);
- memory impairment, decreased performance, ability to concentrate.
Important to remember! With significant changes in the spine, the arteries can be compressed until 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.
Frequently asked questions
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 can you relieve the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis?
To relieve the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to do physical exercises, maintain correct posture, avoid prolonged sitting in one position, use special pillows and mattresses, and also use physical therapy methods.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, which may be symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. The pain can be sharp, dull or localized at a certain point.
Tip #2
Pay attention to numbness or weakness in the arms, fingers, or shoulders, as these may also be caused by cervical osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
Pay attention to headaches, dizziness and tinnitus, as these symptoms may also be associated with cervical osteochondrosis.