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Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a lesion of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, which causes them to experience 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 cartilage discs. With localization in the neck, the symptoms of the pathology are largely determined by the compression of large vessels. Methods of treatment are selected depending on the stage, specificity of the course, severity and main symptoms.

Features of the disease

The cervical form is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis: it leads to a deterioration in brain circulation, since the vertebral artery crosses this area - one of the largest vessels that supply the brain with the necessary substances and oxygen.

Displacement of the vertebrae, abnormal changes and overgrowth of bone and fibrous tissue disrupt the normal function 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 is that they are more closely attached to each other. As a result, every change in one segment leads to the failure of the entire department.

Clinic depending on the stage

Cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages in the course of its development. How does it manifest 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. Stage 2. The intervertebral disc protrusion begins, the gaps between the vertebrae are narrowed, the annulus fibrosus collapses. In many cases, pain occurs as a result of the compression of the nerve endings, which is mainly of a punctiform nature. They gain strength as you turn and tilt your neck. Decreases the tone, weakness often occurs.
  3. Stage 3. The process of final destruction of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of hernias. This stage is characterized by a significant deformation of the spine. Increased pain and fatigue occur against the background of sensory disorders and reduced mobility in the affected area.
  4. Level 4 is the most difficult. The intense pain syndrome manifests itself in all attempts at movement, which significantly limits the mobility of this department. Sometimes the pain subsides, but this does not show any improvement in the condition, just indicates an increase in the size of the bone growth, which significantly restricts movement. They often lead to a disability for the patient.
Pain is the main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

In the cervical spine, the predominant symptoms of osteochondrosis are:

  • Pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, arms;
  • Restriction of movement, crunching at different turns, inclination;
  • weakness in the hands;
  • drawing pain in the left side of the chest radiating to the corresponding arm;
  • Burning sensation in the interscapular zone;
  • recurring headaches;
  • weakness;
  • dizziness (if the cervical osteochondrosis is severe, it may lead to unconsciousness);
  • Movement coordination is impaired, which is mainly reflected in the gait;
  • hearing loss, ringing in the ears;
  • decreased eyesight;
  • sore throat;
  • poor dental health;
  • Weakness or hoarseness of the voice;
  • Snoring is a result 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;
  • blinking flies in front of the eyes;
  • pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
  • muscle weakness;
  • numbness, tingling, shivering fingers;
  • chest pain, heart area;
  • nausea;
  • numbness of the tongue, face;
  • dental problems;
  • Sensation of current along the arms when trying to bend the neck.

Syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them are most 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:

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

Radicular Syndrome

The second name is Cervical Sciatica. The syndrome is caused by pinched nerve endings in the neck. The pain is transmitted to the fingers from the neck, which is transmitted to the shoulder blades, along the shoulder, along the outside of the forearm. In this case, often appear:

  • creepy feeling;
  • tingling of the hand, forearm, fingers;
  • pasty.

The manifestations also vary depending on the area of ​​the lesion. When the ends of the central nerve are affected, the pasticity extends to the thumb, middle, and index fingers. When the ends of the brachial nerve become pinched, the little finger and ring finger are affected.

Stimulus reflex syndrome

Burning, sharp pain in the cervico-occipital area that occurs during movement after a static state: after sleeping, while sneezing, a sharp turn of the head becomes a 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 temple area, crown of the head, the back of the head, and the forehead crests;
  • increased discomfort with certain movements or after a long stay in an uncomfortable position;
  • general weakness;
  • nausea;
  • unconsciousness;
  • hearing problems;
  • disorders of the vestibular apparatus;
  • eye pain;
  • blurred vision.

heart syndrome

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

  • Pain occurs suddenly and lasts a long time;
  • aggravated by a sharp movement of the throat, coughing, sneezing;
  • Tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
  • The pain doesn't stop after taking coronary dilators.
  • There are no signs of a circulatory disorder in the ECG.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Aggravation of the disease

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

  • increased pain and its irradiation of the shoulder blade, interscapular zone, arms and shoulders;
  • Difficulty moving your shoulders, trunk, arms, sometimes breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
    • The
  • pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia.
  • If there is pain in the right hypochondrial or iliac area, the clinic resembles the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis.
  • Headaches are long-term in nature, there is an imbalance, visual and auditory functions;
  • in the innervation zone the skin trophyism is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, paleness, burning, shivering occur;
  • the tone of the neck muscles increases;
  • weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, fear, emotional instability occur;
  • possible sleep disorders, memory disorders, problematic concentration of attention.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with 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 sympathetic nerve plexus, which leads to the appearance of neurological signs or VSD;
  • compression of the arteries and impairment of brain circulation;
  • compression of the veins, which leads to a violation of the outflow of blood and a subsequent increase in intracranial pressure;
  • compression of the spinal cord, which leads to a deterioration in the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid, which also leads to high pressure in the skull;
  • Muscle spasm worsening symptoms due to excessive compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The resulting processes are:

  • headache;
  • darkening in the eyes;
  • dizziness;
  • impaired visual acuity;
  • double vision (diplopia);
  • flashes before the eyes of "flies";
  • high or low pressure;
  • nausea, sometimes with vomiting;
  • unconsciousness.

The subluxation of the vertebra is recorded by X-rays. Reduction is a rather complicated procedure that is usually performed under general anesthesia.

How the disease is diagnosed

The leading 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.