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Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a change in the vertebral discs of the cervical spine that results in degenerative-dystrophic changes. The main reason for its development is a violation of the normal course of metabolic processes, which leads to distortion of the structure of the vertebral bodies and cartilage discs. In the case of localization of the neck, the symptoms of pathology are largely determined by the compression of the large blood vessels. Treatment methods are selected depending on the stage, the specificity and severity of the course, and the main symptoms.

Characteristics of the disease

The cervical shape 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.

Vertebral displacement, abnormal changes, and overgrowth of bone and fibrous tissue interfere with normal vascular function.
The specificity of the symptoms of osteochondrosis in this section is determined, among other things, by a structural feature of the cervical vertebrae, which is that they adhere more closely to each other. As a result, any change in a segment provokes the failure of the entire class.

Clinic depending on the stage

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

  1. Section 1. Initial disturbances in the stability of intervertebral discs appear. Symptoms are mild or absent. Not very pronounced pain and local muscle tension are possible.
  2. Section 2. The disc begins to protrude, the gaps between the vertebrae are reduced, and the annular fibrosis is destroyed. In many cases, the compression of nerve endings results in pain - mostly point-like. When they turn, they increase, the neck is tilted. The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
  3. Section 3. The process of final destruction of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of hernias. This stage is characterized by significant deformity of the spine. Increased pain and fatigue occur in the background of sensory disorders and limited mobility in the affected area.
  4. Section 4 is the most difficult. Intense pain syndrome occurs with any movement attempt that results in significant restriction of mobility in this class. Sometimes the pain subsides, but this does not indicate an improvement in the condition, but only an increase in the size of the bone growths, significantly restricting movement. They often lead to patient disability.
Pain is the main symptom of osteochondrosis of the neck

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

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

  • pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, arms;
  • Restricting movements, crunching at various turns, tilting the neck;
  • hand weakness;
  • Pulling pain on the left side of the chest radiates toward the appropriate arm;
  • burns in the interscapular zone;
  • recurrent headache;
  • weakness;
  • dizziness (may cause loss of consciousness with severe course of cervical osteochondrosis);
  • coordination of movements is disturbed, which is mainly reflected in gait;
  • hearing loss, tinnitus;
  • decreased vision;
  • sore throat;
  • poor dental health;
  • sound attenuation or hoarseness;
  • snoring is a consequence of neck muscle tension.

In the cervicothoracicus, the symptoms are almost similar to those in cervical osteochondrosis. This is:

  • asthenic syndrome;
  • dizziness and headache;
  • periodic pressure fluctuations;
  • flashing flies in front of eyes;
  • pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
  • muscle weakness;
  • numbness, tingling, coldness of fingers;
  • pain in the chest, in the area of ​​the heart;
  • nausea;
  • tongue, facial numbness;
  • dental problems;
  • sensation of current flowing through the arms when the neck is bent.

Syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them is the most emphatic depends largely on the specific goal. Many of the manifestations can be mistakenly associated with other pathological conditions. Therefore, there are often cases where inappropriate treatment is prescribed.
The complex of symptoms is divided into the following groups:

  • is ​​radical;
  • vertebral artery syndrome;
  • irritant-reflex syndrome.

Radicular syndrome

Another name is cervical sciatica. The syndrome develops as a result of tightening of the nerve endings in the neck. The pains extend from the neck down to the shoulder blades, along the shoulder along the outside of the forearm to the fingers. In this case, they often appear:

  • creepy feeling;
  • tingling of hands, forearms, fingers;
  • pasty.

Manifestations also vary depending on the area of ​​the lesion. If the ends of the central nerve are affected, the paste extends to the thumb, middle, and forefinger. When the ends of the brachial nerve are pinched, the little finger and the ring finger are affected.

Irritable-reflex syndrome

Burning is a sharp pain in the cervico-occipital region that appears during movement after a static state: after sleep, when sneezing, a sharp turn of the head becomes a sign. Often the pain radiates toward the shoulders and chest.

Vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis become:

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

Heart Syndrome

When this complex of osteochondrosis of the neck develops, an image almost similar to angina pectoris develops, often leading to mismanagement.
Muscle contractions and cramps around the heart are likely a reflex response to compression of nerve endings in the lower cervical region. Cardiac syndrome results from irritation of the phrenic nerve (fibers leading to the pericardium) or pectoral muscle:

  • pains appear suddenly, last a long time;
  • aggravated by sharp movements of the neck, cough, sneezing;
  • tachycardia and extrasystole possible;
  • pain does not resolve after ingestion of coronary vasodilators;
  • There are no signs of impaired circulation on the ECG.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Exacerbation of the disease

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis in the exacerbation stage include:

  • increased pain and its irradiation towards the scapula, interscapular zone, arms, shoulders;
  • Difficulty moving shoulders, torso, arms, sometimes breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
  • pain syndrome is often similar to a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
  • when pain occurs in the right hypochondria or hip area, the clinic is similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
  • headache is long-lasting, unbalanced, and impaired visual and auditory functions;
  • skin trophicity in the innervation zone is confused, tingling, numbness, dryness, pallor, burning sensation, coldness;
  • increases neck muscle tone;
  • weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability occur;
  • Possible sleep disturbances, memory disturbances and concentration problems.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

Cervical osteochondrosis can be subluxed by shifting the first cervical vertebra to the right or left, which provokes the development of VSD (vegetative vascular dystonia). It is quite difficult to identify as it is often asymptomatic or mild. In this case, it is possible to:

    compression of sympathetic nerve braids
  • leading to neurological signs or VSD;
    • compression of arteries
  • and damage to cerebral circulation;
  • compression of veins, causing violation of blood outflow and subsequent jump in intracranial pressure;
    • compression of the spinal cord
  • , which causes a deterioration in the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, which also results in high pressure in the skull
  • muscle cramps that aggravate symptoms due to severe compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The resulting processes are:

  • headache;
  • darkens in the eye;
  • dizziness;
  • decreased visual acuity;
  • double vision (diplopia);
  • flashes before the eyes of the "flies";
  • high or low pressure;
  • nausea, sometimes with vomiting;
  • loss of consciousness.

Vertebral subluxation is detected by X-rays. Reducing it is a rather complicated procedure that is usually performed under general anesthesia.

How the disease is diagnosed

Leading methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis of the neck include:

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

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