Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine, which leads to the destruction of the intervertebral discs with corresponding results. Osteochondrosis "infects" the entire spine, but the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves when the cervical region and lumbar region, which are most mobile, are affected. The thoracic region suffers the least.
The symptoms of neck osteochondrosis are very diverse and they often resemble other diseases, which makes differential diagnosis and early recognition of the pathology difficult. In this article, we will consider in detail how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself and what will help to suspect this disease.
Degrees of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic progressive disease with periods of remission and exacerbation. Visible 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, a decrease in disc height, and rupture of the fibrous capsule. As a rule, there are no symptoms at this stage. Diagnosis is possible only using MRI of the spine. This is the most favorable stage to start treatment, because in this case it is possible to completely restore the damaged discs, which cannot be done in the future.
- Grade 2 osteochondrosis is characterized by worsening damage to the intervertebral discs. Their height is significantly reduced, which causes the spinal muscles and ligaments to sag. All this leads to the instability of the damaged segment of the spine, increased mobility of the vertebrae, displacement and sliding relative to each other and the spinal axis. As a rule, at this stage, the first signs of the disease appear in the form of pain and other symptoms characteristic of cervical spine damage.
- In the 3rd stage, protrusions and tears of the intervertebral discs develop. The symptoms of the disease are fully expressed.
- Stage 4 is the end. At this time, the formation of osteophytes and deformation of the spine occurs. The body tries to somehow stabilize the damaged segment of the spine, so osteophytes develop, ossification of ligaments and other processes leading to stabilization of the vertebrae, but unfortunately, this process is accompanied by vertebral subluxations and various types and degrees. spinal deformities.
The nature of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Manifestations of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine are associated with 3 mechanisms of the negative effect of this pathology:
- Direct compression of the spinal cord working in the spinal canal. It should be noted that this happens very rarely with the advanced degenerative process and its complications. Compression of the nerve tissue of the spinal cord can be caused by a large intervertebral tear that protrudes directly into the lumen of the spinal canal; spinal cord stenosis (narrowing) due to degenerative changes; dislocations, subluxations, fractures of damaged vertebrae.
- It has a negative effect on the structures 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 disc protrusions and become inflamed and irritated. All this causes a number of severe symptoms. This is the most common group of symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
- It has a negative effect on the blood vessels passing near the damaged area of the spine. In particular, a very important arterial vessel is of clinical importance - the vertebral artery, which passes through the openings of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae into the cranial cavity and supplies blood to the posterior third of the brain and the cerebellum.
Let's take a closer look at each group of mechanisms and what 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 not only a person's health, but also their life.
Damage to the upper part of the spine is life-threatening. 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 under the injury). The respiratory muscles and diaphragm are also affected, which can lead to respiratory arrest and death.
If damage occurs at the level of the 4th-5th segment of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops, but without respiratory failure. When 5-8 segments of the spinal cord are compressed, various muscle groups of the upper limbs suffer, and paraparesis of the legs and disorders of the pelvic organs occur.
Symptoms associated with nerve damage
Pain syndrome
First of all, it is necessary to mention the pain syndrome, which can be acute in the form of chronic (cervicalgia) and 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 nerve roots of the cervical spine, as well as pathological spasm of the muscles innervated by these nerves in this area.
The pain associated with cervicalgia is almost constant, aching and varying in intensity. As a rule, the pain syndrome can be tolerated. Appears or worsens with sudden movements, turns and tilts of the head. Movements in the neck are accompanied by a characteristic crackling sound.
Cervical pain occurs suddenly in the form of a fire or electric shock. It is very tight, goes to one of the hands. It lasts for a few seconds or minutes, then gives way to the cervix. It is usually caused by sudden movement and nerve compression.
Radicular syndromes
All major nerves of the upper extremity (median, ulnar and brachial) arise from nerve fibers emerging from the cervical spine. Thus, in the presence of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis, these nerve structures may suffer. All these nerves are mixed, that is, they have both sensory and motor functions. Symptoms will vary depending on which root is affected. For example, the sensitivity of the 2nd or 3rd fingers may be lost, paralysis may occur in one or more muscles. All these symptoms of nerve damage are classified into separate syndromes that can only be determined by a neurologist.
Occipital neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia develops when the large and small occipital nerves formed by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th pairs of cervical spinal nerves are damaged. When these structures are compressed, irritated or inflamed due to the degenerative process in the spine, a headache occurs in the back of the head, which women often complain about.
This pain is so typical that only its description allows to make a correct diagnosis in 90% of cases. It is also called fire cranialgia. The pain attack occurs suddenly, has a unilateral localization (rarely causes pain on both sides), patients compare the nature of the pain with an electric shock. The attack lasts for a few minutes, but can be repeated several times a day. The pain originates on the posterolateral surface of the neck and spreads upward to the occipital protuberance (repeats the anatomical course of the occipital nerve). At the same time, a sensitivity disorder may develop on the skin on the back of the head (numbness, creeping sensation).
Heart syndrome
This name is due to the fact that this manifestation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is very similar to angina pectoris and other heart diseases. The cause of this phenomenon is damage to the nerve fiber that innervates the pectoral muscle and the phrenic nerve, whose fibers touch the pericardium of the heart.
The cause of the pain is a spasm of the pectoralis major muscle due to pathological impulses along the damaged nerve fiber. 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 does not occur in angina pectoris, is not related to physical activity, but is related to body position. The pain is aggravated by sudden movements, turning the head, coughing, sneezing, which does not occur in angina pectoris. Antianginal drugs (nitroglycerin, etc. ) will not be effective.
It is important! In any case, such symptoms require a comprehensive differential diagnosis, because atypical variants of angina and heart attack also occur. In order not to miss a serious disease, it is necessary to do an ECG first. No pathological changes will be recorded with osteochondrosis.
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 artery (back third of the brain). cerebellum).
Symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome:
- a diffuse or pulsating headache in the back of the head, temples and parietal region;
- dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- visual disturbances;
- ringing in the ears, decreased hearing acuity;
- impaired coordination and balance;
- the development of falling attacks (sudden falling without losing consciousness due to sudden turns of the head);
- memory impairment, decreased performance, ability to concentrate.
Important to remember! With significant changes in the spine, the artery can be so compressed that it 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 are the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis?
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, tingling or numbness in the arms and shoulders.
How to eliminate the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis?
To eliminate the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to do physical exercises, maintain correct posture, avoid sitting in one position for a long time, use special pillows and mattresses, and also use physical therapy methods.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, which can be symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. Pain can be sharp, dull or localized at certain points.
Tip #2
Pay attention to numbness or weakness in the arms, fingers or shoulders, as this can also be caused by cervical osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
Pay attention to headache, dizziness and tinnitus, because these symptoms can also be associated with cervical osteochondrosis.