Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is damage to the discs of the cervical vertebrae, 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 violation of the structure of the bodies of the vertebrae and cartilage discs.In the case of localization in the neck, the symptoms of the pathology are largely determined by the compression of large vessels.Treatment methods are selected depending on the stage, specific course, severity and main symptoms.

Features of the disease

The cervical form is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis: it leads to deterioration of cerebral blood circulation, because the vertebral artery passes through this area, one of the largest vessels that supplies the brain with the necessary substances and oxygen.

Displacement of the vertebrae, abnormal changes and proliferation of bone and fibrous tissue disrupt the normal functioning 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 consists in their closer fit to each other.As a result, any change in one segment provokes a breakdown in the entire department.

Clinic depending on the stage

During its development, cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages.How does it manifest itself in each?

  1. Stage 1. It is characterized by the appearance of initial disturbances in the stability of the intervertebral discs.Symptoms are mild or absent.Mild pain and local muscle tension are possible.
  2. Stage 2. The disc begins to bulge, the gaps between the vertebrae decrease, and the annulus fibrosus breaks down.In many cases, due to compression of the nerve endings, pain appears, mostly of a point nature.They intensify when the neck is rotated or tilted.The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
  3. Stage 3. The process of final destruction of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of a hernia.This stage is characterized by significant deformation of the spine.Increased pain and fatigue occur against the background of sensory disturbances and limited mobility in the affected area.
  4. Stage 4 is the hardest.Intense pain occurs with every attempt to move, which leads to 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 an increase in the size of bone growths, which significantly limit movement.They often result in harm to the patient.
Pain is the main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

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

  • pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder, arms;
  • restriction of movements, crunching at various turns, tilting of the neck;
  • weakness in arms;
  • excruciating pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the corresponding arm;
  • burning in the interscapular region;
  • recurring headaches;
  • weakness;
  • dizziness (in severe cases of cervical osteochondrosis it can reach the point of loss of consciousness);
  • coordination of movements is impaired, which is mainly reflected in the gait;
  • hearing loss, tinnitus;
  • reduced vision;
  • sore throat;
  • poor condition of teeth;
  • weakening 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.These are:

  • asthenic syndrome;
  • dizziness and headache;
  • periodic pressure fluctuations;
  • flashing of flies before the eyes;
  • pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
  • muscle weakness;
  • tingling, numbness, cold fingers;
  • chest pain, heart area;
  • nausea;
  • numbness of the tongue, face;
  • dental problems;
  • sensation of current passing along the arms when trying to bend the neck.

Syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical.Which of them are most pronounced depends largely on the specific target of the lesion.Many of the manifestations can be mistaken for other pathological conditions.Therefore, there are often cases when the wrong treatment is prescribed.
The complex of symptoms is divided into the following groups:

  • radicular;
  • vertebral artery syndrome;
  • irritative-reflex syndrome.

Radicular syndrome

Its second name is cervical sciatica.The syndrome develops as a result of pinching of nerve endings in the cervical region.The pain radiates down the neck, into the shoulder blades, down the shoulder along the outside of the forearm to the fingers.In this case, the following often occurs:

  • sensation of "goosebumps";
  • numbness of the hand, forearm, fingers;
  • pastiness.

Manifestations also vary depending on the affected area.If the endings of the central nerve are affected, the numbness spreads to the thumb, middle and index fingers.When pinching the endings of the brachial nerve, the little finger and the ring finger are affected.

Irritative-reflex syndrome

Its symptom is a burning, sharp pain in the cervical-occipital region, which appears during movement after a static state: after sleep, when sneezing or turning the head sharply.Often the pain radiates to the shoulder and chest.

Vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

  • throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent), spreading to the temporal region, crown, back of the head, brow ridges;
  • increased discomfort during certain movements or after prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position;
  • general weakness;
  • nausea;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • hearing problems;
  • dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus;
  • eye pain;
  • blurred vision.

Cardiac syndrome

When this complex of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck appears, a picture almost similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to incorrect treatment.
Muscle contractions and spasms in the heart area are most likely a reflex reaction to compression of the nerve endings in the lower cervical area.Cardiac syndrome is a consequence of irritation of the phrenic nerve (its fibers lead to the pericardium) or the pectoralis major muscle:

  • the pain appears suddenly and lasts for a long time;
  • aggravation with sudden movement of the neck, coughing, sneezing;
  • tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
  • pain is not relieved after taking coronary dilators;
  • there are no signs of impaired blood circulation on the ECG.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae

Exacerbation of the disease

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

  • increased pain and its radiation to the shoulder blades, interscapular area, hands, shoulders;
  • difficulty moving the shoulders, torso, arms and sometimes breathing (breathing in and out);
  • the pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
  • when pain appears in the right hypochondrium or iliac zone, the clinical picture is similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
  • the headache is long-lasting, disturbances in balance, visual and auditory functions occur;
  • in the zone of innervation, skin trophism is disturbed, numbness, tingling, dryness, pallor, burning and cold appear;
  • the tone of the neck muscles increases;
  • weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
  • There may be sleep, memory and difficulty concentrating.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with a 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 plexuses leading to neurological signs or VSD;
  • compression of arteries and deterioration of cerebral circulation;
  • compression of the veins, which leads to a violation of blood flow and a subsequent jump in intracranial pressure;
  • compression of the spinal cord, causing deterioration of the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid, which also leads to high pressure inside the skull;
  • muscle spasm that increases symptoms as a result of strong compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The result of the described processes is:

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

Vertebral subluxation is detected using X-rays.Its reduction is a rather complicated procedure, usually performed under general anesthesia.

How is the disease diagnosed?

The main methods for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis are:

  • radiography;
  • nuclear magnetic resonance;
  • computed tomography;
  • Doppler ultrasound;
  • double-sided scanning.

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