The diagnosis of osteochondrosis, in my opinion, is not as sad as dyscirculatory encephalopathy and vegetative-vascular dystonia. Yes, by "osteochondrosis" we also understand completely different pathologies abroad. Abroad - these are severe skeletal lesions, mainly in children. For us, it is enough to complain of neck pain, to take an X-ray or MRI (where degenerative changes will certainly be found) - and here is the diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
The main causes of back pain
In most cases, the patient is diagnosed with osteochondrosis with back pain. But in fact the reasons are different:
- Nonspecific back pain
Caused by muscles, ligaments, tendons. Does not require MRI. This is the most common cause of back pain and the most favorable option, as doctors usually prescribe quite appropriate therapy - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs for muscle relaxation, exercise. It should be noted that for chronic pain lasting more than 3 months, completely different drugs are needed. - Quite a rare cause of back pain. Are you surprised? And if an MRI reveals a hernia and your back hurts, isn't the hernia the cause of the pain? In most cases not. In hernia, in addition to pain, there should be other symptoms: weakness of certain muscles, decreased tendon reflexes, impaired sensitivity in the area of innervation of the root. There are no such symptoms - you can forget about the hernia as a cause of pain.
MRI excludes serious causes other than pain and other symptoms.
It is much worse when the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made with completely different complaints: high blood pressure, dizziness, weakness, anxiety, headache. What should we exclude in this case?
- Tension and migraine headaches.
Not connected to your neck. Healing a neck means going the wrong way, approaching the chronicling of your pain. Tension headaches may be accompanied by muscle tension, but it is still a tension headache, not osteochondrosis. - Dizziness
Not due to sharp blues. The true causes of dizziness: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular data injuries, vestibular migraine, Meniere's disease, vestibular paroxysm, cerebellar and trunk pathology, psychogenic vertigo, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency, heart disease, heart diseaseand many others. - Arterial hypertension.
Sometimes I find the opinion that if the patient's blood pressure rises, then you need to check the neck and, of course, the vessels of the neck. Have you found arterial hypoplasia, curvature, degenerative changes in the cervical spine? Let's blame them for the pressure increase. This is absurd. In fact, there is no connection between high pressure and neck. - Anxiety Depressive Disorders.
Do you have anxiety, dizziness, weakness and fatigue, sleep disturbance? Let Benim neck again. And the poor patient, instead of consulting a psychiatrist with antidepressants and tranquilizers, receives physiotherapy, massage and some kind of homeopathy. - Iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction.
Always keep in mind when you complain of fatigue, weakness, decreased concentration, dizziness, headache.
Changes happen in our body over the years. The baby's skin is soft and supple. At 30, no matter how much we resort to cosmetic procedures, it is no longer so. Imagine a sailor who has sailed all his life: his skin is rough and wrinkled. The same thing happens with our spine. In most cases, protrusions and hernias are natural age-related changes. If there are many provoking factors in your life, such as carrying heavy loads, then the likelihood of getting a large hernia increases.
Numerous studies have found that disc protrusions are found in healthy people: at age 20 - up to 40% of subjects (remember, these are patients without back pain), at age 70 - up to 90%. In addition, the severity of the MRI changes is not related to the degree of the pain syndrome: in a large hernia there may be no pain at all, and in small bulges the patient may have severe pain (because the cause is not in the bulges but in something else).
Does a hernia never hurt?
Of course there is! In about 1-4% of all cases of back pain. How do you recognize this? Hernia leads not only to pain but also to other disorders: impaired sensitivity, changes in reflexes and sometimes a decrease in muscle strength. All this is determined by a competent doctor during a neurological examination.
If the muscular strength is sufficient, the hammer reflexes are symmetrical, not weakened, there are no sensory disturbances, then it is extremely unlikely that the back pain is caused by a hernia.
Furthermore, by pressing the spinal cord to a certain level (if you read the MRI results, you will see that the protrusions and hernias are described at the level, for example C3-C5 or L5-S1), the hernia causes not just a decrease in sensitivity everywhere, and specific segments and strictly defined changes in reflexes. The neurologist correlates the level of the lesion with the MRI data.
Classification of symptoms in cervical osteochondrosis
The development of this disease sometimes occurs before the age of 30-35, which is why signs of the disease can appear even in adolescence. The signs of cervical osteochondrosis are discussed in detail below, the disease has become a real problem in the modern world. Sedentary work, prolonged stay in front of the computer negatively affect a person's health and well-being. All symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are associated with malfunctions of several systems:
- In advanced cases there are signs of compression, the integrity of the spinal cord located in the spinal canal is violated.
- The pathological nervous process can affect the peripheral system. The roots of the spinal cord, located near the foci of deformation of bone and cartilage tissue, are exposed to a negative effect.
- In some cases, pinching of the vertebral arteries occurs. These blood vessels deliver nutrients, oxygen, to brain cells. Disruption of these processes leads to a sharp deterioration in human well-being.
It is known that one of the first signs of the disease is pain in the cervical spine. At first it passes quickly, it is periodic, but then it becomes chronic. The main places for localization of pain are:
- occipital muscles (strengthened by turning the neck, tilting the head);
- shoulder area;
- neck.
It can hurt in different ways depending on the location of the lesion, the unpleasant sensations can be sharp, shooting, periodically fading, painful and constant. Over time, head movements become more difficult due to tension in the neck muscles. If the artery is constricted, cervical migraine is sometimes observed (with a weakening of the blood supply, lack of oxygen, headache).
Nausea
In some cases, the vessels of the circulatory system are compressed, which provide oxygen and nutrients to the human brain and inner ear. Therefore, nausea occurs in osteochondrosis. These symptoms are accompanied, as a rule, by loss of appetite, which causes weight loss, lack of necessary nutrients. In advanced stages, the disease can provoke vomiting when turning the head, walking or bending over. This is due to the lack of blood supply to the middle ear, where the center of balance is located.
Neurological symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Some manifestations of the disease may not be immediately classified as characteristic features. You need to know what symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis cannot be ignored, such as shortness of breath. If this section is damaged, a syndrome of irritation of the diaphragmatic nerve may develop. The patient has difficulty breathing, lack of oxygen, which provokes shortness of breath and even severe suffocation.
This manifestation of pathology is often accompanied by snoring, it is exacerbated if you take an awkward position during sleep. This leads to the fact that a person does not rest at night, wakes up with a feeling of general malaise, weakness, feels tired and devastated. This condition, if left untreated, can lead to memory impairment, decreased concentration and irreversible changes in brain tissue.
Vestibular signs
Another direction, how osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae manifests itself - vestibular signs. The supply of the brain with all the necessary nutrients takes place through the spinal arteries. If cervical chondrosis develops in which the inner ear is damaged, the patient experiences tinnitus and ringing. In some cases, damage or hearing loss is added to these symptoms.
Lump in the throat
In some cases, the disease manifests itself in only one symptom - pharyngeal. There is a feeling that a lump has formed in the throat with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, there is sweating, itching, dryness, difficulty swallowing. These manifestations are associated with impaired conduction of neurovascular trunks emitted by the spinal cord. A lump in the throat is not a specific symptom of chondrosis; may indicate a tumor or inflammatory process. When this symptom occurs, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Visual signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The symptoms of cervical chondrosis can vary, but the most common are visual acuity disorders. The supply of visual analyzers takes place through the carotid and vertebral arteries. If there is a decrease in blood circulation due to squeezing the latter, begins a decrease in vision, which does not improve when wearing glasses. Cervical osteochondrosis - symptoms:
- low blood pressure;
- floating, flickering dots;
- atherosclerosis of the arteries in the brain;
- violation of focusing on the object;
- shroud, mist before the eyes.
A characteristic sign that the decrease in vision occurs due to pinching of a blood vessel by the vertebrae, impaired blood circulation, will be the lack of improvement when wearing glasses, performing special exercises. Only timely treatment of the underlying disease (before the onset of irreversible tissue damage) will help change the condition.
Arterial signs
The spine plays an important role in the human body, so any disease affects many systems. There are certain arterial signs of cervical osteochondrosis that indicate this disease. These include sudden loss of consciousness. This is the most unpleasant, dangerous symptom inherent in this disease. This occurs due to impaired circulation when blood temporarily stops flowing through the cerebral arteries.
Severe arterial spasm occurs due to the reaction of deformed bone processes to irritation of nerve endings. If your friend has osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and has lost consciousness, he should lie down, his legs raised to a small elevation to increase blood flow from the limbs and increase blood flow to the brain. Then people tend to recover quickly.
Blood pressure instability is another symptom of this disease. Doctors can diagnose spasmodic indicators if the blood supply is disrupted. This is not a specific symptom of chondrosis, but it fits into the overall picture of the disease. Blood pressure may drop or rise sharply. One feels that one's condition is deteriorating, so one must ensure peace.
Dizziness
It has previously been described that loss of consciousness sometimes occurs with this disease. This applies to cases where the blood flow to the brain has been very difficult. Patients are more likely to experience dizziness in cervical osteochondrosis. This is a common symptom that accompanies all patients with this disease. This phenomenon has a spontaneous manifestation. This condition is caused by a reduction in the amount of oxygen supplied to the inner ear. It is located in the human brain and is responsible for the sense of balance. Dizziness occurs when:
- turning the head, neck;
- if you suddenly get out of bed.
Temperature in osteochondrosis
In some cases, pathological processes spread between the structures of the cervical segment of the spinal cord. This occurs when the disc protrudes, stenosis of the canal. Fever in osteochondrosis is the body's response to these pathologies. The same reaction is possible with vertebral artery syndrome. This is a common phenomenon in osteochondrosis in the last stages of the disease. Therefore, fever refers to non-specific symptoms of the disease.
This symptom is not necessarily present, the body's thermoregulation may be normal. If you feel constant pain in the back of the head, shoulders, neck and when you turn or tilt your head, worsening occurs, you should consult a specialist and undergo an examination. Lack of treatment will definitely lead to the fact that the condition will worsen, the level of comfort of life will decrease.
Learn more about what to do when osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is diagnosed.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is a lesion of the vertebral discs of the cervical spine, 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 distortion of the structure of the vertebral bodies and cartilaginous discs. In the case of localization in the neck, the symptoms of the pathology are largely determined by the compression of large vessels. The methods of treatment are chosen depending on the stage, the specifics of the course, the severity, the main symptoms.
Characteristics of the disease
The cervical form is the most dangerous type of osteochondrosis: it leads to deterioration of cerebral circulation, as the spinal artery passes through this area - one of the largest vessels supplying the brain with the necessary substances and oxygen.
Vertebral displacement, abnormal changes, and overgrowth of bone and fibrous tissue disrupt normal vascular function.
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 adhesion to each other. As a result, any change in one segment provokes the failure of the entire department.
Stage-dependent clinic
In the process of its development, cervical osteochondrosis goes through four stages. How does it affect each of them?
- 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 sensations of pain and local muscle tension are possible.
- Stage 2. Disc protrusion begins, the gaps between the vertebrae are reduced, the annular fibrosis collapses. In many cases, as a result of compression of the nerve endings, pain occurs, mainly of a point nature. They are amplified by turning, tilting the neck. Decreases tone, weakness often occurs.
- 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.
- Stage 4 is the most difficult. The syndrome of intense pain manifests itself in any attempt to move, which leads to a significant limitation of the mobility of this department. Sometimes the pain subsides, but this does not show an improvement in the condition, but only shows an increase in the size of the bone growths, significantly restricting movement. They often lead to injury to the patient.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
When located in the cervical spine, the predominant symptoms of osteochondrosis are:
Pain is the main symptom
- pain in the cervix, back, shoulder, arms;
- restriction of movements, crunching at different turns, tilting the neck;
- weakness in the hands;
- pulling pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the respective arm;
- burning in the interscapular area;
- recurrent headaches;
- weakness;
- dizziness (severe cervical osteochondrosis may lead to loss of consciousness);
- coordination of movements is impaired, which is mainly reflected in gait;
- hearing impairment, ringing in the ears;
- reduced vision; sore throat;
- poor dental health;
- weakening or hoarseness of the voice;
- snoring is a consequence of tension in the muscles of the neck.
In the cervicothoracic type, the symptoms are almost similar to those in cervical osteochondrosis. That:
- asthenic syndrome;
- dizziness and headache;
- periodic pressure fluctuations;
- blinking flies in front of the eyes;
- pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
- muscle weakness;
- tingling, numbness, coldness of the fingers;
- chest pain, heart area;
- nausea;
- numbness of the tongue, face;
- dental problems;
- Sensation of current flowing through the arms when trying to bend the neck.
Syndromes
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical. Which of them is most pronounced depends largely on the specific goal. Many of the manifestations may be mistakenly associated with other pathological conditions. Therefore, there are often cases when improper treatment is prescribed. The complex of symptoms is divided into the following groups:
- radicular;
- spinal artery syndrome;
- irritative-reflex syndrome.
Radicular syndrome
His middle name is cervical sciatica. The syndrome develops as a result of compression of the nerve endings of the neck. The pain is transmitted down from the neck, given to the shoulder blades, down the shoulder on the outside of the forearm to the fingers. In this case, the following often appear:
- ominous feeling;
- tingling in the hand, forearm, fingers;
- pasty.
Manifestations also vary depending on the area of the lesion. If the extremities of the central nerve are affected, the pastosity extends to the thumb, middle, index finger. When the limbs of the brachial nerve are compressed, the little finger and the ring finger are affected.
Irritative-reflex syndrome
Burning sharp pain in the cervical region, appearing during movement after a static state: after sleep, when sneezing, a sharp turn of the head becomes his sign. Often the pain radiates to the shoulder and chest.
Spinal artery syndrome
The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or persistent in nature) extending to the temporal area, dark, occipital, adrenal arches;
- increased discomfort during certain movements or after a long stay in an awkward position;
- general weakness;
- nausea;
- loss of consciousness;
- hearing problems;
- disorders of the vestibular apparatus;
- eye pain;
- blurred vision.
Heart Syndrome
When this complex of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the neck develops, a picture almost similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to wrong treatment. Muscle contractions and spasms in the heart are most likely a reflex reaction to compression of the nerve endings in the lower cervical region. Cardiac syndrome is a consequence of irritation of the diaphragmatic nerve (its fibers lead to the pericardium) or the pectoralis major muscle:
- the pain appears suddenly, lasts a long time;
- aggravated by sudden movement of the neck, coughing, sneezing;
- tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
- pain does not stop after taking coronary dilators;
- shows no signs of impaired ECG circulation.
Exacerbation of the disease
At the stage of exacerbation the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- increased pain and its radiation to the shoulder blades, interscapular area, arms, shoulders;
- Difficulty moving the shoulders, torso, arms, sometimes breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
- pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
- when the pain appears in the right hypochondrium or iliac region, the clinic is similar to the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis;
- headache is prolonged, imbalance, visual and auditory functions are disturbed;
- in the area of innervation the trophism of the skin is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, pallor, burning, coldness appear;
- neck muscle tone increases;
- weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
- possible sleep disorders, memory disorders and concentration problems.
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 vessels in the neck.
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis
The cervical spine contains a huge number of blood vessels that provide nourishment to the brain. Therefore, all neck problems, including cervical osteochondrosis, can lead to a deterioration in the blood supply to the brain. Hence - and the most common signs of cervical osteochondrosis:
- regular headaches and dizziness,
- from time to time - sudden fainting,
- impaired coordination of movements, the appearance of "looseness" of gait,
- hearing impairment, ringing in the ears,
- visual impairment,
- the appearance of dental disease,
- the appearance of hoarseness in the voice, change in the timbre of the voice, its weakening,
- snoring,
- persistent sore throat.
How to treat this disease
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatmentdepend on the patient's condition, the severity of the disease, the nature of the lesion of the cervical spine.
- In the acute period, hospitalization and medication may be required.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is always long-term and should be comprehensive.
- During periods of remission, when there are no acute symptoms, physiotherapy methods (electrophoresis, ultrasound, etc. ) are widely used, physiotherapy, massage, and non-traditional procedures such as acupuncture are needed.
There are many conservative methods for treating osteochondrosis that can stop the progression of the disease. However, each patient needs an individual course of treatment, taking into account the stage of the disease, body characteristics, gender and age.
The goal of treatment for cervical osteochondrosis is:
- Elimination of pain and swelling at the site of inflammation.
- Relax the tense muscles of the neck.
- Release of pinched nerve roots.
- Increased blood circulation.
- Activation of metabolism.
- Improve the nutrition of the intervertebral discs.
Targeted comprehensive treatment can prevent protrusions and intervertebral hernias.
In order not to startosteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms and treatment, and to avoid severe complications of the disease, timely treatment should be started.