Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a lesion of the cervical vertebral discs, as a result of which they undergo degenerative-dystrophic changes.The main reason for its development is the disruption of normal metabolic processes, which leads to the distortion of the structure of the vertebral bodies and cartilaginous discs.In the case of localization in the neck, pathological symptoms are largely determined by the compression of large vessels.Treatment methods are chosen depending on the stage, specific course, severity, and main symptoms.

Characteristics of the disease

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

Vertebral displacement, abnormal changes and proliferation of bone and fibrous tissue interfere with the normal function of vessels.
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 consist of a tighter fit with each other.As a result, any change in one segment creates disruption in the entire department.

The clinic depends on the stage

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

1. Stage 1. It is characterized by the appearance of early disturbances in the stability of the intervertebral disc.Symptoms are mild or non-existent.Mild pain and localized muscle tension are possible.
2. Stage 2. Disc protrusion begins, the gap between the vertebrae is reduced, and the fibrous ring is destroyed.In many cases, due to the compression of nerve endings, pain appears, mainly of a point nature.They get stronger when turning or tilting the neck.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 occurs against the background of sensory disturbances and limited mobility in the affected area.
4. Stage 4 is the worst.Severe pain occurs with any attempt to move, which requires a significant limitation in the mobility of this department.Sometimes, the pain decreases, but this does not indicate an improvement in the condition, but only an increase in the size of the bone growth, which significantly limits movement.They often lead to the disability of the patient.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

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

• pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, arms;
• limitation of movement, throbbing at various turns, tilting the neck;
• weakness in arms;
• disturbing pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the corresponding arm;
• burning in the interscapular region;
• recurring headaches;
• weaknesses;
• dizziness (in the case of severe cervical osteochondrosis, it can reach the point of loss of consciousness);
• impaired movement coordination, which is mostly reflected in gait;
• hearing loss, ringing in the ears;
• decreased vision;
• sore throat;
• poor dental condition;
• weak or hoarse voice;
• Snoring is a result of tension in the neck muscles.

With the cervicothoracic type, the symptoms are almost similar to cervical osteochondrosis.These are:

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

Syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical.Which of them is most significant depends on the specific target of the lesion.Many 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;
• irritation-reflex syndrome.

Radicular syndrome

The second name is cervical radiculitis.This syndrome develops due to pinched nerve endings in the cervical region.The pain is sent down from the neck, into the shoulder blade, down along the shoulder along the outside of the forearm to the fingers.In this case, the following often appear:

• feeling "goosebumps";
• tingling of hands, forearms, fingers;
• fun

Manifestations also vary depending on the affected area.If the central nerve endings are affected, it will certainly spread to the thumb, middle and index fingers.When the tip of the brachial nerve is pinched, the little finger and ring finger are affected.

Irritation-reflex syndrome

The symptom is a burning, acute pain in the cervical-occipital region, which appears during movement after static conditions: after sleeping, when sneezing, or turning the head suddenly.Often the pain spreads to the shoulders and chest.

Vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:

• throbbing or burning headache (paroxysmal or continuous), spreading to the temporal region, crown, back of the head, brow ridge;
• 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 neck osteochondrosis appears, a picture very similar to angina pectoris develops, which often leads to incorrect treatment.
Muscle contractions and spasms in the heart area are most likely a reflex response to compression of nerve endings in the lower cervical area.Cardiac syndrome is the result of irritation of the phrenic nerve (its fibers lead to the pericardium) or the pectoralis major muscle:

• pain appears suddenly and lasts a long time;
• aggravated by sudden movement of the neck, coughing, sneezing;
• tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
• pain does not go away after taking a coronary dilator;
• no signs of impaired circulation on ECG.

Severity of illness

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

• increased pain and its radiation to the shoulder blade, interscapular area, arm, shoulder;
• difficulty moving the shoulders, torso, arms, and sometimes breathing (inhalation and exhalation);
• 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 manifestation of gastritis or cholecystitis;
• prolonged headache, balance disorders, visual and hearing functions occur;
• in the innervation zone, skin trophism is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, pallor, burning, and cold appear;
• neck muscle tone increases;
• weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
• There may be disturbances in sleep, memory, and difficulty concentrating.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

Cervical osteochondrosis can cause subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with displacement to the right or left, which provokes the development of VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia).It is quite difficult to identify, because often there are no symptoms or they are mild.In this case it is possible:

• compression of the sympathetic nerve plexus, leading to neurological signs or VSD;
• arterial compression and impairment of cerebral circulation;
• vein compression, causing a violation of blood outflow and a subsequent jump in intracranial pressure;
• compression of the spinal cord, causing a deterioration in the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, which also results in high pressure inside the skull;
• muscle spasms, which increase symptoms due to severe compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The result of the described process is:

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

Vertebral subluxation is detected using x-rays.The reduction is a fairly complex procedure, usually performed under general anesthesia.

How is the disease diagnosed?

The main 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 canal.