Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic change of the spinal column, which leads to the destruction of the intervertebral discs, with corresponding consequences. Osteochondrosis "infects" the entire spine, but the symptoms of the disease are most pronounced when the cervical region, which is the most mobile, and the lumbar region are affected. The thoracic region suffers the least.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are very diverse and often resemble other diseases, which makes differential diagnosis and early recognition of pathology difficult. In this article, we will examine in detail how osteochondrosis of the cervical spine manifests itself, and what helps to suspect the disease.
Degrees of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a chronic, progressive disease with periods of remission and exacerbation. Pronounced 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 within the intervertebral disc. It loses moisture, which leads to degenerative changes, a decrease in the height of the disc and rupture of the fibrous capsule. As a general rule, there are no signs at this stage. Diagnosis is possible only with the help of an MRI of the spine. This is the most favorable stage to start treatment, since 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 decreases significantly, which leads to sagging of the spinal muscles and ligaments. All of this causes the instability of the damaged segment of the spinal column, the increased mobility of the vertebrae, their displacement and slippage relative to each other and the spinal axis. It is usually at this stage that the first signs of the disease appear in the form of pain and other symptoms typical of changes in the cervical spine.
- In the 3rd stage, protrusions and herniations of the intervertebral discs develop. The symptoms of the disease are fully expressed.
- The fourth stage is the last. In this case, the formation of osteophytes and the deformity of the spine occur. The body tries to somehow stabilize the damaged segment of the spine, which is why bone fissures form, ossification of ligaments and other processes that lead to stabilization of the vertebrae, but unfortunately this process is accompanied by vertebral subluxations and vertebral subluxations of various types and degrees. spine deformities.
The nature of the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The manifestation of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is associated with 3 mechanisms of the negative effect of the pathology:
- Direct compression of the spinal cord, which runs in the spinal canal. It should be noted that this very rarely occurs with an advanced degenerative process and its complications. Compression of the nerve tissue of the spinal cord can be caused by a large intervertebral hernia that extends directly into the lumen of the spinal canal; spinal canal narrowing (narrowing) due to degenerative changes; dislocations, subluxations, fractures of damaged vertebrae.
- Negative effect on the structures of the peripheral nervous system (spinal cord roots and nerve fibers) exiting the cervical spine. They can compress between adjacent vertebrae or herniated discs and become inflamed and irritated. All this leads to a number of serious symptoms. This is the most common group of signs of cervical osteochondrosis.
- Negative effect on blood vessels that run close to the damaged area of the spine. In particular, a very important arterial vessel has clinical significance - the vertebral artery, which enters the cranial cavity through the openings of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and supplies blood to the posterior third of the brain and the cerebellum.
Let's look in detail at each group of mechanisms and what symptoms they cause.
Symptoms related to 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 your health but also your life.
Injury to the upper cervical spine is life-threatening. The cardiovascular and respiratory centers suffer, leading to immediate death. In the case of compression at the level of 3-4 segments of the spinal cord, tetraplegia develops (paralysis of all limbs and muscles below the injury). The respiratory muscles and diaphragm also suffer, which can lead to respiratory arrest and death.
If the damage is spinal cord 4-5. occurs at the level of his segment, tetraplegia develops, but without respiratory impairment. When 5-8 segments of the spinal cord are compressed, various muscle groups of the upper limbs suffer, and paraparesis of the legs and disruption of the pelvic organs occur.
Symptoms related to nerve damage
Pain syndrome
First of all, it is necessary to note the pain syndrome, which can be in the form of chronic (cervicalgia) and acute 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 abnormal spasm of the muscles innervated by these nerves in this area.
The pain associated with cervicalgia is almost constant, painful and variable in intensity. In general, the pain syndrome is tolerable. Appears or worsens with sudden head movements, turns and tilts. The movement of the neck is accompanied by a characteristic screeching sound.
Neck pain comes on suddenly in the form of a shooting or electric shock. Very intense, goes on one hand. It lasts for a few seconds or minutes and then gives way to cervicalgia. It is usually caused by sudden movement and compression of the nerve.
Radicular syndromes
All the main nerves of the upper limb (median, ulnar and brachial) arise from nerve fibers exiting the cervical spine. Thus, in the presence of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis, these nerve structures can suffer. All these nerves are mixed, that is, they have both sensory and motor functions. Depending on which root is affected, symptoms may vary. For example, the sensitivity of the 2nd or 3rd finger may be lost and one or more muscles may become paralyzed. These signs of nerve damage can be classified into separate syndromes that can only be determined by a neurologist.
Occipital neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia develops when the greater and lesser 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 of the spine, a headache occurs in the back of the head, which women often complain about.
This pain is so typical that in 90% of cases, only its description makes it possible to establish the correct diagnosis. This is also called shooting cranialgia. The attack of pain occurs suddenly, has a unilateral localization (rarely it hurts on both sides), patients compare the nature of the pain to an electric shock. The attack lasts a few minutes, but can be repeated several times a day. The pain occurs 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 in the skin of the back of the neck (numbness, crawling sensation).
Cardiac 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 the phenomenon is damage to the nerve fiber innervating the pectoralis major muscle and the phrenic nerve, the fibers of which are woven into the pericardium of the heart.
The cause of the pain is a spasm of the pectoralis major muscle as a result of abnormal impulses along the damaged nerve fiber. At the same time, patients very often confuse such pain with heartache. Unlike coronary artery pain, cervical osteochondrosis pain syndrome lasts for a long time (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 increases with sudden movements, turning the head, coughing, sneezing, which does not occur in angina pectoris. Antianginal drugs (nitroglycerin, etc. ) will not be effective.
Important! In any case, such symptoms require thorough differential diagnosis, because atypical versions of angina and myocardial infarction also occur. In order not to miss a serious illness, you must first take an EKG. In the case of osteochondrosis, pathological changes are not recorded.
Symptoms associated with vertebral artery injury
Compression of the vertebral artery during cervical osteochondrosis can cause a number of unpleasant manifestations, mainly due to a decrease in blood flow to the part of the brain fed by this vessel (the posterior third of the brain and the cerebellum).
Symptoms of vertebral artery syndrome:
- diffuse or pulsating headache in the back of the head, temples and parietal region;
- dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- visual disturbances;
- tinnitus, reduced hearing acuity;
- impaired coordination and balance;
- the development of falling seizures (sudden falls without loss of consciousness due to a sudden turn of the head);
- memory impairment, reduced performance, ability to concentrate.
It's important to remember! With pronounced changes in the spine, the artery can be compressed so much that it leads to the development of an ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar region of the brain. Therefore, it is important to suspect the pathology in time and take all necessary measures to improve the health of the spine and prevent further pathological changes.
F. A. Q
What symptoms accompany cervical osteochondrosis?
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis may include neck pain and stiffness, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and tingling or numbness in the arms and shoulders.
How can the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis be alleviated?
Exercise, correct posture, avoiding prolonged sitting in one position, use of special pillows and mattresses, and the use of physical therapy methods are recommended to alleviate the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to neck, shoulder and arm pain, which can be symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. The pain can be sharp, dull or localized at certain points.
Tip #2
Watch for numbness or weakness in the arms, fingers, or shoulders, as this could also be caused by cervical osteochondrosis.
Tip #3
Pay attention to headaches, dizziness and tinnitus, as these symptoms can also be associated with cervical osteochondrosis.