Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is damage to the intervertebral discs of the cervical vertebrae, which leads to degenerative-dystrophic changes.The main reason for its development is a disruption in the normal course of metabolic processes, which leads to distortion of the structure of the vertebral bodies and cartilage discs.When localized 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.

Characteristics of the disease

The cervical form is the most dangerous form of osteochondrosis: it leads to a deterioration in cerebral circulation, since the vertebral artery passes through this area, one of the largest vessels that supplies the brain with 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 area 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 causes disruption across the entire department.

Clinic depending 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 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 bulges begin, the gaps between the vertebrae become smaller and the fibrous ring is destroyed.In many cases, due to compression of the nerve endings, pain occurs, which is mainly of a point nature.They increase when you turn or tilt your neck.The tone decreases, weakness often appears.
3. Stage 3. The process of final destruction of the fibrous ring leads to the formation of hernias.This stage is characterized by significant deformation of the spine.Against the background of sensory disorders and limited mobility in the affected area, increased pain and fatigue occur.
4. Stage 4 is the most severe.Severe pain occurs with every attempt to move, which leads to a significant limitation in the mobility of this department.Sometimes the pain subsides, but this does not mean an improvement in the condition, but simply indicates an increase in the size of bone growths that significantly limit movement.They often lead to disability for the patient.

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

When localized in the cervical spine, the predominant symptoms of osteochondrosis are:

• pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulders, arms;
• Restriction of movement, crunching during various rotations, 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 area;
• recurring headaches;
• Weakness;
• Dizziness (in severe cases of cervical osteochondrosis it can even lead to loss of consciousness);
• coordination of movements is impaired, which is mainly reflected in gait;
• hearing loss, ringing in the ears;
• decreased vision;
• sore throat;
• poor dental condition;
• weakening or hoarseness of voice;
• Snoring is a result 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 headaches;
• periodic pressure fluctuations;
• flickering of flies before the eyes;
• pain in the shoulder girdle and arms;
• muscle weakness;
• Numbness, tingling, chilliness of fingers;
• pain in the chest and heart area;
• nausea;
• numbness of the tongue, face;
• dental problems;
• Sensation of current flowing along the arms when attempting to bend the neck.

Syndromes

The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not considered typical.Which of these are most pronounced depends largely on the specific target of the lesion.Many of the manifestations can be erroneously associated with other pathological conditions.It is therefore common for incorrect treatment to be prescribed.
The symptom complex is divided into the following groups:

• root-shaped;
• vertebral artery syndrome;
• Irritable reflex syndrome.

Radicular syndrome

Its second name is cervical radiculitis.The syndrome occurs due to pinched nerve endings in the neck area.The pain is referred from the neck to the shoulder blades and along the shoulder along the outside of the forearm to the fingers.In this case, the following often appears:

• feeling of “goosebumps”;
• tingling of the hand, forearm and fingers;
• pasty.

The manifestations also vary depending on the affected area.If the ends of the central nerve are affected, the paste spreads to the thumb, middle and index fingers.When the ends of the brachial nerve become pinched, the little finger and ring finger are affected.

Irritable reflex syndrome

Its symptom is a burning, acute pain in the cervical-occipital area that occurs when moving after a static state: after sleeping, when sneezing or when turning the head sharply.The pain often 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, vertex, back of the head, and forehead ridges;
• increased discomfort during certain movements or after staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
• general weakness;
• nausea;
• Unconsciousness;
• hearing problems;
• dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus;
• eye pain;
• blurred vision.

Cardiac syndrome

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

• the pain occurs suddenly and lasts a long time;
• Aggravation caused by sudden movement of the throat, coughing, sneezing;
• Tachycardia and extrasystole are possible;
• pain is not relieved after taking coronary dilators;
• There are no signs of a circulatory disorder visible on the ECG.

worsening of the disease

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

• increased pain and its radiation to the shoulder blades, interscapular region, arms and shoulders;
• Difficulty moving shoulders, torso, arms, and sometimes breathing (inhaling and exhaling);
• the pain syndrome often resembles a heart attack or intercostal neuralgia;
• When pain occurs in the right hypochondrium or pelvic zone, the clinical picture resembles the manifestations of gastritis or cholecystitis.
• Headaches last a long time, there are disturbances in balance, visual and hearing functions;
• in the innervation zone, the trophism of the skin is disturbed, tingling, numbness, dryness, pallor, burning and chilliness appear;
• the tone of the neck muscles increases;
• Weakness, lethargy, nervous tension, anxiety, emotional instability appear;
• Sleep disorders, memory problems and difficulty concentrating can occur.

Osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia

Cervical osteochondrosis can lead to subluxation of the first cervical vertebra with displacement to the right or left, provoking the development of VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia).It is quite difficult to recognize them as there are often no symptoms or only mild ones.In this case it is possible:

• compression of the sympathetic nerve plexus, leading to neurological symptoms or VSD;
• compression of the arteries and deterioration of cerebral circulation;
• compression of the veins, leading to a violation of blood outflow and a subsequent increase in intracranial pressure;
• Compression of the spinal cord, leading to a deterioration in the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid, which also leads to high pressure inside the skull;
• Muscle spasms that increase symptoms due to severe compression of blood vessels and nerves.

The result of the processes described is:

• Headache;
• darkening of the eyes;
• Dizziness;
• impaired visual acuity;
• double vision (diplopia);
• “Flies” flash before the eyes;
• high or low blood pressure;
• nausea, sometimes with vomiting;
• Unconsciousness.

Vertebral subluxation is diagnosed using X-rays.Its reduction is a fairly complex procedure that is usually performed under general anesthesia.

How is the disease 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 neck vessels.