Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative disease in which "premature aging" literally occurs, "wear and tear" of the intervertebral discs, joints and vertebrae in the cervical spine.

Some facts about the disease:

• Osteochondrosis of the neck occurs in men and women approximately equally often.
• People aged 30-60 are most often affected.
• As a rule, the pathology occurs in people who have to constantly be in one position and make monotonous movements at work.
• The cervical spine has some structural characteristics, due to which the disease can have many different manifestations.

What characteristics of the cervical spine cause symptoms of osteochondrosis?

• There are openings in the lateral appendages of the vertebrae - the carotid arteries that supply the brain with blood pass through them to the right and left.
• The initial part of the spinal cord passes through the cervical region - it contains fibers that transmit nerve impulses to all parts of the body, providing movement and sensitivity.If the spinal cord is compressed in the neck, neurological disorders occur throughout the body.
• This part of the spine has great mobility, and this predisposes to the occurrence of osteochondrosis (although in most cases the disease still develops in the lumbar region - it is not only mobile, but also experiences the greatest stress).
• In the neck area, the nerve roots emerge from the intervertebral openings, forming the cervical and brachial nerve plexus.They are responsible for movements in the muscles of the neck, arms, shoulder girdle, skin sensitivity and regulation of autonomic functions.
• The first vertebra does not have a massive front part - the body - it is a bony ring that fits on the tooth - a bony outgrowth on the second vertebra.Thanks to this, it is possible to turn the head to the side.

Pain in the neck, headache, feeling of weakness, numbness in the hands are symptoms for which you should consult a neurologist.Examination by a specialist and examination with modern equipment will help you understand the causes of the pathology and take the most effective measures.

What happens to the vertebra in cervical osteochondrosis?

The vague medical term "degenerative process" refers to the following pathological changes occurring in the cervical spine:

• First of all, the damage of osteochondrosis affects the intervertebral discs.They become thinner, thereby reducing the distance between adjacent vertebrae.Small cracks and microcracks are created on their outer parts.Over time, this can lead to a herniated disc.
• As a result of disc damage, the stability of the vertebral connection is disturbed.
• Intervertebral joints also suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical region - spondyloarthrosis develops.It also contributes to nerve root compression.
• The pathological process extends to the vertebrae themselves.Due to the fact that the functions of the intervertebral discs are disturbed, the load on them increases.The spine tries to compensate for this violation, and bone growths appear on it - osteophytes.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

During the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, traction is used (the patient is placed on the bed with the headboard raised, and the head is fixed with a special loop) to relieve the intervertebral discs.You must wear a Shants collar for the same purpose.Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for pain relief.For severe pain that does not go away, the doctor can perform a blockade: inject an anesthetic solution into the area of the affected nerve roots.Physiotherapy is used: ultrasound treatment, electrophoresis with novocaine.

When the aggravation subsides, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes massage, physical therapy and physiotherapy.

One of the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis is neck pain.Many people who encounter this symptom do not go to the doctor, but prefer to treat "chondrosis" with home methods.There are at least two good reasons for refusing self-medication and consulting a specialist doctor.

First, painkillers and traditional methods, although temporarily helping to relieve pain, do not solve the main problem.Pathological changes in the spinal column continue to grow.Over time, this can lead to more serious consequences.To the point where surgery may be required.

Secondly, neck pain occurs not only with osteochondrosis.There are many other reasons.Only a doctor can understand and prescribe the right treatment.

Which symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should lead you to see a doctor?

The main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is pain.It can occur in different places, depending on the level at which the pathological process is localized: in the neck, in the shoulder girdle, in the hand, in the region of the heart.The pain is dull in nature and can be burning or aching.

Other manifestations of the disease:

• Headaches, dizziness, spots before the eyes, noise, ringing in the ears.
• Weakness in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle and arms.
• Decreased sensitivity of the skin.
• Humeral periarthritis: aching pain in the neck radiating to the arm, difficulty in abducting the arm above 90°, weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
• Shoulder and hand syndrome: pain in the shoulder and hand, swelling and stiffness of the fingers, weakness and atrophy of the hand muscles.
• Vertebral artery syndrome.Bony growths appear on the vertebrae that compress the nerves, which results in a reflex spasm of the vertebral artery, which participates in the blood supply to the brain.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include constant headaches that start from the back of the head, spread to the temple, to the crown, nausea, noise in the head, ringing in the ears, flickering bright spots before the eyes.
• Anterior Scale Syndrome.The front and middle scalene muscles are located on the neck - they are nearby, and between them there is a small space in which nerves and blood vessels pass.In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the anterior scalene muscle becomes tense and compresses them, resulting in symptoms such as pain on the inner surface of the forearm, shoulder and fingers.Sometimes the pain radiates to the back of the head.The skin of the hand may become cold, pale and numb.
• Epicondylitis syndrome.In the lower part of the shoulder, on the side of the elbow joint, there are bony protrusions - epicondyles.In epicondylitis syndrome caused by cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in them, which intensifies when pressed.Other symptoms also occur: pain in the neck, pain when pressing certain points in the cervical vertebrae.

If two parts of the spine are affected at once, in cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms may include pain between the shoulder blades, in the region of the heart.

With osteochondrosis, the risk of intervertebral hernia and stroke increases.If you experience the above symptoms, contact your doctor.

It is better not to self-medicate.Even if you have proven methods that usually help in dealing with pain, it does not mean that you are doing everything right.

Pain can be caused not only by osteochondrosis, but also by intervertebral hernia, muscle disorders (myofascial pain syndrome), and can also be a symptom of other diseases.In order to properly treat the disease, you need to understand its causes and carry out a differential diagnosis.This is only possible in a clinical setting.

In order to identify the cause of the disease and properly treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, you must visit a neurologist and undergo an examination.

Cervical osteochondrosis is based on damage to the intervertebral discs.Their chemical composition is disturbed, they first swell and then shrink, cracks and tears appear on the outer part, and they become denser.Then the degenerative process spreads to the vertebrae and intervertebral joints.By reducing the height of the intervertebral disc, the load on the vertebrae increases, and bone growths - osteophytes - appear on them.

What causes lead to the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?

There is no consensus on the causes of cervical osteochondrosis.It is believed that the disease is caused by different conditions, there are different views:

• Age-related changes in the spine.However, almost all people over the age of 40 have skeletal changes, but not all develop osteochondrosis.
• Neck injuries.Often the causes of the disease include previous trauma: neck bruise, compression fracture, vertebral subluxation.Chronic injuries can be important, for example, during intense training in athletes, constant work in an awkward position, stooping and repetitive whiplash injuries in drivers.
• Congenital vertebral anomalies: cervical ribs, fusion of adjacent vertebrae, fusion of the first vertebra with the occipital bone, etc.
• Profession.The disease more often affects people who work in a monotonous position and constantly make the same movements.
• Poor blood flow to the spine, venous insufficiency, swelling in the area of nerve roots.
• Autoimmune disorders.Conditions in which the immune system does not work properly and attacks its own connective tissue and ligaments.

See a neurologist.An experienced specialist will understand the source of your health problems and prescribe the correct treatment.

Causes of deterioration of cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis occurs in the form of alternating exacerbations and periods of improvement, when the symptoms stop bothering you for a while.Another aggravation can be caused by the following reasons:

• A clumsy, sudden movement of the neck.
• Prolonged stay in a monotonous uncomfortable position.For example, your neck may start to hurt after working on the computer for a long time or after sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow.
• Stress, nervous tension.Chronic stress leads to spasms in the neck muscles, which can cause another aggravation.
• Various diseases, exacerbations of chronic diseases.
• Hypothermia.For this reason, many people experience exacerbations in the fall.
• Incorrect, illiterate self-medication.For example, massage and therapeutic exercises are useful during remission, but are contraindicated during exacerbation.

What diseases can have similar manifestations?

Very often, the manifestations of "osteochondrosis" are actually associated with a completely different disease.For example, the cause may be hidden in the muscles - there is a condition called myofascial pain syndrome.Pain occurs due to constant tension in the same muscles.

Sometimes dizziness associated with otolithiasis, a condition in which crystals of calcium salts accumulate in the inner ear, is considered a manifestation of "cervical osteochondrosis".

Pain and creaking in the neck, headache - when these symptoms appear, many people "diagnose" themselves with osteochondrosis.Everything is clear - when it hurts, you need to take painkillers or get an injection, apply heat and everything will disappear.Why go to the doctor when you can do it yourself?

However, self-medication often does not lead to anything good.Pain attacks can become more frequent, stronger and prolonged over time.If you take painkillers uncontrollably almost every day, you can get stomach or kidney problems.After all, every drug has side effects.

And the cause of pain is not always a consequence of osteochondrosis.To find out the real reason and understand how to effectively deal with it, you need to visit a doctor and undergo an examination.

How does a neurologist diagnose cervical osteochondrosis?What happens in the office during the examination?

During your first examination, the neurologist will ask you some questions:

• How long have you had a headache or neck pain?
• Where does the pain occur?What is their nature: stabbing, pain, shooting, pulling?
• When does the pain usually occur?What drives it?What makes you feel better?
• Have you seen a doctor yet?Have you been examined and treated?Which one?how long ago
• What other symptoms are bothering you?
• What other chronic diseases do you have?
• Have you recently had a neck injury?

The doctor will then perform a neurological examination, checking your reflexes, skin sensitivity, muscle strength and tone.You will be asked to turn, tilt your head to the side, forward, back.The doctor will gently press on your head and certain points on your neck to determine the onset of pain.

After the examination, you will be given a diagnosis and the necessary diagnostic methods will be prescribed.

What diagnostic methods are used for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?

Examination of cervical osteochondrosis usually includes the following diagnostic methods:

• X-ray of the cervical spine.
• According to the indications, X-ray contrast studies are prescribed: myelography (contrast injection into the space around the spinal cord), discography (contrast injection into the intervertebral disc), angiography (contrast injection into blood vessels).
• Computed tomography.
• Magnetic resonance.
• If you have severe neurological disorders, you may be prescribed an electroneuromyography, a study that determines the passage of electrical impulses in the nerves and muscles.

Often the manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis resemble angina pectoris.If after the examination the doctor still doubts the diagnosis, you will be prescribed an ECG and other diagnostic methods.