Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

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

Some facts about the disease:

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

What features of the cervical spine cause symptoms of osteochondrosis?

• There are openings in the lateral processes of the vertebrae - the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, pass through them to the right and left.
• The initial part of the spinal cord passes through the cervical region - it contains fibers that carry 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, which predisposes to the occurrence of osteochondrosis (although, in most cases, the disease still develops in the lumbar region - in addition to having high mobility, it suffers greater stress).
• In the neck region, nerve roots emerge from the intervertebral foramina, forming the cervical and brachial nerve plexuses.They are responsible for the movements of 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 - a body - it is a bony ring that fits over the tooth - a bony protuberance on the second vertebra.Thanks to this it is possible to turn your head to the sides.

Neck pain, headaches, feelings of weakness, numbness in the hands are symptoms that should prompt you to consult a neurologist.A specialized examination and examination using modern equipment will help you understand the causes of the pathology and take the most effective measures.

What happens to the vertebrae in cervical osteochondrosis?

The obscure medical term “degenerative process” refers to the following pathological changes that occur in the cervical spine:

• First of all, osteochondrosis damage affects the intervertebral discs.They become thinner, thus reducing the distance between adjacent vertebrae.Small tears and microcracks form on their external parts.Over time, this can lead to a herniated disc.
• As a result of disc damage, the stability of the vertebral connection is disturbed.
• The intervertebral joints also suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical region - spondyloarthrosis develops.It also contributes to compression of nerve roots.
• The pathological process extends to the vertebrae themselves.Due to the fact that the functions of the intervertebral discs are impaired, 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 an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, traction is used (the patient is placed on a bed with a raised headboard and the head is fixed with a special strap) to relieve the intervertebral discs.For the same purpose, you need to use a Shants collar.Analgesics and anti-inflammatories are prescribed to relieve pain.For severe pain that does not go away, the doctor may perform a block: inject an anesthetic solution into the area of the affected nerve roots.Physiotherapy is used: ultrasound treatment, electrophoresis with novocaine.

When the exacerbation subsides, treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine involves massage, physiotherapy and physiotherapy.

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

Firstly, painkillers and traditional methods, although they help to temporarily alleviate the pain, do not solve the main problem.Pathological changes in the spine continue to increase.Over time, this can lead to more serious consequences.Up to the point where surgery may be necessary.

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

What symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should prompt you to see a doctor?

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

Other manifestations of the disease:

• Headaches, dizziness, spots before the eyes, noises, ringing in the ears.
• Weakness in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle and arms.
• Impaired skin sensitivity.
• Humeral periarthritis: pain in the neck that spreads to the arm, difficulty in abducting the arm above 90°, weakness and atrophy of the shoulder girdle muscles.
• Shoulder-hand syndrome: pain in the shoulder and hand, swelling and stiffness of the fingers, weakness and atrophy of the hand muscles.
• Vertebral artery syndrome.Bone growths appear on the vertebrae that compress the nerves, resulting 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 in the back of the head, spread to the temple, to the top of the head, nausea, noise in the head, ringing in the ears, flickering bright spots before the eyes.
• Anterior scalene syndrome.In the neck are the anterior and middle scalene muscles - they are close together and between them there is a small space through 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 on the hand may become cold, pale, and numbness may occur.
• Epicondylitis syndrome.In the lower part of the shoulder, on the sides of the elbow joint, there are bony protrusions - epicondyles.In epicondylitis syndrome caused by cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs, which intensifies when pressed.Other symptoms also occur: pain in the neck, pain when pressing certain points on the cervical vertebrae.

If two parts of the spine are affected at the same time, 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 symptoms listed above, see your doctor.

It's better not to self-medicate.Even if you have proven methods that generally help you deal with pain, that doesn't mean you're doing everything right.

Pain can be caused not only by osteochondrosis, but also by intervertebral hernia, muscle disorders (myofascial pain syndrome) and be a symptom of other diseases.To properly treat a disease, it is necessary to understand its causes and make a differential diagnosis.This is only possible in a clinical setting.

To identify the cause of the disease and correctly treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, it is necessary to consult a neurologist and undergo an examination.

Cervical osteochondrosis is based on damage to the intervertebral discs.Their chemical composition is disturbed, they first swell, then decrease in size, cracks and tears appear on their external 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 are the causes that lead to the occurrence 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 points of view:

• Age-related changes in the spine.However, almost all people over the age of 40 experience skeletal changes, but not all develop osteochondrosis.
• Neck injuries.Often the causes of the disease include previous trauma: neck hematoma, compression fracture, vertebral subluxation.Chronic injuries can be important, for example during intense training in athletes, constant work in awkward positions, bending over 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.More often, the disease affects people who work in monotonous positions and constantly make the same type of movements.
• Poor blood supply to the spine, venous insufficiency, swelling in the area of the nerve roots.
• Autoimmune disorders.Conditions in which the immune system does not function properly and attacks the body's own connective tissue and ligaments.

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

Causes of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis

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

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

What diseases can have similar manifestations?

Often, 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 tightness in the neck, headaches - when these symptoms occur, many people “diagnose” themselves with osteochondrosis.Everything is clear - when it hurts you need to take painkillers or an injection, apply heat and everything goes away.Why go to the doctor when you can take care of it yourself?

However, self-medication often does not lead to anything good.Painful attacks may become more frequent, severe and prolonged over time.If you take painkillers uncontrollably almost every day, you may have stomach or kidney problems.After all, any medication has side effects.

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

How does a neurologist diagnose cervical osteochondrosis?What happens in the doctor's office during an exam?

During your first consultation, the neurologist will ask you a few questions:

• How long have you had headaches or neck pain?
• Where does the pain occur?What is its nature: stabbing, hurting, shooting, pulling?
• When does the pain usually occur?What triggers this?After what do you feel best?
• Have you ever visited a doctor?Have you been examined and treated?Which?How long has it been?
• What other symptoms bother you?
• What other chronic illnesses do you have?
• Have you recently had a neck injury?

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

After the examination, you will be diagnosed and prescribed the necessary diagnostic methods.

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

Examination for cervical osteochondrosis usually includes the following diagnostic methods:

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

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