Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative disease in which there is literally "premature aging", "wear" 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.
• Mostly, people between 30 and 60 years get sick.
• As a rule, pathology occurs in people who, at work, need to be constantly in the same position and make monotonous movements.
• The cervical spine has some structural characteristics, due to which the disease can have many different manifestations.

What features of the cervical spine cause osteochondrosis symptoms?

• There are holes in the lateral processes of the vertebrae - through them, the carotid arteries pass through them to the right and to the left, which supply blood to the brain.
• The initial part of the spinal cord passes through the cervical region - it contains fibers that transport nerve impulses to all parts of the body, providing movement, sensitivity. If there is compression of the spinal cord in the neck, neurological disorders occur throughout the body.
• This part of the spine has great mobility, and this predisposes to osteochondrosis (although in most cases the disease still develops in the lumbar spine - it not only has high mobility, but also experiences the greatest stress).
• In the neck region, nerve roots emerge from the intervertebral foramen, forming the cervical and brachial 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 anterior part - a body - it is a bony ring placed on a tooth - a bony protuberance on the second vertebra. Thanks to this, it is possible to turn your head sideways.

Pain in the neck, headaches, feeling weak, numbness in the hands are symptoms that should compel you to see a neurologist. The examination by a specialist and the examination with modern equipment will help to understand the causes of the pathology and to 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:

• Firstly, the lesion in osteochondrosis covers the intervertebral discs. They become thinner, thus reducing the distance between adjacent vertebrae. Small tears and microcracks form on the outside. Over time, this can lead to a herniated disc.
• As a result of damage to the disc, the stability of the vertebral connection is impaired.
• They suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and intervertebral joints - develops spondyloarthrosis. It also contributes to the compression of nerve roots.
• The pathological process extends to the vertebrae themselves. Due to the fact that the functions of the intervertebral discs are interrupted, the load on them increases. The spine is trying to compensate for this violation, bony protuberances - osteophytes - appear in it.

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 an elevated headboard and the head is fixed with a special loop) to relieve the intervertebral discs. For the same purpose, you need to wear a Shants collar. Analgesics and anti-inflammatories are prescribed to relieve pain. With severe pain that does not go away, the doctor can block: inject an anesthetic solution into the area of ​​the affected nerve roots. Physiotherapy is used: treatment with ultrasound, electrophoresis with novocaine.

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

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

Firstly, painkillers and traditional methods, while helping to relieve pain for a while, do not solve the main problem. Pathological changes in the spine continue to grow. Over time, this threatens more serious consequences. To the extent that surgery may be necessary.

Second, neck pain does not only occur in 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 compel 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 located: in the neck, in the shoulder girdle, in the hand, in the heart region. By nature, pain is dull, it can burn, it hurts.

Other manifestations of the disease:

• Headaches, dizziness, flies in front of the eyes, noise, ringing in the ears.
• Weakness in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle, arms.
• Skin sensitivity disorder.
• Shoulder-scapular periarthritis: cervical pain that extends to the arm, difficulty in abducting the arm above 90 °, weakness and atrophy of the scapular waist 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 growth appears in the vertebrae, which compress the nerves, as a result, a reflex spasm of the vertebral artery occurs, which participates in the blood supply to the brain. The symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are accompanied by constant headaches that start at the back of the head, spread to the temple, the crown, nausea, noise in the head, ringing in the ears, flickering of bright spots in front of the eyes.
• Anterior scalene muscle syndrome. In the neck are the anterior and middle scalene muscles - they are located side by side, and between them is a small space through which nerves and blood vessels pass. With 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 - epicondyle. With the epicondylitis syndrome caused by cervical osteochondrosis, they feel pain, 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 the same time, with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms may include pain between the shoulder blades, in the heart region.

In osteochondrosis, the risk of intervertebral hernia and stroke increases. If you experience the symptoms listed above, consult your doctor.

It is better not to self-medicate. Even if you have tried and tested methods that can usually help you manage your pain, it does not mean that you are doing it 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 the disease, it is necessary to understand its causes, make differential diagnoses. This is only possible in a clinic.

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

At the heart of cervical osteochondrosis is the defeat of the intervertebral discs. Its chemical composition is violated, first they swell, then they decrease in size, cracks and tears appear on the outside, they become more dense. Then, the degenerative process spreads to the vertebrae, intervertebral joints. Due to the decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, the load on the vertebrae increases, and bone growths - osteophytes appear in them.

What are the causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?

There is no consensus on the causes of cervical osteochondrosis. Different conditions are believed to cause disease, there are different points of view:

• Age related changes in the spine. However, almost all people over 40 have skeletal changes, but not everyone has osteochondrosis.
• Neck injuries. Often, among the causes of the disease, trauma is indicated: cervical contusion, compression fracture, vertebral subluxation. Chronic injuries, such as during intense training for athletes, persistent uncomfortable flexible postures and repetitive lash injuries in drivers, can be important.
• Congenital anomalies of the vertebrae: cervical ribs, fusion of adjacent vertebrae, fusion of the first vertebrae with the occipital bone, etc.
• Profession. More often the disease affects people who work in a monotonous posture, constantly making the same type of movement.
• Blood spinal irrigation disorder, venous insufficiency, edema in the area of ​​nerve roots.
• Autoimmune diseases.Conditions in which the immune system does not function properly, attacks its own connective tissue, ligaments in the body.

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

Causes of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis

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

• Strange and irregular neck movement.
• Prolonged stay in a monotonous and uncomfortable position. For example, the neck may start to hurt after working on the computer for a long time, after sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow.
• Stress, nervous tension. With chronic stress, spasms occur in the neck muscles, which can cause another exacerbation to start.
• Various diseases, exacerbations of chronic diseases.
• Hypothermia. For this reason, exacerbations occur in many people in the fall.
• Incorrect and illiterate self-medication. For example, massage and therapeutic exercises are useful during remission, but 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 reason may be hidden in the muscles - there is a condition like myofascial pain syndrome. The pain arises from the constant tension of the same muscles.

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

Pain and crushing in the neck, headaches - when these symptoms occur, many people "diagnose" osteochondrosis. Everything is clear - when it hurts, you need to take painkillers or make a ukolchik, apply heat and everything will pass. Why go to the doctor when you can take care of it yourself?

However, self-healing often does not do you any good. Over time, attacks of pain can become more frequent, stronger and prolonged. If you take painkillers without control almost every day, you may have stomach or kidney problems. After all, any medication has side effects.

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

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

During his first consultation, the neurologist will ask some questions:

• How long have you had headaches, neck pain?
• Where does the pain occur? What kind of characters are they: stab, hurt, shoot, pull?
• When does pain usually occur? What causes it? After what do you feel better?
• Have you ever visited a doctor? Have you been examined and treated? Which one? How long?
• What other symptoms are bothering you?
• What other chronic illnesses do you have?
• Did you have a recent neck injury?

The doctor will do a neurological examination, checking your reflexes, skin sensitivity, strength and muscle tone. You will be asked to turn, tilt your head sideways, forward, backward. The doctor will apply light pressure to your head, at certain points in the neck, to determine if pain is occurring.

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

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

The examination for 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 (introduction of contrast into the space around the spinal cord), discography (introduction of contrast into the intervertebral disc), angiography (introduction of contrast into the vessels).
• Computed tomography.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.
• For severe neurological disorders, electroneuromyography may be prescribed - 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 exam the doctor still has doubts about the diagnosis, an ECG and other diagnostic methods will be prescribed.