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Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease accompanied by thinning of the discs located between the vertebrae, and then their replacement by bone tissue. As the degenerative process progresses, the surrounding structures are also involved. This leads to the development of a whole complex of symptoms that completely subdues the patient's life.

symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

General Information

Intervertebral discs consist of a gel-like core and a dense fibrous ring surrounding it, covered by a layer of cartilage tissue. They perform a shock-absorbing function that prevents damage to the vertebrae during running, walking and jumping, and also contributes to the mobility and flexibility of the entire spine.

In the natural aging process, as well as under conditions of increased load, a gradual decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc is observed. Metabolism is disturbed in its core, cracks are formed in the surrounding fibrous ring. Discs have protrusions - protrusions and tears. As the disease progresses, cartilage tissue and bones are involved, osteophytes appear - bone growths that cause limited mobility and severe pain.

Since pathological changes occur in the immediate vicinity of the spinal cord and its roots, it causes their compression and inflammation, as well as the reflex development of muscle spasm. As a result, a person experiences characteristic symptoms that can be suspected of a disease.

The reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a multifactorial disease. This happens against the background of a whole complex of factors, each of which aggravates the course of the pathology. The list of reasons includes:

  • excess body weight;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • sedentary work;
  • incorrect posture;
  • chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system that cause uneven distribution of the load on the spine (scoliosis, flat feet);
  • congenital pathologies of the development of the spine, as well as injuries;
  • excessive, repetitive stress on the spine;
  • hereditary predisposition.

Symptoms and syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are not immediately visible and are often masked as other diseases.

The most common symptoms include:

  • dizziness: as a rule, with osteochondrosis, it is systemic, i. e. it seems to a person that the surrounding objects are spinning in front of his eyes;
  • pain in the back of the head, neck, collar area: its intensity depends on the degree of development of the disease; mild and episodic in the early stage, spreading to the whole head and becoming permanent; periodic attacks become unbearable, as a result of which a person cannot even move his head;
  • noise or ringing in the ears: occurs when changing position after a long period of inactivity, often accompanied by dizziness;
  • feeling of lack of air, inability to breathe deeply; in severe cases, severe shortness of breath develops;
  • nausea and vomiting: associated with circulatory disorders in certain areas of the brain, aggravated when trying to turn the head;
  • decreased visual acuity, flies flickering in front of the eyes or fog: it indicates insufficient blood supply to the brain; occurs in the advanced stages of the disease;
  • fluctuations in blood pressure that are difficult to correct with medication;
  • sudden fainting due to vasospasm;
  • feeling of a lump in the throat, sweating, dryness, problems with swallowing: they are often one of the first signs of pathology.
  • shoulder pain
  • numbness of the fingers

In addition to the general symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, there are several syndromes specific to this disease.

Vertebral syndrome

The complex of symptoms is associated with damage to the bones and cartilages of the spine. This includes:

  • mobility impairment in the cervical region;
  • pain when turning the head;
  • X-ray signs of damage to the vertebrae themselves and the space between them.

vertebral artery syndrome

Symptoms are caused by narrowing or spasm of the vertebral arteries, which are partially responsible for blood supply to the brain. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:

  • noise in the ears;
  • dizziness;
  • jumps in blood pressure;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • Headache;
  • visual impairment;
  • reduced working capacity;
  • drowsiness;
  • don't faint.

Heart syndrome

This is similar to a condition with damage to the heart muscle and includes:

  • pain or burning sensation behind the sternum;
  • weakness and fatigue;
  • rapid pulse.

radicular syndrome

The condition is associated with damage (compression or compression) of the nerve roots exiting the spinal column in the cervical region. Depending on the level of damage, a person may:

  • numbness or pain in the back of the head;
  • numbness of the tongue;
  • collarbone pain, difficulty swallowing, hiccups;
  • discomfort in the shoulder region aggravated by hand movements;
  • pain in shoulder blades and forearms;
  • numbness of the index and middle fingers;
  • numbness of the ring finger and little finger.

Often, several nerve roots are involved in the pathological process at once, as a result of which several characteristic symptoms are observed at once.

stages

In the process of development, cervical osteochondrosis passes through four consecutive stages (grades), which determine the severity of symptoms and the general condition of the patient.

  • 1 stage. The thickness of the intervertebral discs is slightly reduced. Symptoms are practically absent, sometimes there is a slight discomfort in the neck, for example, when staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
  • 2 stages. The height of the disc becomes even smaller, the pathological growth of cartilage tissue begins, protrusions (protrusions) appear. The pain intensifies, stiffness in the cervical region joins it.
  • 3 stages. The fibrous ring surrounding the core of the disc is torn, causing an intervertebral hernia. The spinal column is significantly deformed, the risk of dislocation and subluxation of the vertebrae increases. The pain becomes permanent, and other symptoms of osteochondrosis join it.
  • 4 stages. Irreversible changes occur in the spine: bone growths appear, the intervertebral disc is replaced by scar tissue and loses its ability to absorb the load. Symptoms are pronounced and significantly affect the patient's lifestyle and well-being. The quality of life decreases.

Diagnostics

To search for the causes of pain or dizziness, the patient can consult doctors of various specialties: therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist. A comprehensive examination is required for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, which includes:

  • x-ray and computer tomography: effective only in the later stages of the disease, when the changes are clearly visible;
  • magnetic resonance imaging: due to the high degree of visualization, even initial changes can be seen; is currently the main diagnostic method;
  • duplex scanning of the vessels of the head and neck: allows to evaluate the quality of blood flow, to determine vasoconstriction; used to identify the causes of headache and dizziness.

It is mandatory to conduct a survey and examination of the patient, determine pain zones and the degree of mobility of the spine, assess the quality of reflexes. For differential diagnosis with other diseases with similar symptoms, the following can be prescribed:

  • ECG, ultrasound of the heart;
  • Daily monitoring of ECG and blood pressure;
  • chest x-ray;
  • consultations of narrow specialists: cardiologist, ENT.

Treatment

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach and includes:

  • drug effect;
  • physiotherapy;
  • physiotherapy exercises;
  • massage;
  • surgery.

Treatment

The main goal of drug treatment is to relieve pain and dizziness, restore the normal activity of nerve roots and, if possible, stop or slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue. It is determined depending on the situation:

  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (meloxicam, diclofenac, nimesulide, etc. ): aimed at eliminating pain and inflammation; used in the form of tablets, injections, ointments, plasters;
  • steroid drugs (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone): also used to relieve inflammation when NSAIDs are ineffective;
  • muscle relaxants (mydocalm): drugs that eliminate reflex muscle spasms, thereby reducing pain and improving blood circulation;
  • vitamins of group B in the form of injections or tablets (milgamma, neuromultivit): help to improve the conduction of nerve impulses;
  • sedatives for severe pain to improve sleep and reduce the emotional component of pain;
  • decongestants for pinched nerve roots;
  • chondroprotectors: drugs that help restore cartilage tissue.

Depending on the symptoms, drugs to improve microcirculation in cerebral vessels, drugs to prevent nausea and dizziness, etc.

Non-drug treatment

Non-pharmacological methods of treatment are used without exacerbation. It is used depending on the clinical situation:

  • physiotherapy:
  • laser therapy;
  • magnetotherapy;
  • UHF therapy;
  • phonophoresis and electrophoresis;

Non-drug treatments help reduce the severity of symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups. It works indirectly:

  • improves blood supply, metabolism and regeneration processes of the affected area;
  • increases the effect of drugs;
  • helps strengthen the muscle frame and stabilize the spine;
  • reduces the load on the vertebral discs;
  • removes muscle spasms and blocks.

Surgery

The help of surgeons is necessary in advanced cases of the disease, when medical methods are no longer effective. Currently, several operations are used:

  • surgical removal of a herniated disc (microdiscectomy, endoscopic or transfacet surgery);
  • laminectomy: removal of the spinous processes or arch of the spine, thereby reducing the load on the spinal cord root;
  • nucleoplasty: repair of a herniated disc by removing part of the nucleus of an intervertebral disc.

It should be remembered that only a doctor can decide how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The scheme is drawn up individually, taking into account the stage of the disease, accompanying diseases and the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

physiotherapy for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

Complications

Osteochondrosis causes damage to the most important structures: blood vessels and nerves. Without treatment, the disease can cause the following complications:

  • ischemic stroke;
  • loss of sensitivity or motor function of the hand;
  • difficulty swallowing;
  • thyroid disorder;
  • loss or significant reduction of visual acuity.

In addition, damage to the intervertebral discs and joints causes significant limitation of neck mobility.

Prevention

If attention is paid to the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, even with the existing changes, their progression will be significantly slowed down. Doctors recommend:

  • lead an active lifestyle, avoid hypodynamia;
  • minimize or eliminate heavy loads;
  • sleeping on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
  • If you need to work at the computer for a long time, do regular warm-up exercises.

The ideal sport for osteochondrosis is swimming. Water relaxes the spine, and active movements help build a muscular frame.

Treatment at the clinic

Doctors of the clinic offer their patients complex methods of treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, including:

  • vertebrologist's advice;
  • modern drug regimens for pain relief and condition relief;
  • drug blockade for rapid pain relief;
  • effective types of physiotherapy;
  • exercise therapy exercises under the supervision of an experienced instructor, development of a complex for homework;
  • rehabilitation doctor's advice;
  • Massage therapy;
  • acupuncture;
  • manual therapist services as needed.

Pathologies of the cervical spine

Often accompanied by weakness and cephalalgia are disorders of the cervical spine, because important blood vessels, vertebral arteries pass through it. They are responsible for adequate nutrition of the brain, and therefore, when compressed by a displaced vertebra or other structures, the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. This leads to the development of ischemia of its tissues, accompanied by headache, weakness and a number of other symptoms. These include:

Very often today, people of different ages, sexes, and social status are diagnosed with osteochondrosis, as well as its complications - protrusions and intervertebral tears. These diseases are characterized by the occurrence of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs that separate the vertebrae. As a result, their height decreases, which leads to the convergence of the vertebrae and the creation of preconditions for the disruption of the spinal roots passing through them.

If left untreated, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs progress, and over time, a protrusion is formed - a part of the disc protrudes. It tends to increase in size gradually and later turns into an intervertebral hernia. In such cases, the risk of compression of nerve roots increases sharply.

Also, osteochondrosis and its complications are accompanied by the formation of bone and cartilage growths - osteophytes - on the surface of the vertebral bodies. They can reach large sizes and, like hernias, mechanically compress the vertebral arteries, which will cause weakness and headache. At the same time, cephalgia is one of the main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, even if the vertebral arteries are not damaged.

Other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • creaking in the neck when bending, turning the head;
  • neck pain spreading to the back of the head and arms;
  • reflex spasm of the neck muscles, which increases the pain;
  • movement restrictions;
  • violation of the sensitivity of the upper limbs, occiput, various parts of the neck;
  • difficulty swallowing etc.

The disease cannot go away by itself. It is characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission, but is constantly progressing, and in advanced cases surgical intervention is required to remove large hernias. Therefore, when its symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a neurologist.

When to consult a doctor urgently

In some cases, when headaches occur together with weakness, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention, because they can indicate the development of dangerous diseases and conditions, including stroke and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain).

Warning signs include:

  • sudden severe headache;
  • limited ability to bend the head forward, pressing the chin to the chest together with general weakness;
  • confusion;
  • visual impairment, speech;
  • numbness of limbs.

Diagnosis and treatment

Thus, headache and weakness can accompany both relatively harmless conditions and serious diseases. If they occur with enviable regularity and there are other symptoms, you should consult a doctor: neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist. But when it is difficult to guess what caused the disturbance of general well-being and cephalalgia, it is better to contact a therapist first. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe additional research methods and based on their results, taking into account the clinical picture, make a diagnosis or send the patient to a special specialist for treatment.

To determine the causes of headache and weakness, the following are prescribed:

  • KLA, OAM, biochemical blood test - allows to detect inflammatory processes, as well as disorders in the work of individual organs and metabolism;
  • ECG, ultrasound of the vessels of the heart, neck and head - provides information about the work and condition of blood vessels, heart muscles;
  • EEG - allows detecting changes in the work of individual parts of the brain;
  • X-ray, CT, MRI of the cervical spine - are indicated to detect pathologies of the spine and assess their severity.

According to research results, it is almost always possible to determine the cause of headache and weakness and therefore to choose an effective treatment strategy. It is prepared individually for each patient and is aimed at both improving the general condition and eliminating the detected disease. Therefore, it can be used to treat headaches and weakness:

  • drug treatment, including individually selected drugs, especially NSAIDs, anti-migraine, highly specific drugs to improve blood supply to the brain;
  • physiotherapy procedures that help increase the effectiveness of other treatment methods and consolidate the results obtained;
  • manual therapy, the main goal of which is to restore the spine, the condition of which depends on the work of all organs and systems.

In any case, disturbing symptoms such as headache and weakness should not be ignored, especially if they occur frequently. In such cases, you should definitely consult a doctor. This will prevent increased weakness, progression of existing pathological changes, associated complications and in the short term. After all, the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to eliminate it.