Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative disease in which literally “premature aging”, “wear” of the intervertebral discs, joints and vertebrae of the cervical spine occurs.
Some facts about the disease:
- Osteochondrosis of the neck occurs about as often in men as in women.
- People aged 30 to 60 are most often affected.
- As a rule, pathology occurs in people who, at work, have to constantly occupy the same position and perform monotonous movements.
- The cervical spine has certain structural features, due to which the disease can have many 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 on 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, provide movement and sensitivity.If the spinal cord is compressed in the neck, neurological disorders occur throughout the body.
- This part of the spine has high mobility, which predisposes to the appearance of osteochondrosis (although in most cases the disease always develops in the lumbar region - it not only has high mobility, but also experiences the greatest 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 the 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 outgrowth on the second vertebra.Thanks to this, it is possible to turn your head to the sides.
Neck pain, headaches, feeling of weakness, numbness of the hands are symptoms that should make you consult a neurologist.An examination by a specialist and an examination using modern equipment will help you understand the causes of pathology and take the most effective measures.
What happens to vertebrae with cervical osteochondrosis?
The obscure medical term "degenerative process" refers to the following pathological changes occurring 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 in their exterior parts.Over time, this can lead to a herniated disc.
- Due to disc damage, the stability of the spinal connection is disrupted.
- The intervertebral joints also suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical region - spondyloarthrosis develops.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 disrupted, 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 using a special buckle) to relieve the intervertebral discs.For the same purpose, you must wear a Shants necklace.Analgesics and anti-inflammatories are prescribed to relieve pain.In case of intense pain that does not go away, the doctor can proceed with a block: injecting 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 faced with 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 to consult a specialist doctor.
Firstly, painkillers and folk methods, although they help temporarily relieve pain, do not solve the main problem.Pathological changes in the spine continue to become more pronounced.Over time, this can lead to more serious consequences.To the point that 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 appropriate 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 places, depending on the level at which the pathological process is localized: in the neck, in the shoulder girdle, in the arm, in the region of the heart.The pain is dull in nature and may be burning or aching.
Other manifestations of the disease:
- Headaches, dizziness, spots before the eyes, noise, ringing in the ears.
- Weakness of the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle and arms.
- Altered skin sensitivity.
- Humeral periarthritis: aching pain in the neck that extends to the arm, difficulty in lifting 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 muscles of the hand.
- Vertebral artery syndrome.Bony growths appear on the vertebrae, which compress the nerves, leading to 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, spreading to the temple, up to the top of the head, nausea, noises in the head, ringing in the ears, flickering light spots in front of the eyes.
- Anterior scalene syndrome.On 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.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the anterior scalene muscle tenses and compresses it, leading to 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 occurs.
- Epicondylitis syndrome.In the lower part of the shoulder, on the sides of the elbow joint, there are bony protrusions - epicondyles.With epicondylitis syndrome caused by cervical osteochondrosis, pain appears, which intensifies when pressed.Other symptoms also occur: neck pain, pain when pressing on certain points of the cervical vertebrae.
If two parts of the spine are affected at once, with cervicothoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms may include pain between the shoulder blades, at the level of the heart.
With 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 proven methods that generally help to cope 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.In order to properly treat a disease, it is necessary 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 correctly treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, you need 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 in their 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 bony growths – osteophytes – appear on them.
What are the causes that lead to the appearance of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
There is no consensus on the causes of cervical osteochondrosis.The disease is believed to be 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 have skeletal changes, but not everyone develops osteochondrosis.
- Neck injuries.The causes of the disease often include previous trauma: neck bruising, compression fracture, vertebral subluxation.Chronic injuries can be significant, for example during intense training in athletes, constant work in an awkward position, bending over and repetitive whiplash injuries in motorists.
- Congenital spinal anomalies: cervical ribs, fusion of adjacent vertebrae, fusion of the first vertebra with the occipital bone, etc.
- Job.Most often, the disease affects people who work in a monotonous position and constantly perform the same type of movements.
- Poor blood supply to the spine, venous insufficiency, swelling at the nerve roots.
- Autoimmune diseases.Conditions in which the immune system does not function properly and attacks the body's connective tissue and ligaments.
Consult a neurologist.An experienced specialist will understand the source of your health problems and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Causes of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis occurs in the form of alternating exacerbations and periods of improvement, when the symptoms cease to bother you for a while.Another exacerbation can be triggered by the following reasons:
- Sudden and awkward 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 a computer for a long time or 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, massages and therapeutic exercises are useful in remission, but are contraindicated in cases of 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.The pain is due to constant tension in the same muscles.
Sometimes dizziness associated with otolithiasis, a condition in which calcium salt crystals accumulate in the inner ear, is considered a manifestation of “cervical osteochondrosis.”
Pain and cracking in the neck, headaches - when these symptoms appear, many people “diagnose” themselves with osteochondrosis.Everything is clear: when it hurts, you need to take painkillers or give yourself an injection, apply heat and everything will disappear.Why go to the doctor if you can handle it yourself?
However, self-medication often does not lead to anything good.Painful attacks may become more frequent, more severe and more 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 due to osteochondrosis.In order to find out the real reason and understand 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 appointment, the neurologist will ask you a few questions:
- How long have you suffered from headaches or neck pain?
- Where does the pain occur?What is their nature: stabbing, hurting, shooting, shooting?
- When does the pain usually occur?What triggers it?After what do you feel better?
- Have you ever consulted a doctor?Have you been examined and treated?Which?How long ago?
- What other symptoms bother you?
- What other chronic illnesses do you suffer from?
- Have you recently had a neck injury?
The doctor will then carry out a neurological examination, 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 lightly press on your head and certain points on your neck to determine whether pain is occurring.
After the examination, you will be diagnosed 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 indications, radiological contrast 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).
- CT scan.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- If you have serious neurological conditions, you may be ordered an electroneuromyography, a study that determines the passage of electrical impulses through nerves and muscles.
Often the manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis resemble angina.If after the examination the doctor still has doubts about the diagnosis, you will be prescribed an ECG and other diagnostic methods.