Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative disease in which there is literally "premature aging", "wear and tear" of the intervertebral discs, the joints and the vertebrae of the cervical spine.
Some facts about the disease:
- Osteochondrosis of the neck occurs in men and women about the same frequency.
- Most people ages 30 to 60 get sick.
- As a general rule, pathology occurs in people who at work have to constantly be in one position and make monotonous movements.
- The cervical spine has some structural features, so the disease can have many different manifestations.
What characteristics of the cervical spine cause the symptoms of osteochondrosis?
- There are holes in the lateral processes of the vertebrae; through them, the carotid arteries pass through them to the right and left, which supply the brain.
- 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 sensation. 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 great mobility, but alsoexperiences the most stress).
- In the neck region, nerve roots emerge from the intervertebral foramen and form the cervical and brachial plexuses. 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 anterior part - a body - it is a bony ring that is placed on a tooth - a bony outgrowth on the second vertebra. Thanks to this, it is possible to turn the head sideways.
Neck pain, headaches, feeling of weakness, numbness in the hands are symptoms that should require you to consult a neurologist. Examination by a specialist and examination with modern equipment will help to understand the causes of 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, the osteochondrosis lesion covers the intervertebral discs. They become thinner, thus reducing the distance between adjacent vertebrae. Small tears are formed, microcracks on the outside. Over time, this can lead to a herniated disc.
- As a result of disc damage, the stability of the vertebral connection is impaired.
- Suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and intervertebral joints; spondyloarthrosis develops. It also contributes to the compression of the 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 is trying to compensate for this violation, bone growths, osteophytes, appear on it.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
During an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra, traction (the patient is placed on a bed with a raised head and the head is fixed with a special tie) is used to relieve the intervertebral discs. For the same purpose, you must wear a necklace from Shants. Analgesics and anti-inflammatories are prescribed to relieve pain. In case of severe pain that does not go away in any way, the doctor can 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, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine includes massages, physical therapy exercises, physical therapy.
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 stop self-medicating and see a specialist doctor.
First of all, painkillers and folk methods, while helping to relieve pain for a time, do not solve the main problem. Pathological changes in the spine continue to grow. Over time, this threatens more serious consequences. To the point that surgical intervention may be necessary.
Second, 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 force 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: on the neck, on the shoulder girdle, on the hand, in the region of the heart. By nature, pain is dull, it can be burning, painful.
Other manifestations of the disease:
- Headaches, dizziness, flies in front of the eyes, noises, ringing in the ears.
- Weakness in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle, arms.
- Skin sensitivity disorder.
- Shoulder-scapular periarthritis: painful neck pain spreading to the arm, difficulty in abducting the arm above 90 °, weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
- 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, squeezing the nerves, as a result, a reflex spasm of the vertebral artery occurs, which is involved in the supply of blood to the brain. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are accompanied by constant headaches starting from the back of the head, spreading to the temple, to the crown of the head, nausea, noise in the head, ringing in the ears, flashing of bright spots beforethe eyes.
- Anterior scalene muscle syndrome. In the neck is the anterior and middle scalene muscle: they are located next to each other, 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 tightens and squeezes, 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 occurs.
- Epicondylitis syndrome. On the lower part of the shoulder, on the sides of the elbow joint, there are bony protrusions - epicondyle. With epicondylitis syndrome caused by cervical osteochondrosis, they experience painful sensations that increase when pressed. Other symptoms are also present: neck pain, pain when pressing certain points of 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 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 is better not to self-medicate. Even if you have tried and true methods that generally help you manage pain, that doesn't mean you're 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, you need to understand its causes and conduct differential diagnoses. This is only possible in a clinic.
To identify the cause of the disease and correctly treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, you need to visit a neurologist and undergo an examination.
At the heart of cervical osteochondrosis is the defeat of the intervertebral discs. Their chemical composition is violated, at first they swell, then they decrease in size, cracks and tears appear on their outer part, they become more dense. Then the degenerative process spreads to the vertebrae, intervertebral joints. Due to a decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc, the load on the vertebrae increases, and bone growths appear on them - osteophytes.
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 column changes. However, almost everyone over the age of 40 has changes in the skeleton, but not everyone has osteochondrosis.
- Neck injuries. Often, among the causes of the disease, trauma is indicated: bruised neck, compression fracture, vertebral subluxation. Chronic injuries, such as during intense training of athletes, persistent and awkward bent postures and repeated whiplash injuries in motorists, can be of concern.
- Congenital anomalies of the vertebrae: cervical ribs, fusion of adjacent vertebrae, fusion of the first vertebra with the occipital bone, etc.
- Profession. Most often, the disease affects people who work in a monotonous position, constantly make the same type of movement.
- Disorder of the blood flow of the spine, venous insufficiency, edema in the area of the nerve roots.
- Autoimmune disorders.Conditions in which the immune system does not work properly, it attacks its own connective tissue, the body's ligaments.
Visit a neurologist. An experienced healthcare professional 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 stop bothering for a time. Another exacerbation can be triggered for the following reasons:
- Clumsy and jerky movement of the neck.
- Prolonged stay in a monotonous and uncomfortable position. For example, the neck may start to hurt after working at 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 lead to the appearance of another exacerbation.
- Various diseases, exacerbations of chronic diseases.
- Hypothermia. For this reason, in the fall exacerbations occur in many people.
- Incorrect illiterate self-medication. For example, massage and therapeutic exercises are helpful during remission, but are contraindicated during an exacerbation.
What diseases can have similar manifestations?
Very often, the 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 such as myofascial pain syndrome. The pain arises from the constant tension of the same muscles.
The manifestation of "cervical osteochondrosis" is sometimes considered dizziness associated with otolithiasis, a condition in which crystals of calcium salts accumulate in the inner ear.
Neck pain and cracking, 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 handle it yourself?
However, self-healing often doesn't lead to anything good. Painful attacks over time can become more frequent, strong, and prolonged. If you take pain relievers uncontrollably almost every day, you may have stomach or kidney problems. After all, any drug has side effects.
And the cause of pain is not always the main cause of osteochondrosis. To find out the real cause and understand how to treat it effectively, you need to visit a doctor and undergo an examination.
How does a neurologist diagnose cervical osteochondrosis? What happens in the doctor's office during the exam?
During your first visit, the neurologist will ask you some questions:
- How long have you had headaches, neck pain?
- Where does the pain occur? What kind of character are they: stab, pain, shoot, shoot?
- When does pain usually appear? What causes it? After what do you feel better?
- Have you already visited a doctor? Has it been examined and treated? Which? How long?
- What other symptoms concern you?
- What other chronic diseases do you have?
- Have you recently suffered a neck injury?
Next, the doctor will perform a neurological exam, checking your reflexes, skin sensitivity, muscle strength, and tone. You will be asked to turn, tilt your head sideways, back and forth. The doctor will press lightly on your head, at certain points on the neck, to determine the appearance of pain.
After the exam, you will be diagnosed and the necessary diagnostic methods will be prescribed.
What diagnostic methods are used for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
The cervical osteochondrosis examination generally 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 surrounding 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, you may be prescribed electroneuromyography, a test that determines the passage of electrical impulses through nerves and muscles.
The manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis often resemble angina pectoris. If, after the examination, the doctor still has doubts about the diagnosis, an ECG and other diagnostic methods will be prescribed.