Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine accounts for a quarter of cases of osteochondrosis. He is the "youngest" and often affects people under the age of 30. The disease develops gradually, slowly but steadily. In the early stages of the development of cervical osteochondrosis, it can be generally asymptomatic and is detected accidentally during X-ray examination.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The disease manifests itself as dull aching pains in the shoulder area, under the shoulder blades in the chest, numbness and the appearance of "gas lumps" in the chest, stiffness of movements. Often the pain is belt-like, accompanied by angina pectoris, there may be unpleasant pain in the stomach and shortness of breath. Sometimes short-term sharp pains are observed.
Causes of destruction of vertebral discs and compression of nerve endings in the spinal cord can include scoliosis acquired in adolescence, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, the same type of lumbar load and prolonged sitting. .
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: symptoms
The most important, first and most common symptom of cervical lumbar osteochondrosis is pain. Tightens when the head is bent or turned.
Depending on the location of the pathological focus, the pain may be in the back of the head, under the scapula or in the arm.
It can be constant, painful. It can occur from time to time, but as the disease progresses, it worries a person more and more. The pain is sharp and shooting. This is a symptom of an exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, which can manifest itself after hypothermia of the body.
Head movements are generally difficult. This is due to the constant tension of the muscles in the neck area and neck. A crunch is often heard when leaning forward or turning your head.
In the later stages of cervical osteochondrosis, a person cannot hold his head for a long time. Sometimes he can't turn or bend without feeling a strong pain. The patient tries to support his head with his hands or tries to take a comfortable position to relieve his pain.
Vertebral artery syndrome
This group of symptoms is caused by compression of the vertebral artery by a displaced intervertebral disc, enlarged cartilage tissue, or tense muscles. The syndrome has a number of symptoms, including cervical migraine, poor consciousness and increased blood pressure.
Cervical migraine is a headache that results in decreased blood flow and lack of oxygen to the tissues. The pain is often unilateral. Gives pain, first of all, the back of the head. Possible radiation to the ear, eye or forehead.
Sometimes hearing loss occurs and the ears begin to ring. Possible visual impairment. Double in the eyes, "flies flash" before the eyes. The scalp can be so painful that it cannot be touched. Headache with cervical spine osteochondrosis is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Cervical osteochondrosis and compression of the vertebral artery are often a symptom of increased blood pressure. However, cervical spine osteochondrosis and hypertension are not always related. It should be noted that in old age, many people experience an increase in blood pressure.
Only after studying the history of cervical osteochondrosis can a doctor determine whether hypertension is a complication of the disease. If you have a history of recurrent attacks of arterial hypertension accompanied by palpitations and fear of death, this is most likely one of the signs of vertebral artery constriction. If the increase in pressure occurs gradually and there are no frequent hypertensive crises, it is likely that the patient has hypertension unrelated to osteochondrosis.
Impairment of consciousness occurs when there is not enough blood supply to the brain. There is drowsiness, dizziness, decreased speed of reaction to external stimuli. Short-term loss of consciousness occurs.
Rehabilitation after spinal cord injury
What are the most dangerous symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis? Undoubtedly, this is a spinal cord injury - the death of part of the spinal cord due to the complete absence of blood flow in the constricted arteries. It always leads to disability, paresis and paralysis. Fortunately, spinal cord injuries are rare.
Heart syndrome
Symptoms of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis include heart pain. Occurs due to compression of the posterior roots of the fourth spinal nerve. In fact, heart pain can be attributed to radicular syndrome. However, this symptom is specific and is therefore isolated as a separate syndrome.
Heart pain with osteochondrosis can mimic angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. However, when a patient seeks medical attention, a competent physician can immediately rule out heart disease only on the basis of the patient's symptoms and complaints.
- First, the presence of other symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae in the patient will lead the specialist to the conclusion that the cause of the pain in the heart may be problems with the spine;
- Second, the pain is not as strong and acute as in myocardial infarction and is not accompanied by fear of death. Unlike an angina attack, it is not related to physical activity;
- Third, such pain is long enough and does not pass or decrease after taking nitroglycerin;
- Fourth, the pain increases with dizziness or bending, which is not observed with "real" heart disease.
Radicular syndrome
Radicular syndrome combines symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis that develop as a result of compression of the roots of the spinal nerves. Depending on the level of pinching, different symptoms of cervical lumbar intervertebral osteochondrosis may develop.
Compression of the roots at the level of the first or second segment causes occlusion of the occipital skin or pain in the occipital region.
Compression of the roots of the third spinal nerve causes the skin behind the tongue and ear to become numb. When the motor fibers are compressed, it becomes difficult for a person to chew food and the tongue becomes enlarged.
Compression of the roots at the level of the fourth segment of the spinal cord causes pain in the heart and collarbone, hiccups and pharyngeal migraine. There is a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, it is difficult to swallow food. There may be a sore throat that mimics a sore throat. However, the differential diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis and tonsillitis is not difficult. Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils is always accompanied by hyperthermia, body temperature does not rise with cervical spine osteochondrosis.
Symptoms for cervical osteochondrosis
The most common symptom of compression of the roots of the fifth spinal nerve is a violation of the mobility of the shoulder muscles. It is difficult for the patient to raise his hand and take it aside.
Squeezing the roots of the sixth segment causes the most pain in the scapula and forearm. It is difficult for the patient to bend his arm.
The seventh pair of spinal nerves primarily innervates the hand, index and middle fingers. Pinching impairs the mobility of these parts of the body, causing numbness or pain.
Pinching at the level of the eighth segment makes it difficult for the ring finger and little finger to bend and stretch. There may be pain and emotional disturbances. However, these manifestations can already be attributed to the symptoms of cervicothoracic spinal osteochondrosis, because the roots of the eighth spinal nerve are located between the seventh cervical and first thoracic vertebrae.
What is the danger of cervical osteochondrosis? First of all, with complications. The appearance of intervertebral hernias can lead to compression of the spinal cord and the development of paresis and paralysis. Treatment should be started as soon as the first symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear. Properly selected therapy will slow the progression of the disease, improve the patient's quality of life and prevent complications of cervical osteochondrosis.