Osteochondrosis of the neck is a degenerative disease in which there is literally "premature aging", "wear and tear" of the intervertebral discs, joints and vertebrae in the cervical spine.
Some facts about the disease:
- Osteochondrosis of the neck occurs approximately equally often in men and women.
- People aged 30-60 are most often affected.
- As a rule, the pathology manifests itself in people who, during work, must constantly be in one position and make monotonous movements.
- The cervical spine has some structural features, due to which the disease can have many different manifestations.
What characteristics 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 area, neurological disorders occur throughout the body.
- This part of the spine has great mobility, and this predisposes to the appearance of osteochondrosis (although in most cases the disease still develops in the lumbar region - it not only has high mobility, but also experiences the greatest stress).
- In the neck region, the 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, the sensitivity of the skin, the regulation of vegetative functions.
- The first vertebra does not have a massive front part - body - it is a bony ring that fits the tooth - a bony outgrowth of the second vertebra.Thanks to this, it is possible to turn the head to the side.
Neck pain, headache, feeling of weakness, numbness of the hands are symptoms that should prompt you to consult a neurologist.An examination by a specialist and an examination using modern equipment will help you understand the causes of the pathology and take the most effective measures.
What happens to the vertebrae in cervical osteochondrosis?
The vague 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, thereby reducing the distance between adjacent vertebrae.Small tears and microcracks form in their outer parts.Over time, this can lead to a herniated disc.
- As a result of disc damage, the stability of the spinal connection is disturbed.
- The intervertebral joints also suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical region - 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 impaired, the load on them increases.The spine tries to compensate for this disorder and bone growths appear on it - osteophytes.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
During an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, traction is used (the patient is placed on a bed with a raised headboard and the head is fixed with a special loop) to relieve the intervertebral discs.For the same purpose, you should wear a Shants collar.Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for pain relief.In case of severe pain that does not go away, the doctor can perform a blockade: inject an anesthetic solution in 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 massage, physiotherapy and physiotherapy.
One of the main signs of cervical osteochondrosis is neck pain.Many people who encounter 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 consult a specialist doctor.
First, painkillers and traditional methods, although they help temporarily relieve pain, do not solve the underlying problem.Pathological changes in the spine continue to increase.Over time, this can lead to more serious consequences.To the point where surgery may be necessary.
Secondly, neck pain occurs not only with osteochondrosis.There are many other reasons.Only a doctor can understand and prescribe the right treatment.
What symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should make you see a doctor?
The main symptom of cervical osteochondrosis is pain.It can appear in different places, depending on the level at which the pathological process is localized: in the neck, in the shoulder girdle, in the hand, in the area of the heart.The pain is dull in nature and may be burning or aching.
Other manifestations of the disease:
- Headache, dizziness, spots before the eyes, noise, ringing in the ears.
- Weakness in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle and arms.
- Impaired skin sensitivity.
- Shoulder periarthritis: pain in the neck that spreads to the arm, difficulty abducting the arm beyond 90°, weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
- Shoulder-hand syndrome: pain in the shoulder and arm, swelling and stiffness of the fingers, weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the arm.
- Vertebral artery syndrome.Bone growths appear on the vertebrae, which press on the nerves, which leads to a reflex spasm of the vertebral artery, which is involved in the blood supply to the brain.Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include constant headaches that start from the back of the head, spread to the temple, to the crown of the head, nausea, noise in the head, ringing in the ears, flashing bright spots before the eyes.
- Anterior scalene syndrome.On the neck there are anterior and middle scalene muscles - they are close, and between them there is a small space in which nerves and blood vessels pass.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the anterior scalene muscle is strained and presses on them, which leads 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 of the hand may become cold, pale and numb.
- Epicondylitis syndrome.In the lower part of the shoulder, on the side of the elbow joint, there are bony protrusions - epicondyles.In epicondylitis syndrome caused by cervical osteochondrosis, pain appears in them, which increases with pressure.Other symptoms also appear: 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 cervico-thoracic 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, consult your doctor.
It is better not to self-medicate.Even if you have proven methods that usually help to deal with pain, it does not mean that you are 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 the disease, you need to understand its causes and perform a differential diagnosis.This is only possible in clinical settings.
In order to identify the cause of the disease and properly treat the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, you should visit 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, they become denser.The degenerative process then spreads to the vertebrae and intervertebral joints.By reducing the height of the intervertebral disc, the load on the vertebrae increases and bone growths - osteophytes - appear on them.
What are the causes of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae?
There is no consensus on the causes of cervical osteochondrosis.It is believed that the disease is caused by different conditions, there are different points of view:
- Age-related changes in the spine.But almost all people over 40 have changes in the skeleton, but not everyone develops osteochondrosis.
- Neck injuries.Often, the causes of the disease include a previous trauma: neck bruise, compression fracture, vertebral subluxation.Chronic injuries can be important, for example during intense training in athletes, constant work in an uncomfortable position, bent 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.
- Profession.More 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 in the area of nerve roots.
- Autoimmune disorders.Conditions in which the immune system does not work properly and attacks the body's own connective tissue and ligaments.
See a neurologist.An experienced specialist will understand the source of your health problems and prescribe the right treatment.
Causes of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis manifests itself in the form of alternating exacerbations and periods of improvement, when the symptoms stop bothering you for a while.Another exacerbation can be caused by the following reasons:
- Awkward, sudden neck movement.
- Staying in a monotonous uncomfortable position for a long time.For example, your neck may start to hurt after prolonged computer work or after sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow.
- Stress, nervous tension.With chronic stress, spasms appear in the neck muscles, which can cause a new exacerbation.
- Various diseases, exacerbations of chronic diseases.
- Hypothermia.For this reason, many people experience flare-ups in the fall.
- Improper, illiterate self-medication.For example, massage and therapeutic exercises are helpful during remission but contraindicated during 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 lie in the muscles - there is a condition called myofascial pain syndrome.Pain occurs due to constant tension in the same muscles.
Sometimes dizziness associated with otolithiasis, a condition in which crystals of calcium salts accumulate in the inner ear, is taken as a manifestation of "cervical osteochondrosis".
Pain and grinding in the neck, headache - when these symptoms appear, many people are "diagnosed" with osteochondrosis.Everything is clear - when it hurts, you need to take painkillers or get an injection, apply heat and everything will go away.Why go to the doctor if you can do it yourself?
However, self-medication often does not lead to anything good.Pain attacks can become more frequent, severe and prolonged over time.If you uncontrollably take painkillers almost every day, you can get stomach or kidney problems.After all, every drug has side effects.
And not always the cause of the pain is osteochondrosis.To find out the real reason and find out how to effectively deal with it, you should visit a doctor and undergo an examination.
How does a neurologist diagnose cervical osteochondrosis?What happens in the doctor's office during an examination?
During your first appointment, the neurologist will ask you a few questions:
- How long have you had a headache or neck pain?
- Where does the pain occur?What is their nature: stabbing, pain, shooting, pulling?
- When does the pain usually occur?What triggers it?What makes you feel better?
- Have you seen a doctor yet?Have you been examined and treated?which ones?how long ago
- What other symptoms are bothering you?
- What other chronic diseases do you have?
- Have you recently had a neck injury?
The doctor will then perform a neurological exam, checking your reflexes, skin sensitivity, muscle strength and tone.You will be asked to turn around, tilt your head to the side, forward, back.The doctor will apply gentle pressure on your head and certain points on your neck to determine the onset of pain.
After the examination, you will be given a diagnosis and the necessary diagnostic methods will be prescribed.
What diagnostic methods are used for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
Examination for cervical osteochondrosis usually includes the following diagnostic methods:
- X-ray of the cervical vertebrae.
- According to the indications, X-ray contrast studies are prescribed: myelography (contrast injection into the space around the spinal cord), discography (contrast injection into the intervertebral disc), angiography (contrast injection into the vessels).
- Computed tomography.
- Nuclear magnetic resonance.
- If you have severe neurological diseases, you may be prescribed an electroneuromyography, a study that determines the passage of electrical impulses in the nerves and muscles.
Often the manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis resemble angina pectoris.If after the examination the doctor still has doubts about the diagnosis, he will prescribe an ECG and other diagnostic methods.