Cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative disease in which there is a thinning of the discs located between the vertebrae, followed by their replacement with bone tissue. As the degenerative process progresses, the surrounding structures are involved. This causes the development of a whole complex of symptoms that completely subjugate the patient's life.

general information

The intervertebral discs consist of a gel-like nucleus and a dense fibrous ring surrounding it, covered on top with a layer of cartilaginous tissue. They perform a shock-absorbing function, preventing damage to the vertebrae when running, walking and jumping, and also contribute to the mobility and flexibility of the entire spinal column.

In the process of natural aging, as well as under conditions of increased load, there is a gradual decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc. The metabolism in its core is disturbed, cracks appear in the surrounding fibrous ring. There are protrusions of discs - protrusions and hernias. As the disease progresses, cartilage tissue and bones are involved in it, osteophytes appear - bone growths that cause limited mobility and severe pain.

Since pathological changes take place in the immediate vicinity of the spinal cord and its roots, this leads to their compression and inflammation, as well as the reflex development of muscle spasm. As a result, a person experiences characteristic symptoms by which a disease can be suspected.

The reasons

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine refers to multifactorial diseases. It occurs against the background of a whole complex of factors, each of which exacerbates 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 (scoliosis, flat feet), contributing to uneven distribution of the load on the spine;
• congenital pathologies of the development of the spinal column, as well as injuries;
• excessive, repetitive stress on the spine;
• hereditary predisposition.

Symptoms and Syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis do not appear immediately and are often disguised as other diseases.

The most common signs include:

• dizziness: as a rule, with osteochondrosis, it is systemic, i. e. it seems to a person that the surrounding objects rotate before his eyes;
• pain in the back of the head, neck, collar zone: its intensity depends on the degree of development of the disease; mild and episodic at an early stage, it spreads to the whole head and becomes permanent; periodically 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 immobility, often accompanied by dizziness;
• a feeling of lack of air, the inability to take a deep breath; 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, flickering flies or fog before the eyes: indicate an insufficient supply of blood to the brain; occur at advanced stages of the disease;
• fluctuations in blood pressure that are difficult to correct with drugs;
• sudden fainting due to vasospasm;
• sensation of a lump in the throat, perspiration, dryness, problems with swallowing: they are often one of the first signs of pathology.
• shoulder pain
• numbness of fingers

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

Vertebral syndrome

The complex of symptoms is associated with damage to the bones and cartilage of the spinal column. It includes:

• impaired mobility 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 the blood supply to the brain. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• noise in ears;
• dizziness;
• jumps in blood pressure;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache;
• visual impairment;
• decrease in working capacity;
• drowsiness;
• fainting.

Cardiac syndrome

It resembles a condition with damage to the heart muscle and includes:

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

radicular syndrome

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

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

Most 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 goes through four successive stages (degrees), 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, with a long stay in an uncomfortable position.
• 2 stage. The height of the disc becomes even smaller, the pathological growth of cartilaginous tissue begins, protrusions (protrusions) occur. The pain becomes stronger, stiffness in the cervical region joins it.
• 3 stage. The fibrous ring surrounding the nucleus of the disc is torn, an intervertebral hernia is formed. The spinal column is noticeably deformed, the risk of dislocations and subluxations of the vertebrae increases. The pain becomes permanent, other symptoms of osteochondrosis join it.
• 4 stage. Irreversible changes occur in the spinal column: bone growths appear, the intervertebral disc is replaced by scar tissue and loses its ability to absorb the load. Symptoms become pronounced and have a significant impact on the patient's lifestyle and well-being. The quality of life is declining.

Diagnostics

In search of the causes of pain or dizziness, the patient can turn to doctors of various specialties: therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist. For the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, a comprehensive examination is required, which includes:

• radiography and computed tomography: effective only in the later stages of the development of the disease, when changes become clearly visible;
• magnetic resonance imaging: due to the high degree of visualization, it allows you to see even the initial changes; is currently the main diagnostic method;
• duplex scanning of the arteries of the head and neck: allows you to assess the quality of blood flow, to identify vasoconstriction; used to determine the causes of headaches and dizziness.

It is mandatory to conduct a survey and examination of the patient, determine the zones of pain and the degree of mobility of the spinal column, and evaluate the quality of the reflexes. For differential diagnosis with other diseases with similar symptoms, the following may 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:

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

Medical treatment

The main goal of drug treatment is to relieve pain and dizziness, restore the normal functioning of the nerve roots, and, if possible, stop or slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue. Depending on the situation are assigned:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (meloxicam, diclofenac, nimesulide, etc. ): aimed at relieving pain and inflammation; are 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 root;
• chondroprotectors: drugs that help restore cartilage tissue.

Depending on the symptoms, drugs can also be prescribed to improve microcirculation in the vessels of the brain, drugs that block nausea and dizziness, etc.

Non-drug treatment

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

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

Non-drug treatment helps to reduce the severity of symptoms and reduces the frequency and severity of exacerbations. It works indirectly:

• improves blood supply to the affected area, metabolism and regeneration processes;
• enhances the effect of drugs;
• helps to strengthen the muscular frame and stabilize the spinal column;
• reduces the load on the vertebral discs;
• eliminates muscle spasms and blocks.

Surgery

The help of surgeons is necessary in advanced cases of the disease, when medical methods are no longer effective. Several operations are currently in use:

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

It is important to remember 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, comorbidities and the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Complications

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

• ischemic stroke;
• loss of sensation or motor function of the hand;
• difficulty swallowing;
• violation of the thyroid gland;
• loss or significant reduction in visual acuity.

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

Prevention

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

• lead an active lifestyle, avoid hypodynamia;
• minimize or eliminate heavy lifting;
• sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
• Do regular warm-ups if you need to work at the computer for a long time.

The ideal sport for osteochondrosis is swimming. Water unloads the spinal column, and active movements contribute to the formation of the muscular frame.

Treatment in the clinic

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

• consultations of a vertebrologist;
• modern drug regimens for pain relief and relief of the condition;
• drug blockade for rapid pain relief;
• effective types of physiotherapy;
• exercise therapy exercises under the supervision of an experienced instructor, the development of a complex for homework;
• consultations of a rehabilitation doctor;
• massotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• services of a manual therapist if necessary.

Pathologies of the cervical spine

It is violations in the cervical spine that are very often accompanied by weakness and cephalalgia, since important blood vessels, the vertebral arteries, pass through it. They are responsible for adequate nutrition of the brain, and therefore, when they are squeezed by displaced vertebrae or other structures, the blood supply to the brain is disturbed. This leads to the development of ischemia of its tissues, which is accompanied by headaches, weakness and a number of other symptoms. These include:

Very often today, people of different ages, gender, social status are diagnosed with osteochondrosis, as well as its complications - protrusions and intervertebral hernias. These diseases are characterized by the occurrence of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs separating the vertebrae. As a result, their height decreases, which leads to the convergence of the vertebrae and the creation of prerequisites for the infringement of the spinal roots that pass right there.

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

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 lead to weakness and headache. At the same time, cephalgia is one of the main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, even in the absence of damage to the vertebral arteries.

Other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:

• crunch in the neck when tilting, turning the head;
• neck pain radiating to the back of the head, arms;
• reflex spasm of the neck muscles, which increases pain;
• mobility restrictions;
• violations of the sensitivity of various parts of the upper limbs, occiput, neck;
• swallowing difficulties, etc.

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

When to see a doctor urgently

In some cases, when a headache occurs in combination with weakness, you should immediately seek medical help, as they may indicate the development of dangerous diseases and conditions, including stroke and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain).

Warning symptoms are:

• severe headache that occurs suddenly;
• limited ability to tilt the head forward, pressing the chin to the chest, combined with general weakness;
• confusion;
• visual impairment, speech;
• limb numbness.

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: a neurologist, a cardiologist, an endocrinologist. But when it is difficult to guess on your own what exactly caused the violation of general well-being and cephalalgia, it is better to initially contact a therapist. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe additional research methods and, based on their results, taking into account the clinical picture, will establish a diagnosis or refer the patient to a specific specialist for treatment.

To diagnose the causes of headaches and weakness, the following are prescribed:

• KLA, OAM, biochemical blood test - allow you to detect inflammatory processes, as well as disorders in the work of individual organs, metabolism;
• ECG, ultrasound of the heart, vessels of the neck and head - provide data on the work and condition of the blood vessels, heart muscle;
• EEG - allows you to detect changes in the functioning 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.

Based on the results of the studies, it is almost always possible to establish the cause of headache and weakness, and therefore, to choose an effective treatment strategy. It is developed individually for each patient and is aimed both at improving the general condition and at eliminating the detected disease. Therefore, for the treatment of headache and weakness can be used:

• drug therapy, including individually selected drugs, in particular NSAIDs, against migraine, to improve the blood supply to the brain, highly specific drugs;
• physiotherapy procedures that help increase the effectiveness of other methods of treatment and consolidate the results achieved;
• manual therapy, the main purpose of which is to restore the spine, the state of which depends on the work of all organs and systems.

In any case, alarming 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 avoid increased weakness, progression of existing pathological changes, associated complications, and in a short time. After all, the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to eliminate it.