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 provokes the development of a whole complex of symptoms that completely subjugate the patient's life.

General information

The intervertebral discs consist of a gelatinous nucleus and a dense fibrous ring surrounding it, covered on top with a layer of cartilaginous tissue. They perform a cushioning function, preventing damage to the vertebrae during running, walking and jumping, and also contribute to the mobility and flexibility of the entire spine.

In the process of natural aging, as well as under conditions of increased load, a gradual decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc occurs. 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 occur 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 one can suspect a disease.

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), which contribute to the uneven distribution of the load on the spine;
• congenital pathologies of the development of the spine, as well as injuries;
• excessive and repetitive stress on the spine;
• hereditary predisposition.

Symptoms and syndromes

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis do not appear immediately and are often masked by other diseases.

The most common signs include:

• dizziness - as a rule, with osteochondrosis, it is systemic, that is, it seems to a person that the surrounding objects rotate before his eyes;
• pain in the back of the head, neck, neck area: its intensity depends on the degree of development of the disease; mild and episodic in the initial stage, it spreads to the whole head and becomes permanent; periodically the attacks become unbearable, as a result of which a person cannot even move his head;
• ringing or ringing in the ears: occurs when you change 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 in front of the eyes - indicate insufficient blood supply to the brain; occur in the advanced stages of the disease;
• blood pressure fluctuations that are difficult to correct with medication;
• sudden fainting due to vasospasm;
• sensation of lump in the throat, sweating, dryness, swallowing problems: these 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 symptom complex is associated with damage to the bones and cartilage of the spine. Includes:

• reduced mobility in the cervical region;
• pain when turning the head;
• Radiographic 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:

• tinnitus in the ears;
• dizziness;
• blood pressure jumps;
• nausea and vomit;
• headache;
• visual impairment;
• decrease in working capacity;
• drowsiness;
• fainting.

Heart syndrome

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

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

radicular syndrome

The condition is associated with damage (compression or pinching) of the nerve roots emerging from the spine 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 and little fingers.

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.

phases

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 stages. The height of the disc becomes even smaller, the pathological growth of the cartilaginous tissue begins, protrusions (protrusions) appear. The pain becomes stronger, stiffness in the cervical region joins it.
• 3 stages. The fibrous ring surrounding the core of the disc tears, an intervertebral hernia is formed. The spine is noticeably deformed, the risk of dislocations and subluxations of the vertebrae increases. The pain becomes permanent, other symptoms of osteochondrosis join it.
• 4 stages. Irreversible changes occur in the spine: 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 the changes become clearly visible;
• magnetic resonance imaging - due to the high degree of visualization, it allows you to see even the initial changes; it is currently the main diagnostic method;
• duplex scan 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 pain zones and the degree of mobility of the spine, evaluate the quality of reflexes. For differential diagnosis with other diseases with similar symptoms, the following may be prescribed:

• ECG, ultrasound of the heart;
• daily ECG and blood pressure monitoring;
• 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 normal functioning of the nerve roots and, if possible, stop or slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue. Depending on the situation they are assigned:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (meloxicam, diclofenac, nimesulide, etc. ): aimed at relieving pain and inflammation; they 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;
• B vitamins in the form of injections or tablets (milgamma, neuromultivit) - help 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 to improve microcirculation in the vessels of the brain, drugs that block nausea and dizziness, etc. may also be prescribed.

Non-pharmacological treatment

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

• Physiotherapy:
• laser therapy;
• magnetic therapy;
• UHF therapy;
• phonophoresis and electrophoresis;

Nondrug treatment helps 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 strengthen the muscular structure and stabilize the spine;
• reduces the load on the vertebral discs;
• eliminates spasms and muscle blockages.

Surgery

The help of surgeons is needed 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 the arch of the vertebra, thereby reducing the load on the root of the spinal cord;
• 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 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 the mobility of the neck.

Prevention

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

• lead an active lifestyle, avoid hypodynamia;
• minimize or eliminate heavy lifting;
• sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow;
• Warm up regularly if you have to work at the computer for a long time.

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

Treatment in the clinic

Clinic doctors offer their patients complex methods of treating cervical osteochondrosis, including:

• consultations of a vertebrologist;
• modern drug regimens to relieve pain and alleviate the condition;
• drug blocking for quick 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;
• massage therapy;
• acupuncture;
• services of a manual therapist, if needed.

Pathologies of the cervical spine

It is the violations of the cervical spine that are most often accompanied by weakness and headache, since important blood vessels, the vertebral arteries, pass through it. They are responsible for adequate nutrition of the brain, and therefore, when 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 headache, weakness and a number of other symptoms. These include:

Very often today, people of different ages, genders, social status are diagnosed with osteochondrosis, as well as its complications - intervertebral protrusions and 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 passing right there.

If untreated degenerative-dystrophic changes in the discs progress and a bulge forms over time - a protrusion of part of the disc outward. It tends to gradually increase in size and subsequently turn into an intervertebral hernia. In such cases, the risk of nerve root compression increases markedly.

Also, osteochondrosis and its complications are accompanied by the formation of bone and cartilaginous growths - osteophytes - on the surface of the vertebral bodies. They can reach large dimensions and, like hernias, mechanically compress the vertebral arteries, causing weakness and headaches. At the same time, headache 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 leaning, 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 sensitivity of various parts of the upper extremities, occiput, neck;
• difficulty swallowing, etc.

The disease cannot go away on its own. It is characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission, but 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 urgently see a doctor

In some cases, when a headache occurs in combination with weakness, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor, as they may indicate the development of dangerous diseases and conditions, including stroke and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain).

The warning symptoms are:

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

Diagnosis and treatment

Therefore, headache and weakness can accompany both relatively harmless conditions and serious illnesses. If they occur with enviable regularity and there are other symptoms, you should consult a doctor - a neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist. But when it is difficult to guess for yourself what exactly caused the violation of general well-being and headache, 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 headache 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 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 the headache and weakness and, thus, to choose an effective treatment strategy. It is developed individually for each patient and is aimed at both improving the general condition and eliminating the detected disease. Therefore, for the treatment of headache and weakness can be used:

• drug therapy, including individually selected drugs, especially NSAIDs, against migraine, to improve blood supply to the brain, highly specific drugs;
• physiotherapeutic procedures that help to 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 these 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 get rid of it.