Causes, symptoms and treatment methods of cervical osteochondrosis

21 January 2024

Among all pathological processes that affect the spine in its various parts, cervical osteochondrosis is considered one of the most common. This disease leads to many complications, mainly because it affects the spinal cord and also negatively affects the functioning of the brain.

According to statistics for 2017, the disease has become significantly younger. If previously osteochondrosis mainly affected people after 40 years, today various stages of cervical osteochondrosis are diagnosed in 90% of people over 25 years old. For this reason, it is important to know as much as possible about the pathology, from what it is to treatment methods.

What is cervical osteochondrosis?

In medical practice, the words cervical osteochondrosis mean an acquired progressive disease that affects a specific part of the spine. This pathological process is characterized by degenerative-dystrophic processes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs, which are shock absorbers for the cervical vertebrae.

Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs are caused by the fact that they are worn and deformed. As a result, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and as a result the following consequences appear:

Narrowing of the spinal canal in certain areas of the spine.
Compression of the vertebral arteries - large blood vessels that provide blood supply to the brain. Because of this, the supply to the brain deteriorates and blood circulation in the cervical spinal cord is disturbed.
Intervertebral discs can become deformed and flattened. This leads to compression of certain areas of the spinal cord and nerves, most often compression of the nerve roots.

All these problems threaten not only impaired blood circulation in the brain, neck pain, headaches, etc. The development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is dangerous with neurological problems, deterioration of the central nervous system and damage to brain tissue.

According to the International Classification of Diseases, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is assigned to several separate codes. The disease code according to ICD 10 depends on the age at which the disease was diagnosed:

M02 – intervertebral disc dystrophy in adolescence.
M42. 12 – degenerative process in the neck area in adults.

Many factors depend on the age of the patient and the degree of development of the pathological process, for example, consequences, complications, symptoms and, of course, principles of treatment.

Reasons

Knowing the causes of the development of cervical osteochondrosis can play a decisive role in the diagnostic process, as well as in determining the principles of combating the disease.

However, before listing the reasons, it is worth saying that doctors identify two factors that lead to the development of this pathological process:

Pathological - the destruction of the intervertebral discs and other spinal structures with the participation of nearby tissues, vessels and nerve bundles in the pathological process occurs under the influence of adverse external factors. The more serious these factors and other pathologies are, the faster the disease develops.
Normal - the development of pathology is mainly based on age-related changes. We are talking about natural aging of the cartilage tissue in the spine, calcium deposits, etc.

If we list more specific causes of cervical osteochondrosis, they are as follows:

Disorders of metabolic processes in the body, as well as certain stages of obesity.
Physical inactivity is a phenomenon characterized by limited mobility. We're not just talking about injuries or illnesses, this also includes sedentary life and sedentary work.
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system that contribute to impaired blood circulation in the brain, pressure changes, etc.
Bad posture includes various forms of scoliosis, rheumatism and even flat feet.
Injury to the cervical spine. In this case we are talking about sprains, bumps, bruises. Injuries to other parts of the spine can affect the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
Excessive physical stress on the cervical spine, caused by vigorous sports or severe physical exertion, depending on the type of activity of the person.

A sedentary lifestyle is also dangerous because of the constant tension on the cervical spine and the entire spine if you sit incorrectly or on uncomfortable furniture.
Hernia of the cervical spine, as well as various accompanying diseases.
Forced holding of the head for a long time in an uncomfortable or unnatural position. In this case, not only muscle strain occurs, but the spine in the cervical region also bends.
Doctors consider constant stress and nervous tension to be a very common cause.
One of the reasons is also considered to be congenital abnormalities in the structure of the spine.

What health risks does it pose?

As mentioned earlier, the cervical region of the spine contains not only the spinal cord and various nerve branches, but also the vertebral arteries that supply blood to the occipital part of the brain, the cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata.

With the development of cervical osteochondrosis, the nearby tissues become inflamed. In addition, the development of pathology threatens to compress the nerve roots and put pressure on the blood vessels, the consequences of which are as follows:

Osteochondrosis is accompanied by deformations of the spine, resulting in the narrowing of the spinal canal in certain areas. This can lead to compression of the spinal cord and nerve branches, which promises serious neurological problems. In severe cases, a person feels pain, and there is even a possibility of loss of control in certain parts of the body (mainly hands or face).
The compression of the vessels of the neck, as already mentioned, is accompanied by a disturbance of circulation in the occipital region of the brain. In this case, the brain stops receiving oxygen and nutrients in the required quantities, and oxygen starvation begins. If blood circulation is disturbed, there is a real risk of ischemic stroke and various neurological pathologies.

Syndromes

Speaking of the risk that cervical osteochondrosis poses as it progresses and does not have proper treatment, the disease can lead to a number of complications and syndromes.

The main syndromes are:

Spinal.
Vertebral artery.
Koreshkovy.
Cardiac.

It is important to know that each of these symptoms is accompanied by painful sensations of a different nature, as well as a number of adverse clinical signs. A person may feel dizzy, tinnitus and more.

Spinal syndrome

It speaks of a direct connection between cervical osteochondrosis and bone and cartilage tissues. The symptoms of this type of pathology are also associated with damage to the mentioned tissues:

Neck movements are partially or completely restricted.
Head movements are accompanied by painful sensations in the neck area.
X-ray shows morphological changes in the tissues (intervertebral and vertebral bodies).

It is worth noting that the spinal syndrome is always accompanied by these three clinical signs. If at least 1 of them is missing, the diagnosis will be completely different.

Vertebral artery syndrome

This syndrome is caused by a narrowing of the vertebral artery, which leads to vestibular, vascular and autonomic problems. In this case, the main symptoms are extensive:

Headaches and migraines.
Vision problem.
Noises in the ears.
Frequent dizziness and more.

The most dangerous symptom is fainting, which indicates severe oxygen deprivation.

Radical syndrome

It occurs when the roots of the spinal cord are damaged. In this case, nerve conduction is disturbed, a person may feel pain or lose sensitivity in certain parts of the body or even suffer from paralysis.

Depending on which of the 8 pairs of roots the conduction disorder occurs, the following symptoms are identified:

1 pair – numbness or pain in the back of the head.
3rd pair - weakened chewing reflex, numbness of the tongue and unpleasant sensations behind the ears.
4 pairs - pain in the collarbone area, weakened swallowing reflex.
5 pairs – disorders of the shoulder girdle, accompanied by problems with hand movement.
6th pair - the patient begins to feel pain and numbness in the forearm and shoulder blades.
7th pair – hands and fingers (usually index and middle) are numb.
8th pair – problems similar to the previous point, but the numbness is felt in the finger and little finger.

Based on the described features, it is sometimes possible to determine which pair of roots is affected by root syndrome.

Cardiac syndrome

Despite the fact that the pathological process is still located in the cervical spine, the syndrome has all the signs of cardiac pathologies. The clinical picture is as follows:

Rapid pulse.
Pain in the sternum.
Shortness of breath, weakness, lethargy, reduced performance.

Degree of development of the disease

When we talk about the degree of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, we mean the stages of development of the pathological process, which differ in terms of clinical signs. In total, there are four degrees of development of the disease:

The first stage is characterized by vague symptoms. Patients complain of mild headaches; on initial examination, the physician notes a slight degree of muscle stiffness.
Pain in the cervical spine and head is more frequent, more intense and radiates to the shoulder and arms. The pathology is caused by damage to the intervertebral discs and pinched nerve roots. The pain intensifies when you turn the head, throw it back and bend forward.
In the third stage the pain is constant, there is muscle weakness in the arms and hernias form in the intervertebral discs. Movements in the neck area are limited and there is frequent dizziness.
The fourth stage is accompanied by complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, cartilage tissue is replaced by connective tissue. In addition to pain and dizziness, coordination problems are seen and the vertebral arteries are often pinched.

Cervical osteochondrosis signs and symptoms

To consult a doctor in time, it is necessary to clearly understand the signs of cervical osteochondrosis. In some cases, such knowledge allows you to seek help in the initial stages of the disease, when it is easier to treat.

In general, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are as follows:

Pain in osteochondrosis is always present, only the intensity and frequency differ. Pain is the first clinical sign. Their intensity depends on the stage of development of the disease; they are dull or compressive in nature. Painful sensations are present mainly in the neck and occipital region, but can also radiate to the temporal region, shoulder girdle and arms.
In most cases, there are manifestations of damage to the vestibular apparatus. We are talking about frequent dizziness without cause, nausea, poor coordination of movements, uneven gait, loss of space.
One of the most common clinical signs is neck muscle stiffness and stiffness of movement. It is difficult for a person to turn, lower and throw back his head, the movements are accompanied by pain attacks.
Many patients report a sensation of "goosebumps" running through the scalp or a characteristic tingling sensation.
Muscle weakness and numbness occur in the arm area.
Often there are psychological manifestations, expressed in depression, drowsiness, sudden changes in mood, short temper or irritability.
Due to poor circulation and damage to the brain tissue, the dizziness intensifies and noise in the ears appears, similar to rustling, pulsating and ringing.
Most patients experience worsening vision, as well as pain in the eyeballs, especially when they try to turn their eyes too far to the left, right, up or down.

Sometimes it is possible to determine the degree of development of the pathological process from symptoms. However, for a complete diagnosis this is still not enough and a number of diagnostic measures are required.

Diagnostic methods

The diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis is necessary to determine the location and stage of disease progression. For a complete diagnosis, the following diagnostic methods are required:

X-ray is the main method for determining the degree and location of spinal deformity.
Computed tomography can be used to more accurately diagnose pathological changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - makes it possible to examine the discs and vertebrae in detail, determine the presence of hernias, protrusions, the extent of damage, etc.
Dopplerography - with this examination it becomes possible to find the place of compression of the artery and to assess the degree of circulatory disorders.

Treatment methods

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck always includes a comprehensive approach. The principles of treatment depend on a number of factors, such as the age of the patient, the stage of development of the disease, the severity of the clinical picture, etc.

However, you cannot do without a doctor in this situation and first of all you can contact a general practitioner, who will then refer you to a spondylologist.

As for the comprehensive approach: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated with the help of drug therapy, physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy and other methods, which are worth talking about in more detail.

Pharmaceutical treatment

The basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is drug therapy, which includes the use of tablets, drugs and drugs of the following groups:

Painkillers – analgesics and antispasmodics. The former directly dull the nerve centers, thus relieving the painful sensations. The latter allow you to relieve the spasm of the neck muscles, improving blood flow and suppressing pain.
NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are necessary to reduce inflammation, most of them also eliminate pain. Often these drugs are used in the form of gels or ointments that are rubbed into the affected area.
Muscle relaxants are another way to relieve muscle spasms in the cervical area.
Chondroprotectors are mandatory in certain stages of osteochondrosis of the spine, because they contribute to the restoration of bone tissue.
B vitamins - normalize the metabolic processes of nervous tissue, improving the conduction of nerve impulses and promoting the functioning of the central nervous system.

Remember, the treatment must be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, who is responsible for prescribing each drug, as well as for determining the duration of its use and dosage.

Physiotherapy

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck will be many times more effective using certain physiotherapy techniques:

Electrophoresis.
Laser treatment.
Ultrasound.
Massage.

Massage therapy must be carried out by an experienced doctor, the treatment is carried out in a course of at least 10 sessions. Cervical massage helps normalize blood circulation, restore elasticity, muscle tone, relieve pain, etc.

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic exercises also help speed up recovery, but are only performed during the recovery stages. It is important that the exercises do not cause discomfort or pain to the patient. Exercise therapy aims to strengthen muscles and relieve discomfort during movements by increasing the elasticity of muscle fibers.

The exercise technique is initially developed by a physiotherapist, then the patient can independently perform gymnastics at home.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is based on the principle of restoring motor functions and mobility between the vertebrae. Initially, the manipulations consist of a light relaxing massage, then the doctor applies more and more force, applying pressure and turning the neck to the vertebrae.

Kuznetsov App

The use of Kuznetsov applications is one of the methods of treatment of diseases of the spine, including osteochondrosis. The effect of the device on the cervical spine normalizes metabolic processes, relieves pain, increases muscle tone, improves blood circulation, increases the conductivity of nerve tissue, etc.

Treatment at home

The whole range of therapeutic measures is carried out at home, with the exception of physiotherapy, massage (in some cases) and the first stages of exercise therapy. However, now we are talking about traditional medicine and we will consider several of the most effective recipes:

To use horseradish - take a leaf of this plant, pour boiling water and apply the inside to your neck, fixing it with a bandage. It can be left on while you sleep to enhance the effect.
If there are no contraindications from a doctor, warming up the cervical spine would be a good treatment. The simplest method is to use a pepper plaster, but you can heat the cake with wax, applying it 1-2 times until it cools completely.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of the disease or its return after treatment, it is necessary to prevent osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. It consists of the following simple recommendations:

Sleep on a flat, hard surface; it is better to buy a special orthopedic mattress and a pillow that is shaped like your head.
To prevent the disease, monitor your physical activity and do not overstrain your spine. If you must lift weights, do so smoothly and keep your back straight.
If your job requires you to sit for a long time, take breaks. Every hour you should walk or stretch your stiff muscles with simple gymnastic movements.

To prevent osteochondrosis, it is useful to go swimming and hang on the horizontal bar for 2-3 minutes every day.