Causes, symptoms and treatment methods of cervical osteochondrosis

21 January 2024

Among all the pathological processes that affect the spine in its different parts, cervical osteochondrosis is considered one of the most common. This disease brings 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 earlier osteochondrosis mainly affected people after 40 years of age, today various stages of cervical osteochondrosis are diagnosed in 90% of people over 25 years of age. That's why it's important to know as much as possible about the pathology, from what it is to the 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 intervertebral discs, which are shock absorbers of the cervical vertebrae.

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

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 disrupted.
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 occurs.

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 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 region in adults.

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

Causes

Knowledge of 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 intervertebral discs and other vertebral structures with the involvement of nearby tissues, vessels and nerve bundles in the pathological process occurs under the influence of unfavorable external factors. The more serious these factors and other pathologies are, the faster the disease develops.
Physiological – the development of pathology is mainly based on age-related changes. We are talking about the natural aging of the cartilaginous tissue of the spine, salt 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 are not just talking about injuries or illnesses, this also includes a sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system that contribute to impaired blood circulation in the brain, pressure changes, etc.
Incorrect posture includes various forms of scoliosis, rheumatism and even flat feet.
Cervical spine injury. In this case we are talking about sprains, blows, bruises. Injuries to other parts of the spine can affect the development of cervical osteochondrosis.
Excessive physical stress on the cervical spine, caused by intense sports or severe physical difficulties, depending on the person's type of activity.

A sedentary lifestyle is also dangerous due to the constant strain on the cervical spine and the entire spine if you sit incorrectly or on uncomfortable furniture.
Hernia of the cervical spine, as well as a number of concomitant diseases.
Keeping the head forced for a long period of time in an uncomfortable or unnatural position. In this case, not only muscle tension occurs, but also flexion of the spine in the cervical region.
Doctors consider constant stress and nervous tension to be a very common cause.
One of the reasons are also considered congenital anomalies in the structure of the spine.

What health risks does this pose?

As mentioned earlier, the cervical spine region 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, nearby tissues become inflamed. In addition, the development of pathology threatens to compress the nerve roots and compress the blood vessels, the consequences of which are as follows:

Osteochondrosis is accompanied by deformities of the spine, resulting in 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, the person feels pain and there is even the possibility of losing control over certain parts of the body (especially the arms or face).
Compression of the neck vessels, as already mentioned, is accompanied by impaired circulation in the occipital region of the brain. In this case, the brain stops receiving oxygen and nutrients in the necessary quantities and oxygen starvation begins. If blood circulation is impaired, there is a real risk of ischemic stroke and various neurological pathologies.

Syndromes

Talking about the danger that cervical osteochondrosis poses as it progresses and does not have adequate treatment, the disease can lead to a series of complications and syndromes.

The main syndromes are:

Vertebral.
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 unfavorable clinical signs. A person may experience dizziness, tinnitus, and more.

Vertebral syndrome

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

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

It is worth mentioning that vertebral syndrome is always accompanied by these three clinical signs. If at least one 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.
Visual impairment.
Noises in the ears.
Frequent dizziness and much more.

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

radicular syndrome

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

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

1 pair – numbness or pain in the back of the neck;
3rd pair – impaired chewing reflex, numbness of the tongue and unpleasant sensations behind the ears;
4 pairs – pain in the clavicle region, impaired swallowing reflex;
5 pairs – shoulder girdle disorders, accompanied by problems with moving the arms;
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) become numb;
8th pair – similar problems to the previous point, but there is numbness in the ring finger and little finger.

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

cardiac syndrome

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

Rapid pulse.
Sternum pain.
Shortness of breath, weakness, lethargy, decreased performance.

Degree of development of the disease

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

The first phase is characterized by vague symptoms. Patients complain of minor headaches, during the initial examination the doctor notes a slight degree of muscle stiffness.
Pain in the cervical spine and head is more common, more intense and radiates to the shoulders and arms. Pathology is caused by damage to intervertebral discs and pinched nerve roots. The pain intensifies when turning the head, throwing it back and leaning forward.
In the third stage, the pain is constant, muscle weakness is noted in the arms and hernias form in the intervertebral discs. Movements in the neck region are restricted and there is frequent dizziness.
The fourth stage is accompanied by the complete destruction of the intervertebral disc, the cartilaginous tissue is replaced by connective tissue. In addition to pain and dizziness, coordination problems are observed and the vertebral arteries are often compressed.

Signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

To consult a doctor in a timely manner, it is necessary to clearly understand the signs of cervical osteochondrosis. In some cases, this knowledge makes it possible to seek help in the early 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 disease progression, they are opaque 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, manifestations of damage to the vestibular apparatus occur. We are talking about frequent and causeless dizziness, nausea, poor coordination of movements, uneven gait, loss of space.
One of the most common clinical signs is stiffness of the neck muscles and stiffness of movement. It is difficult for a person to turn, bend down and throw his head back, the movements are accompanied by attacks of pain.
Many patients report a "goose bumps" sensation on the scalp or a characteristic tingling sensation.
Muscle weakness and numbness occur in the arm area.
There are often psychological manifestations, expressed in depression, drowsiness, sudden changes in mood, explosive temper or irritability.
Due to poor circulation and damage to brain tissue, dizziness intensifies and a noise appears in the ears, similar to rustling, pulsation and buzzing.
Most patients notice deterioration in vision, as well as pain in the eyeballs, especially when trying to squint too much to the left, right, up or down.

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

Diagnostic methods

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:

Radiography 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.
Magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance imaging) - allows you to examine discs and vertebrae in detail, determine the presence of hernias, protrusions, the extent of lesions, etc.
Dopplerography - with this exam it is possible to find the site of artery compression and assess the degree of circulatory disorders.

Treatment methods

The treatment of cervical osteochondrosis always involves an integrated approach. The principles of treatment depend on a series of factors, such as the patient's age, the stage of development of the disease, the severity of the clinical condition, etc.

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

As for the integrated 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.

Drug treatment

The basis for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is drug therapy, which involves the use of tablets, medications and medicines from the following groups:

Analgesics - analgesics and antispasmodics. The first directly dull the nerve centers, thereby relieving painful sensations. The latter allow you to relieve spasm in the neck muscles, improving blood flow and suppressing pain.
NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are necessary to reduce inflammation, most of them also eliminate pain. Often, these medications are used in the form of gels or ointments that are applied to the affected area.
Muscle relaxants are another way to relieve muscle spasms in the cervical region.
Chondroprotectors are mandatory in certain phases of osteochondrosis of the spine, as they contribute to the restoration of bone tissue.
B vitamins - normalize metabolic processes in nervous tissue, improving the conductivity of nerve impulses and promoting the functioning of the central nervous system.

Remember, treatment should only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, who is responsible for prescribing each medication, as well as determining the time of use and dosage.

Physiotherapy

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis will often be more effective with the help of certain physiotherapy techniques:

Electrophoresis.
Laser therapy.
Ultrasound.
Massage.

Massage therapy must be carried out by an experienced medical professional, the treatment is carried out in at least 10 sessions. Neck massages help to normalize blood circulation, restore elasticity, muscle tone, relieve pain, etc.

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic exercises also help speed recovery, but are only performed during the recovery phases. 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 movement by increasing the elasticity of muscle fibers.

The exercise technique is initially developed by a physiotherapist, then the patient can perform the gymnastics independently 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 rotating the neck towards the vertebrae.

Kuznetsov applicator

The use of Kuznetsov applicators is one of the methods of treating 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 nervous tissue, etc.

Home treatment

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

To use horseradish - take a leaf of this plant, pour boiling water over it and apply the inner part to your neck, securing it with a bandage. Can be left on while you sleep to enhance the effect.
If there are no medical contraindications, warming the cervical spine would be a good remedy. The simplest method is to use a pepper poultice, but you can heat the wax cake by applying it 1 to 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 following simple recommendations:

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

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