Causes, symptoms and methods of treatment 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 leads to many complications, especially because it affects the spinal cord and also negatively affects the functioning of the brain.

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

What is cervical osteochondrosis?

In medical practice, the words cervical osteochondrosis indicate 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 is reduced and as a result the following consequences occur:

Narrowing of the spinal canal in some areas of the spine.
Compression of the vertebral arteries: large blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. Because of this, the supply to the brain deteriorates and blood circulation in the cervical spinal cord is interrupted.
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 reduced 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 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, 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 fighting 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 the 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 some stages of obesity.
Physical inactivity is a phenomenon characterized by limited mobility. We are not just talking about injuries or illnesses, this also includes sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work.
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system that contribute to reduced blood circulation in the brain, changes in pressure, etc.
Incorrect postures include 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 sporting activity or serious physical difficulties, depending on the type of activity carried out by the person.

A sedentary lifestyle is also dangerous due to the constant tension of the cervical spine and the entire spine if you sit incorrectly or on uncomfortable furniture.
Hernia of the cervical spine, as well as various concomitant 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 also the spine in the cervical region bends.
Doctors consider constant stress and nervous tension to be a very common cause.
One of the reasons is also considered a congenital anomaly in the structure of the spine.

What health risks does it pose?

As mentioned above, 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 some 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 also the possibility of losing control over some parts of the body (mainly the arms or face).
Compression of the vessels of the neck, as already mentioned, is accompanied by reduced 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 impaired, there is a real risk of ischemic stroke and various neurological pathologies.

Syndromes

Speaking of the danger that cervical osteochondrosis poses as it progresses and lacks adequate treatment, the disease can lead to a number 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 series of unfavorable clinical signs. A person can feel dizzy, have tinnitus and much more.

Vertebral syndrome

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

Neck movements are partially or completely limited.
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 spinal syndrome is always accompanied by these three clinical signs. If at least 1 is missing the diagnosis will be completely different.

Vertebral artery syndrome

This syndrome is caused by a narrowing of the vertebral artery, leading 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, a person may feel pain or lose sensitivity in some 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 head;
3rd pair – impaired chewing reflex, numbness of the tongue and unpleasant sensations behind the ears;
4 pairs – pain in the collarbone area, impaired swallowing reflex;
5 pairs – disorders of the shoulder girdle, accompanied by problems in arm 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 fingers) become numb;
8th pair – similar problems to the previous point, but numbness is felt in the ring and little fingers.

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

Cardiac syndrome

Although 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 we talk 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 stage is characterized by vague symptoms. Patients complain of mild headaches; During the initial exam, 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 shoulder and arms. The pathology is caused by damage to the intervertebral discs and crushing of the nerve roots. The pain intensifies when you turn your head, throw it back and bend 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 area are limited and dizziness is frequent.
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 pinched.

Signs and symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis

To consult a doctor in a timely manner, you need 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 cure.

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 progression of the disease; 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, there are manifestations of damage to the vestibular apparatus. We are talking about frequent causeless dizziness, nausea, poor coordination of movements, irregular gait, loss of space.
One of the most common clinical signs is stiffness of the neck muscles and stiffness of movements. It is difficult for a person to turn over, lower and throw back his head, movements are accompanied by attacks of pain.
Many patients report a "goosebumps" sensation on 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, mood swings, short temper or irritability.
Due to poor circulation and damage to brain tissue, dizziness intensifies and a noise appears in the ears, similar to rustling, pulsating and buzzing.
Most patients notice deterioration of vision, as well as pain in the eyeballs, especially when they try 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 based on symptoms. However, for a complete diagnosis this is still not enough and a number of diagnostic measures are necessary.

Diagnostic methods

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

X-ray is the primary 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) - allows you to examine the discs and vertebrae in detail, determine the presence of hernias, protrusions, the extent of lesions, etc.
Dopplerography: with this test it becomes possible to find the place of compression of the artery and evaluate the degree of circulatory disorders.

Treatment methods

Treatment of neck osteochondrosis always involves an integrated 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, in this situation you cannot do without a doctor and you can first of all turn to a general practitioner, who will then 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.

Pharmacological treatment

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

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

Remember, treatment should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, who is responsible for prescribing each drug, as well as 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 therapy.
Ultrasound.
Massage.

Massage therapy must be performed by an expert doctor, the treatment is carried out in a cycle of at least 10 sessions. Neck massages help to normalize blood circulation, restore elasticity, muscle tone, relieve pain, etc.

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic exercises also help speed up recovery, but are performed only during the recovery phases. It is important that the exercises do not cause discomfort or pain to the patient. Physical 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, exerting pressure and rotating the neck towards the vertebrae.

Kuznetsov applicator

The use of Kuznetsov applicators 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 nervous tissue, etc.

Treatment at home

The entire range of therapeutic measures is carried out at home, with the exception of physiotherapy, massage (in some cases) and the first stages of physical therapy. However, now we are talking about traditional medicine and 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 inside to your neck, securing it with a bandage. It can be left on while you sleep to enhance its effect.
If there are no contraindications from the doctor, warming the cervical spine would be a good remedy. The simplest method is to use a pepper patch, but you can heat the wax cake, 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 tips:

Sleep on a flat, hard surface, it is better to purchase a special orthopedic mattress and a pillow that takes the shape of your head.
To prevent the disease, monitor your physical activity and do not overload the spine. If you have to lift weights, do it smoothly and keep your back straight.
If your job requires sitting for a long time, take breaks. Every hour you have to walk or stretch 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.