Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disease in which "premature aging" and "wear and tear" of the discs, joints and vertebrae in the cervical spine occur.
Some facts about this disease:
- Cervical osteonecrosis occurs in men and women with approximately equal frequency.
- People aged 30-60 are most often affected.
- As a rule, the pathology occurs in people who at work have to constantly be in one position and perform monotonous movements.
- The cervical spine has a number of structural characteristics, so the disease can have many different manifestations.
What characteristics of the cervical spine cause symptoms of osteoarthritis?
- There are openings in the lateral vertebrae - the carotid arteries supplying blood to the brain pass through them to the right and left.
- The first part of the spinal cord passes through the cervical region - it contains fibers that carry nerve impulses to all parts of the body, providing movement and sensitivity.If the spinal cord is compressed in the neck, neurological disorders will occur throughout the body.
- This part of the spine has very high mobility and this leads to the appearance of osteonecrosis (although, in most cases, the disease still develops in the lumbar region - it is not only highly mobile, but also subjected to the greatest pressure).
- In the neck region, nerve roots protrude from the intervertebral foramen, forming the cervical and brachial plexuses.They are responsible for the movements of the neck, arm, shoulder muscles, skin sensitivity and regulation of autonomic functions.
- The first vertebra does not have a large front part - the body - which is a ring of bone that fits tightly over the teeth - the bone growth on the second vertebra.Thanks to that, you can turn your head to either side.
Neck pain, headaches, feeling weak, and numb hands are symptoms that should see you see a neurologist.Examination by a specialist and examination with modern equipment will help you understand the cause of the disease and have the most effective treatment measures.
What happens to the vertebrae with cervical spondylosis?
The obscure medical term “degenerative process” refers to the following pathological changes that occur in the cervical spine:
- First of all, degenerative cartilage damage affects the intervertebral discs.They become thinner, thereby reducing the distance between adjacent vertebrae.Small tears and cracks form on their outer part.Over time, this can lead to disc herniation.
- Due to damage to the intervertebral disc, the stability of the vertebral connection is disrupted.
- The intervertebral joints also suffer from cartilage degeneration in the neck area - spondylosis develops.It also contributes to nerve root compression.
- The pathological process extends to the vertebrae.Due to disruption in the function of the intervertebral discs, the load on them increases.The spine tries to compensate for this violation and bone growth appears on it - osteoporosis.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine
During exacerbation of cervical spondylosis, traction is used (the patient is placed on a bed with a raised headboard and the head is fixed with a special ring) to relieve the intervertebral discs.For the same purpose, you need to wear a Shants collar.Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain.For severe pain that does not subside, the doctor can perform a blockade: inject an anesthetic solution into the affected nerve root area.Physiotherapy is used: ultrasound treatment, electrophoresis with novocaine.
Once the severity of the condition subsides, treatment for cervical osteoarthritis includes massage, physical therapy, and physiotherapy.
One of the main signs of cervical spondylosis is neck pain.Many people who experience this symptom do not go see a doctor but prefer to treat "cartilage disease" with home methods.There are at least two good reasons to refuse self-medication and consult a specialist.
First, painkillers and traditional methods, although providing temporary pain relief, do not solve the main problem.Pathological changes in the spine continue to increase.Over time, this can lead to more serious consequences.To the point where surgery may be required.
Second, neck pain does not only occur with osteoarthritis.There are many other reasons.Only a doctor can understand and prescribe the correct treatment.
What symptoms of cervical spondylosis should cause you to see a doctor?
The main symptom of cervical spondylosis is pain.It can occur in different places, depending on the degree of localization of the pathological process: in the neck, in the shoulder area, in the arms, in the heart area.The pain is dull in nature and may be burning or aching.
Other manifestations of the disease:
- Headache, dizziness, spots before the eyes, noise, tinnitus.
- Weakness in the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle, and arms.
- Skin sensitivity is reduced.
- Periarthritis of the humerus: pain in the neck radiating down to the arm, difficulty extending the arm above 90°, weakness and atrophy of the shoulder girdle muscles.
- Shoulder-hand syndrome: pain in the shoulder and hand, swelling and stiffness of the fingers, weakness and atrophy of the hand muscles.
- Vertebral artery syndrome.Bone growth appears on the vertebrae, causing compression of the nerves, leading to reflex spasm of the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain.Symptoms of cervical spondylosis include constant headaches starting from the back of the head, spreading to the temples, to the top of the head, nausea, ringing in the ears, ringing in the ears, flashing spots of light before the eyes.
- Anterior scaphoid syndrome.On the neck there are anterior and middle scalene muscles - they are close to each other, and between them there is a small space for nerves and blood vessels to pass.With cervical spondylosis, the anterior scalene muscles become tight and compress them, leading to symptoms such as pain on the inner surface of the forearm, shoulder and fingers.Sometimes the pain spreads to the back of the head.Hand skin may become cold, pale and numb.
- Epicondyl inflammatory syndrome.In the lower part of the shoulder, on both sides of the elbow joint, there are protruding bones - the epicondyle.With epicondylitis syndrome due to cervical spondylosis, pain appears in them, the pain increases when pressed.Other symptoms also occur: neck pain, pain when pressing on certain points in the cervical vertebrae.
If two parts of the spine are affected at the same time, with cervicothoracic osteoarthritis, symptoms may include pain between the shoulder blades, in the heart area.
When osteoarthritis occurs, the risk of intervertebral herniation and stroke increases.If you experience the symptoms listed above, consult your doctor.
It is better not to self-medicate.Even if you have proven methods that often help cope with pain, this does not mean that you are doing everything right.
Pain can be caused not only by osteoarthritis, but also by intervertebral herniation, muscle disorders (myofascial pain syndrome), and as a symptom of other diseases.To properly treat the disease, you need to understand its cause and conduct differential diagnosis.This is only possible in a clinical setting.
To determine the cause of the disease and accurately treat the symptoms of cervical spondylosis, you need to see a neurologist and have an examination.
Cervical spondylosis occurs due to damage to the intervertebral discs.Their chemical composition breaks down, first they swell, then decrease in size, cracks and tears appear in the outer part and they become denser.The degenerative process then spreads to the vertebrae and intervertebral joints.By reducing the height of the intervertebral disc, the load on the vertebrae increases and bone growths – bone spurs – appear on them.
What causes the appearance of cervical spondylosis?
There is no consensus on the cause of cervical spondylosis.It is believed that the disease is caused by different conditions, there are different views:
- Age-related changes in the spine.However, almost everyone over the age of 40 has bone changes, but not everyone has osteoarthritis.
- Neck injury.Usually the cause of the disease includes previous injuries: neck bruises, compression fractures, vertebral dislocations.Chronic injuries can be severe, such as during intense exercise in athletes, continuous work in awkward positions, bending over, and injuries from repetitive neck trauma in car drivers.
- Congenital vertebrae deformities: cervical ribs, fusion of adjacent vertebrae, fusion of the first vertebra with the occipital bone, etc.
- Job.Most often, this disease affects people who work in monotonous positions and constantly perform the same movements.
- Poor blood supply to the spine, venous insufficiency, swelling of the nerve root area.
- Autoimmune disorders.Condition in which the immune system does not work properly and attacks the body's connective tissues and ligaments.
Go see a neurologist.An experienced specialist will understand the origin of your health problems and prescribe the correct treatment.
Causes of exacerbation of cervical spondylosis
Osteonecrosis occurs in the form of alternating exacerbations and periods of improvement, when symptoms stop bothering you for a while.Another exacerbation can be triggered by the following reasons:
- Awkward, sudden movements of the neck.
- Staying in a monotonous uncomfortable position for a long period of time.For example, your neck may start to hurt after working on the computer for long periods of time or after sleeping on an uncomfortable pillow.
- Stress, nervous tension.With chronic stress, spasms occur in the neck muscles, which can cause other aggravation.
- Various diseases, exacerbations of chronic diseases.
- Hypothermia.For this reason, many people experience aggravation in the fall.
- Self-medication incorrectly, illiterate.For example, massage and therapeutic exercises are helpful during remission but are contraindicated in more severe disease.
What diseases can have similar symptoms?
Very often, the manifestations of osteoarthritis are actually associated with a completely different disease.For example, the cause can be hidden in the muscles - there is a condition called myofascial pain syndrome.Pain occurs due to constant tension in the same muscles.
Sometimes vertigo associated with otoliths, a condition in which calcium salt crystals accumulate in the inner ear, is considered a manifestation of “cervical osteonecrosis.”
Pain and tenderness in the neck, headaches - when these symptoms occur, many people "diagnose" themselves with osteoarthritis.Everything is clear - when it hurts, you need to take painkillers or injections, apply heat and everything will pass.Why go to the doctor if you can handle it yourself?
However, self-medication usually does not bring anything good.The pain may become more frequent, more severe, and longer lasting over time.If you take painkillers almost every day uncontrollably, you may experience stomach or kidney problems.After all, every medicine has side effects.
And the cause of pain is not always due to osteoarthritis.To find out the real cause and know how to treat it effectively, you need to see a doctor and get examined.
How does a neurologist diagnose cervical spondylosis?What happens in the doctor's office during an exam?
During your first appointment, your neurologist will ask you some questions:
- How long have you had headaches or neck pain?
- Where does the pain occur?What is their nature: stabbing, painful, shooting, pulling?
- When does pain usually occur?What triggers it?What do you feel better about after?
- Have you seen a doctor yet?Have you been examined and treated yet?Which?How long ago?
- What other symptoms bother you?
- What other chronic diseases do you have?
- Have you recently had a neck injury?
The doctor will then conduct a neurological examination, checking reflexes, skin sensitivity, muscle strength and tone.You will be asked to turn your head, tilt your head to the sides, forward, and backward.The doctor will gently press on the head and certain points in the neck to determine when the pain occurs.
After examination, you will be diagnosed and prescribed the necessary diagnostic methods.
What diagnostic methods are used for cervical spondylosis?
Examination for cervical spondylosis often includes the following diagnostic methods:
- X-ray of the cervical spine.
- According to indications, X-ray contrast studies are prescribed: myelography (injection of contrast material into the space around the spinal cord), discography (injection of contrast material into the intervertebral disc), angiography (injection of contrast material into the vessels).
- Computed tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- If you have a serious neurological disorder, you may be prescribed electromyography, a study that determines the transmission of electrical impulses in nerves and muscles.
Often, the symptoms of cervical spondylosis are similar to angina.If after the examination the doctor still has doubts about the diagnosis, you will be prescribed an electrocardiogram and other diagnostic methods.