Osteoma of the cervical spine develops as a result of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. In a professional clinic, high-quality treatment of this disease is carried out, taking into account the degree of development of the disease and the associated syndromes.
General symptoms
Pain in the neck and back is the main symptom of osteonecrosis, but it occurs only in the second stage of the disease. At first, the patient only notices a feeling of heaviness and muscle tension. Get in the habit of massaging the neck area or reflexively turning your head to get rid of the discomfort.
In addition to pain, the main signs of cervical osteonecrosis are:
- crunching when turning body or head;
- numbness and weakness in the hand;
- reduced flexibility;
- headache, fainting;
- constant weakness and fatigue;
- impaired cognitive function, hearing and vision.
With the development of the pathology, a slight discomfort develops into aching and pulling, then into sharp pain, which manifests itself with exertion, sudden movements or in a state of fatigue. In the later stages of the disease, the person feels pain of varying degrees continuously, even at rest or while sleeping. Over time, the pain begins to radiate to the back of the head, arms, shoulders and fingers - caused by nerve root damage.
Upper limb dysfunction associated with osteonecrosis
The development of this disease often leads to various problems related to the hands. In patients with cervical osteonecrosis, the hands are almost always cold and frosty even in a warm room. You can also observe:
- tingling or itching, burning sensation in the hands;
- periodic numbness;
- hand weakness (including impaired ability to grasp objects with the palm);
- violation of motor function of the hands;
- sudden shooting pains.
With osteonecrosis, calcium salts begin to be deposited in the affected area - this is a compensatory response of the body to the destruction of the fibrous rings of the disc. With salt deposition, the patient may note:
- reduced flexibility of the neck;
- crunching when tilting or turning the head;
- pain when trying to bow.
Some symptoms may appear only in certain positions or movements. For example, cervical osteonecrosis is characterized by a sensation of "electricity" running down the arm when trying to lower the head.
Problems caused by impaired blood flow
The disease causes serious disturbances in blood circulation and affects metabolism. Because of this, not only the spine is affected, but also the brain, as well as other systems, as a result of:
- fluctuations in blood pressure;
- movement disorders;
- weak;
- headache;
- sudden nausea;
- Tinnitus;
- "Mosquito stripe" in front of the eyes;
- fainting condition.
With the development of osteonecrosis and consequent impairment of blood flow in the patient, cognitive functions may deteriorate. Analytical and creative abilities decline, memory problems arise. It can also impair vision or hearing. Due to constant pain and insufficient blood supply to the brain, the person becomes anxious, erratic, depressed, and may experience sudden bouts of apathy or anger.
Other consequences of cervical osteonecrosis
Muscle strain, abnormal head posture, and the gradual development of scoliosis can cause health problems that, at first glance, are unlikely to be related to osteonecrosis.
Some symptoms can be mistaken for cardiovascular or gastrointestinal diseases:
- pain in the center of the chest;
- painful heart area;
- tachycardia and extrasystoles;
- pain or cramping when swallowing;
- intermittent nausea.
In addition, the patient may notice a change in voice, hoarseness, or a frequent urge to "clear" the throat. You may experience a "stuffy throat" sensation or intense snoring. The condition of the teeth can be severely impaired, navigation problems, and sudden numbness in the face or tongue.
Symptoms of cervical osteonecrosis at different stages of disease development
Symptoms of cervical osteosarcoma appear depending on the extent of the disease. In the early stages, patients may experience only heaviness or discomfort in the neck, as well as a constant feeling of muscle tension. Pain syndrome later arises and intensifies. In the later stages, the disease can lead to disability.
- Level 1.At this stage, the symptoms are mild: this is a feeling of heaviness or muscle tension, headaches appear. Discomfort increases with exertion
- Degree 2. . . Local pain occurs due to protrusion of the disc. The pain becomes more intense when the head is tilted or turned. Reflective pain may occur, usually between the shoulder blades or in the arm. The patient is prone to weakness, the general tone of the body decreases.
- Level 3.The formation of disc herniation begins, a significant deformation of the spine is observed. Severe, constant pain syndrome. There are severe motor disabilities in the affected area, gait changes.
- Degree 4. . . There may be severe pain when trying to tilt or turn the head, or conversely, no pain at all if no head movement is possible. Often, patients experience severe headaches, impaired vision and hearing, and impaired coordination of movements. Disability of the patient often occurs at this stage.
Check: self-check for symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
Answer some questions to check for signs of cervical osteonecrosis.
- Have you ever had a head or neck injury?
- Do you have neck pain after sleeping?
- Does it hurt to roll back, bend over, or turn your head?
- Do you get crunches when you move your head?
- Do you have muscle tension or want to stretch your neck?
- Do you experience discomfort, pain, or cramping during or after exercise?
- Do you suffer from dizziness or headaches?
- Do you have a headache when you have an attack or "mosquitoes" appear in front of your eyes?
- Have you noticed that your hands become cold and numb periodically?
If you answered yes to at least a few questions, this is reason to see a doctor. Don't delay seeing your doctor - this way you'll have a better chance of recovery.