Acute chondrosis of the cervical spine is not an entirely correct expression. Speaking of cervical chondrosis, we mean a disease such as osteochondrosis, which has a chronic and gradually progressive course. The essence of this pathology lies in the degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical vertebrae and the intervertebral discs located between them. The main complication of this disease is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which, in turn, can compress the spinal cord, blood vessels, etc. In this article, we will consider the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, and also talk about its diagnosis.
How is cervical osteochondrosis manifested?
The main clinical sign of cervical osteochondrosis is pain syndrome.
Some patients report a fairly severe and sharp pain in the neck, aggravated by the slightest movement. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a sick person, due to painful sensations, cannot turn his head and keeps it in a forced posture, causing the slightest discomfort.
However, the presence of dull and persistent pain of moderate intensity is more frequently observed. The patient complains of neck discomfort, which is accentuated by active physical activity, after sleeping in an uncomfortable position, etc. Forced posture in such people is absent. However, they still have to limit their motor activity a bit, for example trying to avoid sharp turns and tilts of the head.
In addition, the clinical picture can be supplemented by sensitive disorders in the cervical region, for example, a feeling as if the neck "crawls".
With the further progression of osteochondrosis and the formation of an intervertebral hernia, the pain syndrome becomes much more intense. A sick person indicates constant severe pain in the neck, which significantly reduces the quality of his life.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
The main method of diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis is an X-ray examination performed in two projections. X-ray results can reveal:
- Straightening of the cervical lordosis;
- Flattening of the intervertebral discs;
- Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen;
- Marginal bone growths, etc.
A more informative diagnostic method that allows not only to identify osteochondrosis, but also to carry out differential diagnoses with other diseases, is magnetic resonance imaging. A CT scan may also be done. In 2015, scientists from the Graduate Medical Academy published a study, according to the results of which it was found that quantitative computed tomography is the method that allows identifying the first changes in bone tissue.
In addition, the survey plan can be supplemented with:
- Myelography;
- Discography;
- Electrophysiological research, etc.