Acute chondrosis of the cervical spine is not the correct expression. Speaking of cervical chondrosis, we mean a disease such as osteochondrosis, which has a chronic, gradual progressive process. The essence of this pathology lies in the degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical and intervertebral vertebral discs located between them. The main complication of this disease is the formation of intervertebral hernias, which in turn can compress the spinal cord, blood vessels, and so on. In this article, we will consider the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, as well as discuss its diagnosis.
How is cervical osteochondrosis manifested?
The main clinical sign of cervical osteochondrosis is pain syndrome.
A number of patients show sharp and strong pain in the neck, which is exacerbated by the slightest movement. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the sick person, because of the painful sensation, is unable to turn his head and hold it forcibly, causing discomfort, posture.
However, the presence of dull and persistent moderate -intensity pain is often observed. Patients complain of discomfort in the neck, which becomes more pronounced with active physical activity, after sleeping in an uncomfortable state, and so on. Forced posture in such people does not exist. However, they still need to limit their motor activity, for example, trying to avoid sharp head rotations and tilts.
In addition, the clinical picture can be augmented by sensitive disorders in the cervical region, for example, a feeling as if in the neck "creeping".
With the development of osteochondrosis and the formation of intervertebral hernias, the pain syndrome becomes more intense. The sick person showed severe pain in the neck, which significantly reduced his quality of life.
Diagnostics of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main method for diagnosing cervical osteochondrosis is X-ray examination performed in two projections. X-ray results may reveal:
- Straighten cervical lordosis;
- Flatten the intervertebral disc;
- Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen;
- Marginal bone growth and so on.
A more informative diagnostic method that makes it possible not only to identify osteochondrosis, but also to carry out differential diagnostics with other diseases, is magnetic resonance imaging. Computed tomography can also be performed. In 2015, scientists from the Academy of Postgraduate Medical Education published a paper, which based on the results found that quantitative computed tomography is a possible method for identifying early changes of bone tissue.
In addition, the survey plan can be complemented by:
- Myelography;
- Discography;
- Electrophysiological research and so on.