Radicular cervical syndrome: symptoms and treatment

The radicular syndrome of the cervical spine in medicine is called the complex of unpleasant clinical signs that arise when the spinal nerve endings are compressed. Many experts also call this pathological process radiculitis (pinching of nerve endings in most cases is accompanied by the development of the inflammatory process).

Radicular syndrome of the cervical region is quite rare, which is directly related to the strength of the vertebrae of this zone compared to other parts of the spinal column. The intervertebral openings in this area are small, which does not allow hernial protrusions to go beyond them.

Cervical sciatica is formed in most cases against the background of crushing radicular arteries. As a result of this, the development of oxygen starvation of the last element is observed. Why does radicular cervical spine syndrome occur?

The main causes

Cervical radiculopathy can occur for various reasons, so absolutely no one is safe from the onset of this disease. Many patients believe that the disease appears mainly in old age. However, it is often diagnosed in young patients.

There are some characteristic reasons that provoke the development of radicular syndrome of the cervical region:

1. Hormonal disorders. During hormonal failure, metabolic processes in the body are disrupted, resulting in pinching of the nerve. For this reason, it is very important to timely eliminate all emerging diseases associated with hormone imbalance.
2. Congenital malformations of the spine.
3. Lack of exercise. If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, he may experience various problems with the spine. That is why with sedentary work it is necessary to take walks or visit the gym.
4. Hypothermia.
5. Obesity. In the presence of excess weight, the load on the spinal column is significantly increased, which leads to compression of the nerve fibers and the development of radicular syndrome.
6. Osteochondrosis.
7. Age-related changes. In old age, the structure of cartilage and bone tissue changes in people. In this regard, osteochondrosis and radicular syndrome may develop.
8. Intervertebral hernia, which significantly impairs well-being and leads to stiffness of movements. It can cause osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and radicular syndrome.
9. Injuries. Spinal bruises are quite dangerous to health. If there is a trauma of the cervical clothed, and displacement of the vertebrae is observed, then pinching of the nerves and the development of radicular pain occurs in 90% of cases.

Anatomical features

Nerve roots originate in the spinal cord, which is located in the dural sac inside the spinal column. One pair of these roots - the motor and sensory - forms the nerve process, passing through the holes of the spine and connecting the spinal cord and brain. The path of the nerve processes in the neck is quite narrow. Joints, vertebrae, ligaments, arteries, muscles - all this is compressed in a narrow section of this part of the spine.

In such a cramped space, each pathological neoplasm creates a problem - the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and radicular syndrome:

1. Protrusions, osteophytes, hernias injure and squeeze all neighboring tissues, provoke their inflammation.
2. Circulatory processes are disturbed, edema appears - pain during movements of the cervical muscles is a signal to the brain about pathology.
3. Arteries squeezed by spasmodic and edematous muscles cannot provide the brain with enough nutrients. This can make you sick and dizzy.
4. Pain is most pronounced in the nerve processes. When, with careless movements of the head, they are infringed, the pain passes throughout the nerve and is transmitted to the muscles of the head, face, shoulders and arms. About 60% of all pinched nerves are due to inflammation and spasms of neighboring tissues and blood vessels.

The most common cause of radicular syndrome of the cervical spine is the narrowing (stenosis) of the artery of the same name that nourishes the nerve. Its oxygen deficiency - starvation, causes severe pain. And pain is a signal of inflammation of the tissues surrounding the spinal column when degenerative processes develop in it. The reason for this degeneration lies in the lack of nutrition, which, in turn, causes dystrophy.

Symptoms of radicular cervical syndrome

Pain is not the only sign of the disease being studied. He is often accompanied by:

1. Limited and stiffness of head and arm movements, decreased muscle tone.
2. Numbness of some parts of the body. Distribution and localization of these signs directly depends on in which vertebra the nerve is pinched.
3. C1 – C2 - damage to the nerve endings in these cervical vertebrae entails the occurrence of constant pain and numbness of the occipital region and parietal zone of the head. In this case, the chin is sagging due to muscle weakness in this zone.
4. C3 - nerves that extend in the region of this vertebra are connected by both sides of the neck. The neck is numb and sore precisely from the side where pinching is present. There may also be problems with language movements.
5. C4 - nerve endings from this department go to the collarbones and shoulder blades. Numbness and soreness in these areas often radiates to the heart. Symptoms of radicular syndrome of the cervical spine are rather unpleasant.
6. C5 - nerves pass into the muscles of the hands. Painful sensations are observed from the inside of the limb, from the neck to the elbow.
7. C6 - nerve infringement of this area spreads the pain syndrome from the scapula to the entire inner side of the arm to the thumb, which can become numb. In the hand, limited movements are noted.
8. C7 - radicular pain from this vertebra is localized on the outside of the arm to the ring finger and little finger. At the same time, it is difficult for the patient to bend his arm at the elbow or raise it.
   

Diagnostics

It is impossible to independently determine this disease in oneself, since the symptoms of radicular syndrome of the cervical spine are similar to those that occur with a violation of the heart or a number of neurological diseases. The diagnosis should be done by a specialist. For the examination, hardware techniques are used, for example, X-ray, CT or MRI. They help to get a complete clinical picture of the disease and the degree of damage.

In the process of diagnostic measures, the patient's history is specified, and it is recommended to donate blood and urine for laboratory tests. An important instrumental diagnostic method is ultrasound of the vertebral arteries, which can be squeezed by shifted vertebrae in the cervical region.

Treatment methods

How to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine with radicular syndrome? After diagnosis, the doctor, taking into account the results of the studies and the condition of the patient, prescribes him complex therapy. It includes medication, physiotherapy, physiotherapy, massage, magnetic or manual therapy. All these procedures are aimed at improving the processes of blood transfer through the vessels of the affected area, as well as the normalization of neural transmission.

Comprehensive treatment is an important condition in getting rid of the signs of radicular syndrome in the cervical spine. Reception of anti-inflammatory and painkillers is usually not a solution to the problem, but only temporarily eliminates the pathological symptoms of the underlying disease. Over time, the lack of competent therapy can lead to disability or other serious consequences.

Drug Therapy

Treatment of radicular cervical syndrome begins with the selection of suitable medications. They are appointed, as a rule, by a narrow specialist - an orthopedist or a neurologist. The specialist takes into account the nature of the pathological process, the reason for its development, the age of the patient and the severity of symptoms. To achieve the maximum effect, the following groups of medicines are used:

1. Painkillers (Diklak, Diklofenak, Ibuprofen, Analgin). They most often enter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the action of which is aimed at stopping the pain syndrome. Such drugs do not cure the disease, but only eliminate the symptoms.
2. Muscle relaxants (Vera-Pipecuroniy, Arduan, Rokuroniy Kabi, Midokalm). The muscles of the damaged cervical regions are in constant tone, which negatively affects the patient's condition. It is this category of medical devices that helps relieve stress.
3. Vitamin complexes ("Cytoflavin", "Trigamma", "Mexi B6", "Combilipen"). Vitamins of the group have a positive effect on the state of nerve endings, so their intake is necessary in the treatment of radicular syndrome.
4. Antidepressants (Asafen, Adepress, Amitriptyline). Pathology is often manifested by many mental disorders, depression and neurosis. Medicines from this group will help to cope with these conditions.
5. Local remedies (Indometracin, Diklovit, Kapsikam, Dolobene). To provide local effects on the problem area, various gels, ointments and creams are used. The effect of their use is lower than that of those drugs that are used in the form of injections and tablets, but they have a milder effect on the body. Some drugs in this category can quickly restore blood circulation in the affected area and relieve pain.

Treatment of radicular syndrome of the cervical spine lasts long enough. The duration of the course of taking selected medications is determined individually. However, the use of medications alone will not allow to achieve a lasting positive effect. For this, along with medicines, other methods of restoring the normal state are prescribed.

Physiotherapeutic methods for the treatment of radicular syndrome of the cervical spine

Manual therapy and physiotherapy helps to establish metabolic processes and eliminate pain in the studied area. Today, there are many ways to eliminate the radicular syndrome, and each of them is distinguished by its effectiveness and exposure characteristics. Most commonly used:

1. Massage, which will help relieve muscle tone and tension, improve blood flow, relax the problem area. It is carried out only by qualified specialists, or a manual therapist.
2. Acupuncture. With the help of a point effect, the blood circulation of the cervical spine improves, nerve fibers are irritated and due to this the tension is relieved.
3. Manual therapy. The doctor, using special proven methods, easily puts in place the displaced vertebrae of the cervical spine and acts on separate areas to relieve pain and normalize well-being in general.
4. Warming up. This is one of the most effective and popular techniques. The problem area is affected by light or heat waves. It should be remembered that it is impossible to carry out similar procedures during an exacerbation of radicular syndrome of the cervicothoracic region.

Physiotherapy

In order to normalize blood circulation in the cervical zone, patients are recommended to perform some exercises daily. They are quite simple and do not cause significant discomfort, but with constant adherence to the regimen, they help to improve the condition and get rid of radicular syndrome. The treatment complex consists of the following groups of exercises:

• neck warm-up;
• muscle relaxation;
• head turns;
• warming up and warming up the shoulder area.
  

Preventive actions

Any pathology is easier to prevent than to treat it for a long time. Therefore, doctors recommend that everyone who wants to protect themselves from the occurrence of diseases of the spine, lead a correct lifestyle, do complex gymnastics every morning and monitor the diet.

Periodic sessions of wellness massage, mandatory warm-ups during labor activity, especially if a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, help to eliminate the occurrence of radicular syndrome in the neck.

Eating vitamins and minerals is a prerequisite for maintaining spinal health. This is due to the fact that bone and cartilage are prone to rapid destruction due to a lack of useful substances in the body.

Particular attention must be paid to the condition of the spine in childhood, so that in adulthood you do not encounter such problems. This duty lies primarily with parents and pediatricians.

Spa treatment

Procedures at home or in the hospital do not have the effect that can be obtained in a sanatorium. Typically, such hospitals are equipped with high-quality devices for all modern physiotherapy procedures that help restore the full functioning of all structures of the spine. The procedures are followed by competent personnel who monitor the well-being and changes in the patient's condition. In the sanatoriums there is everything to strengthen the body and normalize the psycho-emotional background. This is fresh air, and peace, and walks in beautiful natural places. Some institutions of this type are focused on the treatment of osteochondrosis and associated pathologies, others - on the general improvement of the body.

We examined the symptoms and treatment of radicular cervical syndrome. We hope the information provided helps you to be healthy.