Pain in the neck due to pathologies of the spinal column is known in medical practice as vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia. According to statistics, about half of the world's population suffers annually from various manifestations of this ailment. In 30% of patients, it becomes chronic, negatively affecting the quality of life. If clinical symptoms appear, consult a doctor. Pain can also signal other diseases that require immediate medical attention.
general information
Vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia is a type of osteochondrosis of the spine. With this pathology, all pain is concentrated in the neck area, gradually spreading to one or both hands. Among the main reasons for its development, doctors especially emphasize the compression of nerve roots.
The cervical region consists of seven vertebrae and intervertebral discs. It is also customary to refer the spinal cord to it. Pain discomfort arising from cervicobrachialgia is often the result of an injury to the nerve plexus in the shoulder region. It is a lot of fibers that go towards the neck. It is against the background of damage to the nerve plexus that complications sometimes arise. If pathology is neglected and not treated, there is a high probability of disability.
Why does neck pain appear?
Vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia most often develops against a background of dorsopathies. These are pathologies of the spine arising from degenerative changes. Among them, the most common is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The disease develops due to a malfunction in the nutrition of the intervertebral discs, which gradually lose their elasticity and are deformed. As a result, bone growths (osteophytes) and protrusions are formed. The pathological process entails a narrowing of the intervertebral openings and the canal together with the spinal cord. A consequence of these violations is the appearance of pain in the neck.
Other causes of cervicobrachialgia are doctors:
- benign / malignant neoplasms on the spine;
- osteoporosis;
- infectious and inflammatory processes;
- mechanical damage to the spinal column;
- pathology of the carotid artery.
Any of these disorders can cause pain. Often, pathology is asymptomatic, and manifests itself only under the influence of certain factors. These include hypothermia, intense physical exertion, and sedentary work.
Symptoms and signs of a pathological process
The main manifestation of cervicobrachialgia is discomfort in the neck, and its intensity varies. The pain may be permanent or increase with exercise. As a rule, the discomfort is aggravated by coughing and sneezing, throwing the head back.
What other symptoms of vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia? Doctors include limitation of mobility and loss of reflexes to the frequent manifestations of the ailment. Some patients complain of muscle weakness, impaired sensation in the affected area, numbness of the hands. In especially serious cases, the pathology manifests itself as thoracalgia - burning pain in the chest area. Its appearance is usually due to osteochondrosis of the spinal column. Pain syndrome increases with irritation and compression of nerve endings. The listed symptoms of pathology play a huge role in the diagnosis of vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia.
Types of manifestations of the disease: right, left and two sides
Pathology is found equally often both on the left and on the right. However, the severity of the pain syndrome does not depend on the side of the lesion, but the manifestations are somewhat different. For example, vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia on the left is accompanied by discomfort, as with myocardial infarction. Often this is the only symptom of the disease, sometimes it is supplemented by numbness of the neck and arm.
The right-sided form of pathology is also similar in manifestation to myocardial infarction. Therefore, patients with similar symptoms are carefully examined. Without fail, they are prescribed an ECG and an ultrasound of the heart. A complete examination is indicated for patients who already have a history of heart disease. Vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia on the right is a real problem for many. The thing is that most people on our planet are right-handed. As a result, they lose their self-service ability. Sometimes they need help to get dressed or have a bite. A bilateral form of the disease, in which pain spreads simultaneously on both hands, is extremely rare.
Medical examination
If you experience painful discomfort in the neck, you need to seek help from a doctor. The diagnosis of vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia is confirmed on the basis of the results of instrumental research methods. Typically, the patient is prescribed CT, MRI and myelography. A complete diagnosis also makes it possible to determine the root cause of the disease, its severity and localization. Based on the clinical picture, the doctor prescribes treatment. In the initial stages of the pathological process, they are limited to drug therapy, exercise therapy and physiotherapeutic procedures. In advanced cases, surgical intervention is required.
Drug therapy
Patients with a diagnosis of vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia treatment should begin with a decrease in physical activity. Permanent rest, restrictions on exposure to the arm are recommended. A supporting collar is put on the collar zone. As the symptoms of the disease diminish, its use is abandoned, replaced by sessions of traction and exercise therapy.
Drug therapy is prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the form of the pathology and its severity. Usually, a specialist prescribes muscle relaxants against seizures (Midokalm, Sirdalud). If their use is ineffective, steroid hormones are prescribed. To reduce the pain, Ibuprofen and Diclofenac are used. These medicines relieve inflammation and relieve cramping. It is necessary to take them strictly according to the doctor’s recommendations, it is unacceptable to reduce or increase the dosage. The maximum effect is observed with the combined use of drugs of various types of action (gels, ointments, injections). If vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia is accompanied by osteochondrosis, it is advisable to additionally take chondoprotectors (Aflupol, Teraflex).
The use of drugs helps to stop the expressed manifestations of the disease. However, drug therapy does not eliminate the underlying disease that provoked this condition.
Surgical intervention
If drug treatment is ineffective, an operation is indicated during which the doctor removes the affected areas of the vertebrae and performs prosthetics with implants. Surgical intervention is advisable in the following cases:
- intervertebral hernia more than 8 mm in diameter;
- lack of positive dynamics for 4 months;
- development of severe muscle atrophy;
- the appearance of neurological abnormalities with neoplasms on the spine.
The rehabilitation period after surgery takes a lot of time and requires the participation of qualified specialists.
Other treatments
Non-drug therapy (massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy) in the fight against pathology also gives good results. However, it cannot replace a standard course of treatment with drugs or surgery. What are the alternative treatment options?
Massage has a positive effect on all processes in the body. To resort to his help should only be prescribed by a doctor. During massage sessions, a specialist develops the muscle structures of the arms and neck. Such procedures have a positive effect on the nutrition of the nerve column, contribute to the reduction of foci of inflammation. In case of unpleasant sensations, it is better to refuse massage.
Exercise therapy is a key method of combating cervicobrachialgia. A correctly selected set of exercises helps to restore the efficiency of joints and strengthen muscles.
Physiotherapeutic procedures include spinal traction. This is a rather painful process, but very effective. It should be abandoned in patients with intervertebral hernia. In the past few years, the procedure has lost its former popularity. The thing is that patients too often had injuries due to the incompetence of specialists who carried out the traction.
Chronic form of pathology
Chronic vertebrogenic cervicobrachialgia requires a special approach. In addition to the standard course of treatment, patients are shown taking multivitamin complexes to strengthen bone tissue. For relaxation, you can choose a special orthopedic mattress and pillow that contribute to the physiological position of the neck during sleep. In the cold season, you should dress according to the weather, avoid hypothermia.
Preventive actions
Many people know that the best prevention of any disease is a healthy lifestyle. It implies moderate physical activity, rejection of addictions and proper nutrition. The last item includes a diet that restricts fatty foods and alcohol. The diet should consist mainly of fresh vegetables and fruits, a variety of cereals, low-fat varieties of meat and fish. Daily gymnastics is another rule for the prevention of cervicobrachialgia. Known to everyone since childhood, exercises help maintain the flexibility of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine, improve the functioning of the main systems of internal organs.