Pinched nerve of the cervical spine
A pinched nerve in the cervical spine is called cervical radiculopathy. Such problems are common enough, and the intensity of painful sensations in this phenomenon is expressed more intensely than in the case of pinched nerves in other parts of the body.
Content:
- Symptoms of a pinched cervical nerve
- Causes of pinched nerve of the cervical spine
- Treatment of a pinched cervical nerve
Symptoms of a pinched cervical nerve
Depending on its location, painful sensations are divided into: cervicobrachialgia (while the hand and neck hurt at the same time) and cervicalgia (only the neck). Also, in the neck area, compression is possible: arteries, which is called vertebrobasilar syndrome, a nerve in the occiput, as well as the spinal cord and nerve endings.
In more rare situations, synchronous entrapment of nerves (nerve roots) and blood vessels is noted.
As a result:
- There is a deterioration in the blood supply to the cervical spine;
- There are additional signs of circulatory disorders in the neck.
Provided that any of the eight cervical nerves, or rather their roots, are pinched, general and specific symptoms are formed. They arise because in this case there are changes in the algorithm of innervation and spasm of the vascular part of the artery in the spine.
General manifestations are as follows:
- Periodic or persistent dizziness, which can also occur in the event of a sudden change in body position. This is the effect of orthostatic vertigo;
- Common headaches, as well as migraine-like and painful sensations in the back of the head;
- Paresthesia and tingling in one or both upper limbs. It can spread to the wrists or finger joints;
- Painful sensations along the entire length of the arm, including up to the index finger;
- Pain in the neck, shoulders and even shoulder blades, which can become shooting, tearing, stabbing and burning;
- Increased fatigue;
- Decline in working capacity;
- Aggravated memory;
- Decreased muscle tone (mainly in the upper limbs);
- Paralysis and mild paresis;
- In more severe or chronic cases, it is likely that there is not enough oral nutrition and problems with speech. A pinched nerve in the cervical spine can be accompanied by edema in the mucous membrane and difficulty in swallowing.
Causes of pinched nerve of the cervical spine
The main factors causing pinching of the nerves and arteries in the neck should be considered pathological changes in the spine:
- An increase in connective tissue in volume;
- Growths on the skeleton and bones;
- Frequent injury;
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and its pathologies (in this case there is a protrusion or hernia of the disc, a decrease in the distance between several or each of the vertebrae, protrusion or prolapse of one or several discs);
- Formation of a tendency to contract or spasm of the spinal muscles;
- Displacement or subluxation of the vertebrae.
Processes such as the following can be a catalyst for pinching the radicular part of the nerve in the cervical spine:
- Head position change;
- Increasing swelling or similar scars;
- A hypodynamic lifestyle and weakness in the area of the supporting muscles;
- Physical and emotional overload;
- Frequent hypothermia;
- Diseases in acute form and exacerbation of chronic ailments;
- Disorders of the thyroid gland.
Another factor affecting the pinched nerve in the cervical spine may be a genetic predisposition and insufficient development of the fetus during pregnancy or improper exit from the birth canal.
Treatment of a pinched cervical nerve
Experts note that this ailment is very difficult to cure completely, but it can be successfully stopped using standard treatment methods. Surgical intervention in the event of a pinched cervical nerve is necessary only as a last resort, if recovery using conservative techniques brings positive results or is too slow. First of all, therapy should be carried out for the disease that provoked the pinching.
At the same time, it is recommended to take medications. So, drug treatment involves the appointment of such drugs that relieve pain and inflammation (for example, "Nise", "Ibuprofen", "Diclofenac" or "Voltaren"). Also, drugs are needed that make it possible to improve blood circulation in the brain area.
In the case of pathological muscle tension, specialists will insist on the need to take medications that will make it possible to relax them (for example, "Mydocalm"). Vitamin complexes in therapeutic dosages (nicotinic acid, vitamins from B to B1, B6 and B12) will be no less useful. Aids for pinching a nerve in the cervical spine will be drugs with the presence of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese.
Ointments and gels should also be used, the main properties of which should be considered pain relief and deep warming. In order to ensure immobility in the cervical region, it is advisable to wear a special fixing collar.
After the radiculopathy leaves its acute phase, specialists prescribe special procedures. We are talking about electrophoresis, massage, hirudotherapy, or leech therapy, as well as manual therapy and therapeutic gymnastics. After the course of treatment has been completed, the patient will need to use special chondoprotectors. These are funds that make it possible to restore cartilage tissue ("Teraflex" or "Chondroxide").
On average, the course of treatment takes at least three months. If you stick to it in everything, then you can achieve sustainable improvement. Thus, a pinched nerve in the cervical spine is treatable. However, it is necessary to take into account not only the symptoms, but also the causes of the appearance of the presented disease.
Author of the article: Sokov Andrey Vladimirovich | Neurologist
Education: In 2005 completed an internship at the IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and received a diploma in Neurology. In 2009, completed postgraduate studies in the specialty "Nervous diseases".
