What are the dangers of cervical spine instability?

Our spine performs the most important functions - it acts as a frame and connecting element of the body's systems. Damage to its structure is fraught with dangerous consequences. A common pathology is spinal instability, the manifestation of which is displacement of the cervical vertebrae. Not everyone pays attention to discomfort in the neck, but meanwhile, it may indicate just such a pathology. In humans, there are seven vertebrae in the cervical region. Their disease can be congenital, post-traumatic or caused by other factors, which we have to understand.

CausesSymptomsEffectsTreatment

Features of cervical spondylolisthesis

The seven vertebrae of the cervical spine are significantly different from the thoracic and lumbar vertebral elements. The very first vertebra (C1, atlas) is the connecting link between the bones of the back of the head and the spine, and also connects the brain and spinal cord. The axis, or 2nd vertebra (C2), provides rotation of the atlas, tilts and turns of the head.

The atlas-axis intervertebral joint is formed like a joint, that is, it does not have a disc. The C3-C5 vertebrae cover the central vertebral artery, which supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients. C6 is adjacent to the carotid artery, which is why it is called the “carotid vertebra.” C7, which closes the cervical region, protrudes as a tubercle in the “withers” area.

The slipping (sliding) of each of the vertebrae of the neck relative to each other has its own characteristics and possible consequences. When the first vertebra is displaced, the central artery and nerve endings are compressed. As a result, the blood supply to the brain, facial skin trophism, and the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system will be disrupted.

Clinically, this can be manifested by increased blood pressure, headache, insomnia, weakness of memory and attention. In infants, the 1st vertebra may be damaged during a complicated delivery, since it is subject to the greatest pressure. Displacement of the second vertebra threatens damage to the auditory and optic nerves. Symptomatically, this is expressed by a violation of the innervation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, dysfunction of the organs of hearing and vision.

If the third vertebral element shifts, problems with phonation and the health of the larynx and nasopharynx appear. Nerve impulses pass through the fourth vertebra to the area of ​​the nose, ears, and lips. Therefore, when it slips, disturbances in the sensitivity of the innervated zones are possible. In addition, severe compression of the 4th vertebra can cause compression and inflammation of the spinal cord. Extremely serious complications in this case will be abscesses of the brain and spinal cord.

Pathology of the fifth vertebra leads to inflammatory diseases of the muscles of the cervical and thoracic back. When the sixth vertebra is displaced, the nerve connection with the neck muscles is disrupted. This causes frequent diseases of the larynx, loss of muscle flexibility in the neck and back of the head. Slipping of the seventh vertebra provokes inflammatory diseases of the joints of the upper extremities and malfunctions of the thyroid gland.

Scalene slippage of the cervical vertebrae

The shift of two or more cervical elements of the spine in one direction is called “scalene displacement.” If several vertebrae “move apart” in different directions, this will be a scalene-combined displacement. This form of cervical spondylolisthesis occurs against the background of arthrosis and osteochondrosis.

The main group of patients are elderly people. With existing chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system at the age of 60+, any increased load on the neck area can provoke spondylolisthesis. The consequences of scalene vertebral slippage affect cognitive abilities, blood pressure, quality of sleep and psycho-emotional state.

Important! A key complication of cervical spondylolisthesis is pinched nerves. In addition to constant pain, compression of nerve fibers interferes with the normal transmission of impulses. As a result, the coordinated work of the brain and internal organs is disrupted.

What is the threat?

In some cases, the appearance of this disease can be extremely dangerous, because when displaced, metabolic processes are disrupted. If it manifests itself through too much compression of the nerve roots, then there is a risk of developing paralysis and, as a consequence, disability. A timely visit to the doctor will help to avoid such problems.

Diagnostics

At the first visit to the patient, the doctor determines the need for hardware examination methods. Finds out complaints, causes of damage, examines and palpates the patient. After a comprehensive diagnosis, an exact therapeutic course is prescribed according to the diagnosis.

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Forms of deviations

The shape of the deformity is determined by the direction in which the vertebra moves. Sliding of the overlying vertebra forward relative to the underlying fragment is called anthespodylolisthesis, and displacement of the vertebra backward is called retrospondylolisthesis. A rarer option is laterospondylolisthesis, in which the vertebrae move apart in the frontal plane (to the right and left of each other).

Causes

In adults, slipping of the cervical vertebrae is provoked by both endogenous and exogenous factors. The first option is chronic diseases:

What is vertebral antelisthesis?

• spine (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis, cervical osteochondrosis, intervertebral protrusions and hernias);
• skeletal system (arthrosis, osteoporosis, sarcomas and benign bone tumors);
• endocrine system (obesity and diseases associated with metabolic failure).

An important role is played by senile destructive-dystrophic changes in the osteoarticular apparatus. With age, vertebral structures wear out, become fragile, and are easily deformed. Exogenous causes, that is, external effects on the spine, include:

• fractures of part of the arch, dislocations and subluxations of the vertebrae resulting from an accident, unprofessional massage of the spine, surgical operations;
• heavy sports loads on the shoulder girdle;
• sudden head movements in untrained people;
• smooth muscle spasm;
• physical inactivity.

Mobility of the cervical vertebrae may be the result of professional activity. For example, long-term uncomfortable head position when working at a computer. Displacement of the cervical vertebrae in a child may have a congenital etiology. Most often these are developmental defects such as too high position of the 5th vertebra, underdevelopment of the vertebral arches or articular processes, spinal dysraphism (split vertebral arch).

Dislocation of the cervical vertebrae at birth

The causes of birth injuries of the cervical spine in newborns are:

• wrapping the umbilical cord around the baby's neck;
• rapid delivery;
• abnormal baby weight (too small or too big);
• incorrect obstetric care.

The main external sign of slippage of the cervical vertebrae is torticollis in an infant. If the displacement is not aesthetically expressed, I can skip it. In the future, the pathology will cause incorrect posture, constant headaches, sleep disorders, increased nervousness in the child, and enuresis.

You can suspect a birth injury to the neck if the child throws his head back, often burps, or starts crying when he is suddenly understood (picked up). What should you do if you notice symptoms of cervical spondylolisthesis in an infant? First of all, tell your pediatrician about your concerns. If necessary, the pediatrician will refer the baby for further examination.

The most common consequence of birth injury to the neck is oblique displacement of the atlas.

Important! Slipping of the cervical vertebrae in an infant leads to poor circulation and a lack of nutrition to the brain. As a result, delays in the child’s development and disruptions in the functioning of the central and autonomic nervous systems occur.

Symptoms

Symptoms may appear immediately after the vertebrae shift, or after some time, when neurological, cognitive and vascular abnormalities begin to develop. The general clinical picture is represented by the following manifestations:

• periodic dizziness, fainting;
• pain in the neck when turning the head;
• sensation of lumbago when straightening the neck;
• frequent attacks of cephalalgia (headaches);
• rapid fatigue during mental work;
• difficulty concentrating;
• partial amnesia;
• elevated blood pressure;
• decreased sensitivity and trembling of hands;
• instability of psycho-emotional state;
• change in voice, regular exacerbations of laryngitis and pharyngitis;
• impairment of visual and auditory functions.

Displacement of the cervical vertebrae can provoke neuroses of the auditory and facial nerves.

Complications

The consequences of vertebral displacement can be very serious, especially if you do not seek professional medical help in a timely manner. Complications are associated with the specific department in which the displaced vertebra is located.

So, if a cervical vertebra is damaged, the patient suffers from the following consequences:

• headache;
• insomnia;
• hearing impairment;
• private dizziness and fainting;
• blurred vision;
• thyroid diseases;
• hoarseness.

If there are disorders in the thoracic region, the following complications arise:

• labored breathing;
• cough;
• cardiac dysfunction;
• frequent bronchitis and colds;
• liver pathologies;
• frequent heartburn;
• rheumatism.

If the displacement occurs in the lumbar region, the reproductive system and intestines suffer due to complications. The patient begins to:

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• convulsions;
• colitis;
• menstrual irregularities (in women);
• impotence (in men);
• pain in the knees;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• feeling of weakness in the lower extremities, frequent cramps.

Diagnostics

During the initial treatment with symptomatic complaints, the doctor examines the medical history, conducts a visual and palpation examination of the cervical spine. Next, the patient is prescribed a hardware examination using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or radiation diagnostic procedures (X-ray, computed tomography).

Based on the results of the x-ray (tomogram), the following is determined:

• sagittal or frontal displacement of the vertebrae;
• reduction in the height of intervertebral discs;
• narrowing of the spinal canal in the cervical spine.

When examining with a contrast agent, pathological changes in the carotid and central vertebral arteries can be detected.

Cervical spondylolisthesis on radiograph

Degrees of vertebral displacement are assessed according to Meyerding typology

What is this?

Vertebral displacement is a condition that is accompanied by rotation and displacement of the vertebrae , as well as narrowing of the intervertebral canal, leading to pain and disruption of the functioning of all internal organs.

Most often, displacement of the vertebrae occurs in the cervical region.

Flow pattern

From the moment of displacement to the first symptoms, a fairly long period of time can pass (sometimes it can be 2-3 years), which makes timely diagnosis and treatment very difficult.

The symptoms of this disease depend on the location of the pinching.

Degree of disease

Currently, doctors distinguish 5 degrees of development of this disease.:

• The vertebral displacement is slight. There are no pronounced symptoms; the only thing present is mild pain in the neck.
• The vertebra is displaced by half. There is aching pain in the neck, as well as general weakness.
• The shift occurs by 3/4. There is severe pain in the neck and back, blood supply is disrupted, gait changes, and muscle rigidity appears.
• Complete displacement of a vertebra, which is accompanied by severe pain, as well as disruption of the functioning of organs and all systems.
• If the disease has progressed to the fifth degree, then the patient already has sagging of the vertebra. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and increases the risk of rupture. At this degree, paralysis may occur.

With the fifth degree of displacement, damage to the spinal cord can occur

ICD-10 code

According to the international classification, the displacement of the vertebrae is assigned code M43.1 - spondylolisthesis.

Prevalence

Spondylolisthesis occurs in 10% of the population, and displacement of the cervical vertebrae is most often diagnosed.

Treatment of pathology

Treatment of cervical spondylolisthesis can be conservative or surgical. The degree of vertebral displacement and the severity of neurological symptoms play a decisive role in the choice of technique. The conservative treatment regimen includes:

• medications (chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, neurotropic B vitamins);
• manual massage;
• acupuncture;
• physiotherapy;
• physiotherapy sessions;
• use of a cervical orthosis, Shants collar, and other orthopedic products.

A set of exercise therapy exercises is compiled individually, taking into account the characteristics of the pathology. The patient can attend organized classes at a medical facility or perform gymnastics independently at home. Childhood neck injuries sustained during childbirth can be successfully treated with several courses of manual therapy.

Indications for surgical intervention are congenital displacement of the vertebrae or severe trauma resulting in displacement of grades III and IV. During surgery, the vertebrae are returned to their anatomical position and secured with pins.

How to treat vertebral misalignment

Methods for treating vertebral displacement are similar to methods for treating instability of the spinal system. The Alan Clinic Center for Neurology and Orthopedics in Kazan offers its patients comprehensive treatment for spinal displacement WITHOUT SURGERY! Having a modern treatment room on its territory, specializing primarily in drug-free treatment methods, minimizes the risk that the body will not accept the treatment, and there will be no side effects in the form of a reaction in the gastrointestinal tract.

The treatment package is selected individually for each patient, based on many factors (severity, age, presence/absence of concomitant diseases and contraindications). The entire treatment process is carried out under the constant supervision of the attending physician, who carefully studies the body’s sensitivity characteristics and, if necessary, quickly adjusts the treatment strategy.

Our methods of non-surgical treatment of disc herniation include:

• Various types of reflexology - influencing active points of the body in various ways (helps relieve pain and muscle spasms):
• Acupuncture - exposure to biologically active points with microneedles.
• Pharmacopuncture is the introduction of medicinal drugs of natural origin to the source of the problem.
• Tsubotherapy is a gentle effect on the reflex points of the body using metal balls.

In addition, each patient is assigned a mandatory active recovery program (this includes special exercises for the spine to be performed at home), and personal recommendations on nutrition and movement are drawn up.

All these and some other procedures are designed to relieve the patient of pain, restore activity and freedom of movement.

Useful tips

Tip #1

When playing sports, it is necessary to dose the load on the shoulder girdle.

Tip #2

To strengthen the muscular frame of the spine, doctors recommend regularly visiting the pool.

Tip #3

When working sedentarily, you should take periodic breaks and perform simple exercises to maintain your posture.

In severe cases, spondylolisthesis is corrected surgically

Prevention

The best method of treatment is their timely prevention. In order to avoid the manifestation of pathologies in the operation of any systems, it is necessary to ensure the health of the spinal column. To do this, you should eat right, get plenty of rest, exercise daily, and regularly expose your body to physical activity.

In addition, it is also recommended to avoid prolonged sitting . If your job is sedentary, then you should do regular warm-ups.

All these rules will help keep the spine, body systems, and internal organs healthy until old age.