Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease, the symptoms of which are often masked by other ailments.As a result, a person may suspect problems with the heart, lungs and other organs, while the disease of the spine remains unnoticed and progresses, causing serious discomfort.It is worth familiarizing yourself with the manifestations of osteochondrosis and consulting a doctor if you find similar symptoms.
Pathogenesis of pain in the legs and arms with cervical osteochondrosis

Often, with cervical osteochondrosis, pain in the legs and arms appears, a person loses his work capacity and cannot even carry out daily activities.It is necessary to understand what are the mechanisms at the origin of pain syndrome and what brings it.As the disease develops, the cartilage tissue located between the vertebrae suffers degenerative processes and becomes less elastic, its impact absorption properties decrease.For this reason, cracks may appear in intervertebral discs, fibrous rings begin to swell, which over time leads to the formation of hernias, so that the nearby fabrics begin to be injured subsequently:
- spinal cord;
- nerve roots;
- blood vessels.
These are all possible causes of severe pain, since the nervous tissue is directly interested.The pain that occurs in such places can radiate to the arms, legs and other parts of the body.
Symptoms
Leg pain with cervical osteochondrosis is not the only manifestation of the disease.Additionally, people complain about:
- muscle weakness;
- pain that "spreads" behind and the back of the head;
- abundant sweating;
- numbness of the skin of the hands;
- violation of orientation in space;
- dizziness;
- decreased hearing and vision;
- hypertension;
- headache, etc.
Also, there are some problems with the joints.If you know what to look for, you can suspect that you have osteochondrosis and promptly consult a neurologist for diagnosis and treatment.
The sound of joints snapping
If you have the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, your arm hurts and you find yourself with the symptoms listed above, listen to your body.It is better to pay attention to how "it behaves" the neck during movement.Click, creak and other similar sounds may indicate the presence of osteochondrosis.They are often accompanied by pain, which makes you want to stop moving immediately.
Loss of sensitivity
This is a characteristic symptom of the crushed nerves, which can indicate that the distance between the vertebrae in the cervical column has decreased and the nervous process has been crushed.Often this condition is accompanied by severe pain, which can radiate to the limbs or other parts of the body.Patients often complain that their arm hurts because of the cervical column osteochondrosis and there is a feeling of "pins and needles" or tingling.
Increased joint size
As a result of degenerative processes, it may turn out that the joints of the cervical spine have become enlarged, swollen, and their palpation is very painful.This is a sure sign of an ongoing pathological process that can be triggered by osteochondrosis.If you discover such a manifestation in yourself, do not hesitate to visit a doctor.
Joint damage
If your arm hurts because of the cervical osteochondrosis, it is possible that the disease has caused damage to the spinal structures.This is fraught with inflammations, pinchings and other unpleasant phenomena, including disability.Osteochondrosis must be diagnosed as soon as possible, so we advise you to consult a specialist at the first characteristic signals.
Treatment of pain in the arms and legs
It is worth understanding that this disease is very specific and there is no single method that can save you forever from the unpleasant manifestations of the disease.If the pain radiates to the muscles of the arm in case of cervical osteochondrosis and other inconveniences occur, treatment should be comprehensive and include:
- take medications;
- apply ointments;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- massages;
- exercises to strengthen muscles.
Only by treating the disease in a complete way will you be able to get rid of its manifestations and find comfort in everyday life.
Drug therapy
Taking medications for cervical osteochondrosis, when pain in the arms may appear, is aimed at solving many problems.Namely:
- improve blood circulation;
- slow down the degenerative processes in the cartilage;
- numb the affected area;
- guarantee the contribution of all the substances necessary for the fabrics.
The doctor may prescribe pills, ointments or even injections, depending on the extent of the disease and the intensity of his manifestations.Sodium metamizol, nimesulide, ketoprofen, etc.They are often prescribed as painkillers.The injections are usually prescribed to alleviate an acute condition and improve the well -being of a person as quickly as possible.This can be sodium metamizol in the form of injections to relieve pain, diclofenac as anti -inflammatory and analgesic, ketoprofen, which is used only in serious conditions, as well as the vitamins of group B, designed to protect the nerve processes from damage.If the left arm hurts due to cervical osteochondrosis, topical drugs are often prescribed: pain relievers, anti -inflammatory, chondroprotectors and even irritating compounds.The latter improve blood circulation quite well in the affected area and the drugs themselves, when applied on the skin, cause a burning sensation, tingling, etc.
Physiotherapy
You may also be prescribed physical therapy.Often the treatment of cervical osteochondosis and pain in the hand involves passing the patient:
- electrotherapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- shock wave procedures;
- Balnetherapy, etc.
A complex effect, together with the intake of drugs, brings tangible results.
Gymnastics
In case of cervical osteochondosis, the patient's attitude towards treatment is also of great importance.If a person responsibly approaches this process, he must devote due diligence to daily gymnastics and performance of medical exercises.These methods are designed to strengthen muscles, improve blood circulation and stabilize the vertebrae.As a rule, gymnastics and exercises are prescribed when severe pain recedes and a person can move his head normally and the first mobility of the arms and legs returns.It is recommended to perform exercises regularly and constantly, which will avoid repeated manifestations of the disease.
Massage
If you don't know if the legs can hurt the cervical osteochondrosis, if pain in the upper limbs are administered, it is worth knowing that they are quite common symptoms of the disease.The massages help to get rid of it partially.It is recommended to undergo a massage course in a professional and also not to exclude other treatment methods, since only an integrated approach will solve the problem.In the future, under the guidance of a masseur, you can learn the car -Massage at home.