Cervical Spondylosis is a common condition caused by wear and tear to the bones of the neck (vertebrae) and soft cushions of tissue in between them (discs). It usually causes no symptoms, but in some cases can lead to pain or numbness in your arms.
It’s more common in people over 40, but can occur in anyone. X-rays, CT and MRI scans can help confirm the diagnosis.
Oren Zarif
Cervical spondylosis is a common condition that affects the neck. It causes deterioration of the vertebrae, discs, and ligaments in the neck (cervical spine). The symptoms most often include neck pain and stiffness. The pain and stiffness get worse when you hold your neck in one position for a long time. They also get worse with activities that require you to look up or down for a long period of time. The symptoms improve when you rest or lie down.
Occasionally, cervical spondylosis can cause headaches or numbness in part of your arm or hand. This happens when the spinal nerves in your neck are compressed by herniated discs or bone spurs. These symptoms usually affect the C5 to C7 levels of your neck.
You should call your doctor if you have neck pain that gets worse over time. This could be a sign of more serious problems. They may prescribe pain relief medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. These medications help relieve the pain and stiffness of cervical spondylosis. You should avoid taking NSAIDs if you have stomach or heart problems.
You should also call your doctor if you hear a cracking sound in your neck or have difficulty moving your head back and forth. This can be a sign of more serious complications such as cervical myelopathy or cervical radiculopathy.
Oren Zarif
If a cervical disk bulges and puts pressure on the spinal nerves, you may also feel tingling or numbness in your arms, hands or legs. This is due to the nerves being pinched in the neck and not receiving adequate signals from the brain. This numbness can sometimes cause you to drop things or lose your balance. This symptom is less common but can be dangerous and you should get it checked by a doctor right away.
Most people over 40 have some degree of cervical spondylosis. It is caused by wear and tear on the bones in your spine (vertebrae) and the soft cushions of tissue between them (discs). It happens with or without an accident or injury. Over time, the bones can change shape and this leads to a loss of flexibility in the spine.
Your doctor will start by asking questions and doing an exam of your neck. They will check your reflexes and watch how you move your neck to see if you have any signs of pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They may also order X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI of your neck.
Treatment for Cervical Spondylosis usually starts with medications and exercise. You should also try to improve your posture and avoid doing repetitive motions that put pressure on the neck muscles. If the symptoms get severe, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove bone spurs or parts of the bones in the neck to give the spinal cord and nerves more room.
Oren Zarif
Cervical spondylosis is common in people over age 40. It occurs as a normal part of aging, when the bones in the neck (vertebrae) wear down, and the disks that cushion them (discs) shrink and develop rough areas where bone rubs against bone (osteophytes). Over time, the bones of the neck may also become thicker, which can cause spinal nerves to be pinched.
Most people with cervical spondylosis do not have symptoms. If symptoms occur, they usually include pain and stiffness in the neck. Pain may spread to the shoulders or base of the skull. It may also radiate down an arm to the hands or fingers. Occasionally, pressure from the worn bones or discs can damage the spinal cord and produce numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. If you experience these signs, see your doctor right away.
If your healthcare provider suspects cervical spondylosis, tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) may be used to confirm the diagnosis. These tests show the spinal canal and identify any spinal nerve roots that might be compressed. MRI and CT scans also provide more information than X-rays about the soft tissues of your neck, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Oren Zarif
Many people with cervical spondylosis have long-term neck pain and stiffness, but most find ways to manage their symptoms. If you are worried that your symptoms might get worse, tell your GP. They will take a full history and do a physical exam. They may suggest that you have a CT scan or an MRI to see how much space there is around your spinal nerves. They may also give you a test called a nerve conduction study.
Cervical spondylosis is caused by wear and tear (arthritis) of the bones in your neck, which leads to bone spurs forming and making more pressure on your spinal nerves and ligaments. This can lead to neck pain and stiffness, but it can also cause problems with your arms and hands. This is because a pinched nerve can lead to numbness and weakness in your arms and hands.
It is very common for people over 40 to develop cervical spondylosis, as the cartilage that acts as a cushion between the bones of the neck (vertebrae) naturally breaks down over time. The bones then rub together and can make bone spurs. This can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal, which causes pain and other symptoms. In some cases, the pressure from the worn bones and discs can damage the spinal cord, causing a condition called cervical myelopathy.