Cervical Spondylosis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Cervical spondylosis is a term used to describe the natural wear and tear of discs, ligaments, cartilage, and bones in the neck. It is an age-related condition and is also known as cervical osteoarthritis or neck arthritis. This condition is very common in old-age people and can cause severe neck pain, and neck stiffness. In most cases, cervical spondylosis can be treated using conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, etc. If not, injections or surgery can be used to relieve your pain.
Common Signs of Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis does not show any signs in most cases. However, the following are some of the common signs:
- Neck pain and stiffness. The neck pain becomes even worse with the movement
- Soreness in the neck
- Dizziness
- Muscle spasms
- Weakness in your legs and arms
- Numbness in the shoulders, arms, legs, or feet
- A popping or grinding sound when moving your neck
- A headache
- Loss of bowel control (in rare cases)
What Causes Cervical Spondylosis?
As you get older, the bones, ligaments, and cartilage in the neck develop wear and tear. It is very common to develop these degenerative changes and most people have worn disks as they get older. The following are some of the common degenerative changes that cause cervical spondylosis:
- Degeneration: As you get older, the spinal disks in the neck get degenerated and become thin. The soft tissues also lose their elasticity.
- Herniation: As you get older, the spinal disk is prone to wear and tear and cracks might appear on the disks. This is called herniation, and from these cracks, the internal soft material in the disk may leak and the disk bulges. This can get pressed on the nearby tissues, spinal cord, and nerves. The pressure can further cause signs such as pain and numbness.
- Dehydrated disks: Disks act like cushions between the spinal bones. Over time, the gel-like material between the disks will begin to dry and shrink. Due to this, the bones get rubbed against each other and it causes severe pain.
- Bone spurs: As your spine degenerates with age, your body produces extra bones to make your spine stronger. These extra bones are called bone spurs. The bone spurs can get pressed on the spinal cord and nerve roots and cause pain.
- Stiff spinal ligaments: Ligaments are the cords that connect spinal bones. With age, the spinal ligaments may become stiff and this affects your neck movement.
- Occupation: Certain jobs involve lifting heavy objects or performing some repetitive activities that can exert pressure on the spine. This can cause wear and tear of the spine over time.
Diagnosing Cervical Spondylosis
The doctor will begin with a physical exam to check your range of motion, to test your reflexes, etc. The doctor will also ask you about your signs and medical history. All these together can help the doctor to determine the extent of pressure on cervical spine and the cause of your pain.
If the doctor suspects that you have cervical spondylosis, the following tests may be performed:
- Neck X-ray
- CT scans
- MRI scans
- CT myelography
Treatment Options for Cervical Spondylosis
If cervical spondylosis does not show any signs, you do not need any treatment. But if the condition causes signs, then you need to undergo treatment. The treatment for cervical spondylosis is based on the severity of your condition. The treatment focuses on reducing your pain and to reduce the risk of permanent damage to the spinal cord and nerves.
The different treatment options include:
- Medications: The doctor may prescribe over-the-counter medications to relieve your pain. If they do not help, the doctor may recommend muscle relaxants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy exercises can help strengthen and stretch the muscles in the neck and shoulders.
- Ice and heat: Applying ice and heat can reduce your pain and discomfort.
- Soft Collar or neck brace: The doctor may recommend wearing a soft collar or neck brace for a short time to provide relief. But you should not wear it for a long time as it can weaken your neck muscles.
- Surgery: If the above treatments do not help, or if the condition is severe, then surgery is considered. Surgery focuses on removing a herniated disk, bone spur, or a part of neck bones to provide extra space for your spinal nerves and bones.
Is Cervical Spondylosis Causing Signs? Meet Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy Today
Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy is one of the best neurosurgeons in Hyderabad. He has over 12 years of experience in treating various brain and spine injuries. He is a certified neurosurgeon and will guide you about your condition and the full range of treatment options. He first focuses on offering conservative treatments to treat your condition. He is committed to providing the highest quality and personalized care for all his patients. To know about your treatment options, schedule an appointment and get back to your pain-free life.