A Simple Guide to Cervical Spondylosis

A Simple Guide to Cervical Spondylosis
---------------------------------------------

What is Cervical Spondylosis?
----------------------------------

Cervical Spondylosis is a degenerative disease of the joints of the cervical spine(neck), causing pain in the neck and nerve root irritation.

Who get Cervical Spondylosis?
-------------------------------------

Every one can get Cervical Spondylosis.
The age of onset is usually in the late 40 or early 50.
It is also more common in men than women.
It is worst in the lower cervical spine.

What are the causes of Cervical Spondylosis?
-----------------------------------------------

The causes of Cervical Spondylosis are:

1.Age Degeneration of the cervical spine due to usage such as bending the head to read or write.
The weight of the skull also serves to compress the vertebrae of the cervical spine as well as the intervertebral discs causing narrowing of disc space and bone protrusions called osteophytes which becomes worse with age.

2.Trauma and injury such as whip lash injury, head injuries can also indirectly injure the vertebra of the neck and cause intervertebral disc protrusions.

3. Congenital abnormality of the cervical spine such as incomplete formation of the vertebra and disc.

What are the Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis?
-------------------------------------------------------

1.The onset is usually gradual with occasional neck pain over weeks or months.

2.There may be a history of trauma to the neck or prolonged neck strain.

3.Early morning neck stiffness and pain may occur,then wears off during the day.

4.The pain may radiate to the shoulder or upper limb.
Pain can be persistent in some cases.

5.Numbness, paresthesia even weakness of the arm and hands may occur due to compression of the neck nerve root.

6.Headaches may be common due to pressure on the neck muscles giving rise to pain to the occiptal region.

7.Neck movements may be restricted in all directions. There may be creaking sounds of the neck on movement.

8.Muscle weakness of the upper and/or lower limb with muscle wasting

Pain may be aggravated by stress, poor general health, prolonged period of the neck in one position.

How is Cervical Spondylosis diagnosed?
-----------------------------------------

Confirmation is usually by an xray of the cervical spine which may show:
Typical cervical vertebra degeneration,
Disc space narrowing
Osteophytic changes
Narrowing of the exit foramina
Subluxations of the vertebra
Sclerosis of the vertebral margins
Lordosis of the spine

How to treat Cervical Spondylosis?
------------------------------------

Not every patient suffer the same degree of symptoms

1. mild requiring only exercises or mild pain killers.

2. more severe require:

a.Neck collars

b.physiotherapy -cervical traction, shortwave diathermy, neck exercises

c.NSAIDs painkillers

d.surgery for cord compression,intractable root symptoms,vertebral artery compression,weakness of arms or legs

3. All cases require:

protection of neck from muscle strain

avoidance of excessive bending and turning of neck

maintenance of good posture

avoidance of emotional stress

What is the prognosis of Cervical Spondylosis?
------------------------------------------------

Symptoms comes and go.

With exercise and NSAIDS, pain is reduced and flexibility of the spine is improved especially with regular exercise and proper posture.

Injury and stress can aggravate the condition.

There is no cure.