What Is Cervical Spondylosis (Cervical Osteoarthritis)? What Causes Cervical Spondylosis?

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Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Also Included In: Arthritis / Rheumatology;  Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 24 Nov 2009 - 6:00 PDT



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What Is Cervical Spondylosis (Cervical Osteoarthritis)? What Causes Cervical Spondylosis?

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Cervical spondylosis, also known as cervical osteoarthritis and degenerative osteoarthritis, refers to the deterioration of the vertebrae and discs in the neck as we get older - specifically, the cervical spine, which is the section of spine in the neck. The edges of the vertebrae often develop small, rough areas of bone called osteophytes. As years go by the discs get thinner, increasing the risk of symptoms. The condition usually appears in men and women older than 40 and progresses with age. Men usually develop it at an earlier age than women do. It can lead to bouts of stiffness and neck pain.

Swollen neck joints can press or pinch nearby nerves roots or the spinal cord itself, resulting in pins and needles, and sometimes even pain in the limbs; in some cases there may be loss of feelings and coordination. Some patients may find walking difficult.

According to the National Health Service, most of us will have had some degree of cervical spondylosis symptoms by the time we reach 70 years of age.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

Cervical spondylosis is spondylosis affecting the cervical vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and surrounding soft tissue."

What are the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis?

A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.

In most cases patients just experience a pain in the neck and a bit of stiffness, and perhaps the occasional headache.

What causes cervical spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis is caused by long term (chronic) degeneration (wear-and-tear) of the cervical spine. Previous neck injury may also cause eventual cervical spondylosis.

Some long-term activities, such as carrying axial loads, professional dancing and gymnastics may contribute to a higher risk of developing cervical spondylosis. Cervical spondylosis tends to be more common among people who practiced martial arts for many years.

Some researchers say that a genetic cause is possible, because familial cases have been reported.

Smoking may also increase the risk of developing cervical spondylosis.

How is cervical spondylosis diagnosed?

If a patient comes to a GP (general practitioner, primary care physician, family doctor) with neck pain or stiffness and is over 40, cervical spondylosis will be suspected. The following diagnostic procedures and tests may be carried out:

What is the treatment for cervical spondylosis?

Generally, cervical spondylosis will resolve itself over time, even without treatment. In some rare cases this does not happen and the pain and stiffness get worse.

Pain - OTC (over-the-counter, no prescription required) NSAIDs will help most people with pain. Patients with asthma, liver disease, heart disease, hypertension and a history of stomach problems should not take NSAIDs. For severe pain the doctor may prescribe codeine.

Muscle relaxants - if neck muscle abruptly tighten (spasms), diazepam or a similar muscle relaxant may be prescribed.

Amitriptyline - originally designed to treat depression, this medication is sometimes used for relentless pain that has not responded to other treatments.

Gabapentin - may be prescribed for pins and needles.

Very severe pain - a steroid medication may be injected into the neck.

Surgery - surgery is rare and only considered if the radiating arm pain does not respond to treatment and persists. The doctor will also look at MRI results and determine whether there is nerve root compression or pressure on the spinal cord. Patients with myelopathy may also benefit from surgery. According to the National Health Service, patients should not wear a neck brace for a long time, because it might actually worsen symptoms.

Today there are several different surgical approaches to cervical spondylosis. The spine can be approached form the front, side or rear. The surgeon will usually remove some osteophytes and possible portions of a disc - this will reduce pressure on root joints and the spinal cord. According to the National Health Service, patients should not wear a neck brace for a long time, because it might actually worsen symptoms.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Visitor Opinions (latest shown first)

you can get relief from cervical spondylitis

posted by SRIVASTAVA SM on 20 May 2013 at 3:24 am

I also suffered with this problem, so many doctors & medicine faced by me but there is no solution for that. Doctors was advising me for operation for the same but no one was taking its guarantee for proper fitness after surgical operation. Lastly someone has suggested me to take treatment of ACCUPRESSURE, I have taken this treatment continuously 04 months and became 80% fitness. But due bike driving, sitting job, bad position of road and streets 20% could not be recovered. for self maintenance I myself do some therapy on daily basis for fitness. Result is that without taking any medicine or single pills you can survive on daily of acupressure therapy.

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Cervical Osteoarthritis

posted by Rob on 24 Apr 2013 at 8:57 am

I have had a progression of Osteoarthritis since 1995. In January 2010 that progression turned full blow and I now have DDD and DJD. But, I am considered rare because I have it in all three parts of my spine. I know what you all are feeling, trust me. The doctors will not tell you why they won't do surgery because they know that it is more likely that surgery will make it worse. A herniated disc is different than DDD and DJD and unless you have the herniated disc then they just won't do surgery, unless the disc is buldging into the spinal cord. Trust me, all the information is on the net and in journals on government websites.

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informatic

posted by venkateswara rao kadamati on 13 Feb 2013 at 3:41 am

The problem was detailedly narrated but it will more clear if you explain it by a diagram

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i have a severe pain in my neck and shoulder

posted by shanker vashsitha on 31 Jan 2013 at 7:34 pm

Dear, Friend,
For last 8 year i am suffering from cervical spondylosis and i want its proper cure so please help me and suggest the doctors name in rajasthan specially in jaipur and alwar. thank you I oblige you ever.

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painful time - cervical spondylosis

posted by dinesh thakur on 3 Jan 2013 at 9:35 pm

i had suffering from last 6 years with this problem

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Severe Cervical Spondylosis

posted by Muhammad Nadeem on 8 Oct 2012 at 3:43 am

Why you did not use any "Homeopathic Medicine", I had the same issue and I suffered a long time, met with surgeons and doctors even physiotherapist and finally I realize that doctors have nothing to do with this issue.
So I tried some "Homeopathic Medicine" and the results are awesome. Please meet your nearest homeopathic doctor as soon as possible and be safe and happy,
May ALLAH give you relief from this and give you health and wealth.
Amen,

Nadeem

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cs

posted by rafiu on 26 Sep 2012 at 7:48 am

can cs be completely cure?

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cervical spondylosis

posted by rafiu on 26 Sep 2012 at 7:25 am

ive been having CS for d past 6 yrs nw
ive done xray n mri
i even visit psyiotherapist twice a weak
still d pain is getting worse
ortho surgeon said i dont need surgery
pls wht can i do

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not really an opinion

posted by Jackie on 18 May 2012 at 8:18 pm

I was told by my lawyer and judge when I was there for my disability heareing that's when they said I had advanced cervical spolydoses I had no idea what it was and no ever told me hell of a way to find out now I'm going to find out who diagosed me with this and didn't bother to tell me about and this was two years ago I am just now trying to figure out what is really going on do I have it or not. I do how ever have alot of the symptems especially the neck pain real bad and headaches everyday and alot of times the headaches become migrainsio

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Cervical Spondylosis

posted by M. Burns on 16 Apr 2012 at 1:23 pm

My severe Cervical Spondylosis, is progressing again,and I do not know what to do, Is there anything the Medical profession can do for me, I also have Ostephyes, and narrowing, M. Burns

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Severe Cervical Spondylosis

posted by M Burns on 25 Nov 2009 at 12:27 am

It is one of the best that I have read and explains a lots of questions I had. Thank you M.Burns

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