Cervical spondylosis is a common, age and occupation-related disorder of the cervical spine that is located in the neck region. This condition is also known as neck arthritis, neck pain or cervical osteoarthritis. With age increasing, the cervical discs gradually face wear and tear resulting in the breakdown of the structure. The fluid present between the cervical discs is lost which makes the spine stiff, restricted movement that leading to cervical pain. This results in changes in the bones, discs, and joints at the spine of the neck.
As a result of the fluid dehydration and degeneration of the discs and cartilage in the surrounding area, abnormal growth or spurt of bones called osteophytes can occur leading to the narrowing of the passage from where spinal nerves exit, causing a related condition called cervical spinal stenosis.
What is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis is an umbrella term condition that is used to describe any degeneration of the spinal cord. Spondylosis first symptoms involve acute pain in the neck and back in old age. Cervical spondylosis is prevalent the amongest middle-aged and elderly people with more than 85% of people older than 60 years being a victim of this disorder that causes cervical neck pain. Early cervical spondylosis can also occur but it is rare.
Spondylitis vs Spondylosis
Spondylitis and spondylosis both influence the spinal rope however there is an essential contrast between the two. The significance of spondylitis is that it is the aggravation of at least one commonplace cervical vertebrae prompting torment in the spine. Cervical spondylosis generally alludes to any sort of degeneration of the spine. Along these lines, despite the fact that the impacts of both the illnesses may be comparable, their starting point and cause are totally unique. Understanding the contrast among spondylosis and spondylitis is significant on the grounds that it assists the specialists with deciding the course of treatment and the right drugs for the patient.
What is cervical lordosis?
Each individual person has a typical bend of the spine which is known as lordosis. The deficiency of cervical lordosis alludes to the circumstance where an individual’s spinal bend curves strangely and in an expanded manner internal. This can prompt over the top strain on the spinal rope that causes torment, uneasiness, and outrageous deadness. The deficiency of cervical lordosis is frequently one of the contributing reasons for serious instances of cervical spondylosis.
What is Cervical Vertebrae?
The cervical vertebrae of the spine are the thinnest and most delicate bunch of seven bony rings present between the base of the skull and the thoracic vertebrae at the trunk.
SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
Cervical spondylosis symptoms can vary from person to person with age to age and the extent of cervical spine pain depends on the age of the affected person. Some of the common spondylosis symptoms are:
- Excessive stiffness at the neck rejoin leads to symptoms of cervical pain in the neck
- Heavy cervical spondylosis causes headache that may originate at the main cervical spondylosis pain areas of the neck
- Pain in the shoulder and arms results in the inability to move the hands during the time of pain.
- Failure to properly turn or move the head around due to extreme pain
- Spondylosis symptoms show grinding noise, crepeating sensation when attempts are made to turn the neck around
With enough rest and appropriate rest, cervical agony side effects will generally get to the next level. The manifestations of cervical pain are greatest in the first part of the day and afterward again around evening time before bed.
In the event that osteophytes cause cervical stenosis in the cervical bone, it places extreme tension on the spinal string prompting a condition called cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The myelopathy significance is only it alludes to any illness of the spinal rope. The beginning of this optional condition can bring about the accompanying manifestations of spondylosis:
- A sensation of strange shivering, deadness, and shortcoming in the fringe areas like the arms, hands, feet, and legs
- Absence of equilibrium and coordination which prompts strolling and development hardships
- The spondylosis neck bone prompts strange reflexes and causes arbitrary muscle fits
- In severe condition, the event of incontinence or the deficiency of command over one’s urinary bladder and solid discharges
CAUSE OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
The ordinary mileage of the bones in the spinal string are the fundamental cervical spondylosis causes that outcome in degenerative spondylosis. Other potential reasons for cervical agony can the follow:
Bone Spurs or Abnormal Outgrowths of Bones called Osteophytes:
As the spine deteriorates and becomes more vulnerable because of advanced age, the body reacts by developing new and additional unresolved issues the spine more grounded. This unusual arrangement of bones or cervical osteophytes is called bone spikes. These additional bones can place strain on the spine, for example, the nerve and the spinal rope in the cervical area prompting a terrible instance of cervical plate sickness.
Got dried out Spinal Disks:
The spinal rope is comprised of little bones called vertebrae which comprises of little liquid-filled circles. The liquid in the middle of the bones is thick and behaves like cushion-like pads that assimilate the shock of weighty exercises like lifting, curving, and different developments. With age, the liquid can get dried out driving because of a condition called plate parching. This makes the bones rub against one another during exercises that cause neck spondylosis and brings about intense torment in the perilous space of the neck.
Herniated Disks:
In this condition, spinal circles foster breaks in them that outcome in spillage of the liquid present between them. This inner padding material that breaks out can press against the spinal nerves and bones bringing about the deadness of the arms and extreme agony.
Injury:
Any kind of neck injury because of a mishap can prompt the beginning of gentle cervical spondylosis which speeds up the maturing system of the cervical spine.
The solidness of the Ligament:
Tendons are groups of stringy connective tissue that associate bones and ligaments together. With age, these tendons can become stiffer that influencing the general neck development prompting a cervical issue at the neck.
Inordinate Stress and Overuse:
Individuals who are utilized in areas that require weighty liftings like development work and more inclined to foster neck spondylitis and spondylosis. Since the beginning, this sort of occupation places additional strain on the neck and spinal line prompting early lumbar spondylosis and manifestations of cervical spondylosis.
RISK FACTORS OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
The greatest risk factor of cervical spondylosis is aging and hence, it cannot be absolutely prevented from happening. But there are certainly other factors that can accelerate the onset of this condition. Such factors include:
- Neck injury due to an accident
- Work-related stressful activities that require heavy physical actions like heavy lifting
- Poor posture which means going through the same neck movements or holding your head in an uncomfortable position for a prolonged period of time, especially for people who work desk jobs. This is called repetitive stress.
- Genetic factors and family history
- Smoking
- Being overweight and inactive for a long period of time
STEPS TO PREVENT CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
There are certain cervical spondylosis home treatment measures that can be applied to prevent this condition. These home remedies for cervical pain involve:
- Keep good care of the neck and shoulder region. Avoid loading heavy objects on the head or neck. Do not sleep on a high-pillow.
- For people with desk jobs, pay attention to the posture you generally tend to follow during work. Make sure to stretch enough in between your work hours. The straightening of your cervical spine is important throughout the day. Lean back your head once in a while.
- Swimming is considered to be a relaxed exercise for cervical pain. Make sure to swim often and perform general physical activities. Do not be inactive for a long period of time. Exercise for cervical spondylitis is advised for people suffering from symptoms of spondylitis in the neck.
DIAGNOSIS OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
How to cure cervical pain? This depends on how well the disease is diagnosed in the first place. Making an accurate diagnosis of the condition involves ruling out other potential factors that can cause neck pain in general. On the basis of the results of tests, the doctor may refer the patient to an orthopedic specialist or a neurologist for further cervical spondylosis treatment. Diagnosis tests include:
1. Physical Examinations:
The first set of physics tests to determine the proper course of spondylosis treatment includes testing the reflexes of the patient and check for the presence of muscle weakness and deficits in the sensory nerve function. For cervical spondylitis treatment, doctors also run tests to determine the range of neck movement and the general state of the overall walking movement to understand cervical treatment necessary. All these tests help the doctor understand if the spinal nerves and cords are under any sort of extra pressure. To confirm the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis, doctors will order imaging tests and nerve function tests.
2. Imaging Tests:
- X-Ray Imaging – To check for the presence of bone spurs and other abnormal growth of spinal bones
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan – To obtain detailed images of the cervical region
- MRI Scan – This procedure involves the use of radiowaves that help the doctor determine the presence of pinched nerves
- Myelogram – In this case, an injected loaded with a tracer dye is used to highlight the areas of the c spine, Coupled with CT Scan or X-Rays, doctors can find better images of the affected areas.
3. Nerve Function Tests:
- Electromyogram (EMG) – This test is used to determine if the nerves of the body are functioning in a normal way. EMG records the passage of nerve signals in the body by measuring the electrical activity of the nerves.
- Nerve Conduction Study – By placing electrodes on the skin, the doctor studies the speed and strength of the signals sent by the nerve endings in the body.
TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT
Spondylosis treatments mainly focus on how to cure cervical spondylosis permanently, pain relief and lowering the risk of extensive damage to your vertebrae. Treatment for cervical spondylosis include:
Physiotherapy Exercises for Cervical Spondylosis
On the beginning of cervical agony side effects and treatment, physiotherapy for cervical spondylosis is an extraordinary way for help with discomfort. With the assistance of a prepared actual advisor, you can realize every one of the activities for cervical spondylosis. This bundle of cervical torment practice incorporates cervical spondylosis activities to help stretch and fortify the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
Certain types of activities for cervical agony include the utilization of neck footing – a type of cervical spondylosis physiotherapy treatment that utilizations loads to assist with expanding the space between the cervical joints and lessen the tension shaping on the cervical plates and nerve roots.
Medications
Commonly administered medications for the treatment of Cervical Spondylosis are:
- Muscle relaxants – The best medicines for cervical spondylosis are targeted towards treating muscle spasms. Medicines such as cyclobenzaprine are useful in relaxing the pressurized muscles of the neck and cervical region.
- Narcotics – Doctor prescribed narcotics such as hydrocodone help for instant pain relief
- Anti-seizure medications – Anti-epileptic medicine for cervical pain – medicines such as gabapentin help to reduce and remove the pain caused due to damage of the nerve
- Steroid administration – Cervical pain medicine may also involve the administration of steroid injections such as prednisone to reduce the occurrence of tissue inflammation and effectively reduce pain. For mild pain, corticosteroid medications have proved to be helpful
- Non-steroidal drugs – Such drugs prescribed by the doctor such as diclofenac are anti-inflammatory and can hence reduce the pain caused due to cervical spondylosis
- Antidepressants – It has also proven to be helpful in relieving severe neck and shoulder pain
- Homeopathy – Certain homeopathic medicine for cervical spondylosis is also available for people suffering from acute cervical spondylosis
Home Remedies for Cervical Spondylosis
Different home treatment choices are accessible to assist with facilitating the aggravation of cervical spondylosis. First and foremost, patients who are experiencing this neck torment illness are encouraged to take sufficient rest during the day and keep appropriate consideration of their stance. Individuals who secure spondylosis at an early age ordinarily do as such due to terrible review propensities.
The home medicines that can assist with alleviating torment incorporate the accompanying:
- Over-the-counter torment drugs – Administration of medications that can be purchased over the counter regularly assist patients with relief from discomfort. Such medications contain Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) work incredibly towards handling torment due to spondylotic changes of the spine.
- Hotness and cold treatment assist with giving alleviation and furthermore works in loosening up the sensitive muscles of the neck and shoulders. Utilizing a warming pack or a virus pack can be a decent home solution for cervical spondylosis
- Chiropractic control can help to control occasions of more serious agony due to cervical spondylosis
- Wearing a neck collar for cervical spondylosis helps limit development and offers help for the neck and shoulders. Nonetheless, these neck collars ought not to be worn for a more drawn-out timeframe as they can cause muscle shortcomings.
- A few groups choose ayurvedic medication for cervical spondylosis and Patanjali medication for cervical spondylosis to fix their affliction
The Need for Cervical Spondylosis Surgery
Cervical spondylosis isn’t moderate despite the fact that patients could need to live with serious agony for extensive stretches of time for their entire life as it is an ongoing condition. Cervical Spondylosis Surgery is possibly exhorted by specialists in interesting situations when different types of treatment don’t assist with facilitating the aggravation. For individuals who experience the ill effects of an ever-evolving loss of capacity in the arms, hands, and legs, medical procedures might be expected to fix the deformity at the source point. This is on the grounds that any type of pressure at the rope might bring about a long-lasting practical handicap.
In instances of the medical procedure, the primary objective is to eliminate the regions or sources that have been applying additional strain to the spinal string and sensitive spots. A few broad types of medical procedures may likewise include the addition of inserts or bone unions to add adjustment. Specialists likewise play out a combination of the declined plates as a solution for cervical spondylosis.
ROAD TO RECOVERY AND AFTERCARE
Cervical spondylosis is not uncommon among people who have crossed their 60s. Early diagnosis of this disease can help doctors recommend a conservative line of treatment to help ease the pain. Though this condition is not reversible, with proper care, home remedies, and lifestyle practices, patients overcome the stiffness and discomfort.
CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS FAQS: ALL YOUR CONCERNS ADDRESSED
Q. What is cervical pain?
- Cervical pain is the stiffness and discomfort felt at the neck region by patients suffering from cases of cervical spondylosis, cervical spondylitis, cervical lordosis and similar other diseases that affect the spinal cord at the neck.
Q. What is the difference between cervical and lumbar spondylosis?
- Cervical spondylosis occurs at the cervical vertebrae near the neck. Lumbar spondylosis causes the lower lumbar region of the vertebrae to face severe pain.
Q. What is cervical spondylitis?
- Spondylitis symptoms are because of the inflammation in any of the joints in the vertebrae of the spine. Contrary to cervical spondylosis, spondylitis pain occurs due to this inflammation and not the degeneration of the spinal cord discs.
Q. Are cervical spondylosis and cervical spondylitis serious?
- Both these conditions can cause stiffness, discomfort and severe pain in the neck region. But they are nor progressive and show symptoms slowly over time. With proper care and timely corrective surgery, patients can cure themselves of cervical pain.
Q. Can cervical spondylosis cause a stroke?
- Though uncommon, a cervical attack can happen to people who suffer from cervical spondylosis. A transient ischemic stroke occurs because of the presence of abnormal bone spurs or osteophytes that can block blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. Such attacks often happen unexplained and can be the main reason for shock among the patients. With immediate treatment, cervical attack improves within 24 hours.
Q. Can cervical spondylosis cause fainting issues?
- Cervical spondylosis is another factor that can contribute to neck-related dizziness or fainting among people suffering from the condition.
Q. What happens in patients with cervical spondylosis?
- Patients suffering from cervical spondylosis face spinal cord compression that usually leads to a lack of function of the spinal cord. Because the tissue of the spinal cord is damaged, patients are more susceptible to spine injury and may lose movement capabilities. In such serious cases, surgery may be necessary.
Q. What happens if cervical spondylosis is not treated?
- If timely treatment is not administered, the condition can become serious in some patients. The increased degeneration and inflammation of the vertebrae can result in the bones fusing with each other which, in turn, leads to extra stiffness and rigidity of the spine. Patients can lose their movement ability with a decreased range of motion like the inability to bend, twist or turn.
Q. What are the usual risk factors that can lead to cervical spondylosis?
- Cervical spondylosis occurrences are quite normal among the elderly. The risk factors include normal wear and tear of the cervical spinal cord after a certain age with time. There are other factors that can accelerate the occurrence of cervical spondylosis. These factors include severe neck injuries due to an accident, work habits like desk jobs that require people to sit in a certain posture for a long period of time, and other jobs that involve heavy lifting and physical activities.
Q. What is the best treatment for cervical spondylosis?
- Various over-the-counter and prescribed medications are available in the market that helps reduce the pain of cervical spondylosis. Physiotherapy and regular exercise are also helpful for such patients. The use of devices such as neck traction and neck collar help ease the pain in many cases of mild cervical pain. In certain rare situations, doctors may advise the patients to undergo surgery too.
Q. What is cervical lordosis?
- Cervical lordosis meaning is that it refers to the normal curve of the spinal cord. Loss of cervical lordosis meaning is referred to as the condition in which the cervical curve arches too far inward. Cervical lordosis loss causes severe pain, discomfort and affects the patient’s ability for normal movement of the neck and shoulders.
Q. Is cervical spondylosis dangerous?
- Cervical spondylosis is a common occurrence as people age. It won’t have any symptoms in most people. Many won’t even be aware of the changes that may be happening in their neck.Although cervical spondylosis usually won’t cause any disability, the changes in the spine may compress the spinal cord or the nerve roots attached to it m. As a result, the individual may feel weak or clumsy in their legs or hands.
Q. What are the dos and don’ts in cervical spondylosis?
- Cervical spondylosis can be prevented. Below mentioned are a few simple dos and don’ts that anyone can follow to avoid chronic neck pain.
- Maintain a good posture at all times. The neck must be in a neutral position so that the head is well balanced directly over the spine.
- Keep your shoulders down and back in a relaxed position. Try setting an alarm every forty-five minutes to check in on yourself and fix your posture.
- Try to manage stress levels. Stress may increase the perception of pain and further promote poor positioning and tension in muscles.
- If you have a desk job, set your workstation in a way so that the computer screen is at your eye level and your feet are supported on the floor.
- Don’t roll your neck to relax. This creates unnecessary grinding in the bones. You can instead stretch your neck from side to side slowly and hold the position for ten seconds for each side.
- Make sure that you don’t bend your neck for more than ten minutes when you are reading a book, or looking down at a smartphone or computer. Change your position to keep looking straight.
- If the neck pain lasts for more than two weeks, you need to seek professional care.
Q. Can cervical spondylosis cause paralysis?
- Cervical spondylosis produces symptoms when the spinal cord or the spinal nerve roots are compressed. This leads to jerky or spastic leg movements and walking becomes unsteady. It may also decrease the sensations in the neck. The neck may be painful and become less flexible. The individual may feel exaggerated reflexes in the leg, and sometimes, the muscles may contract involuntarily.In severe cases, the compression may impair bladder and bowel function. If the spinal cord is severely damaged from the neck trauma, it may paralyze all four limbs suddenly.
Q. What kind of doctors treat cervical spondylosis?
- Cervical spondylosis can be treated by many different specialties of physicians, which may include family medicine doctors, internists, neurologists, rheumatologists, neurosurgeons, general practitioners, orthopaedists, and pain management, specialists. Non-physician healthcare practitioners who can treat spondylosis include
- physician assistants
- nurse practitioners
- physical therapists
- massage therapists
- chiropractors
Q. When should someone seek medical care for cervical spondylosis?
- Spondylosis is diagnosed by plain film X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan. Most of the people will have already gone through these diagnosis procedures after being ordered by their primary doctor. Re-evaluation or medical care may be necessary in the following situations.
- If the prescribed treatment fails to manage the pain
- In case an acute nerve dysfunction develops causing weakness in one or more limbs. It is important to visit your doctor if you feel your leg is weak and you can’t flex your foot or ankle.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control during the time when acute back or neck pain has set in. Inability to start or stop urinating is a serious nerve dysfunction. It should be evaluated at the emergency department immediately.
- Saddle anaesthesia. The term is used to describe numbness in the groin area or the bottom part that would contact a saddle. This again needs emergency medical care.
- If back or neck pain is associated with weight loss or fever greater than 100-degree Fahrenheit.
Q. Can my lifestyle cause cervical spondylosis?
- Yes, to an extent. Faulty posture related to work may result in neck strain and thus likely to cause muscle and ligament tension. Some of the other activities that increase the risk include:
- Using a phone on one shoulder and leaning at it for a long time.
- Prolonged sitting and standing in a still position.
- Faulty posture while sitting at the chair or at the desk,
- Driving.
Q. Are there any simple exercises to combat cervical spondylosis?
- Stand while touching your back with the walls. Try to push the wall with your back and neck. This may help correct your body posture.
Q. Can I do physiotherapy for cervical spondylosis?
- Physiotherapy along with cervical spondylosis treatment is going to help you. But make sure to consult a trained physiotherapist for the same. Do not try anything on your own.
Q. What are the symptoms of cervical spondylosis?
- Most people do not witness any cervical spondylosis symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they may be inclusive of pain and stiffness in the neck. In a severe case, you may notice:
- Tingling, numbness, and weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet
- Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
