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CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS - ARTHRITIS OF THE NECK

What is it Cervical Spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis is degenerative arthritis of the uppermost (cervical) part of the spine. It mostly affects people over the age of 50 and can cause a variety of symptoms. Most common is an aching pain in the neck which spreads towards one or both shoulders, down the upper part of the back between the shoulder blades, or even down to the arms. The pain may come from time to time, or may be there continuously. It is sometimes brought on by a sudden jolting movement such as a car accident, a sudden twisting movement or when carrying heavy luggage for a long time. This pain is thought to arise from irritation of small pain-sensitive nerves that grow into the worn out discs which separate the bones of the spine. If a nerve is pinched by arthritic bone as it leaves the spinal canal, then you may feel a sharp electric-shock-like pain in the shoulder, spreading through into the hand. There may be numbness or tingling in the fingers. Rarely, there may be some weakness in your grip. In severe cases, there may be some weakness or numbness and tingling in the legs together with difficulty in passing water or controlling your bladder. This is due to pressure on the spinal cord from the arthritic spine.

How does Cervical Spondylosis occur ?

Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative age-related process which most commonly affects the discs between the lower two or three cervical vertebrae. It may just result from wear and tear , though it can sometimes be the result of repeated injury. If people carry heavy weights on their shoulders or take a lot of strain on their necks from sport, they are also likely to get it. As the discs wear away, small pain-sensitive nerves grow into the disc and pressure on these produces neck ache. As the bones on either side of the disc come closer together, they react by producing a fringe of new bone growth which can push onto the spinal nerve roots or spinal cord.

Treatment Involved for Cervical Spondylosis

If the pain is acute and severe, the neck is rested in a soft collar in a comfortable position. It is often a good idea to wear this at night as well as during the day. An anti-inflammatory drug is often used and physiotherapy is often helpful to relieve the pain during an acute attack. Surgery is performed only in those cases where there is either severe prolonged nerve pain in one arm with weakness, or serious weakness and numbness in the legs. If these are the symptoms, you will probably be seen by a specialist. The doctor will probably arrange a special x-ray (MRI scan) or even a myelogram in which a small needle under a local anaesthetic is passed into the space behind the spinal cord in the lower back. A dye is injected which shows up on x-ray and can tell exactly where the pressure is occurring. Surgery usually involves an operation called a laminectomy to remove the pressure from the spinal cord or nerve.

During Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis

Improvement of the symptoms is often slow and may take 4 to 12 weeks. There are no serious side-effects of treatment, provided a skilled physiotherapist is involved. Over-enthusiastic manipulation of the neck is not advised and can even be dangerous, causing further nerve and spinal cord damage.

After Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis does produce recurrent episodes of pain in the neck and arm in some patients. As time goes by, there may be some weakness and numbness in the legs which may require surgery. The doctor needs to be told about any new symptoms.

If Cervical Spondylosis is Left Untreated

Pain would be a more persistent problem. Untreated nerve or spinal cord pressure would risk permanent weakness in one or more muscles.

Effects on Family of Cervical Spondylosis

People in regular contact with you need to understand that this is a chronic disorder. Grumbling pain can make people tetchy at times. Help with chores is often appreciated in these situations.