Cervical Spondylosis Simplified: Understanding Symptoms and Care Tips

One kind of degenerative disease that affects the neck is cervical spondylosis. Normally, your spine vertebrae, the bones that make up the spine, are cushioned by soft disks. These disks become squeezed in cervical spondylosis. The cartilage lining the vertebrae on either side of the disc, where they come into contact, may deteriorate as a result. Spurs may form on your vertebrae, and they rub against one another when this protective cartilage is gone. There may be less space for spinal cord-attached nerves to travel between vertebrae as they leave the spine. As people age, this condition becomes more prevalent. However, many people have no symptoms, and you might not even be conscious that your neck is changing. However, the spinal cord or the nerve roots that are connected to it may occasionally get compressed as a result of these spinal abnormalities.

What is cervical spondylosis?

The usual term for wear and strain on the cervical spine is cervical spondylosis. The term cervical describes the seven stacked vertebrae in your neck. Spondylosis occurs when certain areas of your spine start to deteriorate. Your neck may feel stiff, ache or injured in this condition. Although this condition cannot be cured, there are methods to manage and prevent it.  

What are the symptoms of cervical spondylosis?

The symptoms of cervical spondylosis involve,

• Neck pain
• Stiff neck
• A bump or knot in the neck
• Muscle spasms
• Dizziness
• Headache

What are the causes of spondylosis?

Many factors lead to spondylosis. Some of them are as follows:

• Degenerative disk disease
• Herniated disk
• Osteoarthritis
• Bone spurs
• Spinal stenosis  
• Genetic mutations
• Spin injuries
• Tumour in spine
• Vertebrae malformation  
• Conditions affecting nerves and muscle  

What are the complications of spondylosis?

When cervical spondylosis is not treated in time, it results in many complications, which are as follows:

• Cervical myelopathy: It occurs when the spinal cord in the neck region is compressed.  
• Cervical radiculopathy: It occurs when the nerve is pinched in the cervical region.  

Diagnosis of cervical spondylosis  

The initial step of scoliosis diagnosis is a scoliosis screening. It helps to look at the posture, ailment and spinal curvatures. It is one of the early diagnostic methods. The other diagnostic tests include,

Computed tomography (CT) scans

This diagnostic method uses X-rays to create images of the spine. Usually, a contrast, a type of dye, helps produce clearer images of the body. It is administered to the patient via the IV route. CT scanning aids in the diagnosis of an infection and detection of masses, tumours and other additional growths in the spinal cord.  

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

It is a kind of image testing that uses magnets and strong radio waves to produce images of the internal structures of the spinal cord. Unlike CT scan, it does not use X-rays. Individual MRI images are referred to as slices. The pictures can be stored on a computer or can be printed on a film. Thousands of pictures can be produced in a single examination, and this scanning causes no harm.

Treatment for cervical spondylosis

There are several treatment methods for cervical spondylosis. More than one treatment is given at a time for effectiveness. Even though there is no cure for spasticity, these treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. The treatment includes,

Medications: Painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids are employed by the orthopaedic surgeon to manage the pain and to improve lung function and muscle weakness. Sometimes, steroid injections are directly given to the bones or joints to reduce the pain and inflammation.  

Physiotherapy: Exercises and rehabilitation techniques help restore the strength, flexibility and functioning of the affected area. Physiotherapists are therapists who work closely with orthopaedic surgeons to help manage bone-related problems. They mainly focus on treating the problems through exercises, physical activities, and massaging.

Restricting the movement: It is often recommended that the injured area be rested until it heals. Orthopaedic surgeons may put casts or slabs to secure the injured bones or joints.

Orthotics and bracing: These are the neck braces that are given to support the musculoskeletal system. They are used to reduce pain, prevent further injuries and manage alignment issues.  

Botox treatment: A local injection called botulinum toxin is injected into the cervical muscles. It reduces the tone in the muscles that cause the most spasms. It improves muscle comfort, positioning and function.  

Conclusion

To conclude, cervical spondylosis is a degenerative cervical strain that affects your neck, causing pain, discomfort, muscle spasms and stiffness. It is a treatable condition managed through several treatment techniques and equipment to support your neck and manage the symptoms.