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Cervical spondylosis, also known as arthritis of the neck, is a normal wear of age that appears between the vertebrae of the cervical spine, in the neck region, causing symptoms such as:
- Pain in the neck or around the shoulder;
- Pain radiating from the shoulder to the arms or fingers;
- Weakness in the arms;
- Stiff neck sensation;
- Headache that appears on the nape of the neck;
- Tingling that affects the shoulders and arms
Some people, with more severe cases of spondylosis, may lose movement of their arms and legs, have difficulty walking and feel stiff muscles in their legs. Sometimes, associated with these symptoms, there may also be a feeling of urgency to urinate or an inability to retain urine. In these cases, it is advisable to consult an orthopedist, as there may be involvement of the spinal nerves.
See other spine diseases that can also cause these symptoms.
How to confirm the diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis it is important to consult an orthopedist. Generally, the doctor begins by making a physical evaluation, to understand what the symptoms are and what movements can cause them to get worse.
However, in most cases, diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs are required to ensure that there are no other problems that may be causing the same type of symptoms.
Since it is necessary to screen for other diseases of the spine, the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis can take a few weeks or months to be discovered, however, treatment with drugs can be started even before knowing the diagnosis, to relieve pain and improving the person's quality of life.
Who is most at risk for cervical spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is very common in the elderly, due to small changes that appear naturally in the joints of the spine over the years. However, people who are overweight, who have poor posture or who have jobs with repeated neck movements can also develop spondylosis.
The main changes that happen in the column include:
- Dehydrated discs: after the age of 40, the discs that are between the vertebrae of the spine become increasingly dehydrated and small, allowing contact between the bones, which causes the appearance of pain;
- Herniated disc: These are very common changes not only in age, but in people who lift a lot of weight without protecting their backs. In these cases, the hernia can put pressure on the spinal cord, causing various types of symptoms;
- Spurs in the vertebrae: with bone degeneration, the body may end up producing spurs, which are accumulations of bone, produced to try to strengthen the spine. These spurs can also end up putting pressure on the spine and several nerves in the spine region.
In addition, the ligaments of the spine also lose their elasticity, causing difficulty in moving the neck and even the appearance of pain or tingling.
How the treatment is done
In most cases, treatment for cervical spondylosis is started with the use of analgesics, anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants, which help to relieve pain and decrease stiffness in the neck. However, physiotherapy sessions are also advised to help in stretching and strengthening the muscles of the region, greatly improving the symptoms in a natural way.
Depending on the intensity of the symptoms, the doctor may also recommend the injection of corticosteroids directly into the site. In rarer cases, in which symptoms improve, surgery may also be recommended to correct possible changes in the spine's vertebrae. See more about recovering from this type of surgery and what precautions to take.