Cervical Spondylosis (cervical osteoarthritis / neck degenerative disc disease) is an age-related wear-and-tear condition affecting the cervical spine (neck region). It involves disc dehydration, loss of intervertebral height, osteophyte (bone spur) formation, and potential compression of cervical nerve roots or spinal cord.
Causes & Risk Factors
- Aging: Natural drying, flattening, and loss of elasticity in cervical intervertebral discs over time.
- Bone Spurs (Osteophytes): Extra bone overgrowth reacting to disc degeneration, narrowing neural foramina.
- Herniated or Bulging Discs: Cracks in outer disc annulus letting gel center protrude and press on spinal nerves.
- Poor Posture: Forward head posture ("tech neck") from prolonged computer or smartphone usage.
- Neck Injuries: Past trauma or whiplash accelerating spinal wear.
- Occupational Strain & Smoking: Heavy lifting, repetitive neck motion, and nicotine reducing disc vascular supply.
Symptoms
- Neck pain, stiffness, and restricted range of neck movement (worse in morning or after sustained posture).
- Cervicogenic headaches originating from skull base radiating forward to forehead.
- Cervical Radiculopathy: Numbness, tingling ("pins and needles"), or burning pain radiating down shoulders, arms, and fingers.
- Muscle weakness in hands or arms (difficulty gripping objects or buttoning shirts).
- Neck crepitus (grinding or popping sensation during neck rotation).
- Severe Complication (Cervical Myelopathy): Unsteadiness, difficulty walking, balance loss, or bowel/bladder dysfunction due to spinal cord compression.
Diagnostic Evaluation
- Clinical Neurological Exam: Testing arm reflexes, cutaneous sensation, motor strength, and Spurling's maneuver.
- Cervical Spine X-Ray: Visualizes disc space narrowing, loss of cervical lordosis, and bone spurs.
- MRI or CT Scan: Provides detailed cross-sectional views of herniated discs, nerve root foraminal stenosis, and spinal cord compression.
- Electromyography (EMG): Measures electrical conduction to differentiate nerve root compression from peripheral neuropathy.
Treatment Modalities
- 1. Medications: Analgesics (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol), Muscle Relaxants (Cyclobenzaprine), Neuropathic Pain Meds (Pregabalin, Gabapentin), short-course oral Steroids or epidural injections.
- 2. Physical Therapy & Exercises: Isometric neck strengthening, gentle cervical traction, posture re-education, and ergonomics.
- 3. Lifestyle & Home Remedies: Cervical contour pillow, hot/cold therapy, avoiding prolonged neck flexion.
- 4. Surgical Intervention: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) or Laminectomy indicated for persistent weakness or spinal cord compression.
