Cervical Spondylosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment | Axis Clinics

Want to know the Cervical spondylosis meaning, causes, and symptoms? Get expert care at Axis Clinics. Learn more today!

“About 85% of adults over 60 suffer from Cervical spondylosis, a degenerative condition affecting the neck’s intervertebral discs. The symptoms may begin as early as age 30, particularly if the person has poor posture or has a desk-bound job. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to managing the pain and preventing other issues. Axis Clinics provides all the treatments required for a speedy recovery.”

What is Cervical Spondylosis?

Understanding the Cervical spondylosis meaning is crucial for recognising and managing this common condition. Cervical Spondylosis is known as degeneration of the Cervical spine, which is composed of seven vertebrae in the neck due to aging. It affects spinal discs and joints, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes compression of nerves when it becomes severe.

The intervertebral discs in the necks of older people tend to become dehydrated and lose their elastic properties, becoming worn out. Consequently, they may give birth to osteophytes or bony outgrowths, resulting in reduced mobility, among other things.

The early start of the condition could be facilitated by poor posture, repeated neck movements, and trauma in the past. Although nearly all individuals beyond 60 years of age have some extent of deterioration, its manifestation could vary greatly.

If you are facing the same condition, look for medical help early for effective management and improvement in quality of life. Proper treatment and care will prevent any complications in the future.

Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis symptoms can develop gradually over time, perhaps beginning as a simple discomfort. But they may also be sudden or become more pronounced with progress in the condition. These symptoms can vary from person to person based on the amount of spinal attrition or nerve compromise present. Warning signs to look out for usually include the following:

Continual pain in the neck or constant feeling of neck stiffness.
Persistent headaches that start from the back side of one’s head.
A feeling of pricking pain on shoulders, hands, or even fingers causes them to rub or shake their limbs regularly.
Muscle weakness that is experienced around either the arms or legs also characterizes myelopathy.
Trouble balancing, thus appearing uncoordinated while walking.
Grinding sensation while trying to bend the neck.
Inability to move the head over long distances.
In worst-case scenarios, loss of bladder or bowel control requires immediate medical attention.

When these Cervical spondylosis symptoms are recognized at an early stage, it aids in the diagnosis of the condition and facilitates the initiation of treatment within a reasonable time frame so as to minimize risks of adverse effects and enhance the overall well-being of a person.

What Causes Cervical Spondylosis? Causes and Risk Factors

Cervical spondylosis is a disorder that progresses over time and is often age and lifestyle-related. Due to the gradual degeneration of the spinal discs and joints, there are changes in the anatomy of the neck. Such structural alterations may be accompanied by pain and/or increased discomfort and quite often also by pinched nerves.

It is essential to comprehend the cervical spondylosis causes and the risk factors if any for effective prevention and control of the condition in good time. Besides age factors, other behavioural and hereditary risk factors may also play a role in its aetiology and resulting pathologies. Here, we briefly describe the major etiological causes and risk factors of the disease.

Age-related degeneration: The natural process of aging makes the discs of the spine wear out leading to loss of their moisture and elasticity.
Bone spurs: As the body ages, more bone on the ends, called spurs, may help stabilize the spinal cord by compressing or pressing on nerves.
Herniated discs: Discs can be ruptured, thus causing a leakage of inner material that results in pressure exerted on nerves located within the spine.
Stiff ligaments: The longer the period it takes, the more the flexibility of the neck ligaments may be reduced because they tend to thicken.
Repetitive strain: It could be Cervical spine stress resulting from prolonged and repeated neck movements or due to heavy objects lifting.

Cervical spondylosis risk factors include:

Aging
Being inactive
Neck injuries
Maintaining an uncomfortable neck position for an extended period.
Jobs requiring uncomfortable posture and frequent neck motions
Genetics
Smoking

Diagnosis of Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical Spondylosis treatment can only start when your healthcare provider diagnoses the condition. Doctors rely on a combination of several measures to diagnose Cervical Spondylosis, including:

Physical examination
Imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans.
Nerve function tests such as EMG (Electromyography).

How to Treat Cervical Spondylosis? – Treatment Options

Unlike some other spine conditions like sciatica, cervical spondylosis can’t heal on its own, making surgery crucial to treat it. However, if the condition is in its starting phase, then its symptoms can be managed with conservative cervical spondylosis treatments.

It will help you to avoid further worsening of the condition. For pain management, you can go with over-the-counter pain relief medicines. You can also opt for heat and cold therapy if there’s inflammation in the affected area. With heat, you can manage the inflammation, and ice helps relieve pain. Physical Therapy is also a great way to manage this condition.

However, if the situation has already worsened, then surgical intervention becomes important. Minimally invasive Regenerative orthobiologics are used to help in pain control and slowing the degeneration process in cervical pain if the damages are significant then procedures like laminectomy, Endoscopy decompression may be brought out to deal with the condition. In some cases, spinal fusion is also required if a part is extracted from the spine.

Consulting an expert at Axis Clinics will help you better understand the treatment you need!

Recovery and Rehabilitation: Cervical Spondylosis

Recovery from Cervical Spondylosis differs depending on how bad the case is. Usually, mild cases can get better within a short time. Some with severe problems may take a while before completely getting well. However, many individuals show signs of recovery within two hours compared to others who need days or weeks. During Cervical Spondylosis treatment, focus will be given to increasing flexibility, building muscles, plus alleviating any soreness experienced.

Tips for rehabilitation:

Choose a physiotherapy plan that targets strengthening the neck muscles.
Have a good posture all day long.
When necessary, wear support aids, such as a Cervical collar.
Stay engaged through light activities, like walking or swimming.
Axis Clinic provides tailored recovery plans to ensure effective and long-lasting results.

Prevention Tips: Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is degenerative by nature and as such does follow age progression; however, its effects can be mitigated by observing healthy lifestyle patterns. Adopting a few changes in the way of life daily can help in putting less stress on the neck, enhancing the health of the spine and alleviating any pains.

Prevent Cervical Spondylosis with these simple steps:

Make sure you have good posture when sitting, standing, or working.
Make a point of taking regular breaks when sitting for long periods or working on the computer.
Sit on a chair that has ergonomics and arrange the table accordingly.
Ensure neck stretching and strengthening exercises are done every time.
To avoid putting too much pressure on the spine, keep your weight at a healthy level.
Refrain from smoking to stop disc degeneration at a fast pace.
Always use a hard mattress to sleep on. Invest in a neck-supporting or memory foam pillow.

When you adopt these habits, they can significantly lower the risk of developing Cervical Spondylosis.

When to See a Doctor?

If you have persistent neck pain, tingling in the extremities, or difficulty walking or balancing, do not hesitate to see a medical expert. Similarly, for serious symptoms, such as bladder/bowel incontinence, seek help from a physician.

Conclusion

Cervical Spondylosis is manageable with early diagnosis and treatment. Don’t let neck pain disrupt your life. Visit Axis Clinics for expert Cervical spondylosis treatment and a personalized care plan.