Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is a condition typical of middle-aged and older people who experience degeneration of the intervertebral discs and joints in the cervical spine.
Symptoms
When the spinal cord is compressed, the first manifestation is usually a change in gait.It becomes unsteady, leg movements become jerky (spastic).When the nerve roots are damaged, pain is mainly seen in the neck.Weakness and atrophy of the muscles of one or both arms can develop both before and after the appearance of signs of spinal cord compression.
All symptoms: increased pain with physical activity, pain worse when bending forward, weakness of one or both arms, jerky gait, neck pain.
When to see a doctor
- For pain in the cervical spine.
- For tingling, loss of sensitivity, pain in the arm, shoulder joint.
- For frequent headaches.
- For dizziness.
Specialists: neurologist (neurologist), neurologist (neurologist), orthopedist.
Reasons
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine can be accompanied by narrowing of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord passes.As a result, compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord occurs, which causes disruption of their functions.The symptoms that occur can be the result of either compression of the spinal cord or damage to the nerve roots.
Diagnostics
If osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is suspected, the doctor will prescribe a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can identify the area of spinal canal narrowing, the degree of compression and the area of affected nerve roots.
List of diagnostic methods: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spine x-ray.
Treatment
Spinal cord dysfunction resulting from osteoarthritis of the cervical spine can go away without treatment, but it can also progress.Initially, to alleviate the condition, the doctor will advise supporting the neck with a special collar, physical therapy, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, mild analgesics and muscle relaxants.But if the MRI reveals severe compression or if the disease progresses, then surgery is necessary to stop the process.However, it will not eliminate the changes that have already occurred, as some nerve fibers in the spinal cord are irreparably damaged.
Treatment methods: surgery, immobilization and orthotics.