Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is a condition common to middle-aged and elderly people who experience degeneration of the intervertebral discs and joints of the cervical spine.
symptoms
When the spinal cord is compressed, the first symptom is usually a change in gait.It becomes unstable, leg movements become sharp (spastic).When the nerve roots are damaged, pain is mainly observed in the neck area.Weakness and atrophy of the muscles of one or both hands can develop both before and after signs of spinal cord compression.
All symptoms: pain aggravated by physical activity, pain worse when bending forward, weakness in one or both arms, brisk walking, neck pain.
When to consult a doctor
- During cervical spine pain.
- Tingling, numbness, pain in the arm, shoulder joint.
- During 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, the nerve roots or spinal cord are compressed, which causes their functions to be disturbed.The symptoms that occur may be the result of compression of the spinal cord or damage to the nerve roots.
diagnosis
If osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is suspected, the doctor will order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which can determine the location of the narrowing of the spinal canal, the degree of compression, and the area of the damaged nerve roots.
List of diagnostic methods: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spine radiography.
treatment
Spinal cord dysfunction caused by osteoarthritis of the cervical spine can resolve without treatment, but it can also progress.Initially, in order to alleviate the condition, the doctor recommends fixing the neck with a special collar, engaging in 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, this does not eliminate the changes that have already occurred, because some nerve fibers in the spinal cord are irreversibly damaged.
Treatment methods: surgical intervention, immobilization and orthosis.