Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is a typical condition of middle-aged and elderly people who suffer from degeneration of the intervertebral discs and joints of the cervical spine.
Symptoms
When the spinal cord is compressed, the first manifestation is usually a change in gait.He becomes unstable, leg movements become jerky (spastic).When the nerve roots are damaged, neck pain is mainly observed.Weakness and atrophy of the muscles in one or both arms may develop before and after signs of spinal cord compression appear.
All symptoms: increased pain with physical activity, worsening pain when bending forward, weakness in 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 a narrowing of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord passes.As a result, compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord occurs, which disrupts their functions.Symptoms that appear may result from either spinal cord compression or nerve root damage.
Diagnosis
If osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is suspected, the doctor will prescribe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which allows you to identify the area of narrowing of the spinal canal, the degree of compression and the area of the affected nerve roots.
List of diagnostic methods: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spinal radiography.
Treatment
Spinal cord dysfunction resulting from cervical spine osteoarthritis may resolve without treatment, but may also progress.Initially, to alleviate the disease, the doctor will advise supporting the neck with a special collar, undergoing physical therapy, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, mild painkillers and muscle relaxants.But if the MRI reveals significant compression or the disease progresses, then surgery is necessary to stop the process.However, this will not eliminate the changes that have already occurred, because some nerve fibers in the spinal cord are irreversibly damaged.
Treatment methods: surgery, immobilization and orthotics.