Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis refers to common age-related changes in the area of the spine at the back of the neck. With age, the vertebrae (the component bones of the spine) gradually form bone spurs, and their shock-absorbing disks slowly shrink. These changes can alter the alignment and stability of the spine. They may go unnoticed, or they may produce problems related to pressure on the spine and associated nerves and blood vessels. This pressure can cause weakness, numbness, and pain in various areas of the body. In severe cases, walking and other activities may be compromised.

Degenerative changes are common in the cervical spine. The degenerative process begins in the intervertebral discs and affects the posterior intervertebral joints secondarily, causing pain and stiffness of the neck, sometimes with referred symptoms in a upper limb.

It is common in the middle aged and elderly, doing prolonged work with neck in flexed position.
Degenerative arthritis commonly occurs in the lowest three cervical joints. The changes first affect the central inter vertebral joints (between the vertebral bodies) and later the posterior inter joints. In the central joints there is degenerative narrowing of the inter vertebral disc and bone reaction at the joints margins, leads to the formation of osteophytes(spurs).

Although spondylosis is a common condition, many people don’t realize they have it. That’s because spondylosis is a gradual, degenerative disorder with symptoms that set in slowly over time. Some common symptoms of cervical spondylosis include:

Treatment for cervical spondylosis varies depending on the severity of the condition, but for most people, conservative treatments like activity, behavior modification, over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications, and heat and ice therapy are sufficient to relieve symptoms and increase mobility. However, if the symptoms become debilitating, or stop responding to conservative pain management measures, surgery may become an option.

Laser Spine Institute offers a safe and effective, minimally invasive alternative to traditional back surgery that has helped thousands of people rediscover a life without pain from cervical spondylosis. Contact us today to learn more about our revolutionary outpatient procedures, or for a free MRI or CT scan analysis.