For many people cervical spondylosis can be a real pain the neck, as it is the result of the degeneration of the padding with the disks in the back in the cervical spine. This form of neck arthritis is the most prevalent cause of neck pain and is most common in the older population. Typically, in patients over 60, about 75 percent of men and women suffer from some form of neck arthritis. While the aging process is the most common cause of this problem, a neck injury that may have occurred several years prior, can also be blamed.
Cervical spondylosis, also known as cervical osteoarthritis or neck arthritis, is a deteriorative condition cause by the strange wearing of the bones in the neck and the loss of cartilage, which cushions the vertebrae in the neck. Neck agony may also be due to bone spurs on the bones that will break off a work their way into the cartilage. The loss of cartilage also creates an open space between the vertebrae into which nerves can be squeezed, causing extra discomfort in other extremities.
Discomfort in the neck, arms and back can spring from this nerve interaction and if the spine is impacted by neck arthritis, the discomfort can also make its way into the legs. As well as the agony due to neck arthritis, a loss of feeling might also be experienced.
For folks in the early stages of neck arthritis, non-steroidal anti inflammatory medicines can help reduce the pain, but one of the principal concerns is to stop damage to the nerves and the spinal rope. In a few cases, a neck brace might be wanted to stabilise the neck area and forestall clumsy movements. As the conditions get worse, holding the neck still with a cervical brace could be advocated and cortisone injections into the influenced part of the cervical backbone may relieve some of the agony.
In more severe cases of neck arthritis, hospitalization may be required with a traction device to prevent the neck from moving and causing nerve and spinal cord damage. In these case, while hospitalized with neck arthritis, a person may be given muscle relaxers and narcotic pain relievers.
As a last ditch effort, doctors may counsel surgical intervention of reclaim the space between the vertebrae. Surgery might also be wanted to remove any bone chips or slivers what have moved into the space left by the degenerated cartilage.