Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is a typical condition of middle-aged and elderly people who have 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.It becomes unstable, leg movements become jerky (spastic).When the nerve roots are damaged, pain in the neck is mainly observed.Weakness and atrophy of the muscles of one or both arms may occur before and after signs of spinal cord compression appear.
All symptoms: increased pain during 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 sensation, pain in the arm, shoulder joint.
- For frequent headaches.
- For dizziness.
Specialists: neurologist (neurologist), neurologist (neurologist), orthopedist.
Reasons
Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine may 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 causes disruption of their functions.Symptoms that arise 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 prescribe a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which can 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 osteoarthritis of the cervical spine may resolve without treatment, but it may also progress.Initially, to alleviate the condition, the doctor will advise supporting the neck with a special collar, undergoing physiotherapy, taking anti-inflammatories, mild analgesics and muscle relaxants.But if the MRI reveals severe compression or the disease progresses, surgery will be needed to stop the process.However, it will not eliminate the changes that have already occurred, since some nerve fibers in the spinal cord are irreversibly damaged.
Treatment methods: surgery, immobilization and orthoses.