Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is a condition common to middle-aged and elderly people who experience degeneration of the intervertebral discs and joints in the cervical spine.
Symptoms
When the spinal cord is compressed, the first manifestation is usually a change in gait.It becomes unstable, leg movements are jerky (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 arms can develop both before and after symptoms of spinal cord compression appear.
All symptoms: pain that increases with physical activity, pain worsens when bending forward, weakness in one or both arms, sloppy gait, neck pain.
When to consult a doctor
- For pain in the cervical spine.
- For tingling, numbness, arm, shoulder joint pain.
- For frequent headaches.
- For dizziness.
Specialists: neurologist (neuropathologist), 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, nerve roots or spinal cord are compressed, which causes their functions to be impaired.The resulting symptoms may be the result of either compression of the spinal cord or damage to the nerve roots.
Diagnostics
If osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is suspected, the doctor will prescribe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can determine the narrowing area of the spinal canal, the degree of compression, and the area of the affected nerve roots.
List of diagnostic methods: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray of the spine.
Treatment
Spinal cord dysfunction caused by osteoarthritis of the cervical spine may resolve without treatment, but may progress.At first, to alleviate the condition, the doctor recommends supporting the neck with a special collar, doing physical therapy, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, mild analgesics, and muscle relaxants.However, if severe compression is detected on MRI or if the disease progresses, surgery is needed to stop the process.However, since some nerve fibers in the spinal cord are irreversibly damaged, it will not reverse the changes that have already occurred.
Treatment methods: surgery, immobilization and orthopedics.