Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is a condition typical of 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.He becomes unstable, leg movements become jerky (spastic).When the nerve roots are damaged, pain in the neck is usually observed.Weakness and atrophy of the muscles of one or both arms can develop both before and after the appearance of signs of spinal cord compression.
All symptoms: increased pain during physical activity, pain worsens 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, there is compression of the nerve roots or the spinal cord, which causes disruption of their functions.The symptoms that occur may be the result of compression of the spinal cord or damage to the nerve roots.
Diagnostics
If osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is suspected, the doctor will prescribe a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which can determine the narrowing area of the spinal canal, the degree of compression and the area of affected nerve roots.
List of diagnostic methods: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiography of the spine.
Treatment
Spinal cord dysfunction resulting from osteoarthritis of the cervical spine can resolve without treatment, but it can also progress.Initially, to alleviate the condition, the doctor will advise supporting the neck with a special collar, doing physical therapy, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, mild analgesics and muscle relaxants.But if an MRI reveals severe compression or if the disease progresses, then surgery is needed to stop the process.However, it 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 orthoses.