Cervical Spondylosis – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Neck spondylosis affects many older adults. This condition happens when the disks in your neck wear down over time.
As you age, these disks lose water and get thinner. The body often responds by growing bone spurs along the edges of neck vertebrae. This is a form of osteoarthritis that affects the neck.
More than 85% of people over age 60 have some degree of neck spondylosis. Most don’t experience symptoms.
When problems do occur, several non-surgical treatment options can help:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy exercises
- Neck braces (for short-term use)
- Heat/cold therapy
- Gentle stretching routines
Symptoms
Most people with cervical spondylosis don’t have any symptoms. When they appear, symptoms typically include:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness in the neck area
In some cases, cervical spondylosis can cause narrowing of the spinal canal within the vertebrae. This narrowing may put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, leading to more serious symptoms:
- Tingling, numbness or weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet
- Problems with coordination and walking
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
These symptoms happen when the condition affects the nerves that connect your brain to the rest of your body.
When to Get Medical Help
Get medical care right away if you suddenly feel numb or weak in any part of your body. Also, see a doctor immediately if you can’t control your bladder or bowels.
These symptoms could point to serious health problems that need quick treatment.
What Causes Neck Pain
Neck pain often develops as the spine ages naturally. Several physical changes happen to the neck as people get older:
- Dry, Thin Disks: By age 40, the cushioning disks between neck bones begin to lose water and shrink. When these disks get smaller, the bones rub against each other more often.
- Cracked Disks: The outer layer of spinal disks can develop cracks over time. The soft center material might push through these cracks and press on nerves or the spinal cord.
- Extra Bone Growth: When disks break down, the body sometimes grows extra bone to try to make the spine stronger. These bony growths, or spurs, can pinch nerves in the neck.
- Tight Ligaments: The tough bands that connect bones (ligaments) become less flexible with age. This makes the neck stiffer and harder to move.
These changes happen to most people as they age, though not everyone will feel pain from them.
What can cause neck problems?
Cervical spondylosis happens more often as people get older. The condition has several risk factors that can make it more likely to develop:
- Age: The natural aging process increases risk.
- Work Activities: Jobs requiring frequent neck movement or overhead work.
- Previous Injuries: Past neck trauma raises the chance of developing problems.
- Family History: Some people have genetic factors that increase their risk.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking is connected to more neck pain.
Complications
Severe compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots due to cervical spondylosis can lead to permanent damage. This may happen when the condition progresses without proper treatment.
The prolonged pressure on these vital nervous system structures can result in lasting neurological problems.
