CERVICAL SPONDYLITIS

CERVICAL SPONDYLITIS

Synonyms:

Cervical arthritis

Cervical myelopathy

Cervical osteophytes

Cervical osteoarthritis

Degenerative arthropathy of the cervical spine, facet

joints, longitudinal ligaments, ligamentum flavum,

Chronic cervical degeneration

Cervical disk degeneration

Cervical region consists of seven vertebrae .stacked on top of each other, spinal ligaments, and the cervical segments of the spinal cord, which run within the spinal canal (vertebral foramina). The C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae are anatomically different from the other vertebrae, and these differences allow for much of neck flexion and extension and lateral rotation at the occipital- C1 and C1-C2 joints, respectively.

Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the

joints in your neck.
In earlier days , this was a disease of late adulthood and old age, but now the disease affects even younger generation due to change in lifestyle. "Spondylosis" is a general term which means degenerative disease affecting the vertebra, disc, and surrounding ligaments.

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
:

The primary event is a progressive decrease in the degree of hydration resulting in loss of disc height, disc fibrosis and annular weakening. The extra mobility between adjacent vertebral areas probably results in osteophyte formation.

A previous neck injury can predispose to a person to cervical spondylosis.

PATHOLOGY

Cervical spondylosis
is manifest by degenerative changes, including desiccation of cervical discs, disc protrusions, irregular wear of facet joints, narrowing of facet joints, reactive hypertrophy of facets, and thickening of interlaminar ligaments, as well as attendant inflammation of these regions .

COMMON SYMPTOMS

Neck pain.

Loss of sensation of the shoulder or arms.

Weakness of the arms.

Difficulty in moving the head, and neck stiffness that may deteriorate gradually.

Headaches.

Loss of control of the bladder or the bowel.

Loss of balance.

Ear noise or buzzing.

Muscle weakness in the shoulders, arms or hands. Stress over neck, head, shoulder and upper part of the back

10. Pain and heaviness in the above mentioned organs

11. Vertigo

12. Stiffness and pain in moving the neck.

Do's and Dont's

Do not sit for prolonged period of time in stressful postures

Do use firm collars while traveling

Do not lift heavy weights on head or back

Do not turn from your body but turn your body moving your feet first

Do turn to one side while getting up from lying down

Do the exercises prescribed regularly

DIAGNOSIS OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS:

Physical Examination often shows limited ability to flex the head to the side (bend the head toward the shoulder) and limited ability to rotate the head.

A spine or neck x-ray shows abnormalities.

A CT scan or spine MRI confirms the diagnosis.

A myelogram may be recommended to clearly identify the extent of injury.

An EMG may also be recommended.

An x-ray of the lower spine may reveal degenerative changes in this region.