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Cervical
Arthritis
When certain types of arthritis affect the upper spine and
cause pain in the neck, it is referred to as cervical
arthritis, and with the passage of time, the pain may spread to
the arms. The development of this disease is also influenced by
age, injury as well as poor posture. There are seven distinct
vertebral bodies that comprise the cervical spine and are
separated by intervertebral discs which support the neck and
also give it flexibility.
Occurs With Deterioration Of The Cervical Vertebrae
Cervical arthritis is a result of cervical vertebrae in the
neck deteriorating along with deterioration of the cartilage
that gives it shock absorption, and a gradual constriction of
the space on the vertebra results that causes extreme neck
pain. A person above the age of fifty will experience a certain
amount of wear and tear in the spine, though it need not
degenerate into cervical arthritis.
The most common cause of cervical arthritis is usually injury
or repeated trauma to the neck or back that could be due to
recreational or work activities. An old football injury
experienced many years ago can be a cause for cervical
arthritis to appear, and if the cervical vertebrae and their
discs start to degenerate, even a minor injury many years later
is enough to provoke the symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of cervical arthritis include chronic pain
in the neck which can be due to nerve or spinal cord
compression. Also, bony ridges often develop on the vertebrae
due to arthritic change and thus reduce the space for the
spinal cord, and limit movement of the neck. Muscle weakness,
tenderness to the touch at the neck, stiffness which limits
movement of the neck, headaches as well as loss of balance is
other symptoms of cervical arthritis.
To treat the condition and to diagnose the chronic neck pain,
doctors may need a number of different tests to check if the
condition is cervical arthritis or not. X-rays may help to
determine whether there has been degeneration of the vertebrae,
and a myelogram with computer tomography scan can reveal a
picture of the bone structure of the spine. In addition, a
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will also help give
doctors clearer pictures of soft tissues in the spine. These
results need to be examined by an orthopedic surgeon,
especially if the condition is severe.
The majority of cervical arthritis cases respond well to rest
that is mixed with drug therapy as well as exercising. It is
necessary for the patient to learn to rest his or her neck and
this may require choosing pillows that are suited well for a
particular general posture. Physical therapy may involve
performing gentle neck exercises as well as improving posture
to minimize the effects of cervical arthritis.
In extreme cases, such as severe cervical arthritis, surgery
may be required, especially if the patient does not respond to
conservative treatment. Orthopedic surgeons are the most suited
for discussing the various types of procedures as well as the
likely success of such cases.
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