Cervical spondylosis is a condition in which a person suffers from age-related wear and tear of the discs in the neck region. This is mainly caused by dehydration in the spine region leading to the shrinking of the discs which causes stiffness in the neck making the movements unbearable.
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What is Cervical Spondylosis Meaning in Urdu?
گردن میں ایک ڈسک موجود ہوتی ہے جسے عمر میں اضافے کی وجہ سے نقصان پہنچ سکتا ہے۔ اگر اس ڈسک کو نقصان پہنچے تو اس بیماری کو سرویکل اسپونڈیلوسس کہا جاتا ہے۔ بوڑھے افراد میں یہ بیماری کافی عام ہے۔ اور ایک اندازے کے مطابق ساٹھ سے ستر سال کی عمر کے افراد زیادہ تر اس کا شکار ہوتے ہیں-
What is Cervical?
The cervical or cervical spine is that area of the backbone which consists of 7 bones of the neck regions. These discs are the reason for the smooth neck movements and rotation.
What are the Causes of Cervical Spondylosis?
With age, people tend to suffer from poor posture of the backbone. This wear and tear can increase the chances of cervical spondylosis and might even lead to some other spine issues. Some major causes of cervical spondylosis are:
Bone Spurs
The constant wear and tear causes the disks to break down. This leads to the production of extra amounts of bone in those areas where it is not needed in an effort to strengthen the spine. That is how these bone formations lead to cervical spondylosis.
Stiff Ligaments
Ligaments are a type of connective tissue that attaches bone to bone. As age progresses it leads to stiffness in the spinal ligaments which makes neck movements difficult and painful.
Herniated Discs
Discs are present in the spinal cord to provide strength to the skeletal system. These risks are rubbery in nature and are surrounded by a tough exterior. A herniated disc is a condition in which a person suffers from a tear or rupture in the disc. This condition leads to severe discomfort and painful sensations. Herniated discs are also the cause of cervical spondylosis.
Dehydrated Discs
With age the discs in the spinal system suffer from dehydration which causes them to shrink. This causes the discs to become small which leads to friction and hence cervical spondylosis.
What are Cervical Spondylosis Symptoms?
Cervical spondylolysis does not always bear symptoms. Therefore it is common for this disease to affect a person without any symptoms.
Below are the cervical pain symptoms you need to know about:
- Stiffness in the neck or severe pain. This is considered to be one of the main cervical pain symptoms.
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Soreness in the neck
- Clicking, soreness, and grinding sounds when you move your neck
What are the Risk Factors of Cervical Spondylosis?
There are some factors that can increase the chances of cervical spondylosis. These risk factors of cervical spondylosis are
Genetics
According to the health experts of Doctors Hospital, if there is a history of spine issues in the family then it is likely to affect the next generation of offspring.
Smoking
Nicotine intake also increases the risk of bone deformities or cervical spondylosis
Job or Occupation
Sometimes a person is also at an increased risk of cervical spondylosis because of their jobs. Jobs that involve repetitive neck motions can also increase the risk of cervical spondylosis.
Physical Trauma
A case of physical injury or trauma also leads to cervical spondylosis, especially if it’s a neck injury.
Age
Age is one of the biggest risk factors for cervical spondylosis. As age progresses the flexibility in the muscles reduces and the risk of bone complications increases.
What is the Diagnosis of Cervical Spondylosis?
According to Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Asim, the normal route toward the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis starts with an in-depth physical examination. In this process, the healthcare provider gives the patient the to move their neck region and then assesses if the patient is facing any discomfort or not. The doctors also test the reflexes and muscle strength. Furthermore, they also assess the gait and posture of the person to draft an in-depth diagnosis of the disease.
Then doctors might also recommend the given below imaging tests.
Neck X-ray
Neck x-rays provide an image of the abnormal bone spurs that might confirm the speculation of cervical spondylosis. This imaging test can also diagnose tumors and cancers as well as fractures in the neck region.
MRI
This test helps to assess the deformities in the neck region which might be leading to cervical spondylosis. MRI is a highly recommended test for the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis.
Your healthcare provider might also recommend some nerve function tests to assess the reflexes and strength of the nerve signals to the joints.
What are the Treatments for Cervical Spondylosis?
The treatment of cervical spondylosis mainly depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the patient. The main purpose of the treatment methods is to reduce the discomfort so that the patient is able to move easily.
Medications
Doctors might recommend NSAIDs, corticosteroids, muscle relaxants, and anti-seizure medications for the treatment of cervical spondylosis. These medications are able to reduce the pain of the damaged nerves and also help with muscle spasms.
Therapy
The next treatment method to cure or ease pain is therapy. There is a difference between physical rehabilitation and physical therapy. The choice of therapy method mainly depends on the condition of the patient and the cause of cervical spondylosis.
Physical therapy will help to relieve the stiffness in the muscles leading to easy movements.
Surgical Treatments
If all of the above-mentioned treatment methods fail then the doctors have no choice but to succumb to surgeries. Surgery also becomes the only option when doctors are unable to notice any strong nerve sensations in the muscles. The surgery often involves the removal of ruptured or herniated discs or bone spurs that are causing the disease. The neck segment is then fused with either a bone graft or hardware.
A Note from Healthwire
Whether it’s neck stiffness (cervical spondylosis) or severe backache (dorsalgia) both these conditions make movements difficult. In case you are suffering from such conditions then you should consult with the healthcare providers. You can also reach out to the best physiotherapists via healthwire. They will guide you properly in these regards.
