Cervical Spondylosis

 Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis affects the neck’s spinal discs due to age-related wear and strain. Osteoarthritis symptoms appear as the discs shrink due to dehydration. It even contains bony protrusion, such as bone fringes. It worsens with age. It primarily affects those over the age of 60.

Possible Causes

In old age, the cartilage and bones that build the neck and backbone develop tear and wear. It results in several changes that further cause cervical spondylosis. These conversions include:

• Dehydrated Disks: The spinal disks begin to dry and shrink by the age of 40 among most people. This leads to more bone-on-bone contact amidst the vertebrate.
• Herniated Disks: Many people often experience cracks and damaged spinal disks as they grow old. This leads to bulging herniated disks which tend to pressurize the nerve roots and spinal cord. 
• Bone Spurs: Disk degeneration sometimes end up producing additional amounts of bone in the spine. These bone spurs often pinch the nerve roots and spinal cord, causing cervical spondylosis. 
• Stiff Ligaments: Ligaments are tissue strands that connect bones. Spinal ligaments often get stiffened as one ages. This decreases the flexibility of the neck.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for cervical spondylosis are:

• Aging
• Desk job
• Neck injuries
• Genetic factors
• Smoking

Signs and Symptoms

Generally, there are no such specific symptoms of cervical spondylosis. Most people with cervical spondylosis face stiffness and pain in the neck. This type of spondylosis sometimes narrows down the space required by the nerve roots and spinal cord. 

The following are some of the symptoms one spots if the nerve roots and spinal cord become pinched:

• Weakness, tingling, and numbness in feet, legs, arms, or hands
• Difficulty in walking due to lack of coordination
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Muscle spasms

Diagnosis

Doctors take a medical history and conduct a physical exam to check for tenderness, numbness, and muscle weakness. They also examine the range of motion. If required, you may be subjected to one or more imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI to identify the cause of pain.

Treatment Options at 7DMC

We in 7DMC provide you with the most effective solutions for cervical spondylosis. Since there are no such severe symptoms of cervical spondylosis, treatment becomes only possible when the patient observes some changes. Most of the time, conservative treatments are used to treat. Below are some of the treatments for cervical spondylosis:

• Physical Therapy: It focuses on strengthening and stretching muscles along with improving posture. The practices must be designed as per the patient’s condition and symptoms.
• Ice, Heat, and Massage: This old therapy involves applying heat or ice for over 20 minutes. Our doctors suggested exercising this at least 4 to 5 times a day, the more, the better. 
• Oral Medications: Depending on the pain, there are certain medications recommended by our physicians. Medicines like ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, cyclobenzaprine, etc. suggested for reducing the pain.
• Soft Collar or Brace: Therapeutic collars can also work for a short time. It helps strained neck muscles rest and recuperates by limiting neck movement. 
• Injection Therapy: Steroids are often injected as a temporary solution. Some of the common steroid injection procedures are: 
  • Cervical epidural block
  • Cervical facet joint block
  • Medial branch block and radiofrequency ablation

Our neck pain chiropractic treatments in Dubai include services like cervical radiculopathy or cervical myelopathy designed for severe cases. 

Since spine surgery is complex and has a lengthy recovery procedure, our experts opt for natural neck pain treatment. Surgeries are mostly recommended for those in severe conditions.