Does neck pain occur frequently? Could this be Cervical Spondylosis?

Do you also feel stiff in the morning when you wake up? Or do you feel sore in the evening after staring at the computer all day? Do you sometimes hear a "cracking" sound when you turn your neck? These are things that happen to many of us in our daily lives. But if this neck pain persists, it is not good to dismiss it as something normal. The cause of this may be a condition that we medically call "Cervical Spondylosis". Don't be scared when you hear the name, this is a very common condition. Let's learn about it simply and precisely.

What exactly is Cervical Spondylosis?

Simply put, this means that the vertebrae in our neck (we call them "neck bones") and the cartilage (discs) between them wear out over time. Just like the parts of a car wear out over years of use.

Let's understand this a little more:

• Cervical: This refers to the area around our neck. We have 7 small bones stacked on top of each other from top to bottom in our neck. These are what we call vertebrae.
• Spondylosis: This refers to the wear and tear or degeneration of parts of our spine.

So when these two are combined, "cervical spondylosis" means "wearing out of the vertebrae in the neck." Some doctors also call this "arthritis of the neck." This is part of the natural aging process.

How common is this condition?

This is more common than you might think. In fact, as we age, just like other changes in our bodies, our spines begin to change. This deterioration can usually begin as early as the age of 30. By the age of 60, about nine out of ten (9/10) people have some degree of cervical spondylosis.

What could be the symptoms of this?

Some people may not have any symptoms at all. However, if symptoms do appear, they can vary from person to person. These are the most common symptoms.

Why do we have this situation?

The main reason for this is aging . This is due to the changes that occur in the vertebrae of our neck over time. Let's see what those changes are.

• Degenerative Disk Disease: There is a "disk" between two vertebrae in our neck. This is like a shock absorber made of a jelly-like substance. As we age, the water content of this disk decreases, it dries out, and shrinks. Then the space between the two vertebrae decreases, and the bones begin to rub against each other.
• Herniated Disk: Sometimes the outer covering of this disk becomes weak, allowing the jelly-like material inside to protrude. This is called a herniated disk. If the protruding portion presses on a nerve near the nerve, it can cause pain and tingling that can radiate down the arm.
• Bone spurs (Osteophytes) formation: As the disc wears down, the body tries to strengthen the spine. To compensate, the body creates extra bone spurs along the edges of the vertebrae. This is what we call bone spurs. Although these are usually not a problem, sometimes these new bone spurs can press on nerves or the spinal cord.
• Spinal Stenosis: The spinal cord , the main nerve root that runs from the brain, passes through our vertebrae. Due to the above-mentioned reasons (disc herniation, bone spurs), this spinal canal can become narrow. This can cause compression of the spinal cord.

What factors increase the risk of this condition?

Although aging is the main cause, some other factors can increase the risk of this condition.

• Age: People over 60 years of age are at higher risk.
• Smoking: Smoking reduces the blood supply to the discs, speeding up their wear and tear.
• Occupation: People who work in jobs that put strain on their necks all day are at higher risk. For example, someone who stares at a computer all day, someone who paints looking at the ceiling, or someone who lifts weights.
• Neck injuries: If there has been a previous neck injury, that area may be weakened and this condition may develop more quickly.
• Heredity: If someone in your family has this condition, you may be more likely to develop it.

What complications can this cause?

For most people, cervical spondylosis is not a major problem. However, in rare cases, if the condition compresses nerves or spinal cord, it can lead to serious complications.

• Cervical Myelopathy: This is a condition where the spinal cord in the neck is compressed. This is a more serious condition. It can cause numbness in the arms and legs, weakness, difficulty walking, and difficulty controlling urination or bowel movements.
• Cervical Radiculopathy: This is a pinched nerve that comes out of the spine. This can cause severe pain, numbness, or muscle weakness that radiates down the arm. It can also feel like an electric shock.

How does a doctor diagnose this?

When you go to see a doctor for neck pain, he will first ask you about your symptoms and then perform a physical examination.

You can check these things there:

• How far you can bend and turn your neck (neck flexibility).
• How is the muscle strength in your arms and legs?
• Testing your reflexes.
• Checking your gait.

After this initial examination, if necessary, the doctor will refer you for further tests.

What tests are done for this?

• X-ray: This can check the condition of the neck bones, whether there are bone spurs, and whether the space between the vertebrae has narrowed.
• CT Scan: This can produce three-dimensional images of the bones in more detail than an X-ray.
• MRI Scan: This is the most important test because it can clearly see not only the bones, but also the soft tissues like discs, nerves, and spinal cord. It can tell exactly if a disc has slipped or a nerve is pinched.
• Myelogram: This involves injecting a special dye into the fluid around the spinal cord and performing a CT scan. This can clearly see areas of compression of the spinal cord.
• EMG and Nerve Conduction Study: These tests can check whether your nerves are functioning properly and whether signals are being sent to your muscles properly. If a nerve is being compressed, this test can confirm it.

What is the best treatment for this?

The best treatment is the one that controls your symptoms and helps you live a normal life. Most often, doctors start with simple, nonsurgical treatments.

If these simple treatments don't control the pain, or if there is a condition such as nerve compression, your doctor may refer you to other treatments, such as a cervical epidural steroid injection or radiofrequency ablation.

In very rare cases, such as severe spinal cord compression (Myelopathy), surgery (Spinal Fusion Surgery) may also be recommended.

How do I take care of myself?

Although this is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, you can manage your symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.

• Maintain good posture: Keep your back straight while sitting, standing, and working. Keep your computer screen at eye level.
• Avoid tasks that strain your neck: Take breaks every now and then when doing things like looking down while using your phone or looking up while working.
• Be careful about your sleeping position: Use a pillow that provides good neck support and is not too high. Sleep on your side or on your back. Sleeping on your stomach puts unnecessary pressure on your neck.
• Exercise: Ask your doctor or physical therapist for simple neck strengthening exercises every day.
• Weight control and healthy lifestyle: Avoid smoking. Eat healthy foods. These are good for your overall bone health.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have neck pain or stiffness that doesn't go away after a few days, be sure to see a doctor. Also, let your doctor know if you're already taking medication and your symptoms are getting worse.

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