Many people suffer from neck pain and pain in shoulders. these simple symptoms can be due to Cervical Spondylosis. Cervical spondylosis is the commonest disorder of the cervical spine. so do not ignore such symptoms and try to know more about cervical spondylosis, so that you can find out early if you are suffering from cervical spondylosis or not.
Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disease. there are degenerative changes in the vertebral column which give rise to symptoms of cervical spondylosis. there is hypertrophy of the edges of vertebrae. there is degeneration of the joints of vertebrae and formation of osteophytes. Osteophytes are bony overgrowths that usually occur around the edges of bones in old age. Cervical spondylosis can be called as osteoarthritis of the joints of the cervical vertebrae.
Pain in the neck is the presenting symptom. there is slow progression of symptoms in cervical spondylosis. there is gradual progression in the intensity of neck pain after which it becomes noticeable and later on it can become severe. Pain in neck is usually aggravated in the morning when you are getting up from sleep.
Pain is of radiating type and it radiates to back of the head above the neck called as occiput. it may also radiate to the region of head above the eyes called as frontal region. Radiation of pain is common to shoulders and down one or both arms. Tingling numbness, and partial loss of sensation in the one or both upper extremities is common. it is due to compression of the cervical nerves originating from the spinal cord by the osteophytes.
Other symptoms like weakness of upper extremities and clumsy finger movements are also present. in early stages, pain is complained while moving the neck to the right or left extreme. saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ with neck movements causes pain. in later stages, there is restriction of movement of neck. Neck movements cause a lot of pain. Severe pain can make the person suffer a lot in later stages.
Hot fomentation is very useful in such cases. Gentle massage to the neck with warm oil also helps to relieve pain. in severe pain, neck movements need to be restricted. so use of cervical collar is recommended.