Suffering From Arthritis Neck Pain?
Causes and Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis
Arthritis of the neck commonly affects the older population; it is rare to find the condition in persons younger than forty years of age. More men than women suffer from arthritis of the neck. Arthritis of the neck is usually caused by degenerative changes that take place in the cervical spine, which is the part of the spine that extends into the neck. Over the years, these changes and deteriorations lead to changes in the vertebrae that make up the spine – leading to inflammation and compression of the nerves in this delicate area.
This condition can also lead to a herniated disc, bony growths on the spine, or calcium buildup within the disc. Symptoms of arthritis neck are dependent upon the exact location of the compression of the nerves, but usually include pain, numbness, weakness, urinary problems, and headaches. Specific symptoms of the condition may manifest in the following ways:
- neck and shoulder pain
- headaches that are limited to the back of the head
- stiffness of the neck
- difficulty turning or bending the neck
- shooting pain down either arm, often accompanied by weakness, numbness or pain in the arm
- weakness or numbness in the legs
- decreased sensation in the leg area
- feeling “unsteady” when walking
- noticeable changes in sensitivity in the chest or abdominal areas
- urinary problems – such as urinating too often or urgently or developing incontinence
- pain in the arms or shoulders when coughing
Diagnosing Arthritis Neck Pain
A physical examination may reveal pain or numbness along a certain nerve pathway, or it may be evident to a trained medical eye that certain muscles are weak or reflexes are not functioning optimally. Individuals may also notice atrophy of the hands when suffering from arthritis neck pain. X-rays are usually taken and are helpful when diagnosing the condition.
A CT scan is usually also ordered when a patient has complaints of arthritic type pains in the neck – and looks at the spinal column for noticeable abnormalities. An MRI scan may also be done, which looks for narrowing of the spinal column. Additionally, nerve conduction studies and electromyography may be ordered by a physician to rule out nerve and muscle irregularities.
Treatment Options for Arthritis Neck Pain
Most treatments for arthritis of the neck involve restricting the movements of the neck; typically this is achieved using a cervical collar. If the condition and its symptoms are not alleviated sufficiently with the use of a cervical collar, a rigid brace for the neck may become the best option. Other than bracing the area to restrict movement, surgery is a final resort and is usually only undertaken to treat cases of arthritis neck pain that involve unbearable pain, if a compression of the spinal cord is noted, or if the sufferer experiences significant difficulty walking, or has serious bladder problems related to the condition.
It is important to note that arthritis of the neck, like any other nerve condition, should be treated as early as possible to prevent or reduce the danger of nerve loss that could become permanently impairing. Because the nerves are very intricately constructed, injury beyond a certain point can be irreparable. Patients with neck pain should also read our article, Arthritis Neck Pain: Precautions to learn valuable and crucial safety measures to avoid worsening their condition.
