CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS.

Cervical spondylosis is a age-related wear and tear which affects  the spinal disks of the  neck. because the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis will develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones.

Cervical spondylosis is extremely common and worsens with age.  85 percent of individuals who are older than age 60 are suffering from cervical spondylosis.

Most people experience no symptoms from these problems.

                 

                             

SYMPTOMS:

For most people, cervical spondylosis causes no symptoms. symptoms do occur, they typically include pain and stiffness within the neck.

Sometimes, cervical spondylosis leads to a narrowing of the space needed by the medulla spinalis and therefore the nerve roots that undergo the spine to the remainder of your body. If the medulla spinalis or nerve roots become pinched, you would possibly experience:

Tingling, numbness and weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet

Lack of coordination and difficulty walking

Loss of bladder or bowel control

                                                 

CAUSES:

As you age, the bones and cartilage that structure your backbone and neck gradually develop wear and tear. These changes can include:

                 

                                

                                          

Dehydrated disks. these dehydrated disks will  act like a cushion between the vertebrae of the spine. By the age of 40, most of the people's spinal disks begin drying out and become shrink, which allows the  bone-on-bone contact between the vertebrae.

Herniated disks. Age will also affect the outside of the spinal disks. Cracks often appear, resulting in bulging (herniated) disks — which sometimes can continue the medulla spinal is and nerve roots.

Bone spurs. Disk degeneration often leads to the spine producing extra amounts of bone during a misguided effort to strengthen the spine. These bone spurs can sometimes pinch the medulla spinal is and nerve roots.

Stiff ligaments. Ligaments are the cords of the tissue that connects the  bone to bone. Spinal ligaments will become  stiffen with age, by making the neck less flexible.

           

                                               

The main cause is aging, but the way aging affects your spine can cause other changes and problems. Spondylosis may be a cascade: One anatomical change occurs, which results in more degeneration and changes in your spine's structures. These changes together can  cause spondylosis and its symptoms.

RISK FACTORS:

Risk factors for cervical spondylosis include: 

Age. Cervical spondylosis is a part of aging 

Occupation.  The Jobs which involve repetitive neck movements or motions,  positioning or tons of  work put excess stress on the neck.

Neck injuries. Previous neck injuries appear to extend the danger of cervical spondylosis.

Genetic factors. Some individuals in some families will experience more changes over time, while others won't 

Smoking. Smoking will be linked to increase the neck pain.

       

                                  

DIAGNOSIS:

healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to seek out the explanation for your neck pain or other symptoms.

Your symptoms and their severity give clues to what proportion pressure your cervical spine could be under. During a physical exam, your healthcare provider may check you’re: 

Neck flexibility.

Muscle strength and reflexes in the hands and feet

Reflexes.

Gait (how you walk).

Neck and shoulder, trying to find trigger points (a small bump or knot within the muscle of your neck or shoulder which will be the source of your pain and tenderness).Sometimes, healthcare providers will diagnose the cervical spondylosis with a physical examination. Other times, they'll order tests to find out more about what could also be causing your symptoms. These tests may include the following: 

X-rays show the bones in the neck, and their alignment, loss of bone (if it is present). Not all bone changes cause symptoms. Healthcare providers may use X-rays as a start line. X-rays or other tests also can help rule out other causes of your discomfort, like a spine tumour.

In Computed tomography (CT) scans they provide more detail information than X-rays. This scan can help better view the vertebral canal and bone spurs.

MRI images show the small print of sentimental tissues like cartilage, nerve roots, muscles, medulla spinal is and disks. This test can show spinal compression or herniated disk more clearly than X-rays.electromyelography An MRI can help identify the source and site of pain.

Other tests may include a milligram (type of CT scan) or electromyogram (nerve function test). These tests provide more details on how cervical spondylosis could also be affecting your nerves.

           

                                                

BY THESE SIGNS AND TESTS DOCTORS CAN DIAGNOSE THE CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS. 

The Spurling test helps to diagnose cervical radiculopathy. It is also called the Spurling compression test or Spurling maneuver. Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in your neck is pinched near the world where it branches far away from your medulla spinal is.

A positive Spurling's sign is when the pain arising within the neck radiates within the direction of the corresponding dermatome ipsilaterally. it's a kind of cervical compression test. Patients with a positive Spurling's sign can present with a spread of symptoms, including pain, numbness and weakness.

Arm Squeeze Test may be a clinical trial wont to distinguish spinal nerve root compression from shoulder disease just in case of doubtful diagnosis. nervous disorder syndrome is usually agitated when the center third of the upper arm is squeezed or compacted.

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

Cervical spondylosis doesn't always cause symptoms. Without symptoms, you'll not need treatment in the least.

Physical therapy: Your symptoms could also be relieved with specific exercises and stretches. Physiotherapy focuses on stretching and strengthening your muscles and improving your posture. You’ll do these stretches reception or need the help of a physiotherapist at a clinic. Your healthcare provider will advise how long and the way often you ought to practice these exercises, supported your individual symptoms and condition.

Ice pack cold packs and massage can help relieving the symptoms. You’ll need to conduct your own trial to ascertain if heat or cold best relieve your pain and discomfort. Apply heat or ice typically no quite 20 minutes at a time, several times each day. Massage is an alternative choice which will be tried in some patients. Ask your healthcare provide if this is often an inexpensive option for what’s causing your specific problem.

Oral medications: counting on what proportion pain you’re in, a healthcare provider might recommend prescription or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or Aleve (Aleve®). Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine (Matrix®, Femi®) can treat muscle spasms. For the severe arm pain from nerve impingement, gabapentin will reduce the pain. 

Soft collar or brace: Your healthcare provider may recommend you wear a therapeutic collar for a brief time. This will limit neck movement and help strained muscles rest and recuperate. Wearing a brace for too long can cause muscle atrophy (wasting away). We should only use a collar under the guidance of a professional.

Injection therapy: Steroids are often injected into the affected area of the spine. Injection medications can make your symptoms better for a brief period of your time. There are three common steroid injection procedures: 

Cervical epidural block: Neck or arm pain thanks to cervical disk herniation are often treated with an injection of a mixture of a steroid and aesthetic. The injection is formed into the epidural space, which is that the space next to the covering of the medulla spinal is.

Cervical facet joint block: This steroid plus aesthetic injection is formed into small joints at the affected segments of the cervical spine.

Media branch block and radiofrequency ablation: this system is employed to both diagnosis and treat chronic neck pain. If pain is relieved with an injection of an aesthetic, that spot is identified for treatment. The treatment, called radiofrequency ablation, involves damaging the nerves with sound waves that are causing pain within the joint.

For the foremost severe cases of cervical spondylosis – including cervical myelopathy or cervical radiculopathy – your healthcare providers may consider surgery. Surgeries can involve removing bone spurs and fusing together the vertebrae or creating more room for the medulla spinal is by removing some of vertebrae.

The healthcare provider may recommend you wear a therapeutic collar for a brief time. This will limit neck movement and help strained muscles rest and recuperate. Wearing a brace for too long can cause muscle atrophy (wasting away). We should only use a collar under the guidance of a professional.                                                   

HOME REMEDIES AND YOGA POSES NATURALLY TREAT CERVICAL SPONDYLITIS SYMPTOMS:

If your condition is mild, you'll try a couple of things reception to treat it: 

Take an OTC pain reliever, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or an NSAID, which incorporates ibuprofen (Advil) and Aleve (Aleve).

Use a hot pad or a chilly gain your neck to supply pain relief for sore muscles.

Exercise regularly to assist you recover faster.

Wear a soft brace or soft collar to urge temporary relief. However, you shouldn’t wear a brace or collar for long periods of your time because which will make your muscles weaker.

           

DO REGULAR EXERCISE LIKE NECK ROTATIONS TO RELIEVE FROM THE PAIN 

                                          

YOGA POSES FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS :

                                        

         

                                                 

FOODS AND DIET FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS :

                                    

                            

           

                                                                                                                                   BY :

                                                                                                              M. MEGHANA GOUD 

                                                                                                                            3RD PHARM D

                                                                     JOGINPALLY B R PHARMACY COLLEGE.