Cervical Spondylosis

Spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Between any two vertebrae there is a fibro-gelatinous substance which is called disc, which helps in the mobility of the spine. There is space in the vertebrae where the spinal cord can pass. The changes in the vertebrae and cervical discs due to degenerative changes leading to symptoms ranging from pain to neurological deficits is called cervical spondylosis.

Causes

• Normal aging process
• Exaggerated wear and tear of the disc or the joints
• Injury to the cervical spine

Symptoms

• Most of the patient have only mild to moderate pain in neck.
• If problems become more, they can have numbness along with pain in shoulder, arm, and hand
• Later stages they can have gait disturbance and bladder and bowel problems

Diagnosis
X ray CT scan and MRI scan will be ordered to identify the extent of spondylosis

Treatment

• Conservative treatment – Most of the patients do not requires surgery. Often rest along with pain medications, muscle relaxants and physical therapy will be helpful in treating.
• Spinal injections are requires in a small subset of patients
• Surgery – If symptoms are not relieved, or if symptoms are progressing then, Surgery is required. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is performed through the front of the neck to remove a herniated disc from the cervical spine region. Sometimes, a decompressive laminectomy – removal of compressive bone from behind the neck may be requires with or without screw fixation.

Your surgeon will discuss surgical options and suggests you the appropriate treatment plan.