What is cervical spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis (also known as spinal osteoarthritis in the neck) is a narrowing of the spinal canal caused by the wear and tear over the years. As the discs become worn, bone spurs (bony growths on the vertebrae) can form, creating crowding and putting pressure on spinal cord nerves. Ligaments may also start to buckle and cause inflammation of spinal nerves.

Aging is the main cause of cervical spondylosis. The discs that act as cushions between the vertebrae dry out or may start to bulge or become herniated. These changes can lead to more bone-on-bone contact as well as pressure and pinched nerves, resulting in various spondylosis symptoms such as neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and numbness or weakness in the arms or hands.

Genetic factors can also play a part since some people have less room in the spinal canal to begin with. Previous injuries or surgeries can also cause spondylosis to develop more quickly. Jobs that involve repetitive motions or frequent lifting may also contribute to cervical spondylosis.

Treatment for cervical spondylosis

Our treatment of cervical spondylosis and related inflammation of spinal cord nerves consists of the following elements:

Care that’s focused on you

We work hard to find the treatment solution that works best for you. You may benefit from a customized physical therapy plan and simple steroid injections for inflammation. Or you may need a minimally invasive surgical procedure, depending on the severity of your spondylosis symptoms. We consider your health goals, personal preferences and lifestyle when creating a care plan. Find a spine specialist.

Collaborative orthopedic and neurosurgery care

Our multidisciplinary teams include orthopedists, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists and physiatrists who come together to discuss your progress, your test results and your current medical condition to determine the best treatment for you. We’re one of the only centers in Wisconsin that offers this kind of integrated care. Working together, we provide comprehensive, coordinated care that treats your pain and other cervical spondylosis symptoms while protecting the health of your spine. Our team provides a wide range of spondylosis treatments, ensuring that you receive personalized care tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Minimally invasive techniques

If you need spine surgery, our orthopedic and neurosurgery experts use minimally invasive techniques, including a miniature robotic camera that’s more powerful than a microscope. Such methods deliver more precise surgery with less damage to healthy tissue than conventional open surgeries. This approach is particularly beneficial for addressing spondylosis symptoms because patients usually have a more comfortable, faster recovery and better long-term results.

The goal of surgery is to make more room for the spine and nerves and lessen any pressure. If discs or bone spurs are causing pressure against the spinal nerves, they may be removed. Discs may sometimes be replaced with artificial ones. Bones may be fused with a bone graft and brace.

Nonsurgical treatment including steroid injections

Most people get relief from the pain using medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroid injections provided by their doctor. Physical therapy, stretching and flexibility exercises, chiropractic care, massage or integrative medicine therapies such as acupuncture and acupressure may also help the pain.

Staying physically active with low-impact exercise such as swimming, yoga or walking can help you maintain flexibility and strengthen muscles that support the spine. When symptoms really bother you, rest may help ease both pain and inflammation.

Symptoms of cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis symptoms may result from compression of the spinal cord, the spinal nerves or both. You may feel back or neck pain as well as tingling, numbness or weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet. The pain happens as the vertebrae put pressure on the spinal canal causing pinched nerves.

More subtle spondylosis symptoms are loss of balance or dexterity that can lead to a tendency to drop things. Cervical spondylosis symptoms often come on gradually and worsen over time. It’s important to catch spondylosis early because damage may become permanent.

Cervical spondylosis diagnosis

When you see one of our doctors, they’ll conduct a complete medical history, examine your spine and ask you about how your symptoms developed. They will also check your range of motion and muscle strength. An MRI and X-rays will probably be ordered. In some cases, we recommend a CT scan to help us better understand which vertebrae or discs are involved.

Cervical spondylosis prevention

Although cervical spondylosis can be the natural result of aging bones, here are some ways you can help prevent it.

• Practice good posture, especially when sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time.
• Exercise regularly with a focus on stretching and strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of calcium and Vitamin D for good bone health.
• Get plenty of rest and take time to relax and ease pressure on the muscles and bones.
• Maintain a healthy weight to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the spine.