Cervical Spondylosis or Arthritis of the Neck ?
Welcome to the club! Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the joints in your neck. Also known as cervical osteoarthritis, this condition usually appears in men and women older than 40 and progresses with age. Although cervical spondylosis affects both sexes equally, men usually develop it at an earlier age than women do. As you age, the bones and cartilage that make up your backbone and neck gradually deteriorate, sometimes forming irregular bony outgrowths called bone spurs. These changes, which are characteristic of cervical spondylosis, occur in everyone's spine. Still, many people with signs of cervical spondylosis on X-rays manage to escape the associated symptoms, which include pain, stiffness and muscle spasms. At the other extreme, cervical spondylosis may compress one or more of the spinal nerves branching out of the cervical vertebrae — a condition called cervical radiculopathy. Bone spurs and other irregularities caused by cervical spondylosis also may reduce the diameter of the canal that houses the spinal cord, resulting in cervical myelopathy. Cervical radiculopathy and cervical myelopathy can lead to permanent disability. Fortunately, most adults with cervical spondylosis — nearly 90 percent — will not lose nerve function, even temporarily. So they did a mri, cat scan and x-ray which will give him a excellent picture of what is going on and at what Stage you are at? For example if you have spurs, if the spurs are impinging on any nerves and so on. In your case it seems the scans revealed early stages, no impringement, no other affects except headaches. The possibility that wear and tear of these joints might NOT be causing the headaches! I have cervical spondylosis along with rheumatoid arthritis and other spine problems, all of which they have seen deveop over years via x-rays, mri and blood tests. Therefore they have me on fentanyl patches for the pain. However, when it got bad I had to wear a soft neck collar and I never had any headaches. I am thinking the two are not related, your non-stop headache has nothing to do with the arthritis. Therefore ask the primary doctor if it is related, or if the headache could be caused by something else? Best of Luck
Can cronic pain be one of the causes of osthioarthritis?
I am a 49 year old male and have never been involved in playing sports but only have worked hard in been a responsible husband and father. 20 years ago I was injured while at work. At that time I was diagnosed with having two herinated discs located in my lower spine. After my injury workers comp. supported me for one year and then I was left to survive on my own. Under the legislation at that time, the employer had no legal commitments to an injured worker.. Since then legislation has changed which thankfully protects an injured worker from such situations. At the age of 17 I simply accepted WCIB decision and forged ahead living with severe pain.I have never stopped searching for relief from the pain and have avodied surgery as was once suggested by a medicalproffessional. Since the injury I have been suffering from cronic neck pain, high blood pressure and for over 20 years I have been treated on an ongoing basis for depresssion. I am also challenged with having sleep apnea. In the last few years I have been diagnosed with having osthioarthritis in both my knees and in April 2008 I was infomred for the first time that I had severe arthritis in both my hips. I am now in my 6 th week of recovery of a full hip replacement. I am scheduled to have the 2nd hip replaced ina about 5 motnhs followed by a full knee replacement. I have been married for 21 years and we have two great teenage daughters. Until the year 2006 I owned construction company for over 10 years. Since 2006 I was forced to give up the business and have not been able to maintain any type of full time employment. I am now disabled and in a negatove finacial psositon. Is it possible that my challenges may be linked to my lower back injury? Or simply can you share with me your experience. I would prefer that if you choose to respond to this message that your response be one of maturity only. Thank- you each in advance, Jb
What is the treatment for cervical?
Cervical disc disease may be the most common cause of neck pain. It's caused by an abnormality in one or more discs, the cushions that lie between the neck bones (vertebrae). When a disc is damaged, due to arthritis or an unknown cause, it can lead to neck pain from inflammation or muscle spasms. In severe cases, pain and numbness can occur in the arms from nerve irritation or damage.While pain relievers, physical therapy, neck traction, and as a last resort, surgery, can help ease neck pain from cervical disc disease, there are also home remedies you can use to help relieve pain and speed the healing process.Neck Pain Tip 1: Take It EasyIf you're like most people, you probably live a busy, hectic life. But if you're living with cervical disc disease and have increased neck pain from injury or muscle pain, it's important to temporarily ease back on intense activities. While you are resting, find a comfortable position -- one that causes you the least amount of neck pain. You can place a rolled up towel or a pillow under your neck to help keep your neck in a neutral position.Neck Pain Tip 2: Apply Cold/HeatPeople often face the hot/cold conundrum: Which one should you use? Generally, the recommendation is to use ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury to reduce swelling, followed by heat to loosen muscles and improve stiffness.Neck Pain Tip 4: Move ItResearch is showing that exercise is an effective way to treat neck pain. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, women with chronic neck pain who performed strength and endurance exercises using resistance bands and light weights significantly reduced their neck pain and disability.Neck Pain Tip 4: Visit To ChiropractorIts not easy to cure your neck pain completely but doctor of chiropractic may help you to recover from this by giving chiropractic therapy. If you found something really wrong then visit once a chiropractor.See more.
Can bone spurs on neck cause throat to ache and hurt?
A bone spur in the front of the vertebral body can cause throat pain. If significant, it will hurt when swallowing. In degenerative joint disease of the spine, there are multiple pathways of pain and responses to inflammation. With compressive forces on nerves resulting from disc distortions, symptoms can follow head, eyes, ears and front of neck. Chronic inflammation from residual epidural and other factors, such as diet can complicate the condition. A good chiropractor is an excellent choice. Also make sure you are getting essential fatty acids, like EPA/DHA in your diet. Another way to help determine if the bone spur is causing the pain would be to traction the neck. If tractioning the neck provides relief, you would lean more towards the disc and degenerative condition as stated previous. If tractioning does not provide relief, than you might further suspect the bone spur. The best way to provide traction for this would be to use a device that can sustain the traction for a reasonable amount of time. Something like the traccollar would work. Hope this helps and best of health.
Link between Persistent left superior vena cava and neck discomfort? Please?
As above but with reference to the aortic arch pushing up causing discomfort in the neck, I would really like to find anything regarding the above as I have seen numerous consultants, mris, xrays, thyroid scans, blood work, etc and noone can find a reason for my neck discomfort. I have only ever found one article combining the two but if there are many I would love to read them. Do you have a source please? thank you
What are the symptoms to arthritus in the neck ?
Visually: Pain, localized stiffness and inability to properly move neck. Diagnostically (such as through xray or CT scan): degeneration of the bone beyond normal age related bone deterioration.