What should I do about cervical spondylosis?

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Having cervical spondylosis is not a big deal as long as you understand two things, which basically suffices. The first point is to determine the specific type of cervical spondylosis, as the treatment depends on the type, and different strategies are adopted for different types. The second point is to have a clear concept that once cervical spondylosis occurs, it is basically incurable. Therefore, it is essential to understand the concepts of healthcare and prevention. Let's discuss the types of cervical spondylosis. Clinically, cervical spondylosis is categorized into six types: cervical type, nerve root type, spinal type, sympathetic type, vertebral artery type, and mixed type. Cervical type cervical spondylosis generally does not require surgical treatment. The nerve root type responds best to traction. The spinal type generally requires surgical treatment. Vertebral artery type treatment involves treating both the cervical spine and arteriosclerosis. The mixed type involves the coexistence of two or more types of cervical spondylosis, and they are treated together. As for prevention, which is crucial for cervical spondylosis, it is important to pay attention to rest, maintain good sitting and standing postures, protect the cervical spine from cold, and perform appropriate cervical spine exercises to strengthen neck muscles. If cervical spondylosis episodes occur, remember not to self-medicate and seek proper treatment plans from a hospital.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Hot compress method for cervical spondylosis

Regarding the method of hot compress for cervical spondylosis, there are many methods used clinically. For example, one can actively use a salt bag or a hot water bottle for hot compresses, or use stir-fried bran for hot compresses twice a day, each time for half an hour or more to achieve more obvious effects. The main purpose of hot compress is to promote local blood circulation, thereby effectively improving the clinical symptoms of the patient's cervical spondylosis. Additionally, apart from hot compresses, patients with cervical spondylosis should also avoid bowing their heads for long periods and keep their necks from staying in one position for too long. Try to keep the neck muscles relaxed. Regular activities like swimming, flying kites, or playing badminton can help strengthen the neck muscles, thus better protecting the cervical spine and alleviating the clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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How to treat cervical spondylosis

The patient has cervical spondylosis and can be treated using traditional Chinese medicine methods. For instance, firstly, it's important to advise the patient to minimize the loading activities on the head and neck area and to keep warm. Regular bed rest is beneficial, and local treatment can be applied to the neck using traditional Chinese herbal medicine ion penetration, acupuncture, and moxibustion. These therapies stimulate effective acupuncture points in the neck, which can unblock the muscle meridians, restore normal circulation of qi and blood, and help the neck muscles absorb nutrients, increasing their strength, toughness, and elasticity. These treatments can also enhance the strength and density of the cervical vertebrae, reduce irritation to the spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessels, and alleviate the patient's clinical symptoms. Under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine methods, manual therapies like massage can significantly relieve clinical symptoms.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How is cervical spondylosis treated?

The treatment plan is primarily determined by the severity of the patient's cervical spondylosis. If the cervical spondylosis is very severe, for instance, if the patient suffers from leg pain, numbness, and instability while walking, and conservative treatment fails to improve these symptoms, significantly affecting the patient's normal functions, it is essential to actively conduct CT and MRI scans. If the patient has a significant disc herniation and severe spinal canal stenosis, surgical treatment becomes necessary. Typically, the surgery requires general anesthesia and is performed either from the anterior or posterior approach of the cervical spine. The procedure involves the removal of the disc and decompression of the spinal canal, followed by intervertebral bone grafting and fusion surgery.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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How to determine if it is cervical spondylosis

In clinical settings, cervical spondylosis can be diagnosed by evaluating the patient's subjective symptoms, medical history, and physical examination, combined with corresponding auxiliary examinations. Patients with cervical spondylosis often have a history of long-term chronic strain or injury in the neck. Patients may experience increased muscle tone in the limbs, muscle weakness, and sensations of tingling and numbness in the upper limbs. There may also be difficulties in walking involving the lower limbs, with sensations like walking on cotton; accompanying symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, unstable blood pressure, and blurred vision. Electromyography, cervical spine X-rays, CT scans, and MRI can be taken to confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, conservative treatments are primarily used in the early stages of the disease. Patients are advised to rest in bed, wear cervical collars for stabilization, and use a chin strap for traction. Acupuncture and moxibustion are used on the neck, along with enhanced functional training and the administration of neurotrophic medications.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Causes of cervical spondylosis

The causes of cervical spondylosis are actually of two types. The first type is intrinsic causes, which refer to the degeneration of the cervical intervertebral disc, a physiological process. Starting from the age of 20, the cervical intervertebral disc begins to degenerate, varying from person to person; some degenerate faster, others slower. However, as one ages, the cervical discs also gradually deteriorate. The second cause is the pathological changes secondary to the degeneration of the cervical intervertebral discs. For instance, after the discs degenerate, it can lead to instability of the cervical spine, formation of osteophytes around it, calcification of ligaments, and instability of small joints, among others. Due to these reasons, it results in a series of pathological changes affecting nearby soft tissues, such as blood vessels, nerves, spinal cord, and sympathetic nerves. This is the definition of cervical spondylosis. Thus, the causes of cervical spondylosis boil down to two main points: first, the degeneration of the cervical intervertebral discs; second, due to this degeneration, it induces other pathological changes such as the formation of peripheral osteophytes, ligament calcification, joint instability, etc., ultimately compressing the surrounding soft tissues, leading to cervical spondylosis.