Symptoms of cervical spondylosis

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 15, 2024
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The symptoms of cervical spondylosis in clinical practice are relatively complex. Patients with cervical spondylosis typically experience neck pain and discomfort, or stiffness. Furthermore, the patients may suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, reduced hearing, and numbness, weakness, or swelling pain in the bilateral or unilateral upper limbs. Some patients might also experience palpitations, loss of appetite, unsteady walking, and a sensation of walking on cotton. These are the common clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis. Usually, the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis requires the support of auxiliary examinations, such as CT scans and MRI of the cervical spine.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How to treat cervical spondylosis?

For the treatment of cervical spondylosis, it is necessary to consider various factors such as the patient's symptoms, the stage of disease progression, and imaging examinations comprehensively. Treatment for cervical spondylosis is mainly divided into non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatment includes cultivating good neck usage habits, avoiding prolonged sitting with the head down, and not sleeping on pillows that are too high. Performing neck exercises can also be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of cervical spondylosis. Additionally, when symptoms occur, symptomatic treatment can include the use of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications, nerve-nourishing drugs, and cartilage nutrition drugs, combined with hot compresses, physical therapy, and cervical traction, which can positively improve symptoms. In cases of severe nerve or vascular compression symptoms, surgical treatment may be necessary.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of cervical spondylosis of the nerve root type.

Cervical radiculopathy is the most common type of cervical spondylosis encountered in clinical practice. Clinically, it presents as partial or complete pain and numbness in the area innervated by the compressed nerve root, which is related to body posture. Firstly, the cause of cervical radiculopathy is compression of the nerve root. Secondly, compression of different nerves leads to numbness and pain in different regions. Thirdly, changes in posture, such as sneezing or tilting the head back, can exacerbate the symptoms. In clinical examinations, two tests are generally performed: the Spurling's test and the traction test. If both tests are positive, the disease can generally be diagnosed. Additional diagnostic aids such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can also be used to make a definitive diagnosis of the specific nerve root compression.

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Written by Sun Shu Jian
Orthopedics
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How to treat cervical spondylosis by oneself?

Self-treatment for cervical spondylosis can adopt the following methods: First, correct daily behaviors to avoid excessive strain, load, and stress on the neck, such as avoiding prolonged desk work, and frequent usage of smartphones while looking downward, to prevent the neck muscles from being in a state of prolonged tension. Second, regularly perform appropriate cervical spine health exercises, such as the "Mi Zi" exercise and neck muscle resistance training, etc. Third, locally apply methods like heat therapy, infrared radiation, electromagnetic therapy, and ultrasound for self-treatment. Fourth, treatment can also include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, medications that nourish the nerves and those that relieve muscle tension.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Can cervical spondylosis be cured?

Can cervical spondylosis be cured? First, it is necessary to understand what cervical spondylosis is. Cervical spondylosis refers to a series of diseases characterized by clinical symptoms due to degenerative changes in the cervical intervertebral disc and its secondary pathological changes that involve surrounding tissues, including the spinal cord, nerve roots, blood vessels, and sympathetic nerves. Therefore, the main causes of cervical spondylosis are: First, the degenerative changes of the cervical intervertebral disc, which is the degeneration of the cervical disc, begin to degenerate from the age of twenty, mainly showing a decrease in the elasticity and toughness of the annulus fibrosus and dehydration of the nucleus pulposus. This is a normal aging process of the human body and cannot be changed. Second, the degeneration of the cervical intervertebral disc causes secondary pathological changes, mainly referring to the formation of peripheral osteophytes, relaxation of the intervertebral joints, leading to joint instability, and ossification of the posterior ligament causing spinal canal stenosis. Therefore, analyzing from the cause, cervical spondylosis is a necessary process as the body ages from youth to old age, so it cannot be cured. It is only possible to slow down the aging process or, through other means, prevent the degenerative changes from causing too much compression on the surrounding tissues, leading to too many symptoms. In summary, cervical spondylosis cannot be cured.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Do cervical spondylosis patients fear the cold?

Cold weather has certain effects on patients with cervical spondylosis, as cold weather can impact blood circulation, which may aggravate symptoms of neck pain and discomfort. Therefore, patients with cervical spondylosis should pay attention to protecting their neck and keeping warm during cold weather. Cervical spondylosis is primarily caused by degenerative changes in the cervical spine, chronic wear and tear, leading to neck pain, limited movement, and sensory and functional impairments. Therefore, patients with cervical spondylosis should also focus on resting, maintaining good posture, and may use heat applications, physical therapy, functional exercises for the neck, or medications to improve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.