Is cervical spondylosis serious?

Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
Updated on November 16, 2024
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Cervical spondylosis is a relatively common clinical disease that can be divided into many types. The more common types are localized cervical spondylosis and cervical radiculopathy. Other types include spinal cervical spondylosis, vertebral artery cervical spondylosis, sympathetic cervical spondylosis, and mixed cervical spondylosis. Generally, cervical spondylosis only manifests as local pain in the cervical spine, limited neck movement, and muscle tension in the neck. Sometimes there may be radiating pain in the upper limbs. These symptoms are not particularly severe and usually do not require surgical treatment. However, more severe cases, such as severe cervical radiculopathy or spinal cervical spondylosis, compress the local nerves and spinal cord of the cervical spine, causing symptoms like weakness in the hands and feet, tightness in the lower limbs, unstable walking, poor grip strength, numbness in the limbs, difficulty walking, incontinence or urinary retention, and limb paralysis, leading to being bedridden. In these cases, cervical spondylosis is considered serious and may require surgical treatment. Like all diseases, the severity of cervical spondylosis varies and should not be generalized.

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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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How to relieve cervical spondylosis?

For the issue of alleviating cervical spondylosis, usually, patients need to pay attention to rest and protection, apply local heat, avoid looking down for long periods or keeping the neck in one position. Routine activities such as swimming, flying kites, or playing badminton can help strengthen the neck muscles and thereby better protect the cervical spine. Additionally, patients should use medications that expand blood vessels, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, and drugs that nourish the nerves, and combine these with acupuncture, massage, traction, massage, electrotherapy, and cupping therapy. These physiotherapeutic methods are more beneficial for the clinical symptoms improvement of patients with cervical spondylosis. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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Is cervical spondylosis serious?

Cervical spondylosis is a relatively common clinical disease that can be divided into many types. The more common types are localized cervical spondylosis and cervical radiculopathy. Other types include spinal cervical spondylosis, vertebral artery cervical spondylosis, sympathetic cervical spondylosis, and mixed cervical spondylosis. Generally, cervical spondylosis only manifests as local pain in the cervical spine, limited neck movement, and muscle tension in the neck. Sometimes there may be radiating pain in the upper limbs. These symptoms are not particularly severe and usually do not require surgical treatment. However, more severe cases, such as severe cervical radiculopathy or spinal cervical spondylosis, compress the local nerves and spinal cord of the cervical spine, causing symptoms like weakness in the hands and feet, tightness in the lower limbs, unstable walking, poor grip strength, numbness in the limbs, difficulty walking, incontinence or urinary retention, and limb paralysis, leading to being bedridden. In these cases, cervical spondylosis is considered serious and may require surgical treatment. Like all diseases, the severity of cervical spondylosis varies and should not be generalized.

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Written by Kuang Tao
Orthopedics
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Features of headaches caused by cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis can also cause headaches, and the headaches caused by cervical spondylosis have their own characteristics compared to headaches caused by other reasons. Headaches resulting from cervical spondylosis generally stem from the irritation or compression of the cervical vertebrae and vertebral arteries due to the growth of cervical bone spurs, leading to constriction of these arteries and insufficient blood supply to the cerebral arteries, causing headaches and dizziness. Typically, these headaches are accompanied by symptoms of dizziness. Additionally, the headache is related to the movement of the neck and cervical spine, and neck movements can intensify the headache.

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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.