Symptoms of cervical spondylosis

Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
Updated on November 29, 2024
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Cervical spondylosis is a very common clinical disease, which is classified into different types, each with distinct symptomatic characteristics. Let's discuss them broadly. Local type cervical spondylosis primarily manifests with local cervical pain, neck stiffness, and restricted neck movement. Cervical radiculopathy mainly features symptoms such as upper limb sensory changes, numbness, radiating pain, or weakness in the extremities. Myelopathy type cervical spondylosis presents with symptoms like weakness in the limbs, unstable walking, urinary or fecal dysfunction, or even severe symptoms like paralysis of the limbs. Sympathetic and vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis mainly have symptoms including headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, unclear vision, and excessive sweating, among others. There is also a special type called esophageal cervical spondylosis, where patients might experience symptoms like esophageal compression.

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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 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 Qiu Xiang Zhong
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of cervical spondylosis

The cervical spine refers to the part of the spine located in the neck, consisting of seven vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and ligaments between the vertebrae. When cervical spondylosis occurs, it mainly causes pain in the head, neck, and shoulders, as well as numbness or pain in the arms and fingers. When the neck is stiff, the patient's movement is restricted, and neck and shoulder pain may also be accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or even sudden collapse. Some patients may also experience a heavy feeling in the shoulders and back, weakness in the arms, numbness in the fingers, decreased skin sensation in the limbs, and weakness in gripping objects; other patients may also experience weakness in the lower limbs, a feeling of treading on cotton when walking, unsteady walking, or numbness in the feet.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How to treat cervical spondylosis?

The treatment of cervical spondylosis is symptomatic, and it is first necessary to determine the type of cervical spondylosis, and then treat it according to its classification. Cervical type cervical spondylosis usually does not require surgery and can be managed with conservative treatment. Nerve root type cervical spondylosis is the most common type seen in clinical practice and responds particularly well to traction therapy. Additionally, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nerve nutrients can also be used. Spinal cord type cervical spondylosis usually cannot be managed conservatively, or may require surgery after a short period of conservative treatment. This type is the most frequently operated on in clinical practice for cervical spondylosis. The fourth type is the sympathetic nerve type cervical spondylosis, which is very complex to diagnose. It often causes some internal system diseases, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. However, these conditions often improve as the cervical spondylosis improves. The fifth type is vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis, which typically causes symptoms of insufficient cerebral blood supply. Therefore, treatment of cervical spondylosis also requires addressing arteriosclerosis. Mixed type cervical spondylosis refers to the simultaneous occurrence of two types of cervical spondylosis, and treatment involves managing both types concurrently. Thus, the treatment of cervical spondylosis first requires determining the specific type you have and then carrying out symptomatic treatment for that specific type.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis

The treatment of cervical spondylosis is divided into surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment. Currently, it is reported that 95% of patients with cervical spondylosis can be cured or relieved after non-surgical treatment. Only a small number of patients, whose conditions worsen after ineffective non-surgical treatment, require surgical intervention. Conservative treatments include traditional Chinese medicine and herbal treatments, external application of herbal medicine, massage and bone-setting, acupuncture, rehabilitation therapy, traction therapy, physical therapy, and exercise therapy. Surgical treatments are mainly for patients with myelopathic or radiculopathic cervical spondylosis whose symptoms have worsened significantly affecting work and life, or who have experienced muscle dysfunction or even muscle atrophy. Furthermore, other types of cervical spondylosis that are ineffective in conservative treatment, have poor results, or are recurrent, all fall within the scope of surgical treatments. Surgical treatments include minimally invasive procedures and conventional procedures, with the conventional procedures being divided into anterior cervical and posterior cervical approaches. Minimally invasive treatments include nucleolysis, percutaneous nucleotomy, PFDD, and radiofrequency ablation.