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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Do cervical spondylosis patients fear cold?

Patients with cervical spondylosis are sensitive to cold. Exposure to cold can cause vasoconstriction and muscle contraction, thus aggravating the clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis. Therefore, it is said that cervical spondylosis is sensitive to cold. Patients with cervical spondylosis should avoid cold environments and actively keep warm. It is recommended to persistently apply heat using a hot water bottle or salt bag twice daily, for at least thirty minutes each time for more noticeable effects. For those experiencing severe pain, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken to alleviate pain. Additionally, topical plasters that activate blood circulation and disperse stasis can be used, along with therapies like acupuncture, electric heating, cupping, traction, and massage, which may progressively lead to recovery.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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What to do if cervical spondylosis causes vomiting?

Vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis may cause nausea and vomiting. This is because the vertebral artery runs through the transverse foramen in the cervical spine. If the patient has cervical disc herniation or cervical hyperostosis that compresses the vertebral artery in the transverse foramen, it can cause spasm of the vertebral artery. This leads to insufficient blood supply to the brain, resulting in symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. Once these symptoms occur, we recommend that patients first limit the movement of the cervical spine. Secondly, some drugs that improve microcirculation and alleviate cerebral ischemia can be used. Thirdly, antiemetic medications, which are also commonly used clinically, can be employed. If conservative treatment is ineffective and the condition recurs frequently, surgical treatment should be considered. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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Cervical spondylosis cupping locations

We can roughly divide into two main categories. The first category is the Ashi points. What this means is using the pain point as the location for cupping. We can press the most painful part and use that as the center point for cupping; this is one method. The second method is the meridian acupoint method. We can perform a cupping treatment on the acupoints in the neck area, through which the treatment flows. For example, acupoints such as the Dazhui, Fengchi, and Fengmen in the neck area can all serve as the central points for cupping.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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What should I do about cervical spondylosis?

In clinical practice, the incidence of cervical spondylosis is relatively high, including vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis. Usually, for such patients, it is necessary to actively apply treatments such as cervical hot compresses, acupuncture, massage, traction, massages, and electrotherapy. Additionally, it is necessary to use vasodilator drugs to improve the blood supply to the vertebral artery. Furthermore, cervical spondylosis of the spinal nerve root type also has a high incidence. Patients often experience numbness in the limbs, making it necessary to actively apply nutritional neurotrophic drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics for treatment. When cervical spondylosis is severe and cannot be improved through conservative treatment, it becomes necessary to proceed with surgical treatment actively.

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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.