How to deal with cervical spondylosis?

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on January 18, 2025
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Cervical spondylosis is primarily caused by degenerative changes in the cervical spine, chronic strain, and other factors, leading to cartilage damage. After damage, calcium deposition occurs around the bone joints, thus causing bone proliferation. Treatment for cervical bone proliferation is not necessary if there are no symptoms. When bone proliferation causes neurological and vascular irritation symptoms, such as pain, numbness, and weakness, treatment is needed. Treatment recommendations include resting, using anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, and medications that nourish nerves. Treatments can also be combined with hot compresses, physical therapy, and traction. These methods can help improve symptoms. If the symptoms are severe and significantly impact daily life, surgical treatment may also be considered. (Please follow the guidance of a professional physician when using medications.)

Other Voices

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
41sec home-news-image

Is it good to lie flat with lumbar hyperostosis?

In general, for patients with lumbar spondylosis, if there are no symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, lying flat is usually very effective, but it's best to sleep on a hard bed. If the patient's lumbar spondylosis has caused spinal nerve compression resulting in sciatic nerve pain, it is best for such patients to lie on their side. Side lying allows the knees and hips to bend, thereby reducing the tension on the sciatic nerve and effectively alleviating the symptoms of sciatic nerve pain. Additionally, for those with painful symptoms due to lumbar spondylosis, it is advisable to wear a lumbar support belt to protect the area.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Can osteophytes be massaged?

Osteophyte, or bone spur, symptoms such as localized pain can be alleviated through massage. However, massage only serves as a relief and does not aim to treat the bone spur itself. Clinically, the treatment for bone spurs also focuses merely on symptomatic relief; it is impossible to completely eliminate bone spurs through oral medications or other physical therapies. Besides massage, options such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications, as well as medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, can be used to relieve pain. Additionally, local injections, such as block injections, can also provide relief. However, it is important to remember that the dosage and frequency of block injections are limited; generally, one to two injections per month is the maximum. Excessive use of block injections can damage local muscles and ligaments, worsening the symptoms of bone spurs. (Please consult your doctor before using any medications and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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symptoms of bone hyperplasia

Under normal circumstances, in the early stages of osteophyte formation, the condition mainly manifests as localized pain in patients, especially during periods of increased activity or exposure to cold, when the pain is more pronounced. If the osteophyte formation progressively worsens over time and occurs in the spine, it may lead to conditions such as cervical or lumbar spine diseases. This, in turn, causes patients to experience neck pain, back pain, and in severe cases, symptoms such as dizziness, numbness in the arms, unsteady walking, a sensation of walking on cotton, and even abnormalities in urination and defecation. Additionally, if the osteophyte formation occurs in the joints, it often leads to joint deformities.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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Is calcium supplementation effective for bone proliferation?

Strictly speaking, bone hyperplasia is not a disease diagnosis but rather a radiographic manifestation of a condition, as seen in some middle-aged and elderly individuals or patients who have engaged in heavy physical labor for a long time. If such individuals were to undergo an X-ray, it would definitely show clear signs of bone hyperplasia. However, this bone hyperplasia does not necessarily cause symptoms. If the patient does not experience symptoms, then there is no need to treat the bone hyperplasia. Additionally, calcium supplementation does not have a therapeutic effect on bone hyperplasia. Once the bone has hyperplasia, it cannot be eliminated or gradually degraded by taking medication or calcium supplements; this expectation is unrealistic. Therefore, calcium supplementation has no significant effect on bone hyperplasia.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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What department should I go to for osteophyte?

Strictly speaking, bone hyperplasia itself is not a disease diagnosis, but a radiological diagnosis. That is to say, if a patient goes for an X-ray, it might be discovered that there is bone hyperplasia in the cervical or lumbar spine. However, this bone hyperplasia may not necessarily cause symptoms; some patients may have very obvious bone hyperplasia but experience no pain or restricted movement. In such cases, medical consultation is not necessary. If the bone hyperplasia causes pain or symptoms like restricted joint movement, then these conditions might require medical attention. Generally, it is recommended that patients consult an orthopedist first, as orthopedics is a specialized field that can play a role in triaging and broadly determining the direction of treatment. Therefore, it is advised that patients with bone hyperplasia, who wish to seek medical advice, should see an orthopedist first.