CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS SYNDROME

                                                CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Cervical spondylosis is usually an age-related condition that affects the joints in your neck. It develops as a result of the wear and tear of the cartilage and bones are of the cervical spine. While it is largely due to age, it can be caused by other factors as well. Alternative names for it include cervical osteoarthritis and neck arthritis.

Causes and Risk Factors

Aging , neck injuries , work-related activities that put extra strain on your neck from heavy lifting , holding your neck in an uncomfortable position for prolonged periods of time, or repeating the same neck movements throughout the day (repetitive stress) , genetic factors (family history of cervical spondylosis) , smoking, being overweight and inactive

Tests and diagnosis

·         Neck X-ray

·         CT scan

·         MRI

·         Myelography

·         Nerve function tests

·         Electromyography (EMG)

·         Nerve conduction study

Treatments and drugs

Treatment for cervical spondylosis depends on the severity of your signs and symptoms. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain, help you maintain your usual activities as much as possible, and prevent permanent injury to the spinal cord and nerves.

• Medications
• Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Surgery  

           The surgery might involve:

o   Removing a herniated disk or bone spurs

o   Removing part of a vertebra

o   Fusing a segment of the neck using bone graft and hardware

Home remedies

Mild cervical spondylosis might respond to:

·          Regular exercise. 

·          Over-the-counter pain relievers. 

·          Heat or ice :- Applying heat or ice to your neck can ease sore neck muscles.

·       Soft neck brace :- The brace allows your neck muscles to rest. However, a neck brace should be worn for only short periods of time because it can eventually weaken neck muscles.