Spinal Arthritis in the Neck
The development of spinal arthritis in the neck is not uncommon in people over the age of 40. As we get older, years of wear and tear take their toll on the entire spine and degeneration naturally occurs. The facet joints, which are the hinge-like structures that allow adjacent vertebrae to articulate, are lined with protective cartilage, though over time this cartilage wears away, possibly leading to bone-on-bone friction, inflammation, and bone spurs. Patients with spinal osteoarthritis may experience joint instability, joint lockage, weakness, or radicular pain and tingling caused by neural compression.
The Effects of Spinal Arthritis in the Neck
Spinal arthritis in the neck (also known as the cervical region of the spine) can have detrimental effects on all of the anatomical elements in that area of the body. For example, cervical osteoarthritis can affect:
- Intervertebral discs - Cartilage deterioration in the joints may cause extra stress to be placed on the spongy discs that cushion and separate the vertebrae, rendering them susceptible to collapse, herniation, or bulging.
- Vertebrae - As the vertebral joints lose their smooth, soft layer of cartilage, more friction will be experienced when the vertebrae rub against each other. This translates into feelings of stiffness and soreness. It also can irritate the nerve endings within the vertebral joints, causing chronic pain. Bone spurs may also form in response to the friction, and these spurs may press on surrounding nerve roots or the nearby spinal cord.
- Muscles and ligaments - As joints become stiff and unstable, stress is transferred to surrounding connective tissues, which could increase the risk of a muscle strain or ligament sprain.
Common Conservative Treatments
If you are suffering from spinal arthritis in the neck, a variety of conservative treatments may help you to achieve relief. Ice packs will reduce inflammation and hot compresses will help surrounding muscles and ligaments to relax. Your doctor may also prescribe a regimen of pain medication, physical therapy, behavior modification, and rest. If these methods prove ineffective, more targeted treatments are available such as corticosteroid injections, nerve block injections, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and ultrasound therapy. Surgery is reserved for an extremely small number of patients who are unable to find any relief from non-invasive treatments.
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