Cervical Spondylosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Cervical spondylosis, or degenerative cervical spine disease, is a term describing the natural degenerative changes that occur with aging in the neck vertebrae, their cartilage discs, and joints. Over the years, the discs between the vertebrae lose some of their water and elasticity, bone spurs may form, and the joints become worn. These changes are so common that they are considered part of the natural aging of the spine, present in most older adults, many of whom feel no symptoms.

When cervical spondylosis causes symptoms, they often include: pain and stiffness in the neck (especially in the morning or after keeping the head still for a long time), the pain may extend to the shoulders or upper back, a headache arising from the neck, and a cracking sound when moving the neck. In some cases the bone spurs or slipped discs may press on the nerve roots leaving the neck, causing neurological symptoms in the arm such as radiating pain, numbness and tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand muscles. Rarely, pressure may occur on the spinal cord itself (cervical myelopathy), which is more dangerous and may affect walking, balance, and the precision and control of hand movements, a condition requiring urgent evaluation.

In most cases, cervical spondylosis is successfully managed with conservative treatment without needing surgery. Treatment rests on: physical therapy and exercises to strengthen and stretch the neck muscles and improve posture, painkillers and anti-inflammatories when needed, applying heat or cold, modifying activities and wrong postures (especially the head position during prolonged phone and computer use), and sometimes local injections in selected cases. Many patients improve with these measures. Surgery is reserved for cases where there is significant nerve pressure causing increasing weakness or severe neurological symptoms not responding to conservative treatment, or signs of pressure on the spinal cord. It is important to see a doctor for persistent or worsening neck pain, the appearance of numbness or weakness in the arms or hands, or affected balance and walking.

• Pain and stiffness in the neck (especially in the morning) that may extend to the shoulders.
• A headache arising from the neck and clicking with movement.
• With nerve pressure: radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm or hand.
• Rarely: affected balance and walking (pressure on the spinal cord).

• Age-related degenerative changes in the neck vertebrae, discs, and joints.
• Discs losing their elasticity and the formation of bone spurs.
• Increases with prolonged wrong postures and previous injuries.

• Clinical examination of the neck and neurological functions.
• X-ray to show the degenerative changes.
• MRI when nerve or spinal cord pressure is suspected.

Conservative treatment (sufficient for most cases)

• Physical therapy, strengthening and stretching exercises, and improving posture.
• Painkillers and anti-inflammatories, and applying heat or cold.
• Modifying activities and wrong postures, and sometimes local injections.

Surgery

• For cases with significant nerve pressure or signs of pressure on the spinal cord not responding to conservative treatment.

This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.

• Chronic neck pain and stiffness.
• Persistent arm weakness or numbness with nerve pressure.
• Cervical myelopathy (pressure on the spinal cord) affecting balance and walking.

• Correcting the head position during phone and computer use.
• Regular exercises to strengthen and stretch the neck muscles.
• Taking breaks and avoiding keeping the head still for a long time.