Cervical Spondylitis: Symptoms, Treatment and Exercises
Cervical Spondylitis is characterized by evident damages to or deterioration of the neck ligaments, spine, discs, and vertebrae. While this is a very commonly known term, some of the best neurosurgeons in Mysore may even refer to it as arthritis of the neck, cervical osteoarthritis, or degenerative osteoarthritis. In this condition there is a formation of bone spurs on the edges of the vertebrae; these bone spurs are also known as osteophytes. This leads to the thinning of the discs and thus, damaging their shock-absorbing abilities.
Some of the most c ommonl y obse r ve d symptoms of c e r vi c al spondyl i ti s i nc lude : • • • • • • • • • •
Swollen facet joints Pain in the limbs Restricted movements especially when walking Loss of coordination and sensation Numbness in the joints Neck stiffness and severe pain Loss of blood vessels Damaged bowel / bladder function Weakness in the legs and arms Dysphagia
While cervical spondylitis can get severe in some cases, the best neurology hospital in Mysore may even recommend you certain neck exercises which often help relieve the symptoms of cervical spondylitis. Cervical spondylitis doesn’t come with any alarming signs, and hence, sometimes the smallest of the symptoms also tend to give away with time. However, it’s important to consult one of the best neurosurgeons in Mysore as a proper diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylitis can help the patient eliminate any chances of further aggravation. If the patient has a feeling that the neck muscles are stiffening, the doctor would usually go for some muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine or even antidepressants like amitriptyline can also help relieve pain. When none of the other methods work, doctors may even go for gabapentin
medication. In cases of severe pain, a steroid injection may be employed as a treatment of cervical spondylitis; such an injection comes in various types.
The most c ommon type s of ste r oi d i nje c ti ons are : • • •
trigger-point injection facet joint injection cervical epidural steroid injection (ESI)
In certain cases, physical therapies have always been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of cervical spondylitis and can help alleviate the alarming symptoms. However, when the symptoms don’t respond to any of the above-mentioned procedures, a doctor may refer the patient to surgery. Surgery is recommended only when the pain and stiffness go out of control and are seemingly incurable by medication, injection or therapy.
If you have the below symptoms, you may be recommended for surgery: • • • •
Neck pain that only gets worse with time The alarming loss of feeling Weakness in the muscles Nerve Root Compression: This can be identified after getting an MRI test done and this condition is also known as myelopathy
In this procedure, the surgeon aims to remove the osteophytes or the parts of the bone that are protruding and causing pain. Sometimes even some parts of the disc may need to be operated upon in order to relieve stress off the spinal cord and nerve roots. The last procedure that may be employed if the aim is to take off pressure from the root joints and spinal cords is Cervical Fusion.
