FF - Your community magazine
Page 24 Cervical Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Article supplied by Kevin Thornton,
Telephone 96 676 5686
Just as in the lumbar spine, the facet joints in the cervical spine can degenerate and lead to arthritis in the neck. Many terms are used interchangeably to refer to cervical osteoarthritis, including cervical spondylosis, degenerative joint disease, or simply neck arthritis.
Neck osteoarthritis symptoms tend to be characterised as follows:
- Pain that radiates to the shoulder or between the shoulder blades - Pain and stiffness that is worse first thing in the morning, and then improves after getting up and moving around - Pain that gets worse again at the end of the day - Feels better with rest - May include headaches, especially headaches in the back of the head
Cervical bone spurs (osteophytes) are a common marker of cervical osteoarthritis, and cervical osteophytes may impinge on a nerve, producing the symptoms that radiate into the arms. If the osteoarthritis impinges on the spinal cord it could lead to spinal cord dysfunction, and a condition that is called cervical myelopathy.
In some instances, cervical spondylolisthesis (when one cervical vertebra slips forward over another) may be a secondary issue to the arthritis in the facet joints of the cervical spine, although spondylolisthesis is much more common in the lumbar spine (lower back).
Cervical Osteoarthritis Treatment Treatments for cervical osteoarthritis are usually nonsurgical and may include one or a combination of the following: - Rest when the pain is severe
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain from the inflammation that usually accompanies the arthritis - Traction can help to control chronic symptoms or provide relief for more severe episodes of pain from osteoarthritis - Physical therapy and neck exercises to strengthen the neck will help maintain range of motion and prevent neck stiffness - Cortisone injections, which are given with the goal of reducing inflammation, which contributes to the pain, by injecting steroids directly into the affected area
- Muscle relaxants to help reduce painful muscle spasms in the neck and surrounding muscles. - Heat or ice, which may be used to help alleviate localised pain. Some people prefer a cold pack, especially after an activity that results in pain, to minimise swelling or inflammation. Other patients prefer heat, such as a heating pad or heat wrap or moist heat, such as a moist heat wrap for the neck or a warm bath or shower, However it’s really finding which homecare treatment is best for you.
This article is for information purposes ONLY and should not be used as a diagnostic tool. Always consult with your medial adviser or G.P. on all medical matters. Should you require any further information, have any other question that you may want answered or would prefer a one to one FREE consultation then please contact Kevin 96 676 5686 or 605 306 129 or email him on
physicaltherapyclinic@yahoo.com or
sitam66@yahoo.co.uk.
Female Focus
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68