Discs of the Spine, Opens dialog

Spinal cord anatomy, Opens dialog

Condition Basics

What is cervical spondylosis?

Spondylosis is age-related change of the bones (vertebrae) and discs (Figure 1) of the spine. These changes are often called degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. When this condition is in the neck, it's called cervical spondylosis.

These changes don't always cause symptoms. But they are a common cause of spine problems that can range from mild to severe.

What causes it?

As your body ages, the discs between the bones of the spine become stiffer and can break down. The bones also wear down and can grow bone spurs.

What are the symptoms?

There are often no symptoms. When there are symptoms, neck pain and stiffness are the main ones. They are usually worse in the morning and get better throughout the day. You may also have a headache.

If bony growths are pushing against a nerve root or the spinal cord (Figure 2), you may have numbness, tingling, weakness, or an aching, shooting pain in your arm or leg.

How is it diagnosed?

Cervical spondylosis can usually be diagnosed based on your history of symptoms, a physical exam, and imaging tests. These are tests that produce various kinds of pictures of your body. Such tests include:

How is cervical spondylosis treated?

Pain and stiffness are first treated with ice or heat and with over-the-counter medicines. Physiotherapy and daily exercises can be helpful.

If these treatments aren't helping you enough, you may need other treatments. This might be more likely to happen if you have spine problems such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. In some cases, a shot of medicine in the joint area may offer short-term relief. For a severe problem, surgery may be an option.

Figure 1 - Discs of the Spine

The spine is formed by 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae. Located between each pair of vertebrae is a disc. The disc is composed of a capsule of connective tissue surrounding a soft, jelly-like centre. These discs absorb shock and provide flexibility within the spine.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Figure 2 - Spinal cord anatomy

The spinal cord is a soft bundle of nerves that extends from the base of the brain to the lower back. It runs through the spinal canal, which is protected by the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Messages between the brain and the nerve roots travel up and down the spinal cord. This makes it possible for the brain and body to communicate. The discs cushion the vertebrae and provide flexibility to the spine and spinal cord.

Current as of: December 20, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.