One of the common effects of aging is wear and tear of the body's joints, including small joints of the spine. When the

Cervical spondylosis is a common neck condition, caused due to age-related, and other degenerative changes that take place in joints and discs in the spine.

Neck arthritis or osteoarthritis in the neck that typically starts to show itself around the forty-year mark, and progresses from there. That said, men tend to develop it at a younger age than women.

Cervical spondylosis can cause myelopathy – a condition in which the spinal cord can become compressed by neighboring structures. It may also lead to radiculopathy.

Arthritis in the neck starts with wear and tear of the cartilage that prevents the bones from grinding against each other. The grinding causes the bones to develop bone spurs. The bone spurs cause pain, especially when they press upon the spinal nerves and/or the spinal cord. Such pressure can also cause numbness, weakness and sharp, shooting or burning pain.

Risk Factors for Arthritis in the Neck

• Age – For people in their middle age, the likelihood of neck arthritis increases.
• Genetics – Cervical spondylosis may run in families. If your spinal canal is naturally small in diameter, your risk for degenerative changes may be higher.
• Smoking – Smoking is a risk factor for neck pain as well as degenerative disc disease and failed back surgery.
• Repetitive Actions / Overuse – If your job involves repeated neck and head movements, you may be at higher risk.
• Trauma – Repeated trauma increases your risk for cervical spondylosis.

Symptoms of Neck Arthritis

• Intermittent neck pain and stiffness are the most common signs of neck arthritis.
• A large number of people with neck arthritis also experience headaches, especially in the lower skull area.
• If the person is suffering from radiculopathy, symptoms may also include pain, weakness, numbness and/or electrical sensations down a shoulder and an arm.

Treatment for Neck Arthritis

While there is no cure for arthritis, pain and other symptoms can be treated and the quality of life can be improved with –

• Nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs), such as aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
• Exercise and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around a joint and relieve the pressure on the joint.
• Corticosteroid injections to relieve radiating pain and reduce inflammation. This allows the patient to undergo physical therapy which strengthens the joint.
• Nerve blocks for lasting pain relief.
• Modifying but not eliminating physical activity.
• Cervical collar for support and stabilization during the healing period.
• Surgery, in severe cases.

If you are looking for neck, back, and knee pain management doctors, call one of the leading pain management clinics in Illinois, Illinois Pain Institute at 800-340-PAIN Today!