Cervical spondylosis is a spinal condition. This causes wear and tear on the vertebrae and causes very unpleasant complaints. Read more about this condition below.
Contents
- Cervical spondylosis
- Complaints
- How often does it happen?
- Research
- Support collar
Cervical spondylosis
Everyone has 7 cervical vertebrae. With this condition, a few of these vertebrae and the cartilage between them are affected. In this condition, the intervertebral discs wear out. This makes the neck very stiff and the nerves in the upper back are exposed to enormous pressure. The pain is often unbearable. This condition is also called ‘neck wear’. Unfortunately, it is not known what causes this very annoying condition. It is known that as one gets older, the bones can deform.
Complaints
- Stiff neck
- Tingling in the arms
- Tingling in the legs
- Back pain (due to stiff neck)
- Legs becoming increasingly weak
- Difficulty urinating
- Constricted blood vessels that run to the brain from the cervical vertebrae
How often does it happen?
Every year, 1 in 150 people are affected by cervical spondylosis. Usually it is women who receive this diagnosis. There are also people who have a mild form of cervical spondylosis and do not go to the doctor about it. If the symptoms cause more and more pain, especially in the lower back, he/she should be checked by the doctor as soon as possible. Due to the complaints in the lower back, one can even become paralyzed after a while.
Research
If the symptoms worsen, an X-ray will be taken of the neck and if the legs also become weaker, a myelogram will be made to determine the extent of the damage.
Support collar
The doctor often recommends wearing a support collar during the day and at night to prevent forceful movements and keep the head stable and reduce pressure. The support collar for daytime is usually made of plastic and the support collar for nighttime is a bit softer, making it more comfortable. After wearing the support collar for approximately 3 months, the complaints will have diminished considerably. While wearing the support collar it is possible to use paracetamol or aspirins.