Related articles: Cervical osteoarthritis
Definition
Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by degenerative lesions of the articular cartilage. Depending on the site affected, one can speak of knee arthritis, hip, wrist and so on. In the specific case of cervical arthrosis, the disease damages the cartilage that covers and protects the bone ends involved in the joints between the vertebrae of the neck. Over time, cartilage degeneration involves the entire joint (including the articular surfaces and the discs interposed between one vertebra and another), causing localized pain and a limitation of progressively aggravated movements.
Cervical osteoarthritis is, at least in part, a consequence of aging, but also postural defects and excessive or repeated efforts of the cervical tract play an important role. Other times trauma is involved, as can occur in some contact sports or in the so-called "whiplash". Cervical osteoarthritis may also depend on deviations of the spine, such as scoliosis or hyperciforms, or other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Tinnitus
- dizziness
- Neck pain
- Elbow pain
- Chest pain
- Shoulder pain
- Arm pain
- Pain in the sternum
- Back pain
- Articolar pains
- Muscular collation
- Tingling in the right arm
- Tingling in the Left Arm
- Tingling in the right hand
- Tingling in the head
- Tingling in the hands
- Tingling in the legs
- hyperkyphosis
- Backache
- Headache
- Nausea
- Paresthesia
- Rheumatism
- Stiffness in the muscles of the back and neck
- Articular noises
- Lhermitte sign
- Fainting
Further indications
Among the symptoms of cervical arthrosis, the most characteristic are the pain perceived in the neck and neck, the sensation of rigidity and the difficulty in performing even trivial movements, such as turning or bending the head. A signal not to be underestimated is the perception of articular noises, similar to a "snap", which are felt when the neck is turned or the head is lowered. These sounds are often associated with the sensation of internal friction, as if one had "sand" between the vertebrae. Other symptoms that can present with cervical osteoarthritis are: headache, nausea and dizziness in changes of position.
Cervical osteoarthritis tends to worsen with time and can cause severe diffuse tenderness. In addition to the neck, there may be painful involvement that radiates from the shoulders to the fingers of the hand. If it is not dealt with and treated properly, it can also involve the nervous and vascular structures protected by the same cervical spine, with all the consequences of the case. For example, unpleasant pains and tingling may occur that extend from the neck to the arms and hands. In the worst case scenario, loss of sensitivity, decrease in muscle strength and serious difficulties in performing certain movements also arise.
In the presence of the typical symptoms of cervical arthrosis, it is good to undergo first of all an orthopedic examination; further in-depth examinations will be followed by imaging techniques, such as X-rays, CT and magnetic resonance.
The treatment includes painkillers, anti-inflammatories and, sometimes, muscle relaxants to relieve symptoms. During painful crises, the neck must be kept at rest, perhaps using an orthopedic collar. In the periods between one crisis and another, massages and rehabilitative physical therapies can be very useful. In more serious cases, however, it may be necessary to resort to surgery, especially in the presence of a severe compression of the nerve or spinal cord.
