Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative condition of the cervical spine.

Thirty five percent of us have had neck pain at some time or other but in most of us the pain was transient and disappeared in time. In some cases, however, this is not the case.

Movement of the neck is a complicated process involving the bones of the cervical spine, ligaments and muscles. It is not surprising that the neck is susceptible to injury and pain.

X-ray confirms the bony problem resulting in pain but a curious finding is that 80% of patients with no symptoms had abnormalities on x-ray, and it is not unusual to see x-ray abnormalities in the neck in the over 30s.

A common cause of neck pain is cervical spondylitis. This is like arthritis of the spine in the neck. Bony growth develops on the vertebral bodies. They are called osteophytes and the moving joints may become involved. There may also be intervertebral disc degeneration.

Progressive arthritis might lead to pressure on the nerves and the artery (the vertebro-basilar artery). This can lead to problems with swallowing, visual problems and vertigo.

With cervical spondylitis, pain is present. There may also be referred pain in the face and chest. There may be restriction of movement, pain on movement of the neck and stiffness.

Cervical spondylosis is more common in the lower cervical vertebrae but can be in the upper spine. In this case a patient can develop headache mainly in the back of the head (Occipital).

Dr. Phil Hariram.