The cervical spine, or neck, is made up of different bones, discs, muscles, nerves, and ligaments. However, this part of the spine plays a very important role in supporting the head and allowing motion in all directions. But this part is also prone to a variety of different spine problems, and can cause intense pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Knowing the symptoms of these conditions is important to understanding the problems and being able to treat the pain. In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive list of spine problems, their causes, and treatments that spine specialists suggest.
What Is the Cervical Spine?
Since we are going to look at certain disorders, let’s first look at the cervical spine as a whole. The spine is located at the top of the body and contains seven vertebrae (C1 to C7). The cervical spine is what gives the head support, protects the spinal cord, and gives the ability to rotate and tilt the neck. Although this area is prone to developing negative conditions and trauma. This can cause damage and great pain to the neck.
Here is a complete list of cervical spine disorders that can affect the neck region:
1. Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy happens when a nerve in the spine in the neck is compressed or irritated, causing pain, weakness, or numbness in the neck or arm. This is often caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
Symptoms
Some symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Shooting pain or numbness in the neck, shoulder, or arm
- Weakness in the arm or hand with a limited range of motion
- Stiffness in the neck
Treatment
Some treatments include, but are not limited to:
- Physical therapy to build strength in the neck and decrease pressure on the nerves
- Anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications
- Surgery to relieve nerve compression in more severe cases
2. Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is the medical term for age-associated changes in the neck region of the spine. These changes happen as the intervertebral discs degenerate, and bone spurs (also called osteophytes) form. It is related to the normal aging process.
Symptoms:
- Stiffness, pain, and loss of movement in the neck
- Tension headaches, especially in the occipital region
- Numbness or paresthesia (pins and needles) in the upper limbs
Treatment
- Physical therapy and rest
- Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories
- Surgery is rarely performed, but it is an option for compressed nerves and/or to fuse the vertebrae for stability.
3. Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical spondylosis and cervical spine stenosis are two conditions that can cause compression of the spinal cord in the neck region. This compression of the spinal cord causes cervical myelopathy, which can lead to significant and concerning neurological symptoms that can lead to dire consequences if left untreated.
Symptoms
Some symptoms that are associated with cervical myelopathy are:
- Weakness in the arms, legs, or both
- Difficulty balancing or walking
- Loss of fine motor skills can lead to issues while attempting to button a shirt or write.
- Bowel and/or bladder dysfunction (in the most severe situations)
Treatment
Cervical myelopathy can be treated in the following way:
- Surgery can be done to relieve spinal cord pressure, too, to prevent permanent neurological damage
- Physical therapy can also be used to help maintain strength and range of motion to aid in recovery
4. Cervical Lordosis
Cervical Lordosis is a natural curve formed within a person’s cervical vertebrae. These conditions have special names. When Lordosis curves too much, it’s called hyperlordosis. When it reduces too much, it’s hypolordosis. Abnormal cervical lordosis can lead to complications, such as neck pain.
Symptoms
- Persistent neck pain or discomfort
- Stiffness in the neck muscles
- Pain radiating down the upper back or shoulders
Treatment
- Postural correction through physical therapy
- Chiropractic care for spinal alignment
- In rare cases, a surgery may be considered for severe curvature issues
5. Cervical Kyphosis
Cervical Kyphosis is an abnormal position of the neck. It means one has an abnormal curvature, which means one could have an abnormal tilt of the neck or a “hunch back.” This position could also cause other complications, such as constant pain and the inability to freely move one’s neck in different directions.
Symptoms
- Signs of a hump or abnormal curvature in the neck region
- Tremendous pain and stiffness that could also cause a headache, dizziness, or problems with balance
Treatment
- Posture and flexibility can be improved with a therapist or through stretching
- Supporting your spine with a neck collar/ brace for a limited range of motion may also be helpful
- Desperate situations, such as fast-approaching deformity of the spine or pressure on the nerves, could be fixed with surgery
6. Cervical Disc Herniation
A cervical disk rupture occurs when the cervical disk layer slips, allowing the inner material encased within the disk layer to spill out, irritating the bones and nerves within the spine. When this occurs, it can be felt as pain, weakness, and loss of feeling within the neck and the arms, as well as the areas of the spine above and below the rupture.
Symptoms
- Intense, shooting pain within the neck, and/or pain radiating down to the shoulder and/or arm.
- Loss of feeling or tingling sensation within the fingers or the entire hand.
- Loss of strength or the inability to easily lift or move the arm.
Treatment:
- One way of non-invasive treatment option available is physical rehabilitation and therapy, medications such as anti-inflammatories, and/or getting steroid injections.
- One of the other options is minimally invasive surgeries, like discectomies or microdiscectomies, which can also be done if the problems become worse and don’t get better with other treatments.
7. Cervical Spine Stenosis
When your spine is rooted in your neck at the base, the condition is known as cervical spine stenosis. This is when the spinal canal at the base of the neck becomes so narrow that the spinal cord and nerve roots become compressed and lose some function of the nervous system. This condition is usually caused by something called cervical spondylosis or ruptured disks.
Symptoms
- Discomfort in the neck and arms or, in more severe cases, any sensations or tingling
- Weakness in hands or legs
- Issues walking or keeping balance
Treatments
- Physical therapy to teach proper posture or to help strengthen neck muscles.
- Medications that help relieve any discomfort.
- Surgery to excise or remove problematic overgrown bone mass or curtains of loose-lying bone mass in the disk. If that condition is there and treatments that are less intrusive have not been successful, the mass is likely to need surgical intervention.
The Cause Behind Disorders of the Cervical Spine
Commonly, cervical spine disorders are due to the following reasons:
- Aging-related degeneration: spinal discs tend to lose water and become less elastic as the person ages, leading to more damage to the discs over time.
- Injuries due to trauma: Disc herniation and broken vertebrae in the cervical spine can occur due to motor vehicle accidents, falls, and injuries from sports.
- Posture: Certain poor postures, such as slumping and looking down at a phone for prolonged periods, can cause additional strain.
- Repetitive movement: Certain jobs and hobbies that involve a lot of lifting and twisting can lead to cervical spine strain over time.
- The environment: Some disorders that affect the spine are more common in specific environments, in which case there could be a genetic component.
Treatment Options for Cervical Spine Disorders
Chronic disorders of the cervical spine take time to treat. Each condition, severity, and patient is unique, so the treatment chosen is conditional on the needs of the individual. Treatments can include:
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a common first-line treatment for cervical spine disorders. Therapy can improve strength, functioning, and reduce pain in the supporting structures of the neck.
Medications
Pain and inflammation related to cervical spine disorders can be alleviated with medications. Medications can include pain medications, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Cervical Collar
Stabilization of the neck can be needed to reduce movement for a period of time, especially post-injury or surgeries. Cervical collars and neck braces are prescribed for this purpose.
Injections
Conditions like cervical radiculopathy and stenosis can be temporarily relieved for a period of time with injections. Epidural steroid injections and injections to the facet joints target pain and inflammation.
Surgeries
If someone still experiences issues after trying all other methods, some patients need to undergo surgery to help enhance their overall quality of life. To relieve pain and other disabilities, surgery types include:
Discectomy and Microdiscectomy
This surgery consists of taking out the troublesome disc that is putting undue pressure on the nerve roots.
Spinal Fusion
This surgery is the medically induced stabilization of the spine by fusing two or more vertebrae together.
Laminectomy
This procedure consists of taking out the parts of the vertebrae to make more space for the spinal cord or the nerves.
When to Consult Your Spine Specialist
A spinal specialist should be contacted when the following symptoms are present:
- Unresolved chronic neck pain despite resting.
- Occasional numbness or tingling in the arms or hands.
- Weakness in the arms or legs.
- Unsteadiness or difficulty walking.
A spine specialist can assess the details of the case and recommend the most appropriate pain management techniques and treatment options customized to the case.
Conclusion
Cervical spine disorders can considerably affect a person’s quality of life. Understanding what disorders and symptoms are out there is the first and most vital step in effective management. Injuries like cervical radiculopathy, cervical spondylosis, or cervical disc herniation all have numerous treatment options that can help ease and increase functional capabilities.
If you are experiencing neck pain and related symptoms, seeing a spine specialist for a diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Receiving specialized and customized care along with expert knowledge regarding cervical disorders of the spine and the management and treatment options is most effective when consulting with a spine specialist.
FAQs Concerning Cervical Spine Disorders
1. What causes cervical radiculopathy?
The most common causes of cervical radiculopathy are the presence of a herniated disc or a bone spur combined with narrowing of the spinal canal due to cervical spondylosis.
2. How can we avoid having cervical disorders?
You can avoid having cervical disorders by maintaining good posture, regularly exercising to strengthen your neck muscles, and avoiding heavy lifting.
3. Can I have a cervical disorder and have headaches at the same time?
Yes, headaches can occur with cervical spondylosis and cervical lordosis due to the muscles and nerves in the neck being tense and under compression.
4. Is it necessary to have surgery for cervical disorders?
Not at all. Most disorders of the spine can be addressed through conservative, non-surgical means such as physical therapy and medications. Surgery becomes necessary when the conservative means have failed.
5. Can I live with a herniated cervical disc?
Yes. Many people are able to live with a cervical disc herniation, and most are able to control their symptoms through lifestyle changes and physical therapy. Only those with severe symptoms requiring surgical intervention or with significant functional impairment need surgery.