As mentioned in the previous post, cervical spondylosis is a common condition of the elderly and middle age. It is initially suspected on clinical presentation. Then diagnosed using X-rays and MRI scan. X- ray of the neck (antero - posterior and lateral views) would show age related degenerative changes in the cervical spine. But X-ray can not show the nerve entrapment. Thus a MRI scan would be the investigation of choice to confirm the diagnosis. MRI scan will show inter vertebral disk herniation and nerve entrapment clearly as shown in the MRI scan image below.
The main stay of treatment is pain killers (non steroid anti inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs), physiotherapy and life style modifications. But in severe symptoms your physician may recommend surgical interventions like cervical laminectomy procedures, which involves dissecting out a part of the vertebrae that causes compression effects.
For more severe cases that involve cervical disk herniation, total removal of vertebrae and reconstruction of vertebrae is also performed. It's a relatively higher risk procedure compared to cervical laminectomy.
Posted in: Aging,Medicine,Neurology
