Cervical Spondylosis

I am sure most of you have heard the term. Cervical Spondylosis is a term given to a condition where there is signs and symptoms of nerve entrapment at the level of cervical nerve roots or / and the cervical spinal cord.


This condition is caused by degenerative changes associated with cervical inter vertebral disks, ligaments associated with cervical spine and cervical vertebrae. Due to degenerative processes, elastic properties of inter vertebral disks are reduced, making them prone to herniation when subjected to compression forces. Ligaments that support the cervical spine also undergo degenerative changes resulting in loosing of elastic properties and calcification. These changes results in stiffening of the cervical spine as well as nerve root entrapment when cervical spine is stretched.

Disk herniation would give rise to narrowing of the cervical spine, resulting in compression of cervical spinal cord as well as the nerve roots emerging from the cervical spine. These nerve roots which arise from the lower cervical spine supplies upper limbs. They provide motor as well as sensory supply to upper limbs. Entrapment of these nerves give rise to the typical symptom of pain radiating down the arm when you look to a side, flex or extend your neck. Apart from neck and shoulder pain, suboccipital pain and headaches are common associations with this condition.

Check out the next post for Diagnosis and Treatment of cervical spondylosis.
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