Symptoms of cervical spondylosis of the nerve root type.

Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

Updated on September 16, 2024

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Cervical radiculopathy is the most common type of cervical spondylosis encountered in clinical practice. Clinically, it presents as partial or complete pain and numbness in the area innervated by the compressed nerve root, which is related to body posture. Firstly, the cause of cervical radiculopathy is compression of the nerve root. Secondly, compression of different nerves leads to numbness and pain in different regions. Thirdly, changes in posture, such as sneezing or tilting the head back, can exacerbate the symptoms. In clinical examinations, two tests are generally performed: the Spurling's test and the traction test. If both tests are positive, the disease can generally be diagnosed. Additional diagnostic aids such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can also be used to make a definitive diagnosis of the specific nerve root compression.

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Written by Li Jie

Orthopedics

1min 3sec

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What to do if cervical spondylosis causes vomiting?

Vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis may cause nausea and vomiting. This is because the vertebral artery runs through the transverse foramen in the cervical spine. If the patient has cervical disc herniation or cervical hyperostosis that compresses the vertebral artery in the transverse foramen, it can cause spasm of the vertebral artery. This leads to insufficient blood supply to the brain, resulting in symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. Once these symptoms occur, we recommend that patients first limit the movement of the cervical spine. Secondly, some drugs that improve microcirculation and alleviate cerebral ischemia can be used. Thirdly, antiemetic medications, which are also commonly used clinically, can be employed. If conservative treatment is ineffective and the condition recurs frequently, surgical treatment should be considered. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Xie Yi Song

Orthopedics

1min 55sec

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Symptoms of cervical spondylosis

Many people think that cervical spondylosis is just neck pain, but actually, after developing cervical spondylosis, there can be other symptoms. For example, the early symptoms of cervical spondylosis are generally diverse and complex. Most patients initially experience mild symptoms, which gradually worsen over time. Some patients have severe symptoms, and clinically, it is generally divided into five major types. The first type is cervical cervical spondylosis, where the main symptoms are soreness and swelling in the head, neck, shoulders, back, and arms, neck stiffness, and limited movement. The soreness in the neck and shoulders can radiate to the suboccipital area and upper limbs. The second type is vertebral artery type, where patients generally experience dizziness, a sensation that the room is spinning, and severe cases may include nausea, vomiting, and bedrest, with a few instances of vertigo and sudden collapse. The third, and most common, is spinal cervical spondylosis, where it is particularly strenuous to hold objects, which often fall to the ground, instability in walking, as well as spasms in the neck and shoulder muscles, increased muscle tone in the limbs, and even paralysis. The fourth type is radicular cervical spondylosis, with neck pain, acid swelling and distension pain in the unilateral or bilateral upper limbs, numbness, and sometimes intense pain that is unbearable. The fifth most common type is sympathetic nerve cervical spondylosis, where patients may experience blurred vision, dizziness, abnormal sweating, persistent low-grade fever, palpitations, chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, often with insomnia and frequent dreaming. The sixth type is the mixed type, which may present a combination of symptoms from the types mentioned above.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 3sec

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Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis

The treatment of cervical spondylosis includes two aspects. The first is non-surgical treatment, which mainly involves immobilization of the neck, followed by physical therapy for the neck, including massage, acupuncture, and treatments with microwaves or shock waves, as well as cervical traction. Prevention is also important, which includes correcting poor work postures and sleeping positions. If the pain is very severe, one might consider taking some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, etc. Secondly, if there is severe pain due to nerve root type or spinal cord type cervical spondylosis, and there is evident neurological dysfunction, or if the symptoms of cervical spondylosis usually do not alleviate or even worsen after systematic and conservative treatment, surgery is often required. Therefore, the treatment of cervical spondylosis generally includes both non-surgical and surgical treatments, and the specific method used depends on the condition of the disease.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 25sec

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Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis

The treatment of cervical spondylosis is divided into surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment. Currently, it is reported that 95% of patients with cervical spondylosis can be cured or relieved after non-surgical treatment. Only a small number of patients, whose conditions worsen after ineffective non-surgical treatment, require surgical intervention. Conservative treatments include traditional Chinese medicine and herbal treatments, external application of herbal medicine, massage and bone-setting, acupuncture, rehabilitation therapy, traction therapy, physical therapy, and exercise therapy. Surgical treatments are mainly for patients with myelopathic or radiculopathic cervical spondylosis whose symptoms have worsened significantly affecting work and life, or who have experienced muscle dysfunction or even muscle atrophy. Furthermore, other types of cervical spondylosis that are ineffective in conservative treatment, have poor results, or are recurrent, all fall within the scope of surgical treatments. Surgical treatments include minimally invasive procedures and conventional procedures, with the conventional procedures being divided into anterior cervical and posterior cervical approaches. Minimally invasive treatments include nucleolysis, percutaneous nucleotomy, PFDD, and radiofrequency ablation.

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Written by Cheng Bin

Orthopedics

50sec

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How to exercise for cervical spondylosis

In general, for patients with cervical spondylosis, exercises such as swimming, playing badminton, flying kites, or performing "Mi Zi" exercises can effectively strengthen the neck muscles and thereby better protect the cervical spine. These are the exercise methods for cervical spondylosis. Additionally, patients should also pay attention to rest and protection, apply local heat, and combine treatments such as acupuncture, massage, traction, electrical stimulation, and cupping. For severe pain, topical ointments that invigorate blood and remove stasis can be used, along with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that invigorate blood and remove stasis, and drugs that nourish the nerves. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)