How to treat cervical spondylosis?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on October 27, 2024
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The treatment plan primarily depends on the severity of the patient's cervical spondylosis. If the cervical spondylosis is very severe and there is significant compression on the spinal nerve roots, resulting in symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs, numbness and swelling pain in the arms, abnormal bladder and bowel functions, and evident spinal stenosis, then it is necessary to aggressively pursue surgical treatment. This usually involves the removal of the intervertebral disc, decompression and expansion of the spinal canal, and surgical treatment with intervertebral bone grafting and internal fixation. For cases where the disc herniation is not very large and the neck pain is not very severe, conservative treatment may be chosen. This includes measures like rest and protection, local heat application, and combining therapies such as acupuncture, electrotherapy, cupping, and traction.

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Written by Sun Shu Jian
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How to treat cervical spondylosis by oneself?

Self-treatment for cervical spondylosis can adopt the following methods: First, correct daily behaviors to avoid excessive strain, load, and stress on the neck, such as avoiding prolonged desk work, and frequent usage of smartphones while looking downward, to prevent the neck muscles from being in a state of prolonged tension. Second, regularly perform appropriate cervical spine health exercises, such as the "Mi Zi" exercise and neck muscle resistance training, etc. Third, locally apply methods like heat therapy, infrared radiation, electromagnetic therapy, and ultrasound for self-treatment. Fourth, treatment can also include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, medications that nourish the nerves and those that relieve muscle tension.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How to treat cervical spondylosis?

The treatment of cervical spondylosis is symptomatic, and it is first necessary to determine the type of cervical spondylosis, and then treat it according to its classification. Cervical type cervical spondylosis usually does not require surgery and can be managed with conservative treatment. Nerve root type cervical spondylosis is the most common type seen in clinical practice and responds particularly well to traction therapy. Additionally, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nerve nutrients can also be used. Spinal cord type cervical spondylosis usually cannot be managed conservatively, or may require surgery after a short period of conservative treatment. This type is the most frequently operated on in clinical practice for cervical spondylosis. The fourth type is the sympathetic nerve type cervical spondylosis, which is very complex to diagnose. It often causes some internal system diseases, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. However, these conditions often improve as the cervical spondylosis improves. The fifth type is vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis, which typically causes symptoms of insufficient cerebral blood supply. Therefore, treatment of cervical spondylosis also requires addressing arteriosclerosis. Mixed type cervical spondylosis refers to the simultaneous occurrence of two types of cervical spondylosis, and treatment involves managing both types concurrently. Thus, the treatment of cervical spondylosis first requires determining the specific type you have and then carrying out symptomatic treatment for that specific type.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is cervical spondylosis serious?

The severity of cervical spondylosis largely depends on the clinical symptoms of the patient. If the patient with cervical spondylosis experiences discomfort and stiffness in the neck, along with headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, hearing loss, unsteady walking, a sensation of stepping on cotton, numbness and weakness in both upper limbs, and swelling pain, it indicates that the cervical spondylosis is very serious and has caused significant compression on the vertebral artery and spinal nerve roots. Such patients need to be actively treated, and if necessary, surgical treatment should be carried out, involving the removal of the intervertebral disc and decompressive surgery to expand the spinal canal.

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Written by Kuang Tao
Orthopedics
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Features of headaches caused by cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis can also cause headaches, and the headaches caused by cervical spondylosis have their own characteristics compared to headaches caused by other reasons. Headaches resulting from cervical spondylosis generally stem from the irritation or compression of the cervical vertebrae and vertebral arteries due to the growth of cervical bone spurs, leading to constriction of these arteries and insufficient blood supply to the cerebral arteries, causing headaches and dizziness. Typically, these headaches are accompanied by symptoms of dizziness. Additionally, the headache is related to the movement of the neck and cervical spine, and neck movements can intensify the headache.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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Is a "wealth bag" a cervical spondylosis?

In clinical practice, Dowager's hump and cervical spondylosis are two different conditions. A dowager's hump primarily results from long-term forward head posture, which increases the external force on the back of the cervical spine, leading to the formation of subcutaneous cysts in this area and the appearance of a dowager's hump. This condition commonly develops between the seventh cervical vertebra and the first thoracic vertebra. Patients with a dowager's hump typically experience localized swelling, pain, sourness, or even a feeling of chest tightness. Patients with cervical spondylosis primarily suffer from bone growth and degeneration in the cervical spine area, which compresses the spinal cord, nerve roots, and blood vessels, leading to symptoms of nerve compression damage. Therefore, when patients exhibit symptoms of either dowager’s hump or cervical spondylosis, it is imperative that they seek medical attention promptly. Doctors need to make a clear differential diagnosis and then proceed with symptomatic treatment.