Cervical spondylosis is one of the cause of pain in the neck that may be referred to the shoulder. It is also referred to as neck arthritis or cervical osteoarthritis. It is regarded as a degenerative condition resulting from the wear and tear of connective tissues of the neck including the bones and the cartilage. It is estimated that at least 85% of persons aged above 60 years in Greenbelt, MD, have varying degrees of shoulder and spinal pain but the majority do not show any symptoms.
When cervical spondylosis is diagnosed, there are a number of treatments that one may benefit from. All are aimed at not only relieving the symptoms but also preventing further damage to the affected structures. The treatment modalities include both non-surgical and surgical options. Physical therapy is one of the most commonly used and most effective conservative interventions. It consists of both active and passive neck and shoulder stretching exercises. Traction is considered part of physical therapy.
There are several pharmacological agents that are used either singly or in combination. They include, for example, muscle relaxants, anti-epileptic drugs, narcotics and steroids among others. Surgical options are only considered if the medical therapies fail to yield the expected results. Surgery is most effective for conditions such as abnormal anatomical structure of vertebral bones, prolapsed discs and bony spurs among others.
Spinal stenosis is another common cause of pain whose effects are similar to those of spondylosis. Stenosis denotes the narrowing of the spinal canal for one reason or the other. For most cases, there is underlying arthritis of the affected regions. Bony spurs are also a common finding in some of the persons suffering from the problem. Stenosis usually results in compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
The doctor will request for an X-ray image of your neck region if they suspect that you are suffering from this condition. The X-rays are used in evaluate the bony structures. They will help diagnose conditions such as fractures, tumors and bone infections. However, they have limited value when it comes to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and inter-vertebral discs. An MRI of the spine will be required if such tissues are to be evaluated.
Conservative treatments may be considered in patients with stenosis but the definitive management remains surgery. The objective of the operation is to create more space within the canal for the cord. This is why the surgeries of these nature are generally known as decompression operations. There are many sub-types that exist and are named based on the part that is removed. Removal of the lamina is known as laminectomy and that of the vertebral body is known as corpectomy.
Inter-vertebral disc prolapse is a fairly common problem that may result in pain as well. A prolapsed disc compresses nerve roots and causes symptoms along the region that supplied by affected nerve or nerves. If the disc affected is found in the cervical region, possible symptoms include a tingling sensation and numbness in the shoulder, the arm, forearm and the hand. Traction or surgery may be required.
There are many other causes of pain on the shoulder and neck regions. The good news is that many of them can be managed successfully through conservative approaches. You need to see a doctor if your symptoms fail to respond to home remedies such as over the counter pain relievers, hot and cold compression and physical exercise.
When cervical spondylosis is diagnosed, there are a number of treatments that one may benefit from. All are aimed at not only relieving the symptoms but also preventing further damage to the affected structures. The treatment modalities include both non-surgical and surgical options. Physical therapy is one of the most commonly used and most effective conservative interventions. It consists of both active and passive neck and shoulder stretching exercises. Traction is considered part of physical therapy.
There are several pharmacological agents that are used either singly or in combination. They include, for example, muscle relaxants, anti-epileptic drugs, narcotics and steroids among others. Surgical options are only considered if the medical therapies fail to yield the expected results. Surgery is most effective for conditions such as abnormal anatomical structure of vertebral bones, prolapsed discs and bony spurs among others.
Spinal stenosis is another common cause of pain whose effects are similar to those of spondylosis. Stenosis denotes the narrowing of the spinal canal for one reason or the other. For most cases, there is underlying arthritis of the affected regions. Bony spurs are also a common finding in some of the persons suffering from the problem. Stenosis usually results in compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
The doctor will request for an X-ray image of your neck region if they suspect that you are suffering from this condition. The X-rays are used in evaluate the bony structures. They will help diagnose conditions such as fractures, tumors and bone infections. However, they have limited value when it comes to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and inter-vertebral discs. An MRI of the spine will be required if such tissues are to be evaluated.
Conservative treatments may be considered in patients with stenosis but the definitive management remains surgery. The objective of the operation is to create more space within the canal for the cord. This is why the surgeries of these nature are generally known as decompression operations. There are many sub-types that exist and are named based on the part that is removed. Removal of the lamina is known as laminectomy and that of the vertebral body is known as corpectomy.
Inter-vertebral disc prolapse is a fairly common problem that may result in pain as well. A prolapsed disc compresses nerve roots and causes symptoms along the region that supplied by affected nerve or nerves. If the disc affected is found in the cervical region, possible symptoms include a tingling sensation and numbness in the shoulder, the arm, forearm and the hand. Traction or surgery may be required.
There are many other causes of pain on the shoulder and neck regions. The good news is that many of them can be managed successfully through conservative approaches. You need to see a doctor if your symptoms fail to respond to home remedies such as over the counter pain relievers, hot and cold compression and physical exercise.
About the Author:
Get a list of the things to consider before selecting a doctor and more information about a shoulder and spinal pain treatment professional at http://www.metropain.org now.
No comments:
Post a Comment