The cervical spine disorder is an illness that affects the seven bones called vertebrae, which are separated by discs which act as a cushion, the cervical spine has a structure with nerve endings and these structures includes joints, ligaments and muscles. These nerves provide sensations to the skull and flexibility and movement in the body.
The discs help you to move your neck from one side to another and shift from front to back.
Without this disc, your spine becomes stiff. Disc provides flexibility to the neck and helps you to move the neck in any direction.
Cervical spine disorder is caused by accident, degeneration of the spine, genetic problem, age factors, poor posture etc.
Symptoms of Cervical Spine Disease
The main symptoms of cervical spine disorder are ;
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Difficult in walking
- Headaches
- Arm pains
- Loss of bowel control
- Muscle spasm
Types of Cervical Pain
Axial neck pain:
This pain stays in one region or part of the neck and does not move to another part.
Radicular pain:
This pain moves or radiates down to the shoulder, arm or hand. It occurs due to inflammation in the nerve root
Referred pain:
This pain occurs at a place other than its source and the feeling of pain is deep and throbbing
Myelopathic pain:
This pain occurs due to the compression of the spinal nerve in the neck.
Causes of Cervical Spine Disorder
There are many causes which can affect the cervical spine
Rheumtoid arthritis:
Those who have rheumatoid arthritis in their spine have neck pain, and back pain and sometimes it goes to the legs and arms and creates problems in moving your neck etc.
Cerebrovascular disease:
It is a type of cervical spinal disease which leads to partial or total loss of limbs and it can also damage the spinal cord.
Occipital cervical junction:
This disorder is due to rheumatoid arthritis which leads to paralysis or pain.
Different Types of Spinal Disorders
Cervical Spondylosis:
As you age this problem occurs due to wear and tear of bones and cartilage and causes pain and stiffness in the neck.
Cervical herniated disc:
In this case, the disc between the vertebrae bulges out
Degenerative disc disease:
This problem is the result of wear out of disk between the vertebrae due to ageing factor.
Cervical spinal stenosis:
In this problem, a disc that acts as a cushion for space between vertebrae may dry out and stops working as a shock absorber.
Cervical myelopathy:
This problem is the result of compression of the spinal area in the neck. Arthritis and stenosis are the main causes of cervical myelopathy
Cervical radiculopathy:
In this, nerves in the spinal area become inflamed or damaged. This problem results in neurological deficits such as numbness, and weakness.
Diagnosis
X-RAY:
An X-ray can be done to know changes occurring in the spinal area of the neck
CT scan or MRI:
It is more advanced in technology and gives detailed information on structures of spinal nerves
Electrodiagnostic:
Through this test, your doctor evaluates the electrical activity happening in nerves and muscles. This test helps to assess the damage and mysfunctiong of nerves.
Treatments
If the pain is mild, then you can treat it with massage, exercise, medicines or by taking proper rest but if the problem is severe and extreme, then you have to go for proper treatments. These are radiofrequency ablation, spasticity treatment, neurostimulation etc
Dr Batish is the best neurosurgeon in Chandigarh. He is well qualified and properly trained doctor. If you find any pain or discomfort in your cervical spines, then you can immediately make an appointment with him.
