Virtual Medical Centre

Cervical Spondylosis

• What is Cervical Spondylosis?
• Who gets Cervical Spondylosis?
• Predisposing Factors
• Progression
• Probable Outcomes
• How is Cervical Spondylosis Diagnosed?
• How is Cervical Spondylosis treated?
• Cervical Spondylosis References
• Drugs/Products Associated with Cervical Spondylosis

What is Cervical Spondylosis?

Cervical Spondylosis is the most common disorder of the cervical spine. It is caused by degenerative changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs that occur as a result of ageing or due to injury or rheumatoid disease. In advanced disease this may lead to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) which results from compression of the spinal cord.

Who gets Cervical Spondylosis?

CSM is probably the most common spinal cord disorder in people over 55 years of age in the world. As the number of elderly people increases, the incidence of CSM will probably also increase.

Predisposing Factors

Cervical spondylosis appears to be primarily a disease of aging. Characteristic changes on spinal x-rays are present in the majority of people aged over 70 years.

Progression

A number of factors are responsible for the development of the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis:

Osteophytes (bony growths)

A narrowed spinal canal present since birth

Degeneration of the intervertebral discs

Changes in the spinal cord and nerves due to insufficient blood supply.

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