Neck Pain

Learn the conservative (non-surgical) and surgical approaches that are available to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

There are several symptoms of cervical spinal arthritis that differentiate it from other cases of osteoarthritis.

Nonsurgical treatment options like rest, medication, and exercise are often enough to manage osteoarthritis symptoms.

Cervical osteophytes, also called bone spurs in the neck or cervical spondylosis, commonly occur with aging and do not always generate pain in the neck.

Cervical osteophytes are not painful, but if they impinge on the spinal cord or nearby nerve roots, vertebral discs, or blood vessels, symptoms such as radicular pain, neck stiffness, headaches, and dysphagia may arise.

If bone spurs become symptomatic, there are several non-surgical treatments that can alleviate symptoms including physical therapy, heat and ice therapy, pain medication, and chiropractic manipulation.

Cervical radiculopathy can occur when a cervical nerve root is compressed or irritated.

Cervical radiculopathy signs and symptoms typically include pins-and-needles tingling, numbness, and/or weakness. The location of these symptoms (e.g. fingers) will differ depending on which nerve root is affected.

The treatment for cervical radiculopathy will depend mainly on the severity and the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is painless in over 50% of patients, but other symptoms may be present, such as weakness, numbness, or clumsiness of the extremities.