Cervical spondylosis in Barranquilla, Colombia

What is cervical spondylosis?

It is age-related wear of the discs and joints of the neck vertebrae. It includes loss of disc height and formation of small bone growths called osteophytes. It is so common that most people over 60 show it on X-rays.

What symptoms does it cause?

Often none. When it does, it causes neck pain and stiffness, especially in the morning, and sometimes headaches at the back of the head. If osteophytes or discs compress a nerve, there is arm pain and tingling; if they compress the spinal cord, clumsy hands and balance problems.

How is it treated?

With neck mobility and strengthening exercises, physical therapy, heat, pain relievers and good posture at screens. Nerve blocks help with persistent pain. Surgery is reserved for nerve compression with weakness or for myelopathy.

Which specialist should you see?

A physiatrist or orthopedist for initial care, and a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon if there are arm symptoms or signs of spinal cord compression.

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