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Cervical spondylosis - Overview

Alternative Names

Cervical osteoarthritis; Arthritis - neck; Neck arthritis

Definition of Cervical spondylosis:

Cervical spondylosis is a disorder in which there is abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck (cervical vertebrae).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Cervical spondylosis is caused by chronic wearing away (degeneration) of the cervical spine, including the cushions between the neck vertebrae (cervical disks) and the joints between the bones of the cervical spine. There may be abnormal growths or "spurs" on the bones of the spine (vertebrae).

These changes can, over time, press down on (compress) one or more of the nerve roots. In advanced cases, the spinal cord becomes involved. This can affect not just the arms, but the legs as well.

The major risk factor is aging. By age 60, most women and men show signs of cervical spondylosis on x-ray. Other factors that can make a person more likely to develop spondylosis are:

Past neck injury (often several years before)
Severe arthritis
Past spine surgery

Skeletal spine

Cervical spondylosis

Reviewed last on: 7/10/2009
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Feske SK, Cochrane TL. Degenerative and compressive structural disorders. In: Goetz CG. Goetz: Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 29.

Polston DW. Cervical radiculopathy. Neurol Clin. 2007;25:373-385.

Devereaux M. Neck Pain. Med Clin North Am. 2009;93:273-284.

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