Cervical Spondylitis is caused by chronic wearing away of the cervical spine, including the cushions between the cervical vertebrae. There will be abnormal growths or spurs on the bones of spine. It is a wear and tear affecting the joints in the neck. It occurs in men and women after the age of 40. In this there is formation of irregular bony out growths called bone spurs. Cervical spondylosis may compress the spinal nerves branching out of the cervical vertebrae and the condition is called cervical radiculopathy. The bone spurs may reduce the diameter of the spinal cord leading to cervical myelopathy

Signs and symptoms of cervical Spondylitis

• Neck pain
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Weakness of arms or legs
• Pain the arms and hands
• Shoulder pain
• Arm pain
• Chest pain
• Loss of balance
• Abnormal reflexes
• Lack of coordination
• Numbness and weakness in the arms, hands, legs or feet
• Loss of control over the bowel or bladder
• Loss of sensation of shoulders, arms or legs.

Diagnosis of cervical Spondylitis

• X-ray of neck
• CT scan of the neck
• MRI scan of the neck
• Electromyogram
• Myelogram

Treatment of cervical Spondylitis

• Cervical collar or neck brace can be advised
• Cortisone injections
• Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen
• Neck traction
• Narcotic painkillers
• Muscle relaxants
• Severe cases need surgical decompression of the spinal cord
• Exercises

Complications

• Chronic neck pain
• Fecal incontinence
• Urine incontinence
• Progressive loss of muscle functioning
• Permanent disability