11/10/2023
🌻Cervical spondylosis, also known as cervical osteoarthritis, is a common condition that affects the joints and discs in the neck.
It is caused by wear and tear on the cervical spine over time, which can lead to the formation of bone spurs, herniated discs, and other degenerative changes.
🌀🌀🌀Symptoms🌀🌀🌀
Some other symptoms of cervical spondylosis include:
🔹swelling
🔹neck stiffness
🔹muscle spasms
🔹headache
🔹balance issues and trouble walking
🔹stiff movements or changes in posture
🔹a popping sensation when turning the neck
🔹Arms and legs may also become weak, and there may be a lack of dexterity.
Sometimes, these changes result in a compression of the blood vessels. This can affect the blood supply to the brain, possibly resulting in dizziness and even blackouts.
🔶🔶🔶Diagnosis🔶🔶🔶
⭕Physical examination
After discussing medical history and overall health, a doctor will perform a physical exam. They assess:
🔸touch sensation
🔸the way a person walks (gait) and posture
🔸flexibility in the neck and arms
🔸reflexes
🔸strength in the arms and hands
⭕Imaging scans
➕ X-ray: This can reveal any physical damage to the spine and the presence of bone spurs.
MRI: These scans can create images of the muscles, nerves, and spinal cord. They can help determine whether symptoms are related to soft tissue damage.
➕Myelogram: This involves injecting a colored dye into the spinal canal to show certain structures, such as nerve roots, more clearly. A healthcare professional will take a CT scan after inserting the dye.
➕CT: These scans can help assess the cervical spine’s bony structure in more detail than X-rays.
➕Electromyography and nerve conduction studies: These tests assess specific muscles, nerves, and their functionality.
➕⭕➕Pain provocation tests such as Spurling’s test can be used to differentiate between shoulder disorders and cervical spondylosis
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🍁Treatment for cervical spondylosis may include pain management with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy to improve range of motion and strengthen neck muscles, and in some cases, surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves or spinal cord.
⬛⬛◾Physical therapy intervention◾⬛⬛
⭐Head turn
Sit in a chair with the back straight and shoulders neutral.Tilt the head to one side, as if looking over the shoulder, while keeping the chin straight.Gently tense the neck muscles.
Hold for 5–10 seconds, return to the center, and repeat on the other side.Repeat the exercise 5 times on each side.
⭐Chin to chest
Sit upright in a chair or stand with theshoulders and spine straight.Slowly tilt the head so that the chin can rest on the shoulder.Gently tense the neck muscles.Hold for 5–10 seconds, return to the center, and repeat on the other side.Repeat 2–4 times.
⭐Head tilt (side-to-side) stretches
Sit in a chair with the neck and back straight.
Slowly tilt the neck toward the shoulder,leading with the ear.Gently tense the neck muscles.
Hold for 5–10 seconds, return to the center, and repeat on the other side.
Repeat 2–4 times.
⭐Isometric neck rotation strengthening
Place your palm on the back of your head, and resist tilting your head backwards. Your head will stay fairly still. You may feel a gentle contraction of the muscles at the back of your neck. Repeat ten reps.
⭐Neck Isometric Pillow Retraction
Lie flat on your back, with your head on a pillow. Keeping your neck straight, press your head into the pillow to create some resistance. Your chin should not tilt up toward the ceiling during the movement. This is an isometric neck extension exercise. Repeat ten reps.
⭐Neck turn
Turn your head towardsone side, keeping your chinat the same height andmoving within comfortablelimits. Gently tense your neck
muscles and hold for5 seconds. Return your headto the centre and repeat onthe opposite side. Repeat5 times on each side
⭐Shoulder Rolls
Sit or stand in a comfortable position with good posture.Roll both shoulders back and down and then forwards and up in a circular motion.Start with small circles and gradually make the circles larger.Spend 30-60 seconds doing this and then repeat in the opposite direction
💢Soft tissue mobilisation was performed on the muscles of the upper quarter with the involved upper extremity positioned in abduction and external rotation to pre-load the neural structures of the upper limb.
💢Thrust manipulation of the thoracic spine could include techniques in a prone, supine, or sitting position based on therapist preference. Also cervical traction can be used as physical therapy to enlarge the neural foramen and reduce the neck stress
💢Non-thrust manipulation included posterior-anterior (PA) glides in the prone position. The cervical spine techniques could include retractions, rotations, lateral glides in the ULTT1 position, and PA glides. The techniques are chosen based on patient response and centralisation or reduction of symptoms.
💢Postural education includes the alignment of the spine during sitting and standing activities
⏹Supplements
Calcium and Vitamin D- Keeping your bones healthy is a vital step towards easing cervical pain. Consuming foods rich in calcium and vitamin D to help keep bones strong. Calcium helps to increase bone strength, whereas the consumption of Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium in the body.Vitamin B12 is necessary for this case.
💊💊Prescription medications:
These may help treat neck tightness and spasms. They may include antidepressants or muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine.
💉💉Injections:
Injections, such as a corticosteroid injection or a spinal epidural, may help pain that does not respond to other interventions. Examples of steroid injections include a trigger-point injection or a facet joint injection.
Preventive measures for cervical spondylosis may include maintaining good posture, avoiding activities that strain the neck, such as excessive phone or computer use, and engaging in regular exercise to promote strength and flexibility in the neck and back muscles.
❌What are the bad postures that can worsen cervical spondylitis?
The head held forward from normal position.
The shoulders held up and forward.
The chest bent and rounded.
The pelvic area tilted backward.
The hips, knee
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