Cervical Spondylosis: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Spondylolisthesis refers to the condition which affects your spinal bones or lower vertebrae. Due to this condition one of the lower vertebrae overlaps the bone directly beneath it. Although a painful condition, it can certainly be treated with both surgical and therapeutic methods.

People with spondylolisthesis often find it difficult to perform routine activities. They usually encounter symptoms such as- persistent pain in the pelvic region, lower back; stiffness in the legs, hamstrings and hip muscles.

What causes spondylolisthesis?
The causes of spondylolisthesis can vary with lifestyle, heredity and age. Children may develop this condition due to an injury or birth defect. Nevertheless, people belonging to all age groups are susceptible to spondylolisthesis if the condition is genetic.

Over exercise or strenuous physical activities can cause spondylolisthesis because over stretching and carrying heavy weight or strain puts too much stress on the lower back.

Participating in sports like football, gymnastics, weightlifting are likely to trigger spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis can also be triggered due to sondylolysis. The vertebrae safeguard the spinal cord and work with tendons, ligaments, joints and muscles to provide flexibility, structure and support to the neck. Any sort of damage or wear and tear in the protective cartilage and bones in the neck can lead to cervical spondylosis, which in turn leads to spondylolisthesis.

What is the treatment for spondylolisthesis?
Treatment of spondylolisthesis depends on the severity of the pain. While non-surgical methods help ease the pain, a surgery is recommended when the bone has slipped to such an extent that your spine doesn’t respond to medications.

Non-surgical treatment includes the following-

1. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to ease pain.
2. Practicing a few physiotherapy exercises to reduce lower back pain.
3. Use of minimally invasive Epidural Steroid Injections (EPIs) to get relief from lower back pain and pelvic pain caused by inflamed spinal nerves. When over-the-counter medications fail to treat tSpondylolysthesishe condition or ease the symptoms, then a surgery is inevitable.
4. Discectomy- It is a surgical procedure that makes small incisions to remove a part of the damaged disc to relieve pressure from the surrounding spinal cord or nerve root.
5. Laminotomy- This refers to a minimally invasive procedure that removes a part of the lamina which is the upper surface of the vertebra. This process is used to create more space within the spinal canal.
6. Foraminotomy- With this method excess bone tissues are removed so that they don’t make the foramen narrow and compress the nerve root. Removing these extra tissues reduce back pain and ease symptoms triggered by nerve compression.

Medical attention is crucial for countering symptoms of spondylolisthesis. Although this condition may not seem life-threatening, if left untreated, it can lead to chronic, persistent pain and permanent nerve damage.

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The difficulties associated with cervical spondylosis go far beyond spelling it correctly! The problem of cervical spondylosis can be extremely painful making it difficult to sit or walk. As if cervical spondylosis alone was not enough to put up with, it can often be accompanied by severe headaches. Bone spurs can be said to be a rather unusual phenomena but they can be one of the causes of cervical spondylosis is quite a few cases. This occurs when an extra bone grows to make the body stronger.

What causes cervical spondylosis?
While the causes of cervical spondylosis may vary, few causes are just as direct as injury is. A fall, or an accident can hasten the process of ageing and bring on cervical spondylosis sooner than what would have been usual. Sometimes, the nature of work can also lead to cervical spondylosis, as is the case with a lot of construction workers who suffer from it. Generally, as a person gets older, he or she can expect to suffer from cervical spondylosis. As a matter of fact, it affects about eighty five per cent of people over the age of sixty! One good thing though, is the fact that only in certain, chronic cases is the condition life altering, as most people are able to get on with their normal lives after taking some measures.

Cervical spondylitis is a permanent degenerative state of the cervical spine that affects the vertebral tracts and intervertebral disks of the neck (for instance, disk herniation and spur formation), in addition to the substance of the spinal cord (nerve roots or potential spinal strings). A few changes additionally include the degenerative changes in the bone joints, longitudinal tendons, and ligamentum flavum. However, homeopathy can help cure the same. Following are some of the most effective medicines:

1. Rhus Tox: Rhus Tox is one of the top homeopathic medications for cervical spondylosis, especially after a neck injury. The major symptoms for using Rhus Tox are pain and unnecessary stiffness in the neck. A person needing Rhus Tox may get help from warm applications on the neck. Neck back rub may give relief at times. Neck pain from over straining or abuse additionally presents a solid reason for the use of Rhus Tox.
2. Bryonia Alba: Bryonia Alba is another significantly used homeopathic medicine for cervical spondylosis. The person requiring Bryonia Alba encounters pain and solidness in the neck that decline with movement. Taking rest alleviates the side effects.
3. Hypericum Perforatum: Homeopathic medicine Hypericum Perforatum is an exceptionally good drug for cervical spondylosis. Real symptoms making Hypericum Perforatum the best medicine are neck pain that may reach to the shoulders and a spine that is greatly delicate to any kind of touch. Shivering, blazing and deadness in hands may likewise be present as well.
4. Cimicifuga Racemosa and Guaiacum Officinale: For treating constant stiffness in the neck from cervical spondylosis, Cimicifuga Racemosa and Guaiacum Officinale are two of the greatest and most valuable homeopathic drugs. The cervical spine is likewise exceptionally delicate to the touch. Homeopathic medicine Guaiacum Officinale is used if there is an occurrence of firmness and irritation. Firmness in the neck may reach out to the whole back. Stamped soreness in shoulders may be felt along with it.
5. Paris Quadrifolia: Paris Quadrifolia is a great type of homeopathic solution for cervical spondylosis with checked deadness in arms, hands or fingers as the significant sign. Genuine irritation is additionally present. Pain transmits down the fingers from the neck. In most cases, the pain increases by a substantial weight around the neck and shoulders.
6. Kalmia Latifolia: For cervical spondylosis with shivering and a pricking sensation in hands, homeopathic solution Kalmia Latifolia is suggested as the perfect decision. In some such cases, upper vertebrae may feel week. Undeniable irritation stretches down to the shoulder bones or the arm.
7. Gelsemium: Gelsemium is an extremely helpful homeopathic solution for cervical spondylosis with vertigo. The vertigo happens for the most part while walking. Movement of the head and hazy vision may likewise lead to vertigo.

Cervical spondylosis is fast becoming the bane of modern life. An age-related wear and tear problem affecting the spinal discs in your neck, cervical spondylosis is increasingly affecting the young because of the use of cell phones, laptops and the like.

Cervical spondylosis is a general term used to define shrinkage of discs in between vertebrae in the neck region. Along with disc degeneration, bony projections also form in the area and are called bone spurs.
Other causes of cervical spondylosis are dehydrated discs. Discs are thick, pad-like cushions in between vertebrae that act as shock absorbers. They are made of a gel- like material that can dry over time. This causes the spinal vertebrae to rub together causing pain. The discs also crack which allows the internal gel-like material to spill out and impinge on spinal nerves causing symptoms.

There is a narrowing of the space required by the spinal cord and nerves that emanate in the upper spine to go to various parts of the body. Pinching of these nerves can cause alarming symptoms like

1. Numbness and weakness in your arms, hands, legs and feet
2. Lack of coordination and difficulty in walking
3. Loss of bladder or bowel movement
4. Stiffness and pain in neck

Treatment and management
Usually, cervical spondylosis doesn’t cause any symptoms. But when you start experiencing pain, stiffness and weakness of muscles, it’s best to go to a doctor who will diagnose the problem and then treat it.
Treatment for cervical spondylosis depends on the severity of your symptoms. Its goal is to get rid of pain, allow you to carry on your daily activities and prevent any permanent damage to your spinal cord and nerves.

Medicines

1. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. Example Ibuprofen.
2. Corticosteroids are oral medications to get rid of the severe pain. If these don’t work, your doctor can suggest steroid injections.
3. Muscle relaxants medicines relax the muscles in the upper part of the spine and help in curing neck pain and stiffness
4. Anti-seizure medications are also prescribed to dull the pain of damaged nerves in the spine. These include epilepsy medications, such as gabapentin and pregabalin.

Physiotherapy

1. Non surgical treatments are usually very effective in treating cervical spondylosis and surgery is usually not required. Physiotherapy is a bulwark for patients as it helps manage the condition very well.
2. Neck exercises that help stretch and strengthen muscles in your neck and shoulders can help manage debilitating symptoms of cervical spondylosis.
3. Few patients also benefit from traction, which can help provide more space for nerve roots within the spine.

Surgery

1. Surgery is the last resort for treating cervical spondylosis.
2. It is suggested when non-surgical treatments fail and the pain and neurological signs such as weakness in your arms or legs get worse.
3. It is done to create more room for your spinal cord and nerve roots.

Cervical spondylosis surgery typically involves removing:

1. Herniated disk
2. Bone spurs
3. Part of a vertebra

Cervical osteoarthritis is also known as cervical spondylosis. It is a medical condition which involves changes in the joints of neck, bones and discs. This is generally caused due to the deterioration of the muscles owing to old age. With age, the cervical spine breaks down and loses all its fluids. This leads to stiffness in the spine. It occurs usually in middle aged and old aged people. This causes stiffness and severe neck pain. Corrective surgery is helpful to cure Cervical Osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of Cervical Osteoarthritis:

1. Pain and stiffness in the neck.
2. Headache which usually emerges from the neck.
3. Severe pain in the arms and shoulder.
4. Not being able to turn the head or neck fully while driving.
5. Muscle spasm and abnormal reflexes.
6. Grinding sensation or noise caused while bending the neck.

Cervical Osteoarthritis can be cured by physiotherapy in the following ways:

1. Heat modalities- In this method the pain and stiffness is reduced by putting heat on the affected area. This type of therapy is called heat therapy.
2. Neck exercise- Regular stretching and bending exercises for the neck can reduce pain and stiffness
3. Manipulating therapy- This form of therapy is used by massage therapists. They massage and manipulate the joints so that the muscles can function smoothly.
4. Hydrotherapy- This therapy involves exercising in a pool. Hydrotherapy is extremely beneficial for people having severe joint pain and stiffness.
5. Cervical traction- This is a common non-surgical treatment which cures pain in the neck by opening the cervical foramen (hole or passage).

Physiotherapy is the most natural and safe way of curing cervical osteoarthritis. If you are diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, you should start physiotherapy as soon as possible.