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Cervical Spinal Arthritis

Cervical spinal arthritis, which is arthritis that affects the facet joints of the neck, is a common region for spinal arthritis to occur.

Frequently, the cervical region of the spine experiences osteoarthritis, also referred to as degenerative spinal arthritis or “wear-and-tear” spinal arthritis. Arthritis can strike virtually any joint in the body, including the facet joints located in the spine. From the cervical spine (in the neck) to the thoracic spine (in the middle back) to the lumbar spine (in the lower back), each facet joint in the spine allows the back and neck to move forward, backward, and side-to-side. Like other joints, facet joints are covered in cartilage to provide protection and cushioning. With age, however, the cartilage on a healthy facet joint begins to degrade and become brittle. As cartilage wears away, the joints encounter painful friction each time they move. This series of events is known as osteoarthritis.

Cervical spinal arthritis can be a debilitating condition. To receive the proper diagnosis and treatment for your pain, try to describe your symptoms of spinal arthritis honestly and accurately to your physician. Before your visit, ask yourself the following questions:

• Where do I feel my pain? Is it in my neck and upper back (cervical region), or do I feel it in my lower back (lumbar region)? Does the pain seem to radiate from my neck to my shoulders, or from my tailbone through my legs?
• What is the nature of my pain? Do I experience numbness and tingling? Throbbing? Burning? Do I ever have complete loss of feeling?
• Are any movements limited? Do I experience pain when I move my head from side to side? Front to back? Do I feel pain when I shrug my shoulders? When I lift something heavy? Do I have trouble getting out of bed?
• What treatments have proven effective? Do pain medications help? Is rest the only thing that relieves my pain? Does localized massage help to relieve me of symptoms?

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While scientists have not determined its exact cause, several situations can trigger cervical spinal arthritis, the most common of which is aging. As we age, both our joint cartilage and our intervertebral discs begin to degenerate, and we feel this degeneration in the parts of our bodies that move the most – our joints. In addition to aging, other causes of spinal arthritis may include obesity, overuse of the joint, hereditary factors, and a weakened immune system.

If you have been diagnosed with cervical spinal arthritis and you want to consider surgery as a treatment option, be sure to get all the facts before you make a decision. Laser Spine Institute (LSI) is at the forefront of minimally-invasive, endoscopic procedures that have put an end to the pain of spinal arthritis for thousands of people. Contact us today for a free review of your MRI or CT scan and to learn more.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.