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• C5 – C6 Spondylosis

C5 – C6 Spondylosis

C5-C6 spondylosis describes spine degeneration and neck pain between the fifth and sixth vertebrae in the cervical spine. The term “spondylosis” is used to describe normal, age-related spine degeneration and the presence of related symptoms, but is not a condition itself. C5-C6 spondylosis refers to the general deterioration of the spinal anatomy, whereas conditions like a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or osteoarthritis more precisely describe the source of the neck pain. This is an important distinction because treatment for these conditions varies widely, so simply describing the source of pain as spondylosis isn’t necessarily helpful when managing pain.

Spinal Deterioration

As we grow older, the spine naturally begins to deteriorate. The intervertebral discs that cushion the spine dry out and tear, the facet joints that connect adjacent vertebrae become arthritic, and bone spurs develop in the spinal column. This is normal and largely unavoidable. In the neck, a doctor may describe this degeneration as C5-C6 spondylosis, which is to say the spinal anatomy at the fifth and sixth levels of the cervical spine is deteriorating. This observation can be helpful when tracing the source of neck or neuropathic pain, but should not be considered a diagnosis of the problem. This is because the presence of spinal degeneration does not necessarily lead to pain. Instead, treatment of the patient’s discomfort is contingent on specifically identifying the source of discomfort.

Some of the most common sources of neck pain include:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet disease
• The presence of osteophytes
• Injury or muscle strain
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Other forms of osteoarthritis

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Treatment

Once the source of your neck pain is determined, your doctor will attempt to manage your pain and address the condition conservatively. Heat therapy, pain medication, and exercise are all usually effective treatments for nerve compression caused by C5-C6 spondylosis. In the event that your pain persists through several weeks of treatment, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn how one of our minimally invasive endoscopic techniques may be able to provide you with the pain relief you require.

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