Diagnosing People With Cervical Spondylosis

Most people who suffer from Cervical Spondylosis do not show medical manifestations. Some even mistake neck pain as a simple sign of fatigue and does not realize that most often than not, neck pain is only one of the many signs and symptoms of several underlying diseases.

Cervical Spondylosis, which is also termed by many physicians as neck arthritis, is a condition that involves the degeneration of the vertebral discs that functions to help the neck gain more mobility and flexibility. The condition often causes slipped discs and bulges as a result of its increased circumference due to the formation of osteophytes, otherwise known as bone spurs.

Because of the increased thickness of the vertebral discs, compression of the spinal cord occurs, resulting to recurring neck pain and stiffness. In advanced cases of spondylosis, physiologic symptoms such as bowel and bladder incontinence, weakness of the lower extremities and even dysphagia can be observed. Neurologic changes are also noted with the condition.

Old age is the primary risk factor of Cervical Spondylosis. In some rare instances, the condition can even be developed at an age as early as twenty (20). Simple occupations like lifting heavy objects can also be a triggering factor for the development of bone spurs. Even bending the neck for long periods of time may cause neck sprain that is prominent in early stages of the disease.

The diagnosis of Cervical Spondylosis are done in many ways. Primarily, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and take down history to come up with the right symptoms that point out to the disease. Your physician will most likely conduct a reflex test to determine if your arms and lower extremities show signs of weakness. Your doctor will even observe your gait and examine if certain parts of your body has loss of sensation.

Neck compression known as Spurling's Test is conducted to confirm if you really have Cervical Spondylosis. The test is done while you are seated on a chair. Your physician will extend your neck while slowly rotating and turning your neck in the area where pain is felt. Careful compression will be applied in the area. You will feel pain during the examination if you are positive with the disease.

Imaging tests are also done to verify Cervical Spondylosis. Bones spurs can be visibly observed in a neck x-ray, which suggest the development of the condition. For a detailed view of the neck bones, Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan is done. In myelogram, dye is injected into the spinal cord before taking images with the use of CT Scan or x-ray or the combination of both.