Cervical spondylosis

[Mark Zuckerberg]

Cervical spondylosis is degeneration of the bones in the neck (vertebrae) and the disks between them, putting pressure on (compressing) the spinal cord in the neck.

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of cervical spondylosis.
The first symptoms are often an unsteady, jerky walk and pain and loss of flexibility in the neck.
Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment includes a soft neck collar, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and sometimes surgery.

(See also Overview of Spinal Cord Disorders.)
Cervical spondylosis usually affects middle-aged and older people. It is a common cause of spinal cord dysfunction among people older than 60.
As people age, osteoarthritis becomes more common. It causes vertebrae in the neck to degenerate. When bone in the vertebrae attempts to repair itself, it overgrows, producing abnormal outgrowths of bone (spurs) and narrowing the spinal canal in the neck. (The spinal canal is the passageway that runs through the center of the spine and contains the spinal cord.) The disks between vertebrae also degenerate, decreasing the cushioning that otherwise protects the spinal cord. These changes may result in spinal cord compression, causing dysfunction. Because the tissue is damaged, it is more susceptible to injury. For example, minor neck trauma due to a fall or whiplash can severely damage the spinal cord.
Some people are born with a narrow spinal canal. In them, compression due to spondylosis may be more severe.
Often, the spinal nerve roots (the part of spinal nerves located next to the spinal cord—see figure How the Spine Is Organized) are also compressed.