Cervical spondylosis is damage to the vertebrae (spinal column) in the neck due to the wear-and-tear of aging. It is the most common form of spinal dysfunction in older people, according to the Mayo Clinic, mostly affecting people older than 55 and often occurring with osteoarthritis. The damage of cervical spondylosis progresses with time, and as the cervical joints degenerate, symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the neck worsen.
Nerve Compression
In a small percentage of people with cervical spondylosis, the damage to the bones in the neck can exert pressure on roots of spinal nerves. This causes a condition known as cervical radiculopathy, says the Mayo Clinic. Nerve compression can lead to a variety of symptoms according to which nerves are affected. The Mayo Clinic cites symptoms of cervical radiculopathy as including tingling, numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, pain in the shoulder or chest, difficulty walking, general loss of coordination, abnormal spinal reflexes and even loss of bladder or bowel control. Muscles weaken and atrophy in the spinal nerve that stimulates them can no longer signal the muscle to contract normally because of its compression.
The Mayo Clinic likens the pain of cervical radiculopathy to an electric shock. The pain increases with movement of the spine, or with coughing or sneezing.
According to the Merck Manual, compression of nerves at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) causes pain along the shoulder blade that radiates down to the thumb, along with weakness in the biceps and poor biceps reflexes. Compression of nerves at the level of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) causes pain along the shoulder blade and armpit that radiates to the middle finger, as well as weakness in the triceps and poor triceps reflexes.
Spinal Stenosis
Bone spurs and other changes to the structure of the cervical vertebrae with cervical spondylosis can impinge on the space that surrounds the spinal cord. Narrowing of the space, called spinal stenosis, can injure the spinal cord itself triggering a condition known as cervical myelopathy. The Mayo Clinic says that cervical myelopathy occurs in only a small percentage of cases of cervical spondylosis. Similar to cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy can cause pain and tingling in the shoulder and chest and sometimes in the legs as well. Patients might also suffer from weakness or loss of control in the extremities.
Permanent Disability
With continuing damage to the cervical vertebrae, the risk for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy increases. Patients may become too weak to walk, or suffer too much pain to perform their normal daily activities. In some cases, surgery can relieve the pressure, easing pain and restoring some function.
