Cervical arthritis is a progressive disease of the neck joints, states the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons--AAOS. Specifically, arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage and the formation of bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck. Cartilage protects the vertebrae from shock and damage. When cartilage becomes damaged, the bone adapts by forming bone spurs, or humps of bone. This process causes inflammation in the joint that can lead to pain and stiffness.
Age
Aging is a cause of arthritis, states MayoClinic.com. Over time, the cartilage in our neck joints can naturally break down, or degenerate due to years of wear and tear on the joint. The smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough and fragile. Once the cartilage completely wears, bone begins to rub on bone and form bone spurs. Natural aging of joints can be slowed with regular exercise that strengthens that muscles around the neck and reduces stress on cartilage in the joint.
Injury
Injury to the neck or cartilage in the joint can lead to the development of cervical arthritis, states MayoClinic.com. This occurs because a neck fracture or other structural damage can damage cartilage between the vertebrae. In addition, a healing bone may form bone spurs during the healing process, which can contribute to arthritis symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of a neck injury are the best means of reducing the risk of developing chronic arthritis.
Heredity
MayoClinic.com states that the development of arthritis may be hereditary. In other words, the development of cervical arthritis may occur more commonly in those whose family members also have cervical arthritis. While this cause cannot be prevented, regular exercise and strong muscle can delay its onset.
Weakness
Weak cervical muscles can contribute to the development of cervical arthritis, states MayoClinic.com. Strong cervical muscles reduce the amount of stress placed on the vertebral joints in the cervical region of the spine. When these muscles become weak, too much stress is placed on cervical vertebrae that can result in the development of arthritis. Therefore, strengthening cervical muscles can prevent the development of cervical arthritis.
