According to the Arthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis of the neck produces breakdown of joints in the neck spine. The cartilage in the spinal spaces wears away and small deposits of bone, called bone spurs, grow at the edges of the joint. The bones and bone spurs in the joint scrape against each other and cause pain, stiffness and restriction of movement that creates long-term disability. Treatments mostly focus on controlling the symptoms, but in some cases surgery may be indicated.
Medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs treat the pain and inflammation in the joint spaces. Common NSAIDS include ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin and celecoxib.
Analgesic drugs target only pain and have no effect on inflammation or other symptoms. Mild non-narcotic pain relievers like acetaminophen or tramadol may be prescribed. Stronger medications used to treat pain include the narcotic medications hydrocodone or codeine. If longer-acting analgesics are needed, oxycodone or a skin patch of fentanyl provide pain relief for many hours.
Doctors may also inject lidocaine, other numbing medications or steroids in the joint space to relieve pain.
Weight Management
Excess weight places extra biomechanical stress on the back joints. The Arthritis Foundation reports even small weight losses of 15 pounds reduce pain in arthritis. If a weight loss program is needed, the National Institute of Health recommends a goal of 1/2 to two pounds a week for losing weight in a responsible, safe manner.
Exercise
According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, exercise can promote joint function and mobilization to produce improvements in physical performance, decrease pain and reduce disability. Low impact activities like water exercises or bicycle training improve muscle tone and joint strength without causing injury to the joints.
MayoClinic.com advocates using physical therapy to teach neck stretching exercises. These exercises improve pain by reestablishing muscle tone and movement and boosting the vigor and stamina of neck muscles.
Surgery
When function becomes compromised or pain reaches unacceptable levels in individuals with osteoarthritis of the neck, surgery can be considered. A bone spur or damaged disk puts pressure on the nerve root or spinal cord and causes severe pain and numbness or weakness to the arms. A surgeon may perform a discectomy, or removal of the disc between the vertebrae, followed by a bone graft to fuse together the adjacent vertebrae to stabilize the spine. The surgery requires a short stay in the hospital.
