Cervical osteoarthritis (OA), also known as spondylosis, is the abnormal wear and tear breakdown of the spinal joints and surrounding soft tissues. This joint destruction generally results from poor bio-mechanics in the spine, which can result from a car accident, sports injury or even poor posture over a long period of time. Cervical osteoarthritis begins with the destruction of the vertebral surfaces and continues on to affect the disc and cartilage. The body's normal response to stress on the spine is to stabilize the joint by growing new bone, and this process leads to the growth of osteophytes or bone spurs.
Neck Pain
Neck pain is the primary symptom of cervical osteoarthritis, but unlike other forms of arthritis, the pain in this condition is not generally related to inflammation or any disease process, but more from structural dysfunction and inappropriate motion. Spondylosis pain is often felt in the neck and back of the head, especially with movement. When the breakdown of the joint causes pinching or irritation of one of the delicate spinal nerves, radiating pain can travel to the shoulders and down the arm all the way into the fingers. According to Spine Health, pain is usually worse early in the morning and then eases with mild activity as the joints get moving again. Often, pain will increase again toward the end of the day.
Abnormal Sensations
Osteoarthritis causes the destruction of the bone and the breakdown of the cervical discs. These discs are soft spongy shock absorbers between each vertebra and when they become thin and cracked, they tend to push out of their normal confines and create pressure on nearby nerves. Anytime a spinal nerve experiences pressure on it from an adjoining structure a change in sensation is likely to occur anywhere along the path of that nerve. Numbness and tingling, from the neck all the way down to the fingers, are very common symptoms with advanced osteoarthritis. Bone spurs may also put pressure on these sensitive nerves causing the same sensations.
Muscle Weakness
Another function of the spinal nerve, which travels from the spinal cord down the arm, is to control the movement of the muscles. According to Spine Universe, muscle weakness and loss of coordination may occur when a spinal disc or an osteophyte puts pressure on a spinal nerve. Doctors will test muscle strength and coordination when diagnosing the effective osteoarthritis on the nerves.
Stiffness
The normal mobility and function of the cervical spine is greatly affected by osteoarthritis. When the complex joints of the neck are broken down or osteophytes infringe, range of motion becomes limited. Those who suffer with osteoarthritis often complain of stiffness, especially in the morning.
