Cervical Spondylosis/ Degenerative neck disease

The area, which are commonly affected by Cervical Spondylosis are from the fourth to seventh vertebral bones. The discs present in between the two vertebrae loses height due to ageing or degeneration or sometimes due to injury.

In cervical spondylosis the ligament of the joints become thick and shortened. The disc space becomes narrow and gradually compresses the nerve. In advanced cases of Cervical Spondylosis, spinal cord is affected and may also lead to paralysis of the arm.

Galen as far back as in 160 AD recognized this protective effect of the discs and said:

'Probably then, provident nature made the nerves grow out from the spinal medulla right at the point where the lateral parts of the vertebrae come to an end, so that the nerves may not suffer in any way'.

Who are commonly prone to cervical spondylosis?
It is common in middle-aged people.
Women are affected more than men.

Degeneration occurs at different people at different rates. Pain is not common in all who undergo the ageing process, it occurs in the presence of any one of the precipitating factor as enlisted in the causes below.