Cervical Arthritis

As we age, it’s not uncommon to experience some wear and tear in our neck. Cervical arthritis or cervical spondylosis is a condition that is caused by the natural degeneration of the joints in the neck and can lead to symptoms such as pain and stiffness. In fact, it’s a pretty common issue, with more than 85% of people over 60 experiencing it in some form. 

Symptoms of Cervical Arthritis

Cervical Arthritis can cause stiffness and pain in the neck, which can be mild or severe. This pain can worsen when you’re looking up or down for long periods of time, or even when you’re doing activities that keep your neck in one position for a while like reading or driving. Other symptoms include:

• Numbness and tingling in your arms, legs, hands, and feet
• A popping or grinding sensation when you move your neck
• Difficulty walking or loss of balance
• Headaches
• Muscle spasms in your shoulders and neck
• Loss of bowel or bladder control in severe cases

Over time, cervical arthritis can lead to changes in the structure of the neck, such as herniated disks, bone spurs, and stiff ligaments. The condition may be a natural part of the aging process but it is important to keep an eye on any symptoms that may develop.

Treating Cervical Arthritis

Cervical arthritis can have serious consequences if left untreated. It can compress nerve roots or the spinal cord, leading to permanent damage.  At Monarch Pain Management, we take a comprehensive approach to the assessment and treatment of cervical arthritis and will develop a treatment plan that may include:

• Physical therapy: Physical therapy is a first-line non-surgical treatment. Several targeted neck and upper body exercises can help alleviate the pain while strengthening the strained and weakened muscles of the neck.
• Medications: During the initial days of treatment, we may prescribe some over-the-counter medications to alleviate your inflammation and pain.
• Heat, ice, and other modalities: The usage of heat, ice, massage, and other home remedies can help relieve symptoms in combination with medication and physical therapy.
• Epidural steroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation directly.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: PRP is a substance that is used to promote or improve the healing process.
• Nerve blocks as well as nerve ablations that target the nerves that sense joint inflammation and relay pain
• Prolotherapy

Monarch Pain Management offers the most effective treatment for cervical arthritis. Our team of experts, led by Dr. Przybysz, who is licensed under the American Board of Anesthesiology, offers a range of non-surgical options to provide relief from symptoms and improve quality of life.

Trust Monarch Pain Management to provide effective solutions for your chronic pain.  Connect with us today to book an appointment and reclaim your life with less pain.