1.Moderator: What is cervical spondylosis?
A: Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative change of the cervical spine. For example: osteophytes, herniated discs, cervical instability, so that the surrounding nerve roots, spinal cord, vertebral artery and sympathetic nerves, etc., are stimulated to cause a series of symptoms in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, etc.. This is called cervical spondylosis. Chen Xiaoming, Department of Orthopedics, Siping Central Hospital
2.Moderator: What are the manifestations of cervical spondylosis?
A: There are seven types of cervical spondylosis. The first is the cervical type. It is also the lightest type, with only stiffness, soreness and discomfort in the neck; the second, nerve root type, is nerve root stimulation, causing numbness, pain and other discharge-like sensations in one or both upper limbs. Third, spinal cord type, in addition to the symptoms of the upper limbs, there are also symptoms of the lower limbs, such as unstable walking, the soles of the feet like stepping on cotton, etc. The fourth is the vertebral artery type, which is a reflex spasm of the vertebral artery causing insufficient blood supply to the brain, resulting in dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The fifth is sympathetic nerve type, which can cause a series of symptoms such as panic, increased blood pressure, and easy sweating. The sixth is the mixed type, which is the result of a mixture of the above symptoms. The seventh is the esophageal type, which is the result of the compression of the esophagus by the hyperplasia tissue in front of the cervical spine, resulting in swallowing disorder and foreign body sensation.
3.Moderator: What examinations are required for cervical spondylosis?
A: Generally, it is necessary to take cervical spine X-ray, which can observe the cervical spine hyperplasia and the change of vertebral space, and the stability of cervical spine. The examination of magnetic resonance provides a reliable basis for the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis. However, the cost is high, and CT scan is only done in the case of special needs.
4.Moderator: How do I choose treatment for cervical spondylosis?
A: The treatment of cervical spondylosis is divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Most patients can achieve satisfactory results through conservative treatment such as rest, physical therapy, traction, massage and acupuncture. But for some patients with obvious cervical spinal stenosis, cervical disc herniation and cervical instability, surgery is needed to release the nerve compression and cure cervical spondylosis completely, otherwise it will easily lead to paralysis. The new technology carried out by Dr. Chen Xiaoming of the orthopedic spine surgery group of Siping Central Hospital in recent years has received excellent results in the treatment of cervical spondylosis and has accumulated rich experience. We hope that patients who suffer from the pain of cervical spondylosis will make up their mind to receive surgery as early as possible. Improve your quality of life and return you to a healthy body.