Cervical Spondylosis

Crystal L. Hnatko, DO, CAQSM Reviewed 06/2018

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Cervical spondylosis is degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the cervical spine. These degenerative changes in the intervertebral disks, vertebrae, facet joints, and ligamentous struc...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Onset can be either insidious (typical) or acute (after fall or hyperextension injury).
Three basic clinical presentation, depending on the presence or absence of nerve root (radiculop...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Treat patients without neurologic findings conservatively:
- Oral analgesics (NSAIDs) (2)[C]
- Muscle relaxants
- Soft cervical collar (2)[C]
- Avoid provocative activities.
- Physical ther...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Refer for continued severe pain despite conservative treatment, significant or progression of neurologic deficits, or myelopathy.

Patient Monitoring

Due to the var...

REFERENCES

Kelly JC, Groarke PJ, Butler JS, et al. The natural history and clinical syndromes of degenerative cervical spondylosis. Adv Orthop. 2012;2012:393642. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]

...

ADDITIONAL READING

Corey DL, Comeau D. Cervical radiculopathy. Med Clin North Am. 2014;98(4):791–799.
Ferrara LA. The biomechanics of cervical spondylosis. Adv Orthop. 2012;2012:493605.
Pers...

CODES

ICD10

M47.812 Spondylosis w/o myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervical region
M47.12 Other spondylosis with myelopathy, cervical region
M47.892 Other spondylosis, cervical region
M47.22 Other spondylos...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Spondylosis is noninflammatory degenerative arthritis of the facet joints and intervertebral disks.
Most patients with cervical spondylosis remain asymptomatic. Symptomatic patients fal...

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