Cervical Spondylosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

By Dashvanth Healthcare Medical Team · Reviewed by our specialists · East Delhi

What Is Cervical Spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis is age-related wear and tear of the cervical (neck) vertebrae, discs and joints. It is extremely common — affecting 85% of people over 60. It can compress nerve roots (radiculopathy) or the spinal cord itself (myelopathy).

Symptoms

Neck Pain (Axial)

Aching, stiffness, reduced neck range of motion. Often worse in the morning and with prolonged static postures (screen work, driving).

Radiculopathy (Nerve Root Compression)

• Radiating pain from neck into shoulder, arm, and hand
• Numbness and tingling in specific fingers (depends on level)
• Weakness in arm muscles

Myelopathy (Spinal Cord Compression) — More Serious

• Clumsy hands — dropping objects, difficulty with buttons
• Unsteady gait, balance problems
• Weakness in legs
• Bladder urgency or dysfunction

Treatment

Conservative

• Physiotherapy — cervical traction, neck strengthening
• NSAIDs and muscle relaxants
• Cervical collar (short-term only)
• Epidural steroid injections for radiculopathy

Surgical

ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion) or ACDA (disc replacement) for refractory radiculopathy or myelopathy — very effective with modern techniques.