Cervical Arthropathy
Cervical facet arthropathy, also known as facet joint osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition that affects the facet joints in the cervical spine, which is the upper part of the spine encompassing the neck. Facet joints are small, paired joints located between the vertebrae of the spine. These joints facilitate smooth movement and provide stability to the spine.
Cervical facet arthropathy occurs when the cartilage in the facet joints gradually deteriorates over time. As the cartilage wears away, the bones can come into direct contact, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility in the neck.
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Aging: Like other joints in the body, the facet joints can undergo degenerative changes with age.
Injury: Trauma to the neck, such as whiplash from a car accident, can contribute to the development of cervical facet arthropathy.
Genetics: Some individuals may be predisposed to joint problems due to genetic factors.
Repetitive Stress: Activities or occupations that involve repetitive stress on the neck, such as heavy lifting or constant neck movement, may contribute to the condition.
Aging: Like other joints in the body, the facet joints undergo wear and tear over time, and the risk of developing arthropathy increases with age.
Trauma: Previous injuries to the neck, such as whiplash or other forms of trauma, can contribute to the degeneration of the facet joints.
Genetics: Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to joint problems, including cervical facet arthropathy.
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Neck pain: Persistent or intermittent discomfort in the neck.
Stiffness: Reduced range of motion and stiffness in the neck.
Headaches: Chronic headaches that may originate from the neck.
Tenderness: Sensitivity or tenderness over the affected facet joints.
Radiating pain: Pain may radiate into the shoulders or upper back.
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of a physical examination, imaging tests (such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI), and a review of the patient’s medical history.
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Treatment options for cervical facet arthropathy aim to alleviate pain, improve function, and slow down the progression of joint degeneration. Conservative approaches may include medications (such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs), physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications. In some cases, more invasive interventions such as facet joint injections or radiofrequency ablation may be considered. Surgical options are typically reserved for severe cases that do not respond to conservative treatments.
If you suspect you have cervical facet arthropathy or are experiencing persistent neck pain, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management plan tailored to your specific needs.Description text goes here
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Cervical radiculopathy is usually caused by herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or stenosis (narrowing) of the cervical spine.
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Cervical radiculopathy can cause neck pain, radiating arm pain, numbness, or weakness. This is sometimes described as pins-and-needles, achy to shock-like, or burning pain which may cause pain that starts in the neck and goes all the way down to your fingers.
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There are generally three levels of treatment that Dr. Webb typically uses to treat patients with cervical radiculopathy. Some patients, depending on their severity of symptoms, may progress through these levels in an accelerated fashion depending on their reported symptoms and objective physical exam findings. The goals of each level of treatment are to relieve pain and improve function. Most (up to 90%) of patients can be treated with level 1 or 2 conservative treatment including pain medications, lifestyle modification, injections, and/or physical therapy. The remaining 10% of patients that fail conservative treatment may require surgical intervention which is always the final and last resort.
Cervical Radiculopathy & Herniated Disc
Cervical radiculopathy is a condition caused by inflammation or pinching of one or more of the spinal nerves in the neck.
Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy is a condition characterized by compression of the spinal cord in the neck that causes clumsiness in the hands and gait imbalance.
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Cervical myelopathy can cause a number of different symptoms including neck pain, radiating arm pain, numbness, weakness in the arms/hands/legs, problems with walking and balance, or loss of bladder/bowel control. The radiating pain is sometimes described as pins-and-needles, achy to shock-like, or burning pain which may shoot all the way down to your fingers. Symptoms can worsen over time.
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There are generally three levels of treatment that Dr. Webb typically uses to treat patients with cervical myelopathy. Some patients, depending on their severity of symptoms, may progress through these levels in an accelerated fashion depending on their reported symptoms and objective physical exam findings. The goals of each level of treatment are to relieve pain and improve function. Most patients can be treated with level 1 conservative treatment including pain medication, lifestyle modification, and/or physical therapy. The remaining patients that fail conservative treatment, may require surgical intervention which is always the final and last resort. Surgery is usually done to create more space for the spinal cord and nerves.
Cervical Stenosis
Cervical stenosis is a condition caused by narrowing of the spinal canal and/or foramen (small openings in the spine that the nerves travel through). Some people are born with a congenitally narrowed spinal canal, but most cervical stenosis occurs when something causes the space that houses the spinal cord and/or nerves to become narrowed.
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The leading cause of cervical stenosis is arthritis. Other causes include: herniated discs, overgrowth of bone (bone spurs), thickened ligaments, injuries, or tumors.
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Cervical stenosis can cause neck pain, radiating arm pain, numbness, weakness, problems with walking and balance, or loss of bladder/bowel control. The radiating pain is sometimes described as pins-and-needles, achy to shock-like, or burning pain which may shoot from your neck all the way down to your fingers. Symptoms can worsen over time.
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Cervical spinal stenosis can often be treated without surgery. If you start to develop progressive muscle weakness or arm pain, bowel/bladder symptoms, or if you have failed conservative treatments, then surgery may be recommended. Surgery is always the last resort.