
Cervical Degenerative Joint Disease
Degenerative Joint Disease is one of the most common causes of cervical neck pain. The cervical facet joints, like other synovial joints of the body, are prone to wear and tear, deterioration, swelling, and arthritic changes.
Causes of Cervical Degenerative Joint Diseases
Tenderness and degenerative changes of the facet joints may cause pain, restricted mobility, and severe infringement or pinching of the nerve roots in the spinal column. Common causes of facet joint issues include the following:
- Inflammation, arthritic changes, degeneration, or common wear, and tear of the joint with aging.
- Disc degeneration may cause a loss of stature between the intervertebral disc placing a greater density on the posterior facet joints growing and accelerating wear and tear on these joints.
- Extension gesticulations can produce compression on the facet joints, which results in degenerative, and ultimate arthritic abnormalities.
- Unexpected fall or shock, trauma, like an automobile accident, can be a reason for facet joint irritation.
- Genetic factors can also be a cause of degenerative joint disease.
Symptoms of Cervical Degenerative Joint Diseases
The symptoms of cervical degenerative joint disease will depend on the spinal condition, location of the joint, or at which part it is affected. Symptoms can differ from slight to severe and can also be a cause of cervical disc problems like degenerative disc disease, which may be treated by spinal surgery and spinal fusion. Following are the symptoms which show degenerative joint disease issue:
- Pain in the neck and spread over the shoulder blade and arm.
- Development of radiating pain and entrapment like symptoms.
- Inflammation and pain localized at the level of the involved facet joint.
- Muscle contraction and any kind of movement in response to the injury.
- Inability in movement or loss of motion
- Loss of the normal cervical curvature.
- Stiffness in the joints.
- Muscle Spasms.
- Pain with extra activity.
- Localized burning at the joint level may be present.
Treatment of Cervical Degenerative Joint Diseases
Treatment of cervical degenerative joint disease or disorder will depend on the seriousness of the illness. Some of the common treatments include rest, anti-inflammatory medications, heat, and cold treatments, and in severe cases, you may have to go through laser spine surgery.
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FAQ’S
What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Degenerative Joint Disease?
The most common symptoms associated with the cervical degenerative joint disease include:
- Severe pain in the neck region.
- Sharp and radiating pain around the affected area.
- Swelling or inflammation around the facet joints.
What Causes Neck Degeneration?
- Neck degeneration may occur as a result of cervical arthritis.
- In this case, the cartilage in the joints gets weakened due to aging or an accident.
- This condition may become a reason for severe or chronic neck pain.
Can You Become Paralyzed From Degenerative Disc Disease?
- Disc herniation may cause serious neurological disorders.
- If the condition of the herniated disc gets worse, then you are at a higher risk of getting paralyzed.
What Is the Best Treatment for Cervical Degenerative Joint Disease?
- Your specialist may prescribe anti-inflammatory pain medications to treat symptoms of cervical degenerative joint disease.
- Such medications are helpful in reducing pain and inflammation.
- To get the complete treatment, your doctor may recommend a minimally-invasive procedure.