Cervical spondylosis is a disorder which is caused by abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck. The bones of the neck are called cervical vertebrae. The cushions between the vertebrae are called cervical disks. This disorder is caused normally at the old age associated with degeneration and mineral deposits in the cushions between the vertebrae. The spine is made up of vertebrae, discs, and nerves. Vertebrae are the ridge-shaped sections of bone that make up the structure of the spine, and protect the nerves. The vertebrae are supported and cushioned by discs of cartilage. Cartilage is a type of tissue that is tough and flexible. Causes of Cervical Spondylosis are many; however the common cause is age-related. When a person attains old age, the wear and tear on the cartilage and bones of the neck leads to cervical spondylosis.
As one gets older, the cartilage inside the disks becomes harder and more brittle and provides less support to the vertebrae resting on the disk. This causes the spine to become less stable. The body thus tries and compensate for this by producing small lumps of extra bone to support neck and stiffen the spine. These lumps of extra bone are known as bone spurs or osteophytes. They can cause the spine to become too rigid leading to the symptoms of stiffness and neck pain.
The abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck can gradually compress one or more of the nerve roots. When nerve roots get compressed, pain in the neck and arm, weakness, and changes in sensation occurs. When, cervical spondylosis reaches its advanced stage, the spinal cord becomes compressed and this compressed spinal cord leads to the pain, weakness and changes in sensation also occur in the legs. Furthermore, Causes of Cervical Spondylosis can be the changes in bone structure that can then compress nearby nerves and blood vessels. The symptoms are widespread pain, difficulties swallowing, and sudden fainting. Cervical spondylosis is caused by chronic degeneration of the cervical spine, the cushions between the neck vertebrae, and joints between the bones of the cervical spine. Other causes include a previous neck injury, bad sitting or standing posture, body type as well as occupational strain.
Previous injury of the body can be among the Causes of Cervical Spondylosis. An individual who have encountered repeated fractures or dislocations of the joints of neck can have cervical spondylosis. The frequent injuries of the neck cause abnormal tear of joints, ligaments and the structure surrounding the joints. Besides the injuries, incorrect postures also let an individual experience the cervical spondylosis.
Incorrect posture adapted by habit or due to poor skeletal set up in the neck predisposes abnormal tear of the neck joints. Bad sitting and standing posture can be one among the several causes of Cervical Spondylosis. Occupational strain is another reason for cervical spondylosis. The physical discomfort, physical strain, intensity of work and duration of working hours, all contributes to the occupational stress. These take an individual further to cervical spondylosis. In addition to that various styles of activity adapted in daily life can cause strain or tear of the structures of the neck and lead to cervical spondylosis. Cervical Spondylosis can also be a result of awkward positions adapted while sleeping.
Body type of an individual also predisposes cervical spondylosis. Individuals with thick necks and hump at the back or Long backs are more prone to cause strain or tear of the neck tissues leading to spondylosis. Thus, the causes of Cervical Spondylosis are mainly due to drying and loss of elasticity in the spinal and cervical disks, Bulging and sometimes herniation of disks so that disk material protrudes from between two vertebrae and stiffening of the ligaments connecting neck bones and muscles.
