The cervical region is found in the area of our neck and consists of several bones known as cervical vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated by discs and ligaments surrounding the spinal cord and neck. The cervical region is an integral part of the human body because it supports the head, houses vital parts such as blood vessels and the spinal cord, and functions as an attachment point for several muscles. However, it is susceptible to various conditions that may need the attention of an Edison cervical conditions specialist. Below are some of the most common conditions that affect the cervical region.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a condition where degeneration or death of the soft discs is found between each cervical vertebra. This leads to improper functioning of the spinal cord, resulting in pain, tingling, and weakness. The common causes for this condition include age-related changes, traumatic injury leading to whiplash, arthritis, tumors, inflammation by actinomycosis, trauma, and infection. Early neck pain may be the only symptom of this condition.
Cervical Disc Herniation
A herniated disc occurs when some of the soft inner material of the intervertebral disc bulges out beyond the spinal column. It is more common on the lower back but can also occur on the neck. There are two types of cervical disc herniation; Stenosis and Herniation. Stenosis occurs when there is a narrowing of the spinal cord passing through the canal. This narrows the opening and puts stress on adjacent nerves. Herniation occurs when some of the hard outer parts of the disc break, and this material pushes out beyond the confines of the protective vertebral structure.
Cervical Stenosis
Stenosis is a common condition that affects the spinal cord, and it refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal. This results in pressure on nerve roots, which can cause pain in the neck, upper back, arms, and legs. In most cases, the symptoms are caused by compression on nerves in the cervical region, but there can also be compression on the lower back, or it can result in some arm conditions. The narrowing of the canal is often caused by degenerative discs, bone spurs, tumors, and other factors.
Craniocervical Instability
Craniocervical Instability is a condition that refers to the abnormal motion of the skull on top of the cervical vertebra. This can result in damage to the spinal cord and its surrounding nerves. The most common cause for this condition includes head trauma leading to whiplash, tumors, arthritis, or ligament injuries. It can also be caused by a congenital disease or a birth problem.
Spinal Tumors
Spinal tumors are abnormal growths that develop from either bones, muscles, or other tissues found in the spine. These can be cancerous or non-cancerous. They do not have any symptoms until there is rapid growth within a short time. In most cases, the treatment options for these tumors include removing the tumor through surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Other methods used are medications to slow down the growth of tumors and pain management.
The cervical region lies in the neck area and consists of cervical vertebrae. This region is often affected by various conditions such as spinal tumors, craniocervical instability, cervical stenosis, cervical disc herniation, and cervical degenerative disc disease.
