Symptoms and treatments for cervical osteoarthritis

Cervical arthrosis is a type of degenerative disease of the spine that affects the neck region. It generates symptoms such as pain in the neck, stiffness and difficulty in movement and its treatment consists of taking medications, physical therapy and sometimes surgery.

Symptoms of cervical arthrosis

Symptoms of cervical arthrosis include:

Pain in the neck, which gets worse with movements; Tension-type headache; Difficulty turning the neck sideways or turning the head up or down; Feeling of having "sand" inside the spine when moving the neck; There may be feeling of numbness or tingling in the neck, shoulders or arms.

Neck pain and tingling can also be signs of cervical hernia, so see the symptoms of this disease here.

The diagnosis of arthrosis is made by observing the symptoms of the disease and confirmed by tests such as spine x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging that can be requested by the orthopedist or rheumatologist.

Treatments for cervical arthrosis

Treatment for cervical arthrosis should be started as soon as possible to avoid further joint involvement. It can be done with medication to relieve the symptoms of the disease and physical therapy will be necessary. More severe cases may require surgery, but this should always be followed by physical therapy.

Cervical arthrosis physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for cervical arthrosis is an important part of treatment and should be performed daily with seriousness and commitment.

Physiotherapeutic treatment may include the use of devices such as ultrasound, laser, short waves and alternating currents, but it is important to practice muscle strengthening exercises and stretches to keep the involved muscles properly healthy, to avoid postural compensations that can aggravate the condition. arthrosis.

Exercises for cervical arthrosis

Two great exercises to help treat cervical arthrosis are swimming and water aerobics. But in swimming, preference should be given to backstroke to avoid having to turn the neck sideways and the compromise that this can bring.