Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disorder affecting the cervical spine due to wear and tear of the vertebral bones, discs, and joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and nerve compression symptoms.
Mnemonic: "C.S.P.I.N.E. =
Cervical Spine Pain In Nerve Entrapment"
CAUSES & RISK FACTORS
- Age-Related Degeneration (Common After 40 Years).
- Repeated Neck Strain (Poor Posture, Desk Jobs, Mobile Usage).
- Trauma or Injury to the Neck.
- Herniated Discs, Bone Spurs, Ligament Stiffness.
- Genetic Predisposition & Osteoarthritis.
Mnemonic: "A.R.T.H."
(Age, Repetitive Strain, Trauma, Herniation)
SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
- Neck Pain & Stiffness (Worse in Morning & After Rest).
- Pain Radiating to Shoulder, Arm, Fingers (Nerve Compression).
- Tingling, Numbness, or Weakness in Arms & Hands.
- Headache (Back of the Head - Occipital Neuralgia).
- Reduced Neck Mobility (Difficulty Turning or Tilting the Neck).
Mnemonic:
"P.R.O.T.H." (Pain, Radiation, Occipital Headache, Tingling, Hypomobility)
SIGNS & CLINICAL EXAMINATION
- Pain on Neck Movement, Especially Extension.
- Muscle Tightness Over Back of Neck & Shoulders.
- Weak Grip Strength (If Nerve Compression Is Severe).
- Spurling's Test Positive (Neck Compression Test → Reproduces Pain).
- Reduced Chest Expansion (In Severe Cases of Spine Stiffness).
Mnemonic:
"M.W.S.P.C." (Muscle Tightness, Weak Grip, Spurling’s Test, Pain on
Movement, Chest Expansion Reduced)
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF
CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
- Cervical Disc Prolapse (Acute, Severe Radiating Pain, Sudden Onset).
- Fibromyalgia (Widespread Muscle Pain, Fatigue, No Nerve Symptoms).
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (Symmetrical Joint Pain, Small Joints First).
- Cervical Myelopathy (Severe Cases - Loss of Bladder/Bowel Control).
Mnemonic: "D.F.R.M."
(Disc Prolapse, Fibromyalgia, RA, Myelopathy)
DIAGNOSIS OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
- X-Ray (First Test – Shows Narrowed Disc Space, Osteophytes).
- MRI (Best Test – Detects Nerve Compression & Disc Herniation).
- CT Scan (For Detailed Bone Changes).
- Nerve Conduction Studies (If Nerve Compression Symptoms Present).
Mnemonic: "X.M.C.N."
(X-ray, MRI, CT, Nerve Studies)
TREATMENT OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
1. LIFESTYLE & PHYSICAL
THERAPY
- Neck Exercises (Stretching, Strengthening).
- Postural Correction (Avoid Forward Head Posture).
- Use Firm Mattress & Thin Pillow.
- Apply Heat or Cold Packs for Pain Relief.
Mnemonic: "E.P.F.H."
(Exercise, Posture, Firm Mattress, Heat Therapy)
2. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
- NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac – First-Line for Pain & Inflammation).
- Muscle Relaxants (Cyclobenzaprine – For Spasms).
- Gabapentin/Pregabalin (For Nerve Pain & Tingling).
- Steroid Injections (For Severe Cases with Nerve Compression).
Mnemonic: "N.M.G.S."
(NSAIDs, Muscle Relaxants, Gabapentin, Steroids)
3. SURGICAL MANAGEMENT (For
Severe Cases)
- Discectomy (Removal of Herniated Disc Pressing on Nerve).
- Laminectomy (Removing Bone Spurs Compressing the Spinal Cord).
- Spinal Fusion (In Cases of Severe Instability).
Mnemonic: "D.L.S."
(Discectomy, Laminectomy, Spinal Fusion)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF
CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS
- For Chronic Neck Pain & Stiffness:
- Rhus Tox, Bryonia, Cimicifuga, Calcarea Fluor.
- For Radiating Pain & Nerve Compression:
- Hypericum, Kalmia, Gnaphalium, Colocynthis.
- For Severe Degeneration & Osteophytes:
- Silicea, Calcarea Carb, Phosphorus, Calcarea Phos.
- For Cervical Myelopathy & Weakness:
- Causticum, Gelsemium, Conium.
Mnemonic: "R.B.C.C. –
Rhus Tox, Bryonia, Cimicifuga, Calc Fluor for Neck Stiffness"
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "C.S.P.I.N.E. = Cervical Spine Pain In Nerve Entrapment"
- Causes = "A.R.T.H." (Age, Repetitive Strain, Trauma, Herniation)
- Symptoms = "P.R.O.T.H." (Pain, Radiation, Occipital Headache, Tingling, Hypomobility)
- Signs = "M.W.S.P.C." (Muscle Tightness, Weak Grip, Spurling’s Test, Pain on Movement, Chest Expansion Reduced)
- Differential = "D.F.R.M." (Disc Prolapse, Fibromyalgia, RA, Myelopathy)
- Diagnosis = "X.M.C.N." (X-ray, MRI, CT, Nerve Studies)
- Lifestyle = "E.P.F.H." (Exercise, Posture, Firm Mattress, Heat Therapy)
- Medical = "N.M.G.S." (NSAIDs, Muscle Relaxants, Gabapentin, Steroids)
- Surgical = "D.L.S." (Discectomy, Laminectomy, Spinal Fusion)
- Homeopathy = "R.B.C.C." (Rhus Tox, Bryonia, Cimicifuga, Calc Fluor for Neck Stiffness)
