Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Neck osteoarthritis (also known as neck arthritis orcervical spondylosis) is the degeneration of the joints, bones, and discs of the cervical spine of the neck. Neck arthritis mainly affects people over 50 and tends to worsen with age.
Neck arthritis can causeneck pain, stiffness, tingling, numbness, and headaches as well as neck clicking at the base of the skull. Arthritis neck pain can sometimes be severe and may lead to muscle spasms and shooting pains in the shoulders, back, legs, thighs, and buttocks.
Arman Zhenikeyev / Getty Images
The article describes the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of neck arthritis. It also explores the various treatments used to provide arthritis neck pain relief, including medications, physical therapies, neck exercises, and surgery.
Effects of Uncovertebral Joint Hypertrophy
Neck Arthritis Symptoms
Some people with neck arthritis have no symptoms at all, but most experience at least some level of discomfort—typically chronic pain and stiffness. As the condition progresses, other symptoms may develop, particularly if the spinal nerves become compressed (“pinched”).
Symptoms of neck arthritis include:
Neck arthritis also can affect sleep and the ability to perform normal daily activities. Severe cases can lead to complications that are debilitating and possibly irreversible.
One of these isspinal stenosisin which the space within the spinal bones grows smaller, crowding and compressing nerves. The compression of spinal nerves can causereferred pain(meaning pain felt in other parts of the body). It can also affect the ability to walk at a brisk pace and cause problems with fine motor skills.
Why Does Your Neck Hurt? 5 Neck Pain Causes
Neck arthritis is a form ofosteoarthritis, also known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis. Symptoms develop when the cartilage discs between the bones of the cervical spine (calledvertebrae) deteriorate or become damaged. With age, these gel-like discs can also dry out, causing them to flatten.
The progressive damage can stimulate the growth of bony projections calledosteophytes(bone spurs), triggering the onset of spinal stenosis.
On top of this, the loss of cartilage “cushioning” causes the space between vertebrae to get narrower, leading to nerve compression (known asradiculopathy). This leads to the onset of referred pain to different parts of the body depending on which spinal nerve is “pinched.”
Anatomy
The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae that are stacked one on top of the other like the rings on a ring toss game; the top ring is located at the base of the skull.
Starting with the second vertebra (C2), there is a pad of soft cartilage called an intervertebral disc that cushions between each vertebra and allows for smooth movement of the neck. Facet joints between each vertebra (calledzygapophysial joints) provide added stability and flexibility.
What Is Facet Arthropathy?
Risk Factors
The main cause of neck arthritis is the simple wear-and-tear of the structures of the cervical spine that occurs over time.
Risk factors for neck arthritis include:
Neck Pain and Headaches: Causes and Treatments
Next, they will do a physical exam to assess therange of motionof your neck, check your reflexes, and see how well the muscles of your arms and legs are functioning. They may also ask you to walk to see if there are any abnormalities in your gait that indicate radiculopathy.
Imaging tests are commonly used to get information about the location and extent of damage to the cervical spine. Options include:
How Arthritis Is Diagnosed
The primary goal of treatment for neck arthritis is to relieve pain, prevent nerve compression, and restore function. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
If you’re diagnosed with neck arthritis, your treatment plan will be crafted to specifically target your symptoms, ensuring optimal results with minimal side effects and risks.
Non-Surgical Options
Neck arthritis is treated conservatively in most cases, reserving more aggressive or invasive therapies for cases that are intractable (meaning resistant to treatment).
The treatment of neck arthritis typically starts with rest and immobilizing the neck with a cervical collar. Cold compresses or ice packs can help ease pain, while heating pads can help improve neck stiffness (particularly in the morning).
The following over-the-counter and prescription drugs may be used to help ease arthritis neck pain and stiffness:
Physical therapy, includingcervical traction,hot or cold therapy, andmassage therapymay also be recommended.
Neck Exercises in Physical TherapyNeck exercises and stretches performed at home can ensure ongoing relief from arthritis neck pain and stiffness. Exercise programs typically involve neck flexion (bending forward), neck extension (bending backward), side flexion (bending the head toward each shoulder), and neck rotation.
Neck Exercises in Physical Therapy
Neck exercises and stretches performed at home can ensure ongoing relief from arthritis neck pain and stiffness. Exercise programs typically involve neck flexion (bending forward), neck extension (bending backward), side flexion (bending the head toward each shoulder), and neck rotation.
5 Neck Stretches Used in Physiotherapy
Surgery
Surgery is generally reserved for the most severe cases, in part because surgery doesn’t always fully resolve the neck arthritis symptoms and may only provide minimal to moderate relief. There are also risks associated with any surgery.
Surgical options for neck arthritis include:
Summary
Symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, headache, arm or leg weakness, and referred pain to other parts of the body. Severe cases can affect a person’s mobility and even lead to the loss of bowel or bladder function.
Neck arthritis is diagnosed with a physical exam and imaging tests. Treatment options include rest, neck immobilization, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, physical therapy,and neck exercises. Surgery may be considered if conservative therapies fail to provide relief.
A Word From Verywell
Degeneration of the cervical spine is almost inevitable with age, but it doesn’t mean you have to suffer chronic pain or be faced with significant physical limitations. In short, neck arthritis isn’t “one of those things” you have to live with if you get it.
At the first sign of neck arthritis, see your healthcare provider for a physical exam and comprehensive evaluation. The sooner you start treatment, the better able you will be to preserve the function of your neck and spine and minimize pain.
Arguably, the most effective treatment for neck arthritis is physical therapy combined with the conservative use of pain relievers. The aim is to strengthen the neck muscles and maintain the range of motion of your neck. Options include exercises, cold/heat therapy, massage therapy, and cervical traction.
Neck arthritis is often experienced in people whose jobs involved heavy lifting or working overhead. In such cases, lifting and looking upward can cause neck pain. Arthritis neck pain tends to get worse with high-impact activities such as running or even standing for a long time. With neck arthritis, the pain tends to be worse in the morning.
Sleeping on your side or on your back is generally best if you have neck arthritis. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow (called a cervical pillow) to support the natural curve of your neck, and place a flatter pillow behind the back of your skull to keep the head level.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Cervical spondylosis (arthritis of the neck).
Arthritis Foundation.When a back or neck ache means you have OA.
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