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Cervical Spondylosis

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Practical Chronic Pain Management

Abstract

Cervical spondylosis is a broad term describing degeneration of the spinal column from any cause. This condition is most often due to spinal osteoarthritis, the age-related wear and tear of the spinal column components. The components affected include vertebral bodies, osteophyte formation impinging on the neural foramina, and the zygapophyseal or facet joints. Correlation between radiographic change and the presence or severity of pain is poor. Cervical spondylitis myelopathy occurs when degenerative changes narrow the spinal canal, resulting in cervical cord injury and associated dysfunction. Presentation may involve a variety of neurologic complaints: weakness, coordination impairment, gait disturbance, bowel or bladder disturbances or incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Cervical spine degenerative changes are the most common cause of acute and chronic pain; however, it is important to remain mindful of signs and symptoms indicating more serious pathology.

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Wendahl, A., Abd-Elsayed, A. (2020). Cervical Spondylosis. In: Malik, T. (eds) Practical Chronic Pain Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46675-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46675-6_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-46674-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-46675-6

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