Cervical osteoarthritis, what solutions exist?

It is the most common cause of neck pain, which is often also associated with headaches and nausea.

Aging, as we know, is inevitable. If it appears on the face in the form of increasingly marked wrinkles, at the level of the joints it manifests itself with pains due to the thinning of the cartilage and the consequent rubbing of the bones. And when the bones in question are the first seven vertebrae of the spine, then it is called cervical osteoarthritis.

To favor it also the “whiplash”

Cervical osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disorder linked to aging and is counted among the most frequent causes of neck pain in Western countries: it is not possible to stop its course, but only mitigate its symptoms.

It usually appears from 40-45 years onwards, especially in subjects who have suffered neck trauma (such as the classic “whiplash”) or who have carried out for many years strenuous activities for this portion of the column, either repeatedly making excessive efforts, or assuming incorrect postures for many hours a day.

The process of osteoarthritis begins with the progressive thinning of the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, which can break or leave their seat, giving rise to a hernia. As a result, the vertebrae tend to wear out faster, favoring a process of inflammation that involves the muscles and ligaments that support the spine.

The first symptom is pain

Typically, the first symptom of cervical osteoarthritis is pain in the back and side area of the neck, often intense and accompanied by muscle contracture, which radiates to the shoulders and makes it almost impossible to rotate or bend the head. Not infrequently, on the occasion of an attack of acute cervicalgia, to these manifestations are also added headache, dizziness, visual disturbances, tingling and drops in strength in one or both arms, up to the hands.

At the origin of these discomforts is usually recognized the combination of an acute inflammatory process, promoted by the presence of a more or less significant osteoarthritis at the level of the cervical vertebrae, and an equally acute contracture of the supporting muscles of the neck and shoulders. The relevance of the two components in determining the attack of cervicalgia can vary from case to case, but to obtain appreciable relief it is necessary to address both aspects, with an adequate timing.

Beware of complications

Osteoarthritis can also give rise to much more serious complications: for example, the formation of a hernia, due to the thinning of the intervertebral discs, can cause compression of the cephalic nerves or spinal cord, causing neurological symptoms, such as the appearance of tingling in the legs or arms.

Osteophytes are also dangerous: these are bony protuberances that can develop on the vertebrae of subjects with cervical osteoarthritis following an attempt at self-repair implemented by the body itself. These “bone spines”, in addition to worsening the inflammatory state and facilitating muscle contractures, can damage the spinal nerves that run in the cervical area.That is why it is good not to underestimate neck pain that also extends to the shoulders and arms, or that appear periodically without a known cause; or when nausea, headache, visual disturbances, fever or speech difficulties are also present. In these cases it is advisable to contact your doctor immediately, who will evaluate the need for instrumental investigations, such as CT or MRI.

NSAIDs useful for turning off acute inflammation

Eliminating osteoarthritis is not possible: it is a degenerative process, which cannot be stopped, but the symptoms can however be alleviated safely and effectively, for example with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs can be taken orally or applied directly to the neck in the form of a gel, massaging gently. Topical formulations are recommended especially when you have frequent episodes of cevricalgia, because the light massage with which they are applied promotes the loosening of muscle tension; In addition, local administration reduces the risk of adverse events.

At the first episode of cervical pain it is advisable to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist to identify which medication to take and at what dosage. If, on the other hand, it is a pain that recurs occasionally, or is recurrent, it is possible to “self-medicate” with NSAIDs already taken previously. In this case you must remember to carefully follow the dosages indicated on the package and not to exceed 4-5 days of intake, a period of time normally sufficient to alleviate the pain substantially and resume moving the neck without too many problems.

If, despite the drugs, the pain shows no sign of diminishing, then it is advisable to contact the doctor, who will evaluate whether it is appropriate to make diagnostic tests and possibly propose alternative or more incisive drug therapies (for example, the same or other NSAIDs at higher doses), or other targeted treatments.

Heat and movement to loosen contracture

Cervical osteoarthritis is characterized by alternating periods in which pain is under control, to others in which it is rekindled. If NSAIDs are particularly indicated in acute phases, heat therapy, thanks to its muscle relaxant power, can be useful when the pain has subsided, but stiffness and difficulty of movement remain (usually around the 3rd-5th day from the beginning of cervicalgia).

The beneficial effects of heat can be exploited by applying a hot water bottle on the neck or shoulders, a heated cloth, or even better shaped self-heating bands, in order to increase the temperature by a few degrees, bringing it to about 38-41 ° C compared to the physiological 35-37 ° C.

The self-heating bands, which can be purchased in pharmacies, should be applied to the skin with a slight pressure and left to act for up to 8 hours. Within 30 minutes, you will begin to feel the development of heat and its benefits in terms of reducing muscle contracture and pain, being able to carry out your usual activities with greater serenity.

In the phases of sub-acute pain it may also be useful to perform exercises aimed at keeping the muscles active and toned and stimulating the mobility of the vertebrae. Keeping the neck at rest for too long, for example after a “whiplash”, is in fact counterproductive, because it contributes to increasing the rigidity typical of osteoarthritis and favors the loss of tone of the neck muscles.