Neck Arthritis is more common in older people and mainly caused by the degeneration of the neck vertebrae related to age.

Arthritis neck usually caused by two types of arthritis known as cervical spondylosis or cervical osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Neck Arthritis

Causes of Neck Arthritis

As mentioned earlier, the most common type of arthritis affecting the cervical spine are osteoarthritis or cervical spondylosis.

This condition is basically caused by age-related degeneration that makes decreased joint function.

Cervical spondylosis is characterized by degenerative changes include growth of bone spurs and calcium deposits in the joints, which in turn press against the spinal cord and cause neck pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause neck pain.

This condition causes inflammation that destroys the body’s joints, especially the joints of the fingers and wrist.

Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the joints of the neck as well.

In addition, some types of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis, gout, pseudogout, ankylosing spondylitis, and Reiter’s disease may also be associated with inflammation of the neck joints.

Neck Arthritis Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the location where the nerve pressure. The most commonly observed symptoms are pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder pain, and numbness or weakness in the arms and hands.

The pain caused by arthritis neck may spread to the arms as well.

Headache, especially in the back of the head can also be a symptom of cervical arthritis.

Other symptoms include pain and weakness in the legs, clicking sounds in neck and neck muscle spasms.

If the complaint is caused by rheumatoid arthritis, the patient may experience swelling of the joints, fever, pain, and stiffness.

How to Treat Neck Arthritis

Arthritis neck was diagnosed with the aid of X-rays and MRI scans along with a physical examination.

After detecting specific abnormalities neck bones or joints, your doctor may recommend medication and physical therapy as needed.

Patients are generally advised to restrict the movement of the neck by wearing a neck brace.

The pain associated with this condition can be treated with ice packs or warm compresses.

If the pain and swelling was too severe to overcome with ice or warm water, then the doctor may recommend the use of anti-inflammatory steroids.

Along with medication, physical exercise, especially exercises to improve posture, stretching and strengthening exercises will help alleviate neck pain and neck stiffness and increase flexibility and range of motion.

Arthritis can also lead to neck discomfort during sleep. That’s because, the patient can use special pillows to reduce interference.

In rare cases, surgery may be needed to cope with arthritis neck.

Surgery is performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.

If the neck arthritis caused by rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment will involve the use of anti-rheumatic drugs and medications to reduce joint pain and inflammation.

If these measures fail, then surgery alone may be required.

The operation will involve joint replacement or removal of the inflamed tissue. Surgery is also performed to reconstruct the tendon

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