Can Osteoarthritis Cause Cervical Radiculopathy

Injuries, age, and other conditions may lead to joint osteoarthritis. The spine is especially prone to osteoarthritis due to the wear it takes throughout your life.

When osteoarthritis affects the joints in the neck, it may lead to pain, nerve compression, or cervical radiculopathy—but that’s not always the case. Early recognition of osteoarthritis may prevent nerve entrapment and chronic neck pain.

At the Consultants in Pain Medicine in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Stephanie S. Jones offers neck pain evaluations and treatments for osteoarthritis and cervical radiculopathy. She gets to the root of the problem to ensure you receive the appropriate treatment.

The facts on neck osteoarthritis

Various forms of arthritis affect the joints, one of the most prevalent being osteoarthritis. Just about any joint can develop osteoarthritis, including the small joints in the spine.

Cervical osteoarthritis affects the C1 through C7 vertebrae in the neck. It happens when the protective cartilage in the facet joints wears down, causing a change in neck and spine movement.

When osteoarthritis affects the joint movement in the neck, it becomes stiff and swollen, further limiting movement. The facet joints on either side of the vertebrae are usually the victims of osteoarthritis.

When osteoarthritis happens in the neck’s facet joints, bones rub together, which can cause bone spurs or osteophytes to form.

Some people are more prone to osteoarthritis than others, especially those who are genetically predisposed by their parents. Other causes include neck injuries, jobs that require repetitive neck motions, and excess weight that puts pressure on the joints.

What is cervical radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy is another condition that affects the neck but differs from osteoarthritis. It happens when something compresses nerves that run through the cervical spinal canal.

Cervical radiculopathy, you experience various symptoms, including weakness, tingling, and arm and neck pain. The symptoms usually only occur on one side of the body but can occur on both.

Cervical radiculopathy happens more often in adults, especially those who have an issue with their cervical spine. Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and disk degeneration all lead to damaged nerves and radiculopathy.

Does osteoarthritis cause radiculopathy?

Although other problems lead to cervical radiculopathy, osteoarthritis is one of the main culprits behind the problem. Cervical spondylosis is one of the leading causes of cervical radiculopathy, which also goes by the term neck osteoarthritis.

Cervical spondylosis refers to degenerative changes or wear-and-tear in the cervical spine. It often leads to pain and stiffness in the neck from chronic inflammation.

In many cases, cervical radiculopathy happens from osteoarthritis or cervical spondylosis. As age wears down the discs and other structures in the spine, it causes the bones to rub together.

The body forms more bone called osteophytes to reduce the height of collapsed discs. The new bone spurs are meant to strengthen the damaged disc but often narrow the foramen or small holes in the vertebrae where the nerves exit.

The narrowed foramen compresses the nerve roots, causing the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy. Osteoarthritis causes wear-and-tear in the spine that leads to nerve compression.

Treatments for neck pain

The good news is that Dr. Jones can treat the pain and inflammation from cervical osteoarthritis and radiculopathy. She carefully evaluates your symptoms and neck to determine the best treatment route.

Dr. Jones also looks at imaging studies like an MRI or X-ray to evaluate the structures in your neck for degenerative changes. She then offers the following treatments to ease pain and reduce inflammation:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Trigger point injections
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Electrical therapy
• Nerve blocks
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Pain pump

Surgery is often the last resort but is an option when other conservative treatments haven’t helped. Pain reduction and improved motion and functionality are the goals of any treatment Dr. Jones provides for neck pain.

Call Consultants in Pain Medicine today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jones for spinal stenosis or request an appointment on the website.