Everything You Need to Know about Neck Arthritis Q&A

While it is possible for many patients to not experience symptoms of arthritis in the neck, there are a few symptoms that are commonly associated with the condition to indicate that treatment is necessary. The most common symptom of arthritis in the neck includes stiffness and pain in the neck, ranging from mild to severe that can vary depending on time of day, position of the head, and if the head is held in specific positions for long periods. The pain is often more prominent when the head is being held in upright positions, such as while driving, reading, or watching TV, and is often alleviated by resting the head and neck, specifically while lying down.

Other common symptoms and initial signs that are indicative of arthritis in the neck include popping or grinding sensations and noises when moving the neck, muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders that lead to increased pain, limited movement, or a headache that spreads from the neck. Symptoms that often develop with more severe cases of neck arthritis include weakness and numbness of the arms, hands, and fingers due to a narrowing of the space surrounding the nerve roots or spinal cord. This can also lead to difficulty walking due to a loss of balance or weakening of the legs.

When managing health conditions such as arthritis, maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle is essential but can often feel counter-intuitive as there are risks associated with exercising in the affected areas of the body. Patients must seek advice and expertise from specialists such as physical therapists to ensure that they understand which exercises are recommended and which should be avoided. Some of these exercises that should be avoided include crunches, sit-ups, bridges, military press, and lat pull-downs. Any exercises that involve extensive use of the traps will likely need to be avoided, as well as exercises that involve leaning forward for long periods, such as cycling. Other activities that are known for leading to increased neck pain, particularly in those who suffer from arthritis in the neck, include maintaining poor posture while looking at a cellphone or computer screen, and sleeping while the neck and spine are not in proper alignment due to using the wrong type of pillow or having poor pillow positioning. Having improper spine and neck alignment is very common and can make a huge difference in neck and shoulder pain, with experts recommending that those experiencing neck pain try to sleep on their side with a pillow that is even level with the natural curve of the neck.

There are surgical treatment options available for more severe cases of arthritis in the neck, but ideally, treatment can be provided for the majority of cases to help manage the condition and minimize symptoms. Nonsurgical treatment options for arthritis in the neck include:

– Physical therapy and massage therapy
– Hot and cold compressions
– Pain and anti-inflammatory medications (either over-the-counter recommendations or prescriptions from a physician) or muscle relaxants
– Wearing a soft cervical collar to allow the neck and surrounding muscles to rest
– Injections of steroids or blocks
– Radiation ablation

If the less-invasive treatment options are not providing significant relief of the patient’s symptoms, surgical options may need to be considered to help manage the condition, particularly if the spinal nerve is being pinched by a bone or herniated disc, or there is compression in the spinal cord. Not everyone with severe arthritis in their neck will be considered a good candidate to undergo surgical treatments depending on the presence of any other medical conditions that they have. The non-surgical options will always be recommended first as they will always be much safer and lower risk, with surgical procedures only being considered if insufficient pain and symptom relief have been sought through all other attempted options. The majority of patients with arthritis in the neck will only ever require nonsurgical treatments.

If you fail to manage neck arthritis and the nerves become badly compressed, you may suffer lifelong nerve damage. For more information, contact us or book an online appointment. We are conveniently located at 1140 Business Center Dr, Suite 110, Houston TX 77043. We serve patients from Houston TX, Hedwig Village TX, Meadows Place TX, Missouri City TX, Hunters Creek Village TX, Spring Valley Village TX, and surrounding areas.