Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis
May 31, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Ge
Introduction
Symptoms of cervical spondylosis can be broadly categorized as follows:
Neck pain: Neck pain is commonly accompanied by symptoms such as neck stiffness and restricted mobility. The pain is typically described as dull, stabbing, or aching.
Pain and numbness in the shoulder, arm, and hand: Patients with cervical spondylosis may experience pain in the shoulder, arm, and hand, which can manifest as pricking, aching, or burning sensations.
Cervical spondylosis symptoms can be broadly categorized into three types:
1. Neck pain
Neck pain is the most common initial symptom across all types of cervical spondylosis. Typically, it occurs alongside neck stiffness and restricted range of motion.
The pain is often described as dull, sharp, or aching, and frequently worsens after prolonged forward-bending activities such as desk work.
2. Pain and numbness in the shoulder, arm, and hand
Approximately 60–70% of patients with cervical spondylosis experience pain and/or numbness in the shoulder, arm, and hand. This discomfort may manifest as stabbing, aching, or burning pain.
3. Headache and dizziness
Headache and dizziness associated with cervical spondylosis may occur in the occipital region (back of the head), vertex (top of the head), forehead, or temporal regions (sides of the head); they may also present as unilateral migraine-like pain. The headache is commonly characterized as dull, aching, stabbing, throbbing, or pressure-like.
Dizziness caused by cervical spondylosis is typically vertigo—patients perceive either themselves or their surroundings rotating in one direction, resulting in unsteadiness while standing. Headache and dizziness often coexist but usually differ in prominence: either headache predominates with accompanying dizziness, or dizziness predominates with accompanying headache.
