Is arm numbness due to cervical spondylosis serious?
Disease description:
I've had cervical spondylosis for a while, and apart from my neck, I haven't experienced any discomfort elsewhere. I've been managing it through lifestyle adjustments without seeking medical treatment. However, my arm has started feeling numb recently. Is arm numbness associated with cervical spondylosis serious?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Shuai
The severity of arm numbness caused by cervical spondylosis must be determined based on the specific circumstances:
1. Causes: Arm numbness resulting from cervical spondylosis is mostly due to compression of the cervical nerve roots. This compression can lead to edema of the nerve roots and reduced nerve conduction, subsequently causing arm numbness.
2. Treatment: In the early stages of arm numbness due to cervical spondylosis, non-surgical treatments such as traction, physical therapy, and acupuncture may be employed, along with medication including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and neurotrophic agents.
3. Disease progression: If the symptom of arm numbness does not significantly improve after the aforementioned treatments, surgical intervention might be considered to relieve the nerve root compression.
Therefore, whether arm numbness caused by cervical spondylosis is serious requires a comprehensive evaluation based on the patient's specific condition, treatment response, and medical advice. Seeking timely medical consultation is crucial upon the onset of symptoms.
