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# Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is age-related wear of the neck discs and joints; it can narrow the spaces for nerves and cause neck pain and stiffness.

Updated 2026-10-23

## Structures involved

Tap one to see what it is and open it in 3D.

- [C5 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c5/)
- [C6 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c6/)
- [C7 vertebra](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebra-prominens/)
- [C5–C6 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c5-c6/)
- [C6–C7 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c6-c7/)
- [Neck facet joints](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/zygapophysial-joints/)

## Why it happens

- [How organs age: normal changes vs disease](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/how-organs-age-normal-changes-vs-disease/)
- [Cartilage: hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage](https://durgical.com/en/histology/cartilage-hyaline-elastic-fibrocartilage/)
- [Synovial joints: capsule, synovial membrane and articular cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/histology/synovial-joints-capsule-synovial-membrane-and-articular-cartilage/)

## What it is

Age-related wear of the cervical discs and facet joints that can narrow the spinal canal or foramina.

## Symptoms and signs

- Neck pain and stiffness
- Radicular pain or numbness into the arm
- In advanced cases, myelopathy (gait changes, hand clumsiness)

## Diagnosis

**Clinical**
Exam and neurological assessment

**Imaging**
X-ray, MRI for cord/nerve compression

## Treatment

**Conservative**
Physical therapy, posture work, medicines. Most patients improve without surgery.

**Surgical**
Decompression and/or fusion for progressive myelopathy or refractory radiculopathy.

## Related conditions

- [Spinal cord injury](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/spinal-cord-injury/)
- [Cervical radiculopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cervical-radiculopathy/)
- [Degenerative cervical myelopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/degenerative-cervical-myelopathy/)
- [Whiplash (cervical sprain)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/whiplash/)
- [Carpal tunnel syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/)
- [Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/lateral-epicondylitis/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [Cervical Spondylosis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551557/) (StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cervical-spondylosis/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cervical-spondylosis/