Cervical Spondylosis (Neck Arthritis)
The bones in your neck change as you age. Surfaces become rougher; the discs cushioning the bones become drier; the cartilage breaks down; ligaments holding the bones in place get stiffer; bone spurs can grow; or your spinal column can narrow — all resulting in discomfort or pain and other symptoms that disrupt your daily life.
The vertebrae in your neck are especially susceptible to injury or age-related deterioration due to two factors:
- These bones are balancing your head: a heavy, round skull on a small surface area.
- The area holding the nerves is small. You feel any jarring or wear and tear acutely.
Arthritis in Neck NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
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Symptoms of Neck Arthritis
The symptoms of neck arthritis often start gradually. They may or may not worsen over time. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Chronic pain and stiffness in your neck, worsening with upright activity
- Sound or feeling of popping in your neck when moving
- Involuntary contractions or spasms that cause pain or limitations
- Recurring headaches
- Numbness or weakness in your arms, hands or feet
- Weakness in your legs and difficulty walking
- Flexibility and pain that's worse in the morning, but improves throughout the day until before deteriorating again at night
- Your neck feels tender when pressed
- Pain and weakness radiate to your shoulder or between shoulder blades
- You experience fatigue and disturbed sleep
- You have difficulty working
These symptoms may subside after several months, or they can become chronic. Arthritis in the neck may revolve specifically around your facet joints in the neck as they degenerate due to osteoarthritis. Your doctor has to determine the cause of your pain.
Facet Joints in the Neck
Your facet joints are the hard, smooth cartilage located at the back of each vertebral bone. These joints enable limited forward and backward movements, as well as a twisting motion. The facet joints are encased in a protective capsule filled with synovial fluid that provides lubrication for smooth movements.
When the joint is healthy, everything works as expected. But as the cartilage breaks down, bone rubs on bone, causing inflammation and pain. This process can take years before the condition becomes painful.
Risk Factors for Arthritis in the Neck
Though anyone can develop neck arthritis, some are more susceptible to experiencing chronic problems. For example:
Ready to find relief from neck arthritis?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Diagnosis Process for Neck Arthritis
Your NYC sports pain specialist has a variety of methods to diagnose your neck arthritis, including:
Combining the appropriate tests with your family background and blood work helps your New York pain doctor determine the correct course of treatment for the arthritis in your neck. If you're hurting, don't wait to seek treatment.
Arthritis in Neck Treatments in Midtown, NY
Your treatment options vary. They depend on the severity of your symptoms and the subsequent disruption of your daily life. Your doctor always chooses conservative, non-surgical treatments first, unless there was significant trauma. These options include:
It's typical to employ multiple conservative treatments at once for neck arthritis treatment. More aggressive techniques include two types of surgery:
Anterior cervical discectomy
Fusion (ACDF) surgery
ACDF involves removing tightened ligaments or herniated discs through an incision in the front of the neck. Fusing the vertebrae together with bone or metal plates and performing a posterior cervical laminectomy involves removal of the disc, ligaments or lamina from the back of your neck.
These options have a high success rate, but as with all surgeries, risks of infection, continued or worsened pain and damage to surrounding tissue are always possible. Recovery time is usually four to six weeks and involves neck braces, medication and physical therapy. Treatment for arthritis in the neck has made huge strides in the past several years. Your Midtown Manhattan pain specialist has access to them all.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Neck Arthritis Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to neck arthritis is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Neck Arthritis Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."