How to check cervical spondylosis? These aspects can be checked

In recent years, more and more people have suffered from cervical spondylosis, mostly young people, which is mainly caused by long-term working with the head down. Clinically, conclusions are drawn based on sensory disturbances, responses to traction tests, and X-ray examinations.

1. Sensory impairment examination: Skin sensory examination of cervical spondylosis patients can help understand the extent of the disease. Sensory disturbances in different parts of the body can determine the diseased segment of the cervical spine; pain usually occurs in the early stage, numbness occurs in the middle stage, and complete disappearance of sensation is in the late stage of the disease.

2. Reaction to traction test: When the examiner uses both hands to pull the patient's head and neck upward with a little force, patients with cervical spondylosis feel that their symptoms disappear or are relieved, while those with stiff neck have no change in symptoms or the pain worsens.

3. Routine examination: It is to gain a basic understanding of the patient's medical history, symptoms, physical examination, etc., such as the location of tender points, range of motion of the cervical spine, movement disorders and reflexes.

4. X-ray examination: there may be disappearance of the physiological lordosis of the cervical spine or kyphosis, narrowing of the intervertebral disc space, formation of osteophytes on the vertebral margin or uncinate process, calcification of the nuchal ligament, etc. Normally, about 90% of men over 40 and women over 45 have bone spurs in the cervical vertebrae. Therefore, changes in X-ray films do not necessarily result in clinical symptoms. The X-ray findings related to cervical spondylosis are described as follows:

Anteroposterior view: observe whether there is dislocation of the pivot joint, fracture or loss of the odontoid process. Check whether the transverse process of the seventh cervical vertebra is too long and whether there are cervical ribs. Check whether the uncovertebral joint and intervertebral space are widened or narrowed.

Through the content introduced above, everyone should have some understanding of how to examine and diagnose cervical spondylosis. I hope patients can pay attention to their physical condition and go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible if any abnormal conditions occur.