Cervical Spine

Question 1

Cervical Spondylosis

Answer 1

Degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs

Question 2

Cervical Spondylosis presentation

Answer 2

Slow onset stiffness

Pain in the neck with radiation to the occiput and shoulder

Question 3

Cervical spondylosis treatment

Answer 3

Physiotherapy

Analgesia

Question 4

Cervical Spondylosis Predisposes to…

Answer 4

Cervical Osteoarthritis

Question 5

Cervical osteoarthritis

Answer 5

Osteophyte impingement in the cervical spine can lead to radiculopathy involving upper limb dermatomes and myotomes

Results in shooting neuralgic pain (weakness and loss of reflexes)

Decompression required if severe

Question 6

Cervical Disc Prolapse Characteristics

Answer 6

C7/8 nerve root

Large central cervical disc prolapse can lead to myelopathy with upper motor neurone symptoms

• Weakness
• Wide based gait
• Increased tone
• Upgoing plantar response

Question 7

Cervical Instability - epidemiology and sites

Answer 7

Down Syndrome

• Antalo-axial C1/2
• Spinal cord compression
• Flexion/extension X-rays

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Destruction of connecting synovial joint
• +/- rupture of transverse ligament
• Spinal cord compression

Question 8

Cervical instability treatment

Answer 8

Minor
-Avoidance of high impact sports

Major
-Surgical stabilisation

Question 9

Antalo-axial treatment

Answer 9

Wearing collar (prevent flexion)

Surgical fusion