Age-related changes of the spine
To better understand the causes of cervical spondylosis, it is useful to know more about the structure of your spine.
The spine is made up of:
- vertebrae: ridge-shaped sections of bone that make up the structure of the spine (spinal column) and protect the nerves
- discs: discs of tissue that have a tough, flexible outer shell and a softer inside that is the consistency of toothpaste. They lie in between the vertebrae, cushioning and supporting them
- spinal cord: the main bundle of nerves carrying messages up and down your spine, between the brain and the rest of the body
- nerve roots: the beginning sections of the nerves that come out of the spinal cord, exiting through 'key holes' all the way down the spine
As you get older, the discs tend to bulge and become susceptible to tears. Your body will also try to compensate for the wearing of the joints by producing small lumps of extra bone to better support your neck and stiffen the spine. These lumps of extra bone are known as bone spurs or osteophytes.
Osteophytes can cause the spine to become too rigid, leading to stiffness and neck pain. The changes in bone structure can also squash nearby nerves and the spinal cord. This tends to be more common in older people.
Herniated (slipped) disc
A slipped disc, also called a prolapsed or herniated disc, occurs when one of the discs of the spine is ruptured (splits) and the softer inside spills out.
If this soft material presses against a nerve in the neck, it can cause severe radiating arm pain, and can occasionally result in compression of the spinal cord (cervical myelopathy). This is generally seen in younger people and is not as common as the process of osteophyte formation described above.
For more information, see the Health A-Z topic on Slipped disc.
