What is Neck Arthritis?

Read about Neck Arthritis Disease presented in simple easy to understand language

Arthritis of the neck is a degenerative and inflammatory disease of the discs and the bones in the neck. 

The Three Major Types of Arthritis which might affect the Neck are 

Osteoarthritis Arthritis: It is the most common arthritis affecting the neck and it slowly leads to degeneration of the cartilage and occurs due to wear and tear of the joints between the bones. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is a systemic condition causing inflammation of the joint cartilage leading to its destruction, this normally affects many joints on both sides of the body.

Post-traumatic Arthritis: can be caused by repeated stress like falls in contact sports or injury to the neck like a “whiplash” after a car accident causing multiple hyperextensions and hyperflexions (the neck extending beyond its normal limits). This type of arthritis can sometimes develop years after the injury.

Sometimes infections and congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae develop into arthritis. Arthritis in the neck can develop into problems in other areas of the body like the shoulder, upper back or the arms.
The symptoms associated with arthritis of the neck can include stiffness and tenderness to touch. Difficulty in moving the neck and head and pain radiating to the back of the head and shoulders may be a major component in neck arthritis. Performing basic activities such as combing your hair or brushing your teeth could become difficult as arthritis in the neck could sometimes restrict movement in the arms and neck. Weakness and numbness in the arms and legs as well pins and needles in both arms may be another symptom. 

Some of the Factors that may put a person at Risk for Arthritis of the Neck are
Heredity: Arthritis can run in the family. The presence of certain genes can predispose a person to developing arthritis of the neck.

Age: As a person ages the healing ability of the body decreases and developing arthritis at that time can make the disease progress much faster. Persons between 40 and 50 years of age usually develop symptoms of neck arthritis.

Gender: Men develop arthritis of the neck more often than premenopausal women, with the incidence rising in women after menopause.

Injury: Prior neck injury makes a person more susceptible to developing neck arthritis.  Read More...