- There are several theories as to the root cause of degenerative cervical disk disease. One theory speculates that the degeneration process begins with an injury to the cervical spine such as in a whiplash accident. Another popular theory in the medical community discusses a genetic predisposition to degenerative cervical disk disease.
- Sign and symptoms to look for in determining possible degenerative cervical disk disease include numbness, tingling, weakness and pain in the neck and upper extremities. These symptoms can appear alone or in clusters, and symptoms can change over time.
- A health care practitioner will perform a thorough physical examination, which includes range-of-motion tests to measure neck extension and flexibility. Your doctor will ask whether pain increases or decreases as he/she has you perform flexion tests. Your physician may also order X-rays or an MRI of the cervical spine to determine the degree of current degeneration.
- Treatment for degenerative cervical disk disease may include physical therapy, medication, biofeedback, pain counseling and nerve blocks. In rare instances, surgery may be required for herniated disks or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis).
- Degenerative cervical disk disease can cause varying degrees of disability ranging from mild and barely noticeable to severe and excruciating. Make an appointment with your health care practitioner immediately if you suspect possible degenerative cervical disk disease because early detection and treatment are essential for preventing disease progression.
