Cervical spondylosis is a form of degenerative arthritis. It describes degenerative changes to the joints and between vertebrae and vertebral discs. It is characterized by progressive thinning of the vertebral cartilage, osteoporosis and bony spurs accumulating in the joints. It is a gradual process and is most commonly seen after age forty.

Cervical spondylosis is marked by the gradual narrowing of disc space. The narrowing of disc space encroaches on the area of the vertebrae where the nerves and blood vessels exits from the spinal canal, causing compression on these nerves and blood vessels.

Cervical spondylosis is often not felt but may cause neck pain. The compression of nerves and blood vessels as cervical spondylosis progresses can lead to weakness, numbness, tingling and other dysfunction of the neck and upper extremities.

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