Can I Have Arthritis in My Neck?

Not only is it possible to have neck arthritis, but you may have it without even knowing it. While most people know that the knees, hands, and hips are common joints affected by arthritis, fewer people are aware that arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the discs and joints in the neck. 

Knowing what to look out for means you can get prompt evaluation, and treatment to get relief from pain and stiffness. Pain Management Specialists in Rockville and Frederick, Maryland provide compassionate, comprehensive care. Our board-certified interventional pain management physicians Stuart Hough, MD, and Ramani Peruvemba, MD, have extensive experience helping patients find the most adequate pain management solutions to improve their pain. 

Read on for our guide on neck arthritis, and what you can do to get relief.

Cervical arthritis 

The first seven vertebrae of the spine are referred to as the cervical spine. This area plays a key role in supporting the skull. When arthritis occurs in the neck, it’s referred to as cervical arthritis, and it happens when there’s a gradual breakdown of the cartilage and bones in the cervical spine. 

Cervical arthritis is more common in older adults. It may start with mild stiffness or occasional discomfort, but over time, it can progress to chronic pain, neck pain, and stiffness. 

Types of cervical arthritis

Multiple types of arthritis can affect the neck. Here’s a quick overview::

Osteoarthritis of the neck

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis that can impact the cervical spine. It can lead to:

• Breakdown of vertebrae
• Breakdown of discs
• Reduced cushioning
• Vertebrae rubbing together
• Tiny bone fragments floating in synovial fluid
• Bone spurs
• Pain, stiffness, and inflammation

Additionally, with less space between vertebrae, spinal nerves may be compressed, resulting in pain, stiffness, and inflammation that often worsen with activity. In severe cases, nerve compression can lead to complications like loss of coordination.

Rheumatoid arthritis of the neck

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis develops when the immune system attacks the linings of the joints. This chronic autoimmune condition often begins in smaller joints and may progress to the neck over time. 

Neck pain from rheumatoid arthritis usually feels like a dull or throbbing ache at the base of the skull, accompanied by joint swelling and stiffness, which can limit turning your head side-to-side. 

Other types of neck arthritis

Neck arthritis can also include psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, both of which are forms of spondyloarthritis, an umbrella term for a group of conditions characterized by long-term inflammation. Psoriatic arthritis is often linked with psoriasis.

How pain management can help

Interventional pain management offers targeted therapies designed to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore mobility. 

Depending on the severity of your condition, treatments may include injections to alleviate inflammation, nerve blocks to interrupt pain signals, or radiofrequency ablation to reduce nerve pain. Each of these options aims to treat the pain at its source to give you lasting relief.

The value of a comprehensive approach

Beyond interventional treatments, supportive options such as physical therapy, gentle stretching, and posture adjustments can enhance your recovery and prevent further joint stress. The goal is to improve your quality of life by addressing your pain from multiple angles, ensuring each aspect of your care is coordinated to maximize effectiveness.

Tech neck and the impact of modern life

The digital revolution has brought with it some unexpected issues, such as what is commonly termed ‘tech neck.’ Spending extended periods tilting your head down to look at mobile phones, tablets, and laptops puts extra pressure on the neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Over time you can wind up with a sore, painful, stiff neck. 

Unlike arthritis, which involves joint inflammation or wear over time, tech neck is more about muscle strain from posture than structural changes in the spine or joints. 

A life with less pain is possible

If neck pain is disrupting your life, there’s no need to continue living with it. Pain from neck arthritis is manageable, especially when you work with a pain management team dedicated to comprehensive, customized care. Don’t let pain limit you. Contact our office today to learn about individualized pain management, so you can return to the activities you enjoy.