"Neck pain due to wear and tear"

Cervical Spondylitis (also called Cervical Spondylosis) is derived from Greek words that mean neck (cervical) and vertebra (spondylo). Thus it's a condition caused by wear and tear that occurs at the backbone (vertebral column) in the neck region.

Vertebrae are bones that join together to form the entire backbone. In between the vertebrae are cushion-like structures called "intervertebral discs". Age related wear and tear can cause the joints between the vertebrae to degenerate. In addition, it also causes the gradual destruction of the intervertebral discs.

The aforementioned changes can cause pain in the affected region (in this case the neck). When the nerve roots start getting pressed upon due to these changes, it can lead to symptoms of nerve compression.

Interestingly, most of the people above 40 years of age demonstrate changes in the cervical spine on the X-ray though very few experience symptoms due to this. However, by the age of 55 to 60 years, most of the people experience at least some level of discomfort due to cervical spondylitis. The X-ray changes are seen in almost 90% of the people above 60 years of age, irrespective of their sex.

The condition affects males and females equally though it takes off earlier in males. It usually runs a slow and progressive course.