Neck arthritis

Diagnosed with osteoarthritis on left side of neck about 15 yrs ago. When it "acts up" it can trigger pain across shoulders and up and down cervical spine. Can then lead (and often does) to headache and facial pain. I did get PT from an incredible male therapist, son of the owner of the therapy center. He had recently graduated and licensed etc., and was so intent on relieving my pain. He succeeded, I have had episodes of varying degrees of pain since then. I avoid any and all activity/movement that will aggravate that side of my neck, and I do engage in neck exercises/stretces that tend to be helpful, but not when the area is in intense pain. Aleve (the only allowed OTC), a large shoulder/neck heating pad, and curtailing activities help tremendously, as does applying a non-stinky balm. Thankfully, have had no episodes in several months! Yippeeee! Area was aggravated due to serious injury to shoulder/arm just over 2 yrs ago. Just another factor on my plate to deal with, and thankful when it recedes into the background.😊

Good for you!

Had arthritic spurs removed at the AC joint (between shoulder and collarbone) and a tendon tear fixed in the left shoulder in May - just finishing up PT for that, then we do similar surgery for the right shoulder. I think it was from an injury sustained back in the 90's which over time worsened.

I can only take naproxen (the generic of Aleve) for short durations - does nasty things to my GI tract - but nothing else seems to help.

A tip which I live by: Since (like you) I have gastrointestinal issues, I make sure to take the Aleve or its generic form (Walmart has great price on their equivalent) AFTER ingesting a bit of something to make sure stomach is not empty. Nothing heavy, just enough to "cushion" the stomach, etc. Crackers or apple slices with peanut butter are my fav. I don't take the OTC med often.

I know the area to which you refer, where you had spurs removed. Yes, I had pain there as well following the traumatic injuries to the arm/shoulder. Was unable to do PT due to the nausea inducing pain. Glad you had that addressed!

Is crps getting worst when you can't control the pain?

Absolutely! CRPS was diagnosed specifically for ankle/foot/lower leg regions...the neurologist referred me to pain management specialist to address my 24/7 burning pain (of Pain Level ranges of constant 5-6 to high of 7-8 out of 9). But I did not want yet another injection, this time for a "nerve block." No guarantees that it wouldn't have to be repeated over time, and what I've read from members here on Connect, not without its own set of issues. Dealing with the-devil-I-know rather than the one I do not...but still seeking input from a highly recommended podiatrist (for possible Tibial Tarsal Syndrome) and an equally recommended neurologist. Those appointments coming up within next 2 weeks. If final outcome is that there is little to nothing that can be done, then I'll face having to deal/cope with yet another chronic pain issue for the rest of my life. I have several, just wish that I could relieve/reduce the impact of at least one of them. The ankle/foot/leg has added another dimension to my gait and balance issues. Difficult to ignore. Balance therapy several years ago (prior to foot trauma) was not helpful, so I not convinced that it would help now. I've had PT for foot/leg, arm/shoulder, and knee since 2021 (currently again in PT for knee). And two rounds of occupational therapies for arm/elbow/hand (those were highly successful). Meanwhile CRPS is definitely impacts my mental, emotional and physical well-being...hard to remain optimistic when my body is fighting me😔.

CRPS has taken residence over the entire left foot, and the non-stop 24/7 burning pain is most intense around the ankle (both sides of foot), top of foot (so I had to donate all shoes that so much as touched the area), under the foot by the arch and the heel as well as front of foot. Doesn't help that I also have peripheral neuropathy, Raynaud's, a hammer toe and two neuromas. But the CRPS centers on area that was damaged during the traumatic fall back in '21. Has developed and intensified during the time between then and now. It takes a great deal of energy out of me since the pain is never less than a 5-6 and varies throughout the day up to a 7, and even a crushing 8 (out of 9). ALWAYS WITH ME. Pain in space between the ankles at base of leg bone, and exists up the leg, along the sides and the shin bone, up to the sides of knee. Neurologist indicated that there is nerve damage for sure. What most upsets me is that there is NO cure, just things like nerve blocks, or injections into the affected areas. Been there with the injections into the sides of foot/ankle. Doggone painful when anesthetic wears off, and it's something that needs to be repeated periodically. Not for me. Will be seeing a new podiatrist next week, and a neurologist in two weeks (to get second opinions because I'm sickened by the thought that I have to "just deal.") Sometimes while asleep, I'm awakened by a hot sharp pain deep within the ankle, that grips the foot and travels up the leg, turning into a spastic cramp. My life was altered in so many ways by that harsh fall onto a concrete floor. Here on this site, I was informed about Tibial Tarsal Syndrome, and will be having both of the new doctors look into that possible aspect, hopefully leading to avenues for addressing the pain issues...I'm hopeful🌺.

I don't know if anyone is still following this thread but i have terrible arthritis in my neck and lately been having pain running up the back of my head . Also pain on the side of my face and jaw area on both sides when i sleep on it , wakes me up and i have to switch sides even . Also ear pain . Anyone else have these issues ? How do you find relief ? Usually extra strength tylenol works for me .

There are other threads regarding head and neck and facial pain with different diagnoses.
I too have neck pain maybe caused by degenerative arthritis in cervical vertebrae, diagnosed by an ortho doc and treated by a physiatrist with cervical disk injections. They didn’t help.
The head pain that shoots up my head may be occipital neuralgia, as diagnosed by a neurologist.
There seem to be multiple causes for head and neck pain.
Physical therapy massage and stretches help but haven’t eliminated my neck pain. I cannot sleep flat at night.
It’s good if Tylenol helps yours.

Hi @hobbity ,

I too have arthritis in my neck. I have gone to PT to improve my posture and strengthen my neck. I also see a massage therapist ( do not think spa and ahh), and a cranial sacral therapist. I am in a much better place than I was two years ago. If I do my exercises at night I do not (for the most part) wake up with a headache in the morning.