Neck pain and stiffness is a common complaint among adults, and this common problem may actually be a sign of cervical osteoarthritis. Cervical osteoarthritis refers to inflammation and swelling of the joints in the neck. It results from years of wear and tear on the cartilage and disks in your neck. Your neck bones and cartilage deteriorate over time, leading to troubling symptoms, like unrelenting neck pain and neck stiffness.