Neck Pain

Neck Pain

The neck bears the weight of the head, allows significant amount of movement, and also less protected than other parts of spine. All these factors make the neck more susceptible to injury or other painful disorders. Neck pain can also come from infections, tumors, or congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae. Common conditions producing neck pain include:

Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis refers to abnormal degeneration of the cartilage and bones in the neck region. The condition results in neck pain radiating to arms or shoulder and neck stiffness that gets worse over time.

Cervical Stenosis

Cervical stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal that protects the spinal cord and its branching nerves. The condition causes neck pain radiating to arms and hands.

Treatments

• RICE Method
• Use a soft neck collar and neck immobilization using a splint, cast, or sling
• Anti-inflammatory drugs analgesics and muscle relaxants
• Physical therapy to strengthen neck muscles

Anterior cervical discectomy surgery with spinal fusion is typically recommended only after non-surgical treatment methods fail to relieve the pain.