Expert Neck Pain Evaluation and Treatment

Your neck pain may stem from various underlying factors, including:

• Injuries: Neck trauma, such as whiplash from auto accidents, commonly causes acute neck pain. This type of injury often occurs when a rear-end collision abruptly jerks the head forward and back with significant force. Additionally, neck injuries can result from sports activities and falls. Overuse injuries, characterized by repeated movements over extended periods, may lead to irritation and inflammation, manifesting as neck pain.
• Spinal Abnormalities: Several spinal abnormalities can contribute to neck pain. These include scoliosis, which involves a sideways curvature of the spine, kyphosis, characterized by a rounded or humped upper back; and lordosis, an abnormal inward curvature in the lumbar (lower) spine.
• Tumors: Both cancerous and noncancerous growths in the neck and head region have the potential to cause pain and discomfort.
• Age-related Disorders: Neck pain is often associated with common age-related disorders such as osteoarthritis, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease. Osteoarthritis affects the facet joints of the spine as protective cartilage erodes over time. Degenerative disc disease weakens spinal discs, making them more susceptible to bulging or herniation, which can lead to spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal becomes too narrow, compressing the nerves exiting the spinal cord and resulting in cervical radiculopathy (nerve compression in the neck vertebrae).

If you're experiencing neck pain, initial remedies for mild muscle strain or discomfort from sleeping in an awkward position typically include rest and applying ice packs, hot compresses, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. However, for persistent or severe neck pain, seeking professional diagnosis and treatment is recommended. At the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, our team may suggest conservative approaches such as physical therapy and posture correction, along with the use of a soft neck collar if necessary. If conservative treatments prove ineffective, cervical spine injections containing steroid medication and/or a local anesthetic may provide relief. Depending on your condition, options such as epidural, facet joint, or other injections may be beneficial.

Surgery may be considered as an option for addressing neck pain if other treatments prove ineffective or unsuitable. At the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, we specialize in tissue-sparing minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopic and robotic-assisted spine surgery. Procedures such as decompression, aimed at widening the spinal canal, and microdiscectomy or discectomy to address disc problems may be necessary. In some cases, spinal fusion or artificial disc replacement may be recommended to strengthen and stabilize the spine. If a tumor is present, our surgeons strive to remove as much of it as possible while minimizing spinal cord damage. Contact the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery or conveniently book an online appointment for prompt and effective neck pain treatment.