Composed of seven vertebrae between the head and the chest, the cervical (neck) spine can be a source of debilitating pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck, chest, shoulders, hands and arms. The five most common causes of neck pain are: ruptured (herniated) disc, stenosis, spinal cord compression, instability and degenerative disc disease. These can be treated with conservative therapy and pain management. If surgery is necessary, it can be treated via fusion, artificial disc or posterior micro decompression.
Ruptured Disc
As we age, the discs in the neck, which serve as shock absorbers between the vertebral bodies of the cervical spine, begin to break down and herniate, as well as lose flexibility because of loss of fluid. If the spine is injured, it can cause tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. The jellylike material inside the disc can be forced out, causing a disc to bulge, rupture or break into fragments. This type of break down can result from degenerative disc disease. Symptoms include neck pain that radiates down the arm and weakness or numbness in the shoulder, arm or hand.
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Stenosis
Stenosis is the narrowing the spinal canal in the neck, which can squeeze or compress nerves, changing how the spinal cord functions and causes pain, stiffness, weakness and numbness. Common symptoms include radiating pain and/or numbness down one or both arms. The narrowing can even cause the spinal cord to be squeezed. Stenosis usually occurs in people over the age of 50 due to age related changes in the size and shape of the spinal cord.
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Spinal Cord Compression
Another common neck condition is spinal cord compression, also called cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The cause of CSM is the wear and tear effect of aging. As we age, we may develop bone spurs, which can cause the spinal canal to narrow. Over time, the bone spurs can begin to press on spine or nerve roots, causing pain to spread from the neck to back, and down the arms and legs. The bone spurs can cause pressure to build on the spinal cord. Because of this, surgery is the only effective treatment. Spinal cord compression can cause permanent damage if left untreated. Symptoms include changes in reflexes, weakness and numbness in upper and lower extremities, and the feeling of being off balance.
Cervical Instability
Cervical instability occurs after trauma, a tumor or arthritis. It can lead to degenerative changes in the cervical discs. Trauma can include a fall or motor vehicle accident. Although it depends on the type of injury, treatment can be as simple as anti-inflammatory drugs or physical therapy. Although the cause of spinal cord tumors is unknown, it can occur as a primary tumor or the result of the spread of cancer from another area. Symptoms include muscle weakness, back pain, loss of sensation and muscle spasms. Tumors need to be addressed through surgery, chemotherapy or radiation as quickly as possible. Deformities can cause neck pain and a decreased range of motion. It occurs when the cervical spine curves forward, caused by trauma, surgery complications or other spine diseases. If left untreated, it can lead to paralysis. Surgery and/or physical therapy can treat the issue.
Treatment
Depending on the diagnosis and clinical exam, treatment can begin with conservative therapy, including neck immobilization, anti-inflammatory medicine, physical therapy or surgery. If surgery is necessary, the three most common procedures for the neck include: a fusion, artificial disc replacement, and posterior micro decompression. A fusion occurs when the intervertebral disc and/or bone spurs are removed and replaced with a small bone graft, which, over time, will allow the vertebrae to fuse together. If you have a degenerative disc, it can be replaced with an artificial one. In a posterior micro decompression, the surgeon removes bone spurs that pinch the nerves or the spinal cord.
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About the author
discmdgroup DISC Sports and Spine Center (DISC) is one of America’s foremost providers of minimally invasive spine procedures and advanced arthroscopic techniques. Our individually picked, highly specialized physicians apply both established and innovative solutions to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate their patients in a one-stop, multi-disciplinary setting. With a wide range of specialists under one roof, the result is an unmatched continuity of care with more efficiency, less stress for the patient, and a zero MRSA infection rate. Read more articles by discmdgroup.
