Neck Pain
Neck pain is the common problem experienced by many individuals at some point in their lives. A number of disorders and diseases, involving the tissues in the neck can lead to neck pain.
The neck structure includes the neck muscles, arteries, veins, lymph glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, oesophagus, larynx, and trachea. Disease or disorder of any of these structures can lead to neck pain.
Conditions such as cervical spinal stenosis, myofascial pain, ankylosing spondylitis, cervical foraminal stenosis and spondylolisthesis can also be some of the reasons for neck pain.
Common conditions causing neck pain are degenerative disc disease, neck strain, neck injury, herniated disc, pinched nerve. It also occurs due to spinal problems, stiffness of muscles in the neck and upper back.
Causes
- Spinal disc herniation
- Spondylosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Stress
- Prolonged postures
- Poor sleeping positions
- Trauma or falls
- Head and neck cancer
- Infections
- Pinched nerve
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage
- Lymphadenitis
- Thyroid trauma
- Tracheal trauma.
Symptoms
Neck pain is commonly associated with dull aching. Neck pain may also be associated with headache, facial pain, shoulder pain, and arm numbness or tingling. Other symptoms may include:
- Stiffness of neck
- Limited neck movements
- Tingling, tenderness and sharp shooting pain
- Dizziness or Light-headedness
- Lymph node (gland) swelling
- Difficulty swallowing.
Investigations
Investigations depend on the onset, type and history of neck pain. Diagnostic tests include:
- X-rays
- CT-scan
- MRI
- Electromyography
- Blood tests
- Nerve conduction velocity test (NCV)
- An examination of nervous system
Treatment
Treatment varies with underlying cause for neck pain. Most forms of neck pain can resolve with conservative measures. These may include rest, avoiding reinjury, and rehabilitation. Some treatments include:
- Rest
- Heat or Cold Applications
- Traction
- Soft-collar traction
- Medications such as muscle relaxants and antidepressants
- Physical therapy or exercises (ultrasound, massage, manipulation)
- Topical Pain Relief Patches
- Muscle relaxants
- Analgesics
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Short –term joint immobilisation
- Surgery
When to see a doctor for neck pain?
Call a doctor if your pain persists, despite self-care measures such as, applying ice or heat, exercise, stretching, physical therapy, practicing good posture or if:
- It worsens over time
- Persists after several weeks of self-care.
- Radiates down your arms or legs.
- Accompanied by headache, numbness or tingling
About Doctor:
Dr. Naveen Reddy is one of the Best Orthopedic Surgeons in Hyderabad. He has over 10 years of experience. Having completed his post graduation in Orthopedics, (D’Ortho and DNB Ortho, he was part of the Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad – 2009-2017. He has had the experience of working with the Best Orthopaedic Surgeons and gained extensive expertise in managing simple, complex trauma, knee and hip replacements. His patients consider him to be the best orthopedic doctor in Hyderabad. He has a fellowship in Hip & Knee Arthroplasty from world-renowned center Galeazzi Institute of Orthopedics, Milan, Italy under Prof Dr Lugi Zagra where he had great exposure and gained knowledge complex Hip & Knee Replacements.
The range of services provided by him includes Trauma – Fracture treatment, Knee Joint Replacement, Hip Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy, Sports Injuries Treatment, PRP & BEMAC Injections, Viscosupplementation, Stem Cell Treatment etc.
