Neck Pain
Your neck, also called the cervical spine region, is a complex collection of structures that include bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves. You can have neck pain for any number of reasons, such as poor posture, unfavorable working or sleeping conditions, accidents and disease.
Unfortunately, neck pain is common, affecting up to 20% of adults every year. It is one of the top causes of disability and is more common as people age, due to normal wear and tear on the cervical spine. Because neck pain can also be a sign of damage to your spinal column or nerve roots, it’s important to not delay treatment.
Within one comprehensive program at the UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center, you have access to all our specialties:
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Interventional pain management
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Physical and occupational therapy
You will be evaluated at your first visit to determine which treatment path is best for your specific needs.
Overview of symptoms
Symptoms of neck pain that could indicate a medical problem include:
- Balance issues
- Burning or stabbing pain in your neck
- Clicking noises when you move your head
- Dizziness
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness or tingling in your neck, arm or fingers
- Stiff neck
- Trouble moving your head
- Weakness in your neck, arms or legs
Potential diagnoses
Diagnosing your neck pain will start with a physical exam and medical history. Your care team may use imaging tests – such as X-ray, myelogram, MRI or a CT scan – to get a clearer picture of what is happening in your neck.
If a nerve problem is suspected, you may need additional tests, such as electromyography (EMG) and/or nerve conduction study. Every patient is different, however, and each patient will need a different combination of diagnostic tests.
Neck pain can be caused by a wide range of orthopaedic and neurological conditions, including:
- Craniocervical instability/spinal instability
- Degenerative disk disease
- Herniated disk
- Foraminal stenosis
- Fractured vertebrae
- Radiculopathy/pinched nerve
- Spinal cysts (ganglion and synovial)
- Spinal infection
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylosis
Whatever the cause of your neck pain, you can trust that the experts at the UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center will provide access to leading-edge treatment options. Whether you need physical therapy, medications or surgery, our multidisciplinary team has the expertise you need to effectively treat your neck pain.