Trauma, such as from a broken neck, neck sprain, or whiplash, is the most common cause of neck injury. Car and other motor vehicle accidents, falls, and sports-related impact are examples of trauma. They may cause soft tissue injuries to the neck muscles, or fractures of the spine However, if these conservative treatments fall short of total relief, NOVA Ortho & Spine surgeons are skilled in the most cutting-edge surgical procedures.

Any surgical operation that increases the space between the neck’s vertebrae is referred to as “neck surgery” in general (cervical spine). As a result, the spinal cord and nerve roots experience less compression. Spinal stenosis ruptured or bulging discs, and other conditions can result in neck pain (a condition where the openings in the vertebrae of the neck narrow due to degenerative changes in the spine).

NOVA Ortho & Spine will schedule diagnostic imaging tests in order to confirm the diagnosis that is causing your neck discomfort and other symptoms. These examinations will enable them to examine the cervical spine’s anatomy (in your neck) and assist them in determining the exact location of the problem. These tests consist of:

• X-rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI)

Different Surgical Techniques

By making extra room in the holes of the cervical spine’s vertebrae, neck surgery aims to relieve pressure from the spinal cord or nerve roots. The steps below can be used to achieve this:

Discectomy: A diseased disc between the vertebrae of the spine that could entrap or compress a nerve or spinal cord.

Laminectomy: The lamina of the vertebrae is removed during a laminectomy treatment to make more room for the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Foraminotomy: Widening the vertebral apertures where the nerve roots leave the spinal cord is a technique known as foraminotomy (foramina).

Spinal Fusion: a process in which two or more vertebrae are fused together to stabilize a portion of the spine.

Bulging Disc in the Neck

The cervical spine contains the top seven vertebrae as well as the spinal discs. A bulging disc in the neck may develop as a result of a neck injury, a degenerative condition, or other causes. The neck, shoulders, arms, and hands are typically affected, but a herniated or bulging cervical disc can also cause symptoms to radiate lower. These signs consist of:

• Neck, shoulder, arm, hand, and finger pain
• Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands or arms
• weakness in the fingers or arms
• Headaches
• the upper back hurts
• Leg tremor and unsteadiness

Herniated Disc in the Neck

The nerves affecting the neck, shoulder, arms, hands, and fingers may get compressed as a result of a herniated disc in the cervical spine. Herniated discs can develop as a result of a neck injury or a degenerative condition that erodes the outer layer of the disc. Localized neck pain as well as radiating pain, weakness, numbness, or shocking sensations into the arms or hands are possible symptoms of a cervical ruptured disc.

Myelopathy of the Neck

Degenerative disease, stenosis, bulging/herniated discs, arthritis, traumas (whiplash), infections, and other conditions can all cause spinal cord compression in the neck or cervical spine. Neck pain, as well as probable radiating pain, numbness, or weakness into the arms and hands, are the main signs of cervical myelopathy. Loss of hand coordination and fine motor abilities may result from severe myelopathy.

Neck Pain

Debilitating neck pain might make it difficult to focus or carry out even easy chores. Many disorders that affect the cervical spine and the nearby nerves can cause neck pain.

For many people, pain in the cervical spine is a regular problem. While neck pain can result from ruptured discs, fractured vertebrae, or osteoarthritis of the spine, it is frequently brought on by pinched nerves or neurosurgical sources. Our surgeons take into account both structural and neurosurgical conditions that may have an impact on the cervical spine, in contrast to certain spine surgeons who concentrate on the structural reasons of neck and spine discomfort.

Neck Pain after Neurosurgical Procedures: Causes and Signs

Typically, a tight muscle or soft tissue damage is not the only cause of chronic neck pain. Sometimes the cause of pain is a compressed or injured nerve, so a neurosurgeon’s skill is needed to identify the cause. Stenosis, osteoarthritis, spinal tumors, infections, cervical radiculopathy, and other spinal conditions can all result in neurosurgical neck pain.

The symptoms of neck pain following neurosurgical procedures can vary. If you have any of the following symptoms, your neck pain may be of a neurosurgical nature:

• neck discomfort that travels down the arm
• Arm or hand numbness or a feeling of weakness
• Neck discomfort that gets worse at night
• accompanied with a cough or trouble swallowing

It’s crucial to see a neurosurgeon for an accurate diagnosis and treatment if you suffer neck pain related to neurosurgery. Our neuro-spine surgeons can find the cause of neck pain by using cutting-edge diagnostic imaging and testing. We prioritize cautious and minimally invasive pain management techniques, and we only advocate surgery in cases where other options have failed.

Neck Spondylolisthesis

Degenerative disorders that affect the spinal discs, facet joints, and vertebrae, leading to instability, are typically to blame for slipped vertebrae in the cervical spine. While though cervical spondylolisthesis frequently causes neck pain, it can sometimes happen without any symptoms. A slipped vertebra can produce radiating discomfort, numbness, or weakness in the shoulders, arms, and hands if it puts pressure on the nerve roots leaving the cervical spine.

Neck Spondylolysis

When compared to the lumbar spine, spondylolysis in the cervical spine is uncommon, but not as uncommon as in the thoracic spine. Stress fractures in the cervical spine are frequently brought on by trauma, injury, or a congenital disorder. Neck pain and other symptoms like headaches, stiffness, and muscle spasms might be present in severe cases. Conservative therapies for cervical spondylolysis work well, and surgery is infrequently necessary.

Neck Stenosis

Localized and radicular pain may be experienced when the cervical spine’s nerves or spinal cord are under pressure. If the nerve roots are compressed, cervical stenosis can result in neck pain with numbness or weakness extending into the shoulder, arm, and hand. In addition to balance and walking issues, patients may also develop bladder or bowel incontinence if the cervical stenosis squeezes the spinal cord.

TREATING WHIPLASH

Whiplash is one of the most typical neck injuries from falls and car accidents. The neck may be forced backwards and forwards during a forceful impact, damaging the tissues that surround the cervical spine and leading to neck sprains, strains, and other injuries. Treatment for whiplash syndrome is offered at all NOVA Ortho & Spine clinics.

Whiplash is a neck injury brought on by abrupt forward and backward motions. As the head and neck jolt backward at contact and then snap forward, rear-ending incidents are more likely to be the cause of this. Falling or suffering a sports injury might also result in whiplash. The ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues supporting the neck are typically the main areas injured, but these can mend with care during the ensuing weeks. Yet, more severe damage to the cervical spine could develop and cause chronic neck pain.

Whiplash Syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Even though whiplash syndrome is frequent, it’s crucial to get the right care. Injury treatment can be expedited by identifying the signs and symptoms and obtaining medical attention. Whiplash syndrome symptoms include:

• upper back or neck ache
• Headache
• neck soreness or sensitivity
• ache that radiates into the arm or shoulder
• Radiating tingling, numbness, or weakness into the arm

Acute whiplash syndrome is typically successfully treated with conservative measures. It could be advised to use ice, massage, physical therapy, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, and NSAIDs. Further therapies, such as injectable therapy or surgery, can be required to relieve chronic neck discomfort brought on by whiplash syndrome.

Chronic pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands can be a symptom of cervical spine diseases. Our team of skilled spine surgeons can provide treatment for pain relief whether you have a cervical spine issue, degenerative spine disease, or a neck accident.