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Neck

Neck Disc Disease

Neck Disc Pathology

Neck Spondylosis

Degenerative Spine / Inflammation

Neck Myelopathy

Neck Disc Pathology

Neck Fracture & Dislocation

Neck Disc Pathology

Neck Disc Disease

Neck degenerative disc disease is a common cause of neck pain and radiating arm pain. It develops when one or more of the cushioning discs in the neck spine starts to break down due to wear and tear

Symptoms: Neck pain, painful neck movements, Radiating pain to shoulder and arm, Numbness or weakness of the hands

Risk factors: Smoking, Lifting heavy weights, Obesity, Genetic

Causes: Chronic degeneration of the posterior aspect of the disc wall causing breakage and leaking of the disc contents. This causes compression and irritation of the nerve roots and the cord.

When to See a Doctor: Neck pain for more than a week, radiating pain, numbness or weakness of the upper limb or hands, unsteady walking

Treatment: Mainly by medication, rest and exercise. Surgery only for acute or severe conditions

Neck Spondylosis

Neck spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs). Usually involves multiple levels

Neck spondylosis is very common and worsens with age. More than 85 percent of people older than age 60 are affected by Neck spondylosis.

Most people experience no symptoms from these problems. When symptoms do occur, nonsurgical treatments often are effective.

Symptoms: Neck pain, Pain on extension, decreased neck movements

Risk Factors: Old age, diabetes, excessive driving, smoking, bad sleeping posture, long sitting or lifting occupation
Causes: Age-related degeneration similar to arthritis. Stressful job, lack of exercise, inflammatory conditions
When to see a doctor: Chronic neck pain, Radiating to arm, weakness of upper limbs and hands, unsteady walking

Treatment: Most often can be managed with medication and exercises. Severe impingement of nerve roots or cord requires surgical intervention

Neck Myelopathy

Neck Myelopathy is a common form of neurologic impairment caused by compression of the Neck spinal cord most commonly due to degenerative Neck spondylosis. 
 

Symptoms:

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Numbness and paresthesia of upper limb
  • Unsteady or unstable gait
  • Clumsy hand – difficulty in buttoning shirt, change in handwriting

Risk factors: Old age, rheumatoid arthritis, injury, neglected Neck disc disease

Causes: Significant compression of the cord caused due to any pathology or condition can cause myelopathy. The blood supply to the cord will be affected and result in irreversible damage unless intervened at the earliest

When to See a Doctor: Immediately. Delay usually results in a poor prognosis. 

Treatment: Little role for conservative management. Surgery is the mainstream of treatment.

Neck Fracture & Dislocation

Neck fractures usually result from high-energy trauma, such as automobile crashes or falls. In elderly people, ground-level falls, such as falling off a chair, can result in a Neck fracture.

Symptoms: Significant, localized neck pain and stiffness. Severe injury with cord compression can present with numbness, weakness, or quadriplegia (unable to move both upper and lower limbs) 

Risk Factors:  road traffic accident, fall from height
Causes: Usually due to high-velocity injury such as road traffic accident or fall from height. The spinal cord is at risk due to compression by the fracture fragments.
When to see a doctor: Immediately. All road traffic accidents should be screened for neck injury as they may be subtle. Negligence or missing out may lead to late-onset symptoms.

Treatment: High unstable fracture or dislocation requires surgical intervention. Delay in the presentation may cause a poor prognosis. Minor stable fractures may be managed conservatively with a cervical collar.