Your neck is part of a long flexible column, known as the spinal column or backbone, which extends through most of your body. The cervical spine (neck region) consists of seven bones (C1-C7 vertebrae), which are separated from one another by intervertebral discs. These discs allow the spine to move freely and act as shock absorbers during activity.

At each vertebral level, a pair of spinal nerves exit through small openings called foramina (one to the left and one to the right). These nerves serve the muscles, skin and tissues of the body and thus provide sensation and movement to all parts of the body. The delicate spinal cord and nerves are further supported by strong muscles and ligaments that are attached to the vertebrae.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

You may have been referred to a neuro-doctor because of pain in your neck or shoulder, or tingling and numbness in your arms. You may also have experienced some weakness in your arms or hands.

Neck pain may be caused by disc degeneration, narrowing of the spinal canal, arthritis, and, in rare cases, cancer or meningitis.

You should consult a neurosurgeon for neck pain if:

• It occurs after an injury or blow to the head
• Fever or headache accompanies the neck pain
• Stiff neck prevents you from touching your chin to your chest
• Pain shoots down one arm
• There is tingling, numbness or weakness in your arms or hands
• Neck symptoms associated with leg weakness or loss of coordination in arms or legs.
• Your pain does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication
• Pain does not improve after a week

Age, injury, poor posture, or diseases such as arthritis can lead to degeneration of the bones or joints of the cervical spine, causing disc herniation or bone spurs to form. Sudden severe injury to the neck may also contribute to disc herniation, whiplash, blood vessel destruction, vertebral injury, and, in extreme cases, permanent paralysis. Herniated discs or bone spurs may cause a narrowing of the spinal canal or the small openings through which spinal nerve roots exit. Pressure on a nerve root by a herniated disc or a bone spur may result in:

• Pain in the arm and neck
• Numbness or weakness in the arm or forearm
• Tingling in the fingers or hand

Pressure on the spinal cord in the cervical region can be a very serious problem because virtually all of the nerves to the rest of the body have to pass through the neck to reach their final destination (arms, chest, abdomen, legs). This can potentially compromise the function of many important organs.

Cervical Stenosis

Cervical stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and is most frequently caused by aging. Mild stenosis can be treated conservatively for extended periods of time as long as the symptoms are restricted to neck pain. Severe stenosis requires referral to a neurosurgeon.

Neck Injuries

Neck injuries can occur during motor vehicle accidents, other traumatic events, or sports. Symptoms of these injuries include neck stiffness, shoulder or arm pain, headache, facial pain and dizziness. Pain from a motor vehicle injury may be caused by tears in muscles or injuries to the joints between vertebrae. Other causes of pain are ligament rupture or damage to a disc. Conservative treatment of these injuries includes pain medication, bed rest, reduction of physical activity, and physical therapy.

Diagnosing Your Neck Pain

Diagnosis is made by a neurospecialist based on your history, symptoms, a physical examination, and results of diagnostic studies, if necessary. Some patients may be treated conservatively and then undergo imaging studies if medication and physical therapy are ineffective. These tests may include:

• Computed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT scan)
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• X-rays

Conservative (Nonsurgical) Treatment Options

Determining a treatment strategy depends mainly on identifying the location and cause of the irritated nerve root. Although neck pain can be quite debilitating and painful, nonsurgical management can alleviate many symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the pain or inflammation, and muscle relaxants to allow time for healing to occur. Reducing physical activities or wearing a cervical collar may help provide support for the spine, reduce mobility, and decrease pain and irritation. Trigger point injection, including corticosteroids, can temporarily relieve pain. Occasionally, epidural steroids may be recommended. Conservative treatment options may continue for up to six or eight weeks.

If you are experiencing any weakness or numbness in your arms or legs, you should seek medical advice. If you have had any trauma and are now experiencing neck pain with weakness or numbness, you should consult a neurosurgeon.

When Surgery is Necessary

There are several surgical treatments available to treat cervical spine disorders. Factors that help determine the type of surgical treatment include the specifics of your disc disease, and the presence or absence of pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. Other factors include your age, how long you have had the disorder, other medical conditions you have, and whether you have had previous cervical spine surgery.

When conservative treatment for neck pain does not provide relief, surgery may be needed. You may be a candidate for surgery if:

• Conservative therapy is not helping
• You experience progressive neurological symptoms involving your arms and legs
• You experience difficulty with balance or walking
• You are in otherwise good health

There are several different surgical procedures which can be utilized, the choice of which is influenced by the severity of your case. In a small percentage of patients, spinal instability may require that spinal fusion be performed, a decision that is generally determined prior to surgery. If you smoke, you should quit. Smoking damages the structures and architecture of the spine and slows down the healing process. If you are overweight, you should try to lose weight. Both smoking and obesity have been shown to have a negative impact on spinal fusion surgery outcome.

Although a large percentage of neck pain patients report significant pain relief after surgery, there is no guarantee that surgery will help every individual.