What Is Causing My Neck Pain?
The discomfort of neck pain can be challenging to deal with, and identifying the source of the pain is the first step toward recovery. Neck pain may be caused by various factors like inflammation of the tissues surrounding the vertebrae, nerve damage, and strain on the muscles or cervical discs. Oftentimes, neck pain can be the result of aging and the natural degradation of muscle tissues and bones. Conditions like osteoarthritis, herniated discs, rheumatoid arthritis, and pinched nerves will also cause neck pain. Discover how cervical disk replacement can help.
Symptoms of neck pain
Patients dealing with neck pain can experience symptoms like a shooting stabbing sensation in the neck or shoulders. These patients also describe feeling a chronic aching pain in the neck or arms. Additional neck pain symptoms are constant headaches, arthritic pain in the upper back or neck area, difficulty moving the head and neck, or a prickly sensation in the arms and shoulders. Doctors conduct a series of tests ,including a physical exam, imaging tests, X-rays, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance, to diagnose the source of neck pain.
Getting to know the cervical spine
The medical term for neck pain is cervicalgia. This terminology is used because the neck is part of the cervical spine. The cervical spine is a section of 7 bones located along the vertebrae. Each vertebrae bone is cushioned by cervical discs that support the spine along with a collection of muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments. The 6 discs within the cervical spine alleviate tension in the neck and enable head movement. Neck pain can be the result of the cervical discs applying too much pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Cervical degenerative disk disease is a condition that makes the discs thin and worn out.
When to consider surgery
Doctors will suggest surgery when all other non-surgical options have been exhausted and no longer work. Cervical disc replacement surgery requires doctors to remove the damaged disc and replace with an artificial disc. This FDA-approved surgery is a new advancement in medical technology and is favored over the traditional method of disc replacement surgery, which involves fusing vertebrae bones together.
The process of cervical disc replacement surgery
At the start of the surgery, doctors make an incision at the front or side of the neck area. Surgeons locate the damaged disc and, upon removal, insert an artificial disc. The artificial cervical disc is made of a material like ceramic, stainless steel, polyethylene, titanium, or cobalt chrome. After inserting the artificial disc, the incision is closed with sutures and dressing bandages. Patients may also need a neck collar to keep the vertebrae stable while in recovery.
Speaking to a professional
Only a doctor can determine if a patient is a candidate for cervical disc replacement surgery. The doctor will have to thoroughly evaluate the patient and consult specialists to prepare the patient for this invasive procedure. People experiencing chronic neck pain should consult a physician. The physician will work with the patient to find the right treatment options.
