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Etiology:

Most life activities and exercises could effect the neck. Our body posture, the way we walk or stand, even our posture while we sleep, complex body movements of our daily living, work and sports, gymnastics and high impact aerobics, jogging and running, all may damage the cervical spine. The most common cause of severe life threatening neck injuries is trauma, motor vehicle accidents, or falls from a height.

Pathology:

The most severe injuries of the neck may result in fractures of the vertebrae, disc rupture or herniation, compression or severance of the spinal cord resulting in paralysis. Milder injuries may cause soft tissue strain or tear, disc protrusion, misalignment of the spine resulting in structural deformities, nerve damage causing sensory and movement dysfunction, acute and chronic pain syndromes and frequently permanent disabilities.

Symptoms and signs of neck problems include: pain, reduced mobility and muscle spasm, with stiffness. Nerve injury causes impaired sensation, presenting with numbness, tingling, or pins and needles of the hand and forearm. Muscle weakness of the upper extremity is common. The pain can be localized or radiating to the head, shoulder, arm, forearm and the hand. Neck evaluations require critical knowledge of functional anatomy and physiology, as well as orthopedic medicine and neurology.

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The Danger of Permanent Disability:

Injury may traumatize the vertebrae and the discs of the neck. In addition to the aforementioned, trauma results in muscle imbalance and accelerated, so-called traumatic arthritis. Traumatic arthritis causes deformity, stiffness, misalignment, chronic pain and loss of function. To prevent disability, it is critical to receive early diagnosis and treatment, usually physical therapy.

 

Cervical Spine Injuries and Conditions in Orthopedic Practice:

· Neck Pain

· Headaches, migraine, vertigo

· Myofascial pain syndrome (Fibromyositis)

· Cervical spondylosis, Facet Joint Arthritis, Osteophytes

· Osteoarthritis, Kissing Vertebra

· Rheumatoid Arthritis

· Muscle strain, Muscle spasm, Stiff Neck, Torticollis

· Whiplash injury / Cervical spine trauma

· Disc herniation

· Disc protrusion

· Spinal canal stenosis with spinal cord lesion

· Cervical radiculopathy

· Cervical sprain

· Soft tissue injuries

· Brachial plexus injury

· Thoracic outlet syndrome

· Syringomyelia

· Arnold Chiari malformation

· Deformities of the neck: scoliosis, kyphosis lordosis

 

Diagnostic Considerations:

Before treatment options are contemplated, a thorough differential diagnostic evaluation and assessment is necessary. As part of the diagnostic work up we may obtain x-ray studies, MRI scan, EMG, (electromyography) NCVS, (nerve conduction velocity studies) or diagnostic ultrasound.

Conservative Treatment or Surgery

Most neck problems respond positively to conservative, non-operative treatment.

After the diagnosis is established, an individualized treatment plan is designed to maximize healing. Patients may receive physical therapy in our state-of-the-art physical therapy facility. The facility is outfitted with the best equipment, that today physical rehabilitation can offer.

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Remember!

Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent chronic pain, surgery and permanent disability.

To schedule an appointment, call 212-758-4688