Common Neck Conditions
If you are experiencing pain in your neck, the following conditions may be the culprit. Sometimes you may be experiencing neck pain because of a combination of factors and conditions. A diagnosis can only be made by a physician with methods that may include tests such as x-rays and MRIs.
Spinal stenosis occurs when one or more areas of the spine narrow and put pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This compression can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the extremities. Spinal stenosis can be caused by arthritis, or the degeneration of joints…
Cervical stenosis is the narrowing of the spine in the neck. This can be caused by the normal “wear and tear” to the spine as a result of aging, while some patients are born with a narrow canal. It most commonly occurs in patients over the age of 50…
Sometimes referred to as slipped, ruptured or bulging disc, a herniated disc occurs when the jelly-like center, or nucleus, of your vertebrae pushes against the outer ring of the vertebrae causing back pain, numbness, or weakness in one or both legs. In some cases, if the disc is worn or injured, the nucleus may burst through the outer ring altogether…
A cervical herniated disc (occurring in the neck area of the spine) can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling or pain in the back or arms…
Also referred to as a pinched nerve, radiculopathy is a compressed nerve in the spine. It is most commonly found in the cervical spine (neck area) or in the lumbar spine (lower back), although it can also be found in the thoracic spine (upper back) as well…
Musculoskeletal pain affects the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and nerves and can be characterized by tenderness, stiffness, localized or widespread pains and aches, as well as muscle burning and fatigue. Among its causes are injury, repetitive motion and poor posture…
Myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord), resulting in pinching of the spinal cord in the cervical or thoracic spinal regions. This can cause weakness, numbness, pain (radiculopathy), coordination issues, bowel or bladder dysfunction and changes in gait…
Myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord), resulting in pinching of the spinal cord in the cervical or thoracic spinal regions. This can cause weakness, numbness, pain (radiculopathy), coordination issues, bowel or bladder dysfunction and changes in gait…
A normal, healthy disc cartilage primarily consists of water and protein, giving the disc a “white” appearance. With aging, however, much of the water in the cartilage is lost, causing the disc to become dehydrated or desiccated and giving it a “black” appearance…
nduced fracture such as from a high-energy impact of an auto accident or fall, gunshot wound or sports-related injury…
As we get older, our bones thin and our bone strength decreases. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become very weak and more likely to break. It often develops unnoticed over many years, with no symptoms or discomfort until a bone breaks…
A burst fracture is a type of spinal injury in which a vertebrae breaks from a high-energy axial (Vertical) load (car accidents or falls from height), with all or pieces of the vertebra pushed into surrounding tissues and sometimes the spinal canal…
Discitis is an inflammation of the disc space of usually the thoracic or lumbar spine found in adults but more commonly seen in children. It is a very painful condition and can be aggravated by moving the spine…
A spinal tumor is a growth of cells located in or around the spinal cord at any level. The tumor can be cancerous or noncancerous and can cause pain in the affected level as well as neurological problems including numbness…
Post Laminectomy Syndrome or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a condition in which pain continues after spinal surgery, in the form of a fusion, laminectomy or discectomy. Symptoms include the same pain as before the surgery, dull aches and pains…
Cervicalgia is neck pain that does not radiate outward to the upper extremities or shoulders. Its symptoms can be chronic or acute and can include neck stiffness, aching, tenderness, pain upon movement and headaches. It can be treated with application…
A sprain injury results when the ligament in a joint is stretched beyond its capacity. Symptoms involve swelling of the affected joint, tenderness, instability and decrease range of motion. Sprains range in severity from Grade I to Grade III…
The bones of the spine are connected by facet joints. Each facet joint is no larger than a thumbnail and has two medial nerves, located in bony grooves in the spine, which carry the sensation of pain to your brain…