Tag Archive for: neck pain

Cervical Radiculopathy

With cervical radiculopathy, neurological deficits, such as numbness, altered reflexes, or weakness, may radiate anywhere from the neck into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers. Pins-and-needles tingling and/or pain, which can range from achy to shock-like or burning, may also radiate down into the arm and/or hand. The longer that numbness and/or weakness lasts in the shoulder, arm, or hand, the more likely that these deficits will become permanent or lead to paralysis. Should you begin to experience any symptoms, it’s important to see an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible. You’ll find the best at Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

OVERVIEW

Cervical radiculopathy (also known as “pinched nerve”) is a condition that results in neurological dysfunction caused by compression and inflammation of any of the nerve roots of the cervical spine or neck area of the spine. It is a somewhat common condition that affects approximately 85 out of 100,000 people and occurs slightly more often in men than women.  It is more likely to occur in older people due to spinal degeneration, with some estimates putting the highest risk for ages 50 to 54.  When cervical radiculopathy occurs in younger people, it is more likely due to disc herniation or injury. In over half of cervical radiculopathy cases, the C7 nerve root is affected. Approximately a quarter of cases affect the C6 nerve root.

ABOUT THE CERVICAL SPINE

The spine (backbone) is the long, flexible column of bones that protects the spinal cord. It begins at the base of the skull and ends in the tailbone at the pelvis. The cervical spine is the neck region of the spine. It consists of seven bones (C1-C7 vertebrae). Vertebrae help protect the spinal cord from injury. Between the vertebrae in your spine are round cushions called disks. They have soft, gel-like centers and a firmer outer layer, like a jelly doughnut. These disks provide cushioning for the vertebrae, which helps with flexibility. The nerves that run through the cervical spine send messages back and forth between the muscles and the brain. A nerve root is the initial segment of a nerve that leaves the spinal cord. It’s the root of the nerves that extend out to other parts of the body. In a feature unique to the cervical spine, each nerve root from C1 to C7 exits above its corresponding vertebral level. The exception is the C8 nerve root, which exits below the seventh vertebra.

WHAT IS CERVICAL RADICULOPOTHY?

Two conditions are most likely to cause cervical radiculopathy:

  • Cervical Spondylosis (Degenerative Disc Disease): The majority of cervical radiculopathy cases are due to cervical spondylosis. This condition involves age-related changes in the discs and joints of the cervical spine. As people age, the discs between the vertebrae can degenerate, leading to loss of disc height and the development of bone spurs (osteophytes). These changes can result in compression or irritation of the nerve roots exiting the spine. Sometimes, this condition is called arthritis or osteoarthritis of the neck.
  • Cervical Disc Herniation: This occurs when one of the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine (neck) ruptures or bulges outward, putting pressure on nearby nerve roots. When a disc herniates, its inner layer contains inflammatory proteins that can leak onto the sensitive nerve root. The chemical reaction that is created when these proteins flow onto the nerve root can cause both pain and damage. Herniated discs in the neck are most likely to occur in people ages 30 to 50.

Read more about Cervical Radiculopathy on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a neck and spine specialist today.

Neck Sprain & Strain

Neck pain is a very common complaint. The most prevalent causes of neck pain are neck strains and neck sprains, also called cervical spine strains and sprains. The pain can be mild or severe and not always appear until hours after the injury occurs or even the next day. If left untreated, the resultant pain can be severe and even temporarily disabling to a patient’s everyday activities. That is why you should see one of the experienced orthopedic specialists at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a full evaluation before the pain worsens.

OVERVIEW

Neck pain ranks in the top 5 disorders in the United States, with 10-20% of people reporting incidents of neck pain—women more often than men. The risk of neck pain generally increases with age. People often consider a neck sprain and strain as the same thing, even using the terms interchangeably. Though similar symptomatically, they are different in the soft tissues they affect. A neck strain is an injury to the muscle or tendon that generally occurs when the neck muscle or tendon stretches too far and tears. A neck sprain is an injury to the ligaments in the neck. Both can impact one’s physical, social, and mental well-being.

ABOUT THE NECK

The seven bones of the spinal column in your neck are called cervical vertebrae. They are connected by an intricate system of soft tissues—muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the head and enable it to move in a wide range. The neck, or cervical spine, is the most mobile segment of the spine, but this mobility comes at the cost of stability, making it susceptible to injuries such as neck strain and neck sprain.

WHAT ARE NECK SPRAINS AND STRAINS?

A neck sprain primarily affects the ligaments in the neck but may also affect other elements of the soft tissue like cartilage and blood vessels of bursae (fluid-filled membranes that cushion the joints). One of the most common examples would be whiplash, which is a condition that happens when sudden movement changes force the neck and upper spine to move in ways that cause injury. Because whiplash can have various effects, a grading system is as follows:

  • Grade 0—no injury
  • Grade 1—pain only
  • Grade 2—pain plus signs of injury
  • Grade 3—pain plus signs of injury and neurological effects
  • Grade 4—severe pain and signs of serious or dangerous effects

A neck strain is an injury that primarily affects the muscles and tendons of the neck. Neck strains can be classified from Grade 1 to Grade 3:

  • Grade 1 is a mild strain with partial tearing. Pain is typically mild.
  • Grade 2 is a moderate strain where more muscle fibers are torn. May experience some muscle weakness as well as mild to moderate pain.
  • Grade 3 is the most severe strain. The muscle is completely torn, and the pain is severe.

Read more about Neck Sprains & Strains on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a spine specialist today.

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Back and neck conditions, like cervical spondylotic myelopathy, are some of the most common causes of pain and disability. This kind of pain can be recurring and distracting, preventing people from performing and enjoying everyday tasks and activities. But that’s not the way it has to be. The orthopedic experts at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado, can help you minimize back pain and return you to a full, healthy life as quickly as possible. Their elite team of spine professionals has been offering a variety of options to help patients of all ages dealing with back and neck pain. You can trust that their surgeons will give you unparalleled care from the first consultation and be there with you every step of the way.

OVERVIEW OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOTIC MYELOPATHY

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) refers to impaired function—squeezing or compression of the spinal cord caused by degenerative changes of the discs and facet joints in the cervical spine (neck) that occur with aging. CSM is the most common spinal disorder in Americans over 55 years of age and can affect men at an earlier age than women. However, the age of onset for both is variable, depending on the degree of congenital spinal canal narrowing.

ABOUT THE CERVICAL SPINE

The neck, also called the cervical spine, is a well-engineered structure of bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Both strong and delicate, the cervical spine carries the weight of your head (10-11 pounds), protects the spinal cord, supplies blood to the brain, and allows a wide range of motion, supporting your head and neck movements, such as nodding, turning your head from side to side and looking up and down. The cervical spine has seven stacked bones called vertebrae, labeled C1 through C7, which are separated from one another by intervertebral discs. These discs allow the spine to move freely and act as shock absorbers during activity.

Read more about Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a neck and spine specialist today.