Cervical Pain (Neck Pain)
Overview
As the years go by, your neck undergoes physical stress and, sometimes, injury. This wear-and-tear can cause degeneration of the cervical spine, resulting in chronic neck pain. Age-related causes include osteoarthritis, which can stimulate bone overgrowth into the spinal canal, fluid from a herniated/ruptured disc putting pressure on nerves, or stiffening/thickening of ligaments in the neck increasing pressure in the spinal canal. Trauma-related dislocations or fractures can damage spinal canal nerves, as can swelling after surgery.
How Our Doctors Diagnose
In addition to a physical examination and thorough discussion of the pain you’re experiencing and your medical history, we have an array of tests and imaging to help diagnose the source of your pain: x-ray, MRI, CT scans, blood test (to detect infection or viruses), bone scan, discography, and nerve studies such as electromyography.
Treatment Options
- Cervical steroid injection
- Dorsal root ganglion therapy (DRG)
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
- Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)
- Facet joint injections
- Radiofrequency ablation (neuorotomy) (RFA)
