Neck Pain

Neck pain accounts for 15% of chronic pain in adults, ranking as the second-most prevalent condition. The specialized orthopedic surgeons at South Texas Spinal Clinic excel in identifying the root cause of your neck pain and creating a personalized treatment plan that utilizes various therapeutic options to optimize pain relief and enhance neck function. Don’t endure persistent neck pain any longer. Contact the office in the San Antonio or South Texas area or conveniently schedule an appointment online.

Neck Pain Q & A

What Causes Neck Pain? The neck, consisting of seven cervical vertebrae, shock-absorbing discs, muscles, and ligaments, is prone to soft-tissue injuries and degenerative disorders due to its range of motion and the weight it supports. Common causes include:

• Common Neck Ache: Spasms or strains from stress, awkward sleeping positions, or prolonged static head and neck positions.
• Injury: Falls, contact sports, or automobile accidents leading to muscle and ligament injuries or cervical fractures.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: Disc breakdown causing spondylosis due to water loss, cracks, and tears in the discs.
• Herniated Disc: Gel-like center ruptures and bulges through a tear in the disc’s outer layer, often associated with age-related degeneration.

How is Neck Pain Treated? Initial treatment involves anti-inflammatory medications and rest. Diagnostic imaging helps evaluate the cause. Treatment includes:

• Physical therapy
• Manual medicine
• Oral medications
• Muscle and joint injections
• Cervical epidural steroid injection
• Cervical nerve block

Surgery may be necessary if conservative measures or the underlying cause is severe. Surgical options include:

• Microdiscectomy: Removal of the damaged disc portion pressing against nerves.
• Fusion Surgery: Bone grafting to fuse compromised cervical vertebrae, enhancing strength and stability.
• Laminectomy: Removal of a portion of damaged vertebrae compressing the spinal cord to restore normal movement.