Neck Pain (Cervical Pain)

Orange County Neck Doctor

The neck (cervical spine) is comprised of vertebrae that starts at the skull and moves down to the upper torso. Although the cervical spine, ligaments, and muscles are essential to stabilizing the spine and allowing for motion of the head, it is less protected than other areas of the spine and is therefore susceptible to injuries and disorders that can cause considerable pain and limited mobility.

Neck pain can result from a variety of issues, including those involving soft tissue. It can also result from conditions affecting the bones and spinal discs, or from sudden impact forces or trauma common in car accidents and sports injuries.

Common Neck Conditions Resulting in Neck Pain:

• Orthopedic conditions – Neck pain can result from orthopedic disorders affecting the cervical spine. One of the most common issues is cervical disc degeneration, or spondylosis. This condition involves the deterioration of cervical discs and occurs as the natural result of aging. In some cases, deteriorated discs can protrude into the spinal canal and place pressure on nerves or the spinal cord. This is referred to as a herniated cervical disc. Other conditions that may cause neck pain include cervical osteoarthritis, cervical spinal stenosis, and cervical foraminal stenosis.
• Injuries – The neck is very susceptible to injury in accidents, especially those involving hyperextension (when the neck extends backward beyond normal limits) or hyperflexion (forward motion of the neck beyond normal limits). While many neck injuries are soft tissue injuries involving muscles or ligaments, they can also involve fractures or dislocation, which can damage the spinal cord and potentially cause disability or paralysis.

Treating Neck Pain

Treatment options for patients with neck pain will depend on the individual facts of their condition, pain, and symptoms. This is why our neck surgeons at the Center for Spine Hoag Orthopedic Institute focus on detailed and personalized evaluations and advanced diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of pain.

Once an issue or condition has been identified and diagnosed, patients will receive a customized treatment plan that may begin with non-surgical care, such as medication, rest, and physical therapy. In more severe cases, or when non-surgical care fails to provide pain relief and improved mobility after a certain period of time, surgery may be required.

Surgery of the neck typically focuses on removing a damaged disc and / or fragments that place pressure on nerves, stabilizing the spine, or decompressing the spinal cord.

Depending the on the condition involved, surgery options may include:

• Cervical fusion
• Cervical artificial disc replacement
• Posterior cervical fusion

At the Center for Spine Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified neck doctors have extensive experience treating a range of conditions affecting the cervical spine. This includes surgical treatments such as traditional open surgery and procedures that utilize advanced technology.

Treat Your Neck Pain with an Hoag Orthopedic Institute Neck Surgeon

By leveraging the expertise of fellowship trained neck and cervical doctors and a team of experienced medical professionals, The Center for Spine Hoag Orthopedic Institute offers comprehensive care that focuses on the unique needs of our patients. Our goal is to help you find relief from neck pain, improve mobility and getting you back to daily tasks and to the activities you love.

Find a neck doctor today by visiting our physician directory.