Neck pain is one of the most common spine conditions to see a spine surgeon. It is a pain in or around the cervical spine (spine beneath your head).
Neck pain can range from minor pain, which is easy to ignore, to excruciating pain interfering with daily activities, such as the ability to dress, sleep or concentrate. It can be sharp, localized, or less intense but spread to other areas.
The good news is that there are various options that your spine surgeon can use to provide you relief from your chronic neck pain. Let’s talk about what modalities a spine surgeon can utilize to help you with neck pain and where you can go for high-quality neurosurgery in Lone Tree, CO.
Neck Pain Treatment Options
A spine surgeon can recommend nonsurgical and surgical treatments to ease neck pain.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Neck pain can be treated with noninvasive treatment methods, such as rest, ice, and/or heat, gentle stretches, and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, using correct posture, etc. However, when these options fail, a spine surgeon may recommend nonsurgical treatments like:
- Medications – First, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are used for neck pain relief. But, if neck pain persists, the spine surgeon may recommend stronger medications like opioids, muscle relaxants, etc.
- Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is also suggested as a part of the nonsurgical neck pain treatment plan. The exercises included in the PT plan improve neck strength and flexibility and thus ease the pain.
- Injection Therapy – Neck pain can also be relieved by cervical spine injections. Your spine surgeon may inject a steroid solution is your cervical epidural space to reduce inflammation and ease neck pain caused by cervical disc herniation or spinal degeneration.
The spine surgeon may also inject a local anesthetic to calm the irritated nerve bundle or trigger point – also called trigger point injections.
Surgical Treatments
A spine surgeon recommends surgical treatments when neck pain and its associated symptoms don’t respond to nonsurgical treatments. The surgical treatments aim to stabilize the cervical spine, decompressing the spinal cord or the nerve root.
Common surgeries for neck pain are:
- Cervical Discectomy and Fusion–Discectomy is the most common surgery for neck pain in which a problematic disc is removed. Your spine surgeon can also perform a discectomy procedure in conjunction with cervical spinal fusion to provide stability to the spine.
- Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement– This procedure involves the removal of the damaged disc and replacement with an artificial disc that looks and functions like a natural disc. This surgical procedure retains more natural neck mobility.
- Laminectomy – This is a type of spinal decompression surgery that is used to relieve neck pain caused by spinal stenosis. In this surgery, your spine surgeon removes laminae (bony plates on the back side of the vertebrae that cover and protect the spine). Your spine surgeon may also remove parts of bone spurs and herniated discs through this new opening in vertebrae.
Spine Surgeon in Lone Tree, CO
If you are looking for relief from neck pain, look no further. At Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery, we have a team of highly skilled and compassionate neurosurgeons that uses advanced tools and techniques to provide you relief from a variety of spine conditions, including cervical spine pain.
To make an appointment with our spine surgeons, call us today at (303) 790-1800 or use our online request form.
