When To Treat Your Neck Pain With Surgery?
Looking for a neurosurgeon who can assess whether your neck pain requires surgery? You’re not alone – neck pain impacts around 45% of people in the workforce.
Feeling discomfort in your body is a normal part of getting older. However, if it starts getting in the way of your daily life, it’s a sign that you should consult an expert like Coastline surgical group. The neck is designed for movement, but with all the twisting, bending, and turning, the cervical spine (neck spine) can deteriorate or get injured.
There are two possible outcomes: the fluid in the spinal discs might decrease, affecting flexibility, or the outer layer of the disc could tear, leading to a bulging or herniated disc that might even rupture. Various types of pain can occur, including weakness, numbness, or shooting pain in the neck or arms.
While neck pain is widespread, not all instances of pain progress into serious problems. If your situation becomes intense or persists for an extended period, seeking treatment might be necessary.
Options for Treating Neck Pain Without Surgery
Surgery is only considered when all other approaches have been tried. Non-invasive treatment options include:
– Rest
– Applying heat or ice
– Taking medications (anti-inflammatory or pain relievers)
– Getting massages
– Engaging in physical therapy
– Making adjustments to your activities
– Receiving chiropractic care
When is Neck Surgery Needed?
Here are indicators that your neck pain may require surgery. However, the only definitive way to decide if surgery is necessary is by consulting a neurosurgeon. These specialists, who combine neurology and surgical expertise, can evaluate your pain levels and conduct tests to assess your specific situation.
1) If you’ve attempted non-surgical treatments without relief from symptoms. The duration for which someone should try non-surgical methods varies based on their pain tolerance and willingness to consider surgery.
Some medical professionals suggest a trial period of 2-6 months for non-surgical approaches, while others recommend options like 6 weeks of physical therapy. Patients need to balance the impact on their daily lives with the potential pain relief that surgery might offer. Sometimes, only surgery can alleviate severe or persistent neck pain.
2) You exhibit signs of worsening nerve damage, such as increased nerve impairment or muscle weakness. As cervical neck surgery involves a complex and critical part of the body – the spine and spinal cord that connect to the brain – it’s vital to monitor any damage.
3) There is pressure on the spinal cord. This can be identified through tests like MRI, CAT scans, Myelogram, or EMG tests. The neurosurgeons would likely recommend surgery if the cause of pain is clearly pinpointed through multiple tests that align with the sensation of pain.