There is a wide range of causes of shoulder and neck pain. Among the commonest causes of shoulder and spinal pain is a condition known as cervical spondylosis or neck arthritis. This is a degenerative condition commonest in the seventh decade of life. The underlying problem is gradual wear and tear of connective tissues such as cartilage and bone. Whereas about 85% of seniors in Greenbelt, MD, have the problem, a majority do not exhibit any symptoms.
There are a number of treatments that can be considered once cervical spondylosis has been diagnosed. The objective of treatment is to provide symptomatic relief and prevents further damage of the affected structures. The options include conservative and invasive (surgical approaches). One of the most effective non-surgical approaches is physical therapy. It involves both passive and active exercises designed to stretch neck and shoulder muscles. Traction may be applied as part of this treatment.
A number of medical treatments can be used for this condition either singly or in combination. Examples include muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine), narcotics, anti-epileptic drugs and steroid injections among others. It is only when the medical treatment proves to be ineffective that surgical intervention should be considered. Surgery is indicated in cases such as bony spurs, herniated discs and abnormal vertebral bones. Fortunately, most patients tend to show improvement with conservative treatments.
Spinal stenosis is also a fairly common cause of pain in these regions. Stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal is abnormally narrowed such that it compresses on the spinal cord and nerve roots found in the area around the narrowed region. Associated symptoms include pain, tingling and numbness in the upper limbs. For most of the cases, there is underlying arthritis or bony spurs.
The doctor will request for an X-ray image of your neck region if they suspect that you are suffering from this condition. The X-rays are used in evaluate the bony structures. They will help diagnose conditions such as fractures, tumors and bone infections. However, they have limited value when it comes to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and inter-vertebral discs. An MRI of the spine will be required if such tissues are to be evaluated.
Although conservative therapies often provide relief, surgery appears to be the definitive management of most cases. The objective of surgery is to enlarge the canal and to relieve the pressure on the cord and nerve roots. The general term for this procedure is spinal decompression surgery. If the vertebral body has to be removed, it will be referred to as corpectomy, if a lamina is removed it is known as laminectomy and so on.
Herniation of inter-vertebral discs is another well-known cause of pain. The herniation may occur in any region of the spine including the neck. When the disc herniates, it impinges on the nerves within its vicinity. Symptoms will be experienced in the areas innervated by these nerves such as the shoulder, the arm and the hands. Treatment is through traction or surgery.
Pain affecting the shoulder and the neck may originate from a number of areas. Fortunately, a majority of cases can be easily managed using non-surgical means without any complications. The first step is usually to start with home based treatments but one must consult with a doctor if there is no response after two to three days.
There are a number of treatments that can be considered once cervical spondylosis has been diagnosed. The objective of treatment is to provide symptomatic relief and prevents further damage of the affected structures. The options include conservative and invasive (surgical approaches). One of the most effective non-surgical approaches is physical therapy. It involves both passive and active exercises designed to stretch neck and shoulder muscles. Traction may be applied as part of this treatment.
A number of medical treatments can be used for this condition either singly or in combination. Examples include muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine), narcotics, anti-epileptic drugs and steroid injections among others. It is only when the medical treatment proves to be ineffective that surgical intervention should be considered. Surgery is indicated in cases such as bony spurs, herniated discs and abnormal vertebral bones. Fortunately, most patients tend to show improvement with conservative treatments.
Spinal stenosis is also a fairly common cause of pain in these regions. Stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal is abnormally narrowed such that it compresses on the spinal cord and nerve roots found in the area around the narrowed region. Associated symptoms include pain, tingling and numbness in the upper limbs. For most of the cases, there is underlying arthritis or bony spurs.
The doctor will request for an X-ray image of your neck region if they suspect that you are suffering from this condition. The X-rays are used in evaluate the bony structures. They will help diagnose conditions such as fractures, tumors and bone infections. However, they have limited value when it comes to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and inter-vertebral discs. An MRI of the spine will be required if such tissues are to be evaluated.
Although conservative therapies often provide relief, surgery appears to be the definitive management of most cases. The objective of surgery is to enlarge the canal and to relieve the pressure on the cord and nerve roots. The general term for this procedure is spinal decompression surgery. If the vertebral body has to be removed, it will be referred to as corpectomy, if a lamina is removed it is known as laminectomy and so on.
Herniation of inter-vertebral discs is another well-known cause of pain. The herniation may occur in any region of the spine including the neck. When the disc herniates, it impinges on the nerves within its vicinity. Symptoms will be experienced in the areas innervated by these nerves such as the shoulder, the arm and the hands. Treatment is through traction or surgery.
Pain affecting the shoulder and the neck may originate from a number of areas. Fortunately, a majority of cases can be easily managed using non-surgical means without any complications. The first step is usually to start with home based treatments but one must consult with a doctor if there is no response after two to three days.
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