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Pain and the cervical spine.
1Department of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA.
Bulletin on the Rheumatic Diseases
|November 2, 2001
Summary
Persistent neck pain after injuries often improves with early mobilization. Conservative treatments like physical therapy are effective for most neck pain cases without neurological issues.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Persistent neck symptoms are common after flexion-extension injuries.
- Cervical degenerative disc and joint disease are frequent causes of chronic neck pain.
- Neural structure compression, particularly nerve roots, often causes neck pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common causes of persistent neck symptoms.
- To discuss management strategies for neck pain.
- To highlight potential serious complications of cervical spine conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cervical spine injuries and conditions.
- Analysis of conservative management options for neck pain.
- Discussion of inflammatory arthropathies affecting the cervical spine.
Main Results:
- Early mobilization may alleviate persistent neck symptoms.
- Degenerative changes and neural compression are primary causes of chronic neck pain.
- Conservative management, including physical therapy and interrupted traction, is effective for most non-neurologic neck pain.
Conclusions:
- Most neck pain without neurological signs can be managed conservatively.
- Physical therapy maneuvers, especially interrupted traction, are beneficial.
- Awareness of potential complications from inflammatory arthropathies like rheumatoid arthritis is crucial.