Whether it was caused by sports, a vehicle accident, or a workplace accident, a neck injury is often serious. However, that doesn’t mean that surgery is always the recommended treatment. A wide variety of treatment options exist, and the best one is decided on a case-by-case basis. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute provides neck procedures at locations near you in New Jersey. Here, our experts discuss various types of neck injuries, their causes, and when surgery may be required.
Common Causes of Neck Injury
Your neck helps support your head. When the average human head weighs about 11 pounds, this job is more strenuous than you might think. This is a large amount of weight to be carried by a comparatively small and flexible structure. Therefore, the neck is very susceptible to injury. Common causes of neck injury include:
- Sports injuries
- Vehicle collisions
- Playtime accidents
- Serious falls
- Repetitive movements
- Poor posture
- Age-related wear and tear
Some health conditions may make a person’s neck more vulnerable. Osteoporosis, spondylosis, and arthritis can degrade the spinal structure, making it less able to withstand impact. Similarly, cancer and benign tumors can weaken the bone. However, anybody at any age or in any physical condition can experience a neck injury.
Types of Neck Injuries
Like any other body part, the neck may be injured in multiple ways. These vary in severity, ranging from mild concerns to serious health crises. Knowing what type of injury has occurred is crucial to determining whether surgery is necessary. Neck injury types include:
- Sprains and strains: These are injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the neck and give it mobility. Injuries can be partial or full tears.
- Cervical herniated disc: This injury occurs when a spinal disc ruptures, causing its jelly-like center to leak. The resulting leak may irritate surrounding tissues and cause pain.
- Cervical dislocation: This type of injury causes one or more vertebrae to move out of their normal position, resulting in misalignment or separation.
- Cervical spinal fracture: This refers to one or more broken vertebrae, or spine bones, in the neck. Fractures can range from hairline cracks to major breaks.
- Cervical radiculopathy: Also called a pinched nerve, this refers to a spinal nerve that has been compressed by a herniated disc, bone fracture, or swollen tissue.
- Cervical myelopathy: Sometimes, the spinal cord itself is put under pressure. This results in a variety of neurological symptoms depending on severity.
- Spinal cord injury: In serious cases, pressure on the spinal cord can damage it, creating major neurological symptoms that interfere with everyday activities.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between neck injury types without closely examining the neck’s internal structures. If a person experiences any symptoms of a neck injury, they should seek a doctor’s diagnosis to determine the type of injury and plan appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of Neck Injury
Not everybody experiences symptoms immediately after experiencing a neck injury. Symptoms from sprains, for example, can take one or two days to develop. In other cases, the pain appears immediately. Here are some common signs that your neck has been injured:
- Neck swelling or stiffness
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Pain that radiates into the chest, arms, or legs
- Numbness or tingling in the chest, arms, or legs
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty walking or balancing
- Loss of control over parts of the body
- Loss of urinary or bowel control
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
These symptoms can range in severity. The types and intensity of the symptoms you experience will factor into the decision about whether surgery is necessary.
When Is Neck Surgery Necessary?
Ultimately, the best treatment for neck injuries is decided on a patient-by-patient basis. The physician will diagnose the patient’s condition, determine its severity, and discuss potential treatment options. Patient preferences will be taken into consideration. There are a few situations, however, where surgery is consistently recommended:
The Spine Is Compromised
Some severe neck injuries compromise the stability of the spinal cord. Fractures and dislocations aren’t just painful, but they can get worse if the patient doesn’t have their injury treated promptly. Surgery is usually required to stabilize the spine and restore normal function.
The Spinal Cord Is Affected
Surgery may also be considered if the spinal cord or root nerves are compressed. Severe compression can lead to long-term damage if the pressure is not released. In this case, prompt surgery is necessary to relieve pressure on nerves and prevent damage.
The Pain Is Severe
Even if the injury is not an immediate emergency, severe pain may be a reason to consider surgery. This includes pain and other symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to participate in normal activities. Surgery may be required to help the patient get back to normal.
When Other Treatments Don’t Work
Surgery isn’t always the first attempted treatment for neck injuries. In most cases, doctors will initially recommend conservative methods such as pain medications, steroid injections, physical therapy, or wearing a supportive brace. If these don’t provide relief, however, surgery may be considered.
Find Treatment for Neck Injuries at a NU-Spine Location Near You
Regardless of the injury type, neck injuries are serious and require medical attention. Lack of treatment can lead to long-term health complications and a decreased quality of life. Fortunately, help exists at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Our resident neurosurgeon, Dr. Branko Skovrlj, specializes in spine treatments and has received numerous awards for his work.
If you have recently experienced a neck injury, seek diagnosis and treatment at NU-Spine. We serve the state of New Jersey with cutting-edge treatments for all kinds of neck and back conditions. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment at one of our New Jersey locations near you.