When to See an Orthopedic Doctor for Neck Pain Relief

Understanding Neck Pain and When to See an Orthopedic Doctor

Neck pain is an exceedingly common issue that most people will experience at some point in their lives. While occasional mild neck pain often resolves on its own, chronic or severe neck pain may require evaluation and treatment from an orthopedic doctor who specializes in the musculoskeletal system.

What Causes Neck Pain?

There are many potential causes of neck pain, including:

• Poor posture
• Muscle strains and sprains
• Injuries from falls or accidents
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated discs
• Pinched nerves
• Osteoarthritis

Issues like strained muscles or ligaments can cause simple mechanical neck pain. But other times, the pain may originate from injured tendons, inflamed joints, compressed nerves, or spinal issues. Determining the root cause of your neck pain is crucial for getting proper treatment.

Common Symptoms of Neck Pain

Symptoms associated with neck pain include:

• Muscle tightness and soreness
• Stiffness and decreased range of motion
• Aching, throbbing, or shooting pain
• Pain or tingling radiating into the shoulders and arms
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating

The exact symptoms can point to structural problems like disc bulging or nerve compression versus muscle tension. Tracking your symptoms helps classify the neck pain when you see an orthopedic doctor.

When to See an Orthopedic Doctor for Neck Pain

Many episodes of neck pain resolve in a few days or weeks with rest, over-the-counter pain medication, ice packs, and home treatment. However, you should make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor for neck pain if:

• Your pain persists beyond 2-4 weeks
• The pain is severe or progressively worsening
• You experience tingling, weakness, or numbness in your shoulders, arms or hands
• You have difficulty moving your neck and it feels "locked"
• Your pain is causing headaches or disrupting sleep

Seeking orthopedic care becomes especially crucial if a pinched nerve in the neck or a herniated disc is suspected. Leaving these issues untreated can lead to long term nerve damage or disability.

Examining the Causes of Neck Pain

When examining neck pain, an orthopedic doctor conducts a physical exam and reviews your health history. They will palpate the neck carefully, testing range of motion and areas of tenderness.

If a pinched nerve or disc issue is suspected, they may test reflexes, muscle strength, sensation and circulation in your arms and hands. In some cases, they obtain x-rays or MRI scans to visualize the cervical bones and soft tissues.

Diagnostic tests can confirm problems like:

• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing)
• Arthritis
• Fractures

Understanding the underlying orthopedic causes guides appropriate treatment approaches.

Treatments Orthopedic Doctors Offer for Neck Pain

The treatments an orthopedic doctor recommends depends on whats causing your neck pain. Some options may include:

Medications

Prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and pain medications can help relieve painful muscle spasms and reduce swelling around compressed nerves.

Physical Therapy

Often, an essential component of treatment includes referral for physical therapy. Under a PTs supervision, you can improve strength, mobility and posture through targeted neck and upper back exercises.

Injections

Cortisone injections into inflamed joints or tissues often ease swelling and irritation of nerves. Similarly, nerve root blocks can numb cervical nerve roots to provide pain relief.

Surgery

If neck pain stems from structural issues like herniated discs or bone spurs, surgery may be warranted after conservative measures fail. Procedures like disc removal, spinal fusion or laminectomy decompress nerves.

An orthopedic surgeon would discuss risks and benefits of surgery to determine if its appropriate for your situation.

Alternative Medicine Approaches

Methods like chiropractic adjustments, massage, acupuncture, yoga, heat/ice therapy can complement traditional medical treatments for managing neck pain.

However, if pain stems from vertebral damage or instability, alternatives should be used cautiously or avoided.

When to Try Home Remedies for Neck Pain Relief

Mild to moderate neck pain often improves within a few days or weeks using at-home care like:

• Topical menthol/capscaicin creams
• Alternating cold packs and heating pads
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs
• Gentle neck stretches and light exercise
• Proper ergonomics for posture at work and home
• Getting plenty of rest

Allow 2-4 weeks of home treatment before seeking orthopedic intervention. But if pain worsens or causes neurological symptoms in that timeframe, make an orthopedic appointment right away.

Preventing Episodes of Neck Pain

Once neck pain resolves, take proactive steps to avoid reinjury and reduce mechanical stress on your cervical spine:

• Apply ice packs to sore neck muscles after lengthy computer use, driving or difficult workouts
• Get ergonomic assessments of your workstation setup
• Use lumbar support pillows when sitting for extended periods
• Avoid hunching over phones and mobile devices
• Sleep on supportive pillows to keep your neck aligned
• Strengthen core muscles, shoulders and neck with regular exercises

With some diligence preventing poor neck ergonomics, many patients successfully manage chronic neck pain flare ups.

See an Orthopedic Doctor for Ongoing Neck Pain

Neck pain accompanied by severe pain, radiculopathy, numbness, or lack of mobility warrants prompt orthopedic evaluation. Though home remedies provide relief in many cases, a skilled orthopedic neck specialist can accurately diagnose the structural cause and discuss all your treatment choices for sustained pain relief and improved quality of life.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.