The majority of cases of neck pain are the result of activities that include prolonged or repeated movements of your neck. While nonsurgical treatments can be effective in many cases for these situations, there are some instances when surgery will be required.
Short-Term Pain in the Neck
There are some home treatments that can help lessen the symptoms of neck pain , which include applying ice or heat and not moving much. If you are experiencing more severe pains, then your doctor may end up prescribing a much stronger medicine. Some manual therapies, such as manipulation, mobilization, and massage can help relieve some cases of neck pain. There are some cases where your doctor may recommend that you wear a collar for support of your neck, which can also help to relieve neck pain.
Long Term Pain in the Neck
If you are experiencing longer term neck pain, then you can use similar treatments that are ideal for short-term pain. However, in some extreme cases, the need for surgery may also exist, especially if you want to avoid having to use pain pills for long periods of time. When your doctor suggests surgery, he or she will carefully evaluate your case to ensure that the right options are chosen. The fact is that there are a number of benefits offered by neck surgery, such as the continual relief of neck pain.
Types of Neck Surgery
It is important to realize that, if you opt to have neck surgery, you will experience a minimum of two days in the hospital, followed by a recuperation period that can last for a number of months. However, the benefits are vast. The goal for any neck surgery is to help and create new space for nerves that have become compressed, and this can typically be done by removing some of the spinal anatomy with one of these surgery procedures:
* Corpectomy: The removal of all the vertebral body, to later insert a replacement.
* Discectomy: The removal of the intervertebral disc.
* Laminoplasty: The reshaping of your lamina, so that there is additional space inside the nerve roots.
* Laminectomy: This includes the removing of the boney plate that forms the vertebral arch.
* Facetectomy: This includes a partial removal of your joints, where the actual vertebrae meet.
Keep in mind that modern technology and advancements have provided a number of additional alternatives for this type of major surgery on your neck. The primary alternative is laser surgery. As with other areas of the body, laser surgery provides precise results that are not achievable through any other options available.
If you suffer from neck pain, there is help available. The key is to visit your orthopedic doctor and talk with him or her about surgery, and if it is the right option for you. This will ensure the very best results for long-term neck pain relief.
Visit Suburban Orthopaedics for more information.
