Neck pain can be a signal of serious illnesses

Although neck pain is usually seen as a result of factors such as poor posture and herniated discs, it can also be a harbinger of many serious diseases. 

Brain and Nerve Surgery Specialist Dr. Siyavuş Muhammedrezai points out that neck pain should not be taken lightly, as early diagnosis can be life-saving for many diseases, stating, “Patients definitely consult a doctor for severe pain anyway. What is important is neck pain that lasts longer than a week despite treatment and recurs frequently. These patients are definitely investigated in detail.” 

Stating that neck pain is treated according to the underlying cause, Dr. Siyavuş Muhammedrezai notes that very successful results are obtained from interventional pain methods in neck pain that develops as a result of herniated discs, calcifications, or excessive or incorrect use of muscles. 

CAN POINT TO SERIOUS DISEASES

Neck pain does not always develop due to the cervical spine or its structures; diseases of the internal organs in the chest, heart, or even the abdominal cavity can cause pain in this region. 

For example, pharyngitis, laryngitis, heart-related angina, lung tumors, pancreatic diseases, gallstones or inflammation are among the causes of neck pain that develop outside the spine. Dr. Siyavuş Muhammedrezai emphasizes that spine-related pain is also divided into mechanical and non-mechanical neck pain, and continues: “Tumor metastases, rheumatic, infectious and metabolic diseases, and fibromyalgia constitute non-mechanical causes. 

Mechanical neck pain, on the other hand, usually develops due to neck stiffness resulting from injuries in traffic accidents, calcification, poor posture, unusual physical activity, and problems related to the shoulder girdle and arm joints. The fact that many factors lead to neck pain makes diagnosis difficult.” 

IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE PAIN

Treatment for neck pain is planned according to the underlying factor. For example, rest, neck exercises, and muscle relaxants are usually sufficient for muscle-related neck pain that develops due to incorrect movements. Successful results are obtained with medication and physical therapy for non-serious herniated discs, calcifications, or myofascial pain. Dr. Siyavuş Muhammedrezai states that if the pain persists despite treatment, interventional pain treatment is applied to these patients, saying, “The problem is solved or recovery is aided by controlling all or part of the pain.” 

Selective nerve root block, facet joint block, intradiscal injection, sympathetic block, epidural application, epidural neuroplasty, radiofrequency techniques, laser application, neuromodulation (pain pump), and kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty if there is a fracture in the spine are among the interventional methods used to relieve pain. 

MICROINJECTION METHOD

The microinjection method is used, especially in joint calcifications, to reduce the patient's pain. Dr. Siyavuş Muhammedrezai states that the microinjection method is easily applied under sedation or local anesthesia, saying, “The patient usually feels no pain at all during the procedure. When a small amount of cortisol is injected into the joint with a local anesthetic agent and radiofrequency is applied to the facet joint in the same session, a significant reduction in pain is observed.” 

The microinjection method, the effect of which usually appears immediately after the procedure, is effective for a few months to a few years, depending on the patient. The patient can resume their daily life the next day or two days later. The method can be repeated many times over the years. 

EPIDURAL INJECTION

Epidural injection is useful in relieving pain in small herniated discs, nerve compression due to calcification, annular tears in neck discs, and spinal canal stenosis that does not lead to spinal cord compression. 

The method is performed under local anesthesia or sedation. Dr. Siyavuş Muhammedrezai emphasizes that epidural injection has been used for many years because epidural steroids reduce edema in the compressed nerve tissue and prevent inflammation thanks to their strong anti-inflammatory effects, saying, “The method, whose effect usually begins after the procedure, provides a long-lasting effect. The patient resumes their daily life after one or two days. Epidural injection can also be applied repeatedly at certain intervals, but usually, there is no need for repetition.”