Neck Pain

If you try to ignore chronic neck pain, it usually worsens. But at North Point Orthopaedics, the neck pain experts can prescribe a customized treatment that permanently stops your pain, so you need not worry about long-term issues or disability. Call the Munster or Crown Point, Indiana, office or click on the online booking tool to schedule your consultation with an expert now.

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can be a temporary issue that stems from lifestyle, such as poor posture or “tech neck” (continually craning your neck forward to use a smartphone or other electronics). 

In many cases, however, there’s a chronic issue at the root of your neck pain. Some common causes of chronic neck pain include: 

• Cervical herniated disc: Leakage of material from a cushioning disc
• Cervical spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal 
• Cervical disc degeneration (spondylosis): Wearing down of spinal discs
• Osteoarthritis: Cartilage erosion in joints
• Injury: Whiplash or other sudden neck trauma
• Growths: Tumors, cysts, bone spurs, or other abnormal growths

Neck pain and back pain are similar in some ways because they usually stem from issues in your spine. So, some of the causes of pain are the same. For example, back pain can occur because of a lumbar disc herniation, while neck pain can happen because of a cervical disc herniation. 

When should I see a doctor about my neck pain?

If your neck pain happens suddenly — for example, after an auto accident or a collision with another person while playing sports — acting quickly is the main factor in getting a timely diagnosis and preventing more serious problems. 

If you have neck pain that persists for more than a week, high-intensity pain of any duration, or radiating pain (neck pain that shoots to other areas like your arm), arrange an appointment at North Point Orthopaedics as soon as possible. 

Neck pain that happens along with severe headaches, dizzy spells, loss of bowel or bladder control, vomiting, and other sudden serious issues requires emergency care. 

What does neck pain treatment involve?

If conservative methods like physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and short-term oral medication aren’t helpful, cervical steroid injections could be a short-term solution for neck pain. 

However while steroids can ease inflammation and pain, they can be harmful in large amounts, which limits your injections to a few each year. 

Your provider may recommend precision medicine as a nonsurgical alternative that lasts longer than steroid injections. Precision medicine treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections work by triggering your body to build new tissue that restores damaged and painful areas.

In addition, North Point Orthopaedics specializes in minimally invasive spine surgeries like artificial disc replacement, discectomy, decompression, and spinal fusion. Many procedures are same-day, allowing you to go home shortly after your surgery. 

For neck pain help, call North Point Orthopaedics or click on the online scheduling link now.