Every tenth person on the planet complains of neck pain.Along with lower back problems, this is the second most common reason patients see an orthopedic surgeon.Restrictions in daily and professional activities, physical and emotional discomfort, and reduced quality of life – this is what patients with cervical spine disorders have to face.Therefore, you need to pay attention to any signs of pathology and seek prompt medical attention to prevent its further development.
reason
Neck pain has many sources.This area contains bony structures (spine), soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments), nerves, and blood vessels.They are prone to mechanical, inflammatory, metabolic, and nutritional changes.In this case, other nearby areas are usually affected: the head, shoulders, and chest areas.Neck pain becomes a sign of the following pathologies:
- Osteochondrosis.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Spondyloarthropathy.
- Spondylitis.
- Myositis.
Most of these conditions occur when the spine is under constant load.The neck is its most flexible part and is exposed to external factors.Uncomfortable postures, sedentary work, persistent muscle tension, hypothermia and stress are becoming common factors in the development of disease in modern life.
Neck pain is not only local pain, but also referred pain.They often spread to the area due to shoulder lesions, including:
- arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Humeral periscapulitis.
- Brachial plexitis.
In addition, any part of the bone can be damaged, which cannot be called a rare event.Given these characteristics, a careful differential diagnosis is necessary to determine the cause of a pain syndrome.This is only possible after a medical examination and additional research.
If you are concerned about neck and shoulder pain, then first you need to consult a specialist.Any therapeutic measures follow diagnostic measures.
symptom
Each disease has its own symptoms.Neck pain is the most obvious symptom of spinal pathology and it is difficult not to pay attention to it.In medical terms, such symptoms are called neck pain.Pain that spreads to the shoulder gets a new name - cervicobrachial pain.This occurs due to the shared innervation and blood supply of these areas.
The characteristics of neck pain depend on the severity and extent of the process, as well as the subjective feeling of the patient himself.Generally speaking, they are as follows:
- Sharp or blunt.
- Shooting, stabbing, pain, pulling.
- Single or double sided.
- Weak, medium or strong.
- Paroxysmal or persistent.
- Occurs when moving the head, arms, or remaining still.
In addition to neck pain, there are other symptoms that can identify the source of pathological urges.This requires their detailed analysis as part of the clinical examination.
spinal disease
Among all the causes of pain in the neck region, pathology of the spine ranks first.Many patients suffer from osteochondrosis and disc herniation; they often deal with immune spondyloarthritis; infectious spondylitis is less common.Neck pain may be caused by muscle spasm or nerve root compression (radiculopathy).In the latter case, it is accompanied by innervation disorders, manifested by the following symptoms:
- Numbness, crawling, burning, tingling.
- Decreased sensitivity in the neck, shoulders and arms.
- Restoration or suppression of tendon reflexes.
- Muscle weakness.
- The skin is pale and "marbled".
The neck muscles are reflexively tense, and dense ridge-like structures can be felt on the sides of the spine.Head movement is severely restricted.Often accompanied by throbbing or pressure headaches.If the pathological process involves the spinal cord, conduction disorders will occur, manifesting as paralysis of the upper and lower limbs.
In addition to neck pain, spinal pathology can also be the source of very serious problems, resulting in incapacity.
Myositis
Myositis is likely to occur when the neck muscles are injured.It occurs due to prolonged stress, hypothermia, or due to infection.Generally speaking, the pain is aching in nature and does not spread to other areas.The range of motion is limited, and local signs of inflammation appear: swelling, redness, and local temperature increase.The course of myositis is not serious and complications are rare.
Plexigt
The pain may be caused by inflammation of the nerve plexus located in the neck and shoulder area.They are formed by the anterior branches of the spinal roots and are responsible for the innervation of the skin and muscles of the corresponding areas as well as the diaphragm.Cervical plexitis is associated with the following symptoms:
- Acute paroxysmal pain in the neck.
- Paravertebral muscle weakness.
- Hiccups.
- Difficulty breathing.
Brachial plexus injuries are accompanied by motor, sensory and autonomic disturbances in the upper limbs: weakness, reduced superficial and deep sensation, pallor.
Neck and shoulder pain may be a sign of inflammation of the nerve plexus - plexitis.It should be differentiated from vertebral causes.
arthritis
Arthritis of the shoulder joint can also be associated with pain.Inflammation can be immunological, metabolic, or post-traumatic in nature.The following symptoms occur:
- Swelling of shoulders.
- The skin over it becomes red.
- Local temperature rise.
- Joint movement is limited.
Shoulder injuries can be isolated or partial to structural connective tissue disease, polyarthritis in gout.If not treated promptly, it will create prerequisites for joint changes in the joints.
osteoarthritis
Shoulder pain is often a symptom of joint disease.This pathology is degenerative and dystrophic in nature, affecting all components of the joint, primarily cartilage tissue.It is characterized by slow but steady progress.As osteoarthritis progresses, it can be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- The neck creaks, the joints rub and click.
- "Starting" and "mechanical" pain (occurs at the beginning of loading) and then becomes constant.
- Shoulder deformity.
- Movement restrictions.
The disease causes patients significant pain, reduces their physical activity and prevents them from performing daily activities.
Humeral periscapulitis
This disease occurs due to inflammation of the tissues and synovium surrounding the shoulder joint.Periarthritis is usually the result of injury or overuse.It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Sudden pain in the shoulder, radiating to the neck and arms, worsening at night.
- Mobility is severely limited, especially abduction and elevation of the arm.
- The position of the limb where the force is applied: the elbow is bent and pressed against the body.
- Swelling along the front and sides of the joint.
Perihumeral arthritis is often confused with arthritis or arthropathy, but it differs from these diseases in that there are no pathological changes in the joint itself.
diagnosis
Finding the cause of neck and shoulder pain requires a thorough examination of the patient, including additional methods.With the help of laboratory and instrumental studies, metabolic and structural disorders in the body can be identified.Depending on the clinical situation, the following procedures may be necessary:
- General blood and urinalysis.
- Blood biochemistry (inflammation markers, rheumatism test, uric acid, calcium).
- X-rays of the spine and shoulder joints.
- Magnetic resonance (computed) tomography.
- Neuromyography.
- Arthroscopy.
Pain radiating to the left shoulder and left arm must be distinguished from heart disease, so electrocardiogram examination should be added to the above study.It is impossible to do this without consulting specialized experts: neurologists, chiropractors, traumatologists, rheumatologists.
The source of the pain is determined based on the results of a comprehensive examination.Once the diagnosis is established, treatment measures can be initiated.
treat
To treat neck pain, you need to understand how and why it develops.When they are clearly defined, a treatment plan is developed for the patient.Treatment consists of methods that produce multidirectional effects on the musculoskeletal system, thus eliminating inflammatory changes, stopping dystrophic processes, relieving pain and muscle spasms.First, the load on the neck and shoulder girdle should be minimized to relieve the affected areas.A Shantz collar may be required.
drug treatment
Treatment of neck pain necessarily includes medical correction.Modern medicine has a variety of medications that can help patients suffering from problems with the musculoskeletal system.The most commonly prescribed drugs are:
- NSAIDs.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Chondroprotectant.
- B vitamins.
- Blood vessel.
For neck pain that does not respond well to such treatments, a paravertebral block with novocaine or intra-articular administration of hormonal drugs may be used.After acute symptoms have resolved, you can use topical forms - ointments, gels, patches.
It is almost impossible to effectively treat pathologies of the skeletal system that cause pain in the neck and shoulder joints without the use of medications.
physiotherapy
Comprehensive treatment for neck pain includes physical methods.With their help, you can eliminate inflammatory phenomena and improve biochemical processes in tissues.For lesions of the neck and shoulder joints, the following procedures can be used:
- physiotherapy.
- Laser treatment.
- Wave Therapy.
- Magnet therapy.
- Paraffin and Mud Therapy.
- Reflexology.
- Balneotherapy.
The physical therapist will develop the best treatment plan based on the specific conditions of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.
therapeutic exercise
Physical therapy exercises are beneficial for neck pain.We develop for each patient an individual gymnastics complex that will help treat the pathology: form strong muscle bundles, give flexibility and strength to ligaments, restore the range of motion of the spine and joints.
The practice followed by isometric relaxation, which replaces static tension with relaxation, is suitable for the neck.It is necessary to gradually expand the movement pattern, avoid sharp turns, sharp turns, and actively rotate the head.
Regular therapeutic exercises not only restore movement to the affected areas of the bone, but also improve the patient's overall condition.
Massage and manual therapy
Manual stimulation of the musculoskeletal system can help treat neck muscle pain.Massage is not only a useful method, but also very enjoyable.At the same time, the blood supply to the soft tissues is improved and the muscles relax, which helps to activate the recovery process of the tissues.During manual therapy, functional blocks and subluxations in the cervical area are eliminated and the spine is stretched, resulting in nerve root decompression.
Operation
When conservative measures fail, radical treatment is needed for neck pain.Most commonly, surgery is performed for severe hernias and osteochondrosis.Endoscopically remove pathological disc herniations, osteophytes, vertebral displacements, and eliminate signs of instability.Due to severe osteoarthritis, the shoulder joint can be prosthetically repaired and the contracture can be corrected.Rehabilitation is required after surgery, depending on the extent of the surgery.
Neck and shoulder pain plague many patients.In order to get rid of unpleasant feelings and possible consequences, it is necessary to promptly diagnose and treat bone pathology.