Cervical / Neck Pain

The cervical spine forms the upper portion of the spine and plays a vital role in supporting the head, protecting the spinal cord and allowing a wide range of neck movement. Conditions affecting the cervical spine are a common cause of neck pain and, in some cases, arm pain or neurological symptoms.

The Cervical Spine: Roles and Function

The cervical spine performs several important functions:

• Protecting the spinal cord, which carries signals from the brain through the cervical and thoracic spine before ending above the lumbar spine
• Supporting the head and enabling movement, including rotation, flexion, extension and side bending
• Allowing blood flow to the brain via the vertebral arteries, which pass through openings in the cervical vertebrae

The cervical vertebrae work together to maintain stability, movement and neurological function within the neck.

Types of Neck Pain

Neck pain originating from the cervical spine is less common than lower back pain but still affects a large number of people at some point in their lives. In many cases, neck pain improves over time and can be managed with non-surgical treatments.

However, certain symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying condition and require urgent medical assessment:

• Progressive neurological symptoms, such as weakness, loss of sensation or coordination in the arms or legs, which may suggest nerve or spinal cord involvement
• Persistent or worsening pain accompanied by unexplained weight loss, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting or fever, which may indicate infection or tumour

While some episodes of neck pain have no clear anatomical cause, others are related to identifiable conditions such as muscle strain, cervical disc herniation or cervical spinal stenosis.

Acute Neck Pain

Acute neck pain most commonly results from muscle strain or soft tissue injury involving ligaments and tendons. This may occur following sudden trauma, such as whiplash during a road traffic accident, or from everyday activities including poor sleeping posture or carrying heavy loads.

Chronic Neck Pain

Chronic neck pain may develop gradually over time and can be caused by a range of cervical spine conditions.

Neck Pain Radiating into the Arm

Neck pain that radiates down the arm, and sometimes into the hand or fingers, is often caused by compression of a nerve in the cervical spine. Common causes include cervical disc herniation or narrowing of the nerve exit canals, known as foraminal stenosis.

Neck Pain Related to Activity or Position

Neck pain that develops slowly and occurs during or after certain activities or neck positions is frequently associated with cervical foraminal stenosis. In many cases, symptoms arise from compression of a single nerve root on one side of the spine.

Arm Pain with Loss of Coordination

Arm pain accompanied by reduced coordination, difficulty with fine motor tasks or intermittent shooting pains in the arms or legs may be caused by cervical spinal stenosis with myelopathy. This condition results from pressure on the spinal cord due to degenerative changes or disc pathology and typically develops gradually.

Assessment by a Spine Surgeon in Nottingham is important to accurately diagnose cervical spine conditions and determine the most appropriate treatment for neck pain and related symptoms.