Neck pain can range from a stiff neck to a more serious condition requiring surgery. NeckPainExplained.com offers information for patients with diagnosis ranging from herniated discs to cervical deformity, and surgical treatment options including the artificial cervical disc. Although generalizations about the diagnosis and treatment of spine disorders are commonly applicable, each patient's treatment plan needs to be individualized. Two patients presenting with similar spine pathology may need different treatment depending on the circumstances of age, sex, or previous spine surgery as well other medical problems. This website is not intended to replace a consultation with your physician, but is to be used as an aid in making informed decisions about your health care.

Neck pain affects approximately 80% of people at some point in their lifetime. It may result from sleeping the wrong way, poor body mechanics (such as poor posture, or holding the telephone between your shoulder and ear), or from an injury. Symptoms of cervical spine include:

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Arm pain
• Tingling in the arms, hands, or fingers
• Numbness in the arms, hands, or fingers
• Sharp pains in the arms, hands, or fingers
• Weakness in arms
• Frequently dropping items
• Weakness in legs
• Tripping or stumbling when walking
• Weight loss
• Headaches
• Nausea

You should consult your primary care physician for an evaluation if you have any of the following symptoms:

1. Neck pain with high fever, chills, and weight loss
2. Ongoing numbness, tingling, weakness in the arms or legs
3. Loss of bowel or bladder control
4. Loss of balance
5. Severe headaches
6. Dizziness
7. Neck pain that persists despite conservative treatment
8. No obvious cause for neck pain
9. Neck pain that is progressively getting worse, and worsens at nighttime
10. Neck pain that persists beyond three weeks

If you suffer from neck or arm pain, you may think you recognize a symptom or pattern of symptoms as you read about these diseases. If you do, see a doctor -- either your primary care physician or a spine specialist -- as soon as possible. However, do not panic, and do not jump to conclusions. Many people have neck pain for simple reasons that have nothing to do with a serious disease