Understanding Neck Pain: Causes and Treatment
At Big Apple Spine & Orthopedics, Dr. Arutyunyan, our esteemed neck pain specialist, attends to a variety of neck-related conditions, offering both surgical and non-surgical interventions tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Neck pain can stem from various sources, including disk injury, herniated disks, bone spurs, and spinal cord compression, often exacerbated by the natural aging process or traumatic accidents. Dr. Arutyunyan emphasizes exhaustive exploration of conservative treatments before considering surgical options, ensuring the patient’s well-being is prioritized.
Identifying the Root Cause: Diagnosis and Assessment
To pinpoint the underlying cause of neck pain, Dr. Arutyunyan conducts thorough physical examinations and utilizes advanced medical imaging technologies such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. Common conditions contributing to neck pain include cervical disc herniation, cervical stenosis, degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylosis, trauma, forward head posture, and rheumatoid arthritis. Acknowledging the uniqueness of each patient’s pain, Dr. Arutyunyan adopts a personalized approach to treatment, ensuring all symptoms are comprehensively addressed.
Understanding Different Types of Neck Pain
Neck pain manifests in various forms, including mechanical neck pain, which stems from disk degeneration or arthritis, and referred pain, which radiates from inflamed neck tissue to other parts of the body. Radicular neck pain, resulting from nerve compression, typically radiates down the arm and may be associated with numbness or weakness. Dr. Arutyunyan and his team know the importance of distinguishing between these types of pain to tailor treatment plans effectively.
Shared Decision-Making: Guiding Treatment
In collaboration with patients, Dr. Arutyunyan explores conservative treatments such as physical therapy and pain medication to alleviate neck pain. However, if these methods fail to provide relief, surgical intervention may be considered. Dr. Arutyunyan guides patients through the process, discussing various surgical options such as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, posterior laminectomy, laminoplasty, cervical disk replacement, and cervical spinal fusion, ensuring informed decisions are made regarding their treatment journey.
A Focus on Patient-Centered Care
At Big Apple Spine & Orthopedics, we prioritize patient-centered care, ensuring individuals receive personalized and comprehensive treatment for their neck pain. Dr. Arutyunyan’s expertise in diagnosis and treatment, coupled with a commitment to shared decision-making, has established our practice as a trusted destination for spine and neck care. We encourage patients to reach out and start their journey toward recovery, knowing they will receive the highest level of care and support every step of the way.