Did you know that there are approximately 12,000 new cervical spine, or neck, injuries each year in the United States alone? Many people who injure their necks do not seek out the proper treatment or do not notice their injury in the first place.
Neck injuries can be serious. Knowing the signs and symptoms of neck injuries is important in treating the pain, limited motion, and other serious side effects that may accompany your neck injury.
Do you want to learn about neck injury symptoms? Keep reading to learn more.
What Causes a Neck Injury?
Though you may think that injuring your neck would be obvious, many neck injuries tend to go unnoticed.
The more obvious neck injuries are those that happen in sports and car accidents. These whiplash injuries occur when your neck is suddenly moved in a way that it is not meant to. These movements can cause strain in the muscles and tendons associated with your cervical spine.
Sometimes, post-concussion syndrome corresponds with trauma-related neck injuries. Post-concussion syndrome occurs when a concussion due to an injury has symptoms that persist for an extended period of time. These symptoms may align with or exacerbate those accompanied by your neck injury.
Less obvious and more gradual neck injuries can be caused by things such as poor posture and bodily positioning. Sitting or positioning yourself with consistently poor posture, such as at work or in school, can cause gradual neck injury and strain. In fact, one study found that over 64% of those with neck pain correlated their pain to their workspace setup and the way they were positioned at work.
If you feel that you may have experienced a neck injury, but aren’t 100% sure, you should assess yourself for symptoms.
Neck Injury Symptoms
There are many different symptoms that may suggest you have a neck injury. The most common symptoms of neck injuries are as follows:
- Loss of strength in arms and legs
- Numbness or tingling in arms and legs
- Neck pain
- Upper back and shoulder pain
- Headache
- Muscle spasms in neck and upper back
- Stiffness in neck and upper back
- Mood changes
- Trouble sleeping
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment to see a neck injury specialist.
What Comes Next?
Thankfully, there are many modern, safe, and effective options for treating neck injuries. At the Howell Allen Clinic, our experienced team of neurosurgeons will assess your neck injury and work with you to decide which treatment option works best for you.
Some of the possible surgical options for neck injuries are anterior cervical discectomy fusion, cervical disc arthroplasty, and cervical laminectomy. Your neurosurgeon will discuss and evaluate each option with you during your visit. To learn more about these surgical options, click here.
Treat Your Neck Injury
Neck injury symptoms tend to make life more challenging. Your neck injury, and the pain resulting from it, does not have to rule your life.
Are you ready to beat your neck pain? Book your consultation with one of our experienced neurosurgeons at the Howell Allen Clinic today.
