There are 7 vertebrae in the neck area. Between the vertebrae, there is a cartilage tissue called a disc, which starts between the second and third vertebrae. The neck has the ability to move our head in all directions and has a structure that carries the weight of the head. It provides these movements through the discs and joints located between the vertebrae. The spinal cord passes through the cervical vertebrae. Nerves that provide movement of the arm muscles and provide sensation to the arms emerge from the holes between the vertebrae. Since the cervical vertebrae have a very mobile structure, neck pain is a common complaint. Half of the people in the adult age group experience a neck pain attack at least once in their lives.
Types and Causes of Neck Pain
There are two main types of neck pain: Mechanical neck pain and pain due to spinal pathologies
1. Mechanical Neck Pain
It is the most common type of neck pain. It mostly occurs due to minor traumas affecting the neck or minor injuries affecting the neck muscles and connective tissue. Poor posture is the most important cause of this type of pain. It is a common complaint, especially in people who work in a forward-leaning position at a desk all day long. Mechanical neck pain can radiate to the head, shoulders, and arms. Often the real cause and location of the pain cannot be found.
2. Neck Pain Due to Spine Diseases
Neck pain in this group is proportionally less common than mechanical neck pain. The most common causes are:
a)Cervical disc herniation (Cervical disc herniation)
b)Degeneration / wear and tear in the cervical vertebrae (Cervical spondylosis)
c)Spinal cord due to narrowing in the cervical spinal canal retention (Cervical spondylotic myelopathy)
a)Cervical disc herniation (Cervical disc herniation)
The disc material forms a relatively harder sheath on the outside between the two vertebrae. It consists of gel-like soft tissue parts inside. As the outer sheath weakens or ruptures, the inner part slides outward and begins to put pressure on the nerves. While the weakening or tearing of the outer layer causes more neck pain, the inner layer is displaced outward. Cervical disc herniation, which can be defined as a herniated disc, causes pain, especially in the shoulder and arm, as it puts pressure on the nerve root. Arm pain is often more severe than neck pain because there is pressure on the nerve roots. Depending on the level of pressure on the nerve roots, there may be weakness and numbness in the arm and hand muscles.
b) Degeneration / wear and tear in the cervical vertebrae (Cervical spondylosis)
Especially with aging, the water rate of the disc between the vertebrae in the neck decreases and the disc contributes to movement. there is a decrease in ability. As the disc deteriorates, its height decreases and more load begins to be placed on the joints at the back of the cervical vertebrae. Imbalance in load distribution and mobility causes deterioration in the vertebrae and abnormal bone extensions occur. These bone extensions can cause pain in the neck. In addition, it puts pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord, causing arm pain similar to a cervical disc herniation, as well as weakness and numbness in the arm and hand.
c)Spinal cord involvement due to narrowing in the cervical spinal canal (Cervical spondylotic myelopathy)
Compression on the spinal cord due to spondylotic changes in the cervical spine and narrowing in the spinal canal. If symptoms occur, it is called "spondylotic myelopathy". When there is constant pressure on the spinal cord, symptoms such as tension in the legs, stiffness, difficulty in walking, weakness in the arms, and numbness are observed.
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