Neck Pain Video Series
A Cervical Spine Expert Explains the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
In this video, Dr. Dan Riew, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in cervical spine surgery, gives a brief overview of neck pain. In simple, easy-to-understand terms, Dr. Riew will help you understand why you get neck pain.
Neck pain isn’t a condition, of course; it’s a symptom of another (potentially serious) condition. However, neck pain may also be the result of a simple muscle sprain or strain. That, in fact, is what causes most of us to experience bouts of neck pain throughout our lives.
To learn more about neck pain, you can read this informative summary article.
Dr. Dan Riew, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in cervical spine conditions, explains the typical symptoms of neck pain—beyond a pain in your neck.
Dr. Riew explains that your pain can radiate; it can travel away from the source of your pain and cause symptoms in other parts of your body. If you have a condition in your cervical spine, you can have symptoms in your arms and hands. It all depends on if and where your nerves are affected as they leave your spinal cord and spinal canal.
Neck pain can come with other symptoms, especially headaches. Dr. Riew discusses this as well.
To learn more, you can look over this helpful article about symptoms of neck pain.
To help you understand the causes of neck pain, SpineUniverse brought in Dr. Dan Riew, a professor at the Washington University School of Medicine at St. Louis. In this video, he goes over the typical causes, such as spinal stenosis and injury to the spine.
Neck pain may develop as you grow older—a natural part of aging as your body responds to years of daily wear and tear on the spine. Among other things, Dr. Riew discusses how your body may form bone spurs in your cervical spine. These are bony overgrowths that can develop when the cartilage on your joints wears away (again, part of the natural aging process). Bone spurs can then press on your nerves and cause neck pain or other symptoms.
If you want to read more, try this article about the causes of neck pain.
Before your doctor can diagnose the underlying condition that’s causing your neck pain, he or she will have to run a series of exams and tests. In this video, Dr. Dan Riew, a professor at the Washington University School of Medicine at St. Louis, explains those exams and tests in clear-cut language. He’ll help you really understand what is going to happen to you during the diagnosis process (or maybe you’ve already been through that process but still don’t entirely understand what happened).
Dr. Riew goes over the physical exam, x-rays, MRIs, myelograms, and more. You can also read an article on neck pain exams and tests.
Dr. Dan Riew, an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in the cervical spine, talks about the non-surgical treatment options for neck pain. Conservative treatments are always tried first, except in the most severe cases (where you have, for example, trouble walking or balancing).
He points out that waiting out the pain is actually a treatment option. If your pain isn’t overwhelming or debilitating, you can give it time and see if it improves. Since a lot of neck pain is caused by a muscle sprain or strain, giving your soft tissues a chance to heal is a good idea in some cases.
Dr. Riew also reviews other typical non-surgical options, including medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.
As a top orthopaedic surgeon and Chief of cervical spine surgery at Washington University, Dr. Dan Riew is a trustworthy source when it comes to reviewing your surgical options for neck pain.
In four video segments, Dr. Riew explains the most common surgical procedures for various cervical spine conditions. He discusses anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, artificial disc replacement, foraminotomy, and posterior cervical fusion. He will help you understand the risks and benefits, plus how each procedure is done.
You can also read this article about other surgical options for neck pain.
As a top orthopaedic surgeon and Chief of cervical spine surgery at Washington University, Dr. Dan Riew is a trustworthy source when it comes to reviewing your surgical options for neck pain.
In four video segments, Dr. Riew explains the most common surgical procedures for various cervical spine conditions. He discusses anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, artificial disc replacement, foraminotomy, and posterior cervical fusion. He will help you understand the risks and benefits, plus how each procedure is done.
You can also read this article about other surgical options for neck pain.
As a top orthopaedic surgeon and Chief of cervical spine surgery at Washington University, Dr. Dan Riew is a trustworthy source when it comes to reviewing your surgical options for neck pain.
In four video segments, Dr. Riew explains the most common surgical procedures for various cervical spine conditions. He discusses anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, artificial disc replacement, foraminotomy, and posterior cervical fusion. He will help you understand the risks and benefits, plus how each procedure is done.
You can also read this article about other surgical options for neck pain.
As a top orthopaedic surgeon and Chief of cervical spine surgery at Washington University, Dr. Dan Riew is a trustworthy source when it comes to reviewing your surgical options for neck pain.
In four video segments, Dr. Riew explains the most common surgical procedures for various cervical spine conditions. He discusses anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, artificial disc replacement, foraminotomy, and posterior cervical fusion. He will help you understand the risks and benefits, plus how each procedure is done.
You can also read this article about other surgical options for neck pain.
Dr. Dan Riew, a professor of orthopaedic surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, goes over some terms you may hear your doctor use as he or she talks about neck pain. Use this video as a quick reference or refresher to help you more fully understand your condition.
Dr. Riew reviews:
- Myelogram / Lumbar puncture / Spinal tap
- Annulus fibrosus
- Nucleus pulposus
- Prolapse / Herniation / Rupture
- Radiculopathy
- Myelopathy
