Treatments for Neck Injury in New Jersey
The neck is one of the most delicate parts of the body. Strong impact, even to other parts of your body, can snap the head back and forth in an effect called whiplash. This rapid motion causes damage to soft tissues in the neck and upper back. All neck injuries are serious. Even if you do not experience immediate pain, significant trauma may cause invisible internal damage. Seeing a spine specialist like a neurosurgeon is essential to avoid future discomfort or decreased quality of life.
NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute is a treatment center for neck injury and other spine conditions. We conduct minimally invasive spine surgery at five New Jersey locations: Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel.
What Causes Neck Injury?
Neck injuries can result from any kind of significant impact or trauma. Because your neck supports your head, it can easily become damaged by any force that affects your head’s movement. Overuse and accumulated wear may also put the neck at risk. Common causes of neck injury include:
- Sports injuries
- Driving accidents
- Trampoline and playtime accidents
- Serious falls, especially for people over the age of 65
- Repeated movements and workplace stress
- Age-related wear and tear
- Poor posture
- Domestic violence
Certain conditions can also make your neck more susceptible to injury. Cancer, osteoporosis, spondylosis, and other forms of arthritis can all degrade spinal structure, rendering the spine less capable of supporting the head through severe impact. A skilled neurosurgeon will identify all contributing factors and provide appropriate treatment, both for the neck injury and for the condition that caused it.
What Are the Symptoms of Neck Injury?
When you first injure your neck, you may not notice symptoms immediately. Neck pain from sprains can take one or two days to develop and may gradually worsen over time. Because neck injuries are serious, NU-Spine recommends finding medical help sooner rather than later. Consult a doctor for treatment as soon as any of the following symptoms occur:
- Neck, back, or shoulder pain
- Muscle spasms
- Tingling or numbness in the arms, hands, legs, or toes
- Clumsiness or difficulty balancing
- Partial or complete loss of control over parts of the body
- Headaches in the back of the head
- Increased irritability
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears
Sometimes, severe neck injuries affect more than soft tissue. Damage to the backbone or spinal cord can result in other conditions, each with its own set of symptoms. Conditions that may be caused by neck injuries include:
- Myelopathy, or a spinal compression injury
- Radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve
- A slipped or herniated disc
- Spinal cord injury
An accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. An experienced neurosurgeon will conduct a full evaluation to provide informed, targeted treatment for both the injury and any other conditions it might have caused.
How Do Doctors Diagnose A Neck Injury?
Patients at NU-Spine receive a diagnosis from Dr. Branko Skovrlj, an experienced and renowned neurosurgeon. He begins by asking about your symptoms and medical history. Then he conducts a thorough physical exam to evaluate your range of motion. He may also request other diagnostic tests, including:
- X-ray
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic resonance imagery (MRI)
- Electromyography (EMG)
He aims to determine the location and severity of the injury and to identify any conditions that might be co-occurring with the injury. By learning as much as he can about your case, he can develop a fully informed treatment plan to help you get back to your active lifestyle.
What Are Neck Injury Treatments?
Every neck injury is unique. NU-Spine develops a unique treatment plan for each patient. Plans consider each factor— from your lifestyle to your symptoms to any co-occurring conditions — to ensure a successful recovery.
For sprains and mild injuries, NU-Spine often recommends non-surgical treatments. Our initial approach may include:
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication
- Muscle relaxants, especially during downtime
- Alternating heat and cold therapy
- Physical therapy with targeted cervical exercises
- Foam collars for extra support and stability
- Steroid injections for severe pain
More severe injuries may involve damage to the spine or vertebral discs. In these cases, conservative treatments rarely provide long-term relief. NU-Spine may recommend a minimally invasive surgical procedure, such as:
- Disc replacement
- Laminectomy
- Corpectomy
- Spinal fusion
- Spinal reconstruction surgery
- Foraminotomy
- Discectomy
- Hemilaminectomy
Minimally invasive procedures use specialized tools to reduce the impact on the body. This can lower post-operative pain while ensuring a smoother, faster recovery.
Find Neck Pain Treatment at NU-Spine
If you need treatment for a neck injury or other spine condition, don’t wait to transform your life with a touch of care. Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatments. Don’t wait for relief; schedule your appointment with the spine experts at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute and take the first step toward a pain-free future. Contact us today for an initial consultation, or to visit one of our locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, NJ.