Top 5 Ways a Spinal Surgeon Can Help with Neck Pain

It is easy to take the movement in our necks for granted – and yet, when we are in pain, our neck flexibility can become extremely limited. Although patients who suffer from chronic neck pain are not experiencing something uncommon, this pain can interfere with nearly all physical activity.

When it comes to treating your spinal condition, finding a top surgeon means putting an investment in your health first. An expert surgeon can offer relief through improving pain management, preserving spinal motion, preventing adjacent segment degeneration, and offering quick recovery and rehabilitation.

There are a number of things we can do to protect our spines and to keep our bodies healthy to support our spines throughout our lives, but for many, back and neck pain worsen with age. Although more conservative treatments like physical therapy and medications may be used to treat pain caused by spinal conditions, some conditions require surgical intervention in order to provide long-term pain relief to patients. In fact, surgical procedures can offer hope and relief to individuals living with chronic pain, as spine surgery may offer a long-term solution.

What is the need for neck pain treatment?

Most cases of neck pain resolve on their own, but in instances where the pain does not go away, patients may be suffering from chronic neck pain that could indicate a spinal condition. The spine in the neck is a set of bones that sit atop one another, the spinal vertebrae, which bear the weight of the head, arms and chest. In between these vertebrae are discs which act as shock absorbers between the bones, but as we age, these discs can become worn or they can herniated from an injury.

Neck pain can be triggered by poor posture, ruptured discs (disc herniation), radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, or muscle strain. Painful spinal conditions can also be caused by tumors, trauma or infection.

Although neck pain is quite common, chronic pain could be a sign that something more serious than muscle strain could be at play. Without an accurate diagnosis, your condition could worsen – it is important to seek treatment from a spinal surgeon and learn what your options may be.

Top 5 Ways a Spine Surgeon Can Help with Neck Pain

1. Comprehensive Evaluation

It is important to seek treatment from a spinal surgeon in order to get a comprehensive evaluation of your condition. If your symptoms are becoming more severe, spreading to your limbs, or are accompanied by headache, numbness and/or tingling, then you will need an in-depth assessment in order to pursue a treatment plan with your doctor.

Your doctor may order additional diagnostic testing for greater clarity on your condition, such as CT scan, X-rays and/or MRI.

2. Personalized Treatment Plans

In the same way that every spine condition is unique, each treatment plan is tailored to the needs specific to each patient’s condition. There are a number of non-surgical options available, and your doctor may recommend several conservative treatment options first.

Some non-surgical options available to patients include: physical therapy, medications, and various injections. A surgical option however, such as an artificial disc replacement (ADR), also known as total disc replacement (TDR), may be the best treatment option available for your condition.

3. Minimally Invasive Procedures

Less invasive surgical techniques involve smaller incisions or less muscle damage, which allow patients to experience shorter recovery times. These techniques are also known as minimally invasive procedures.

There are several less invasive surgical procedures available to relieve neck pain such as a cervical disc replacement, or a Total Disc Replacement (TDR) or Total Disc Arthroplasty, which is a minimally invasive surgery where a skilled surgeon removes a damaged or diseased disc and replaces it with an artificial metal or plastic one. Other minimally invasive surgeries can include posterior microdiscectomy, posterior laminotomy and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

By making a smaller incision with specialized instruments, a surgeon is able to perform a procedure by creating less damage to the body’s tissues. Some surgical approaches may involve a larger incision but due to the approach, cause less muscle damage – this is the situation for TDR/ADR because the anterior approach does not cause any spinal muscle damage. On the contrary, even though a posterior “minimally invasive” microdiscectomy may be done through a smaller incision, it does cause some damage to the spinal muscles of the neck.

4. Surgical Expertise

A cervical disc replacement or total disc replacement (TDR) or artificial disc replacement (ADR) is a surgical procedure wherein a skilled spine surgeon replaces a degenerative vertebral disc with an artificial one. Artificial disc replacement prostheses come in many different shapes and sizes, but tend to fall into one of four categories: hydraulic, elastic, and mechanical discs. Most currently used ADR implants are mechanical ball-and-socket in design. Research suggests that artificial discs can last up to 75 years.

Minimally invasive spine surgeries (MISS) have become much more common in treating spinal conditions that are often caused by normal “wear and tear” of the spine. Traditional open surgeries pose more risk to the patient than MISS. With these new technological advancements available to patients, there are safer, more reliable and readily available options available to provide lasting pain relief. 

5. Postoperative Care and Rehabilitation

A successful recovery involves a commitment to process. Follow the movement and lift restriction instructions given to you by your doctor immediately following surgery – your body needs time to heal. Your surgeon will prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and a series of physical therapy treatments that will help you to restore your strength in the period following your initial recovery from surgery.

One of the best things you can do to give yourself the best possible recovery outcome after surgery, is to remain dedicated to a disciplined approach to physical therapy. Your therapists will guide you through important steps to finding restoration in your spine and strength.

Dr. Cuellar’s Expertise in Neck Pain Treatment & Patient Care in Palm Beach County

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon who specializes in neck pain treatment and patient care in Palm Beach County. Dr. Cuéllar has over 8 years of experience and has helped relieve pain and restore function to the spine for patients with many types of spinal conditions and disorders.

Dr. Cuéllar is highly specialized in diagnosing patients with various neck pain conditions. He performs a physical exam, assesses a patient’s diet, exercise, family and medical history, and feels along the spine to catch any abnormalities. Dr. Cuéllar may also order additional imaging (such as an MRI or CT) in order to make the best assessment of your condition.

Dr. Cuéllar leads with a patient-centric approach. His main focus begins with listening to each patient’s unique concerns and needs as a part of making his overall assessment. He is committed to providing a personalized treatment plan to each patient. Each spinal condition is unique. Dr. Cuéllar’s treatment plans are tailored to the specific needs of each patient.

Why Dr. Cuéllar is a Top Choice for Neck Pain Treatments

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is a top choice when selecting a physician who treats chronic neck pain. As a spinal surgeon who is board-certified in orthopedic surgery, and a doctor who has treated many patients over his 8 years in practice, Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is adept in finding solutions for patients suffering from a wide variety of spine conditions.

Local Resources and Support for Neck Pain in Palm Beach County

There are many resources available in Palm Beach County to support you while dealing with your neck pain. Our staff can share a list of referrals with you and assist you in finding the right groups to meet your needs.

What Makes Dr. Cuellar a unique choice for neck pain treatment?

Innovation

Dr. Cuéllar stands out as a unique choice for neck pain treatment due to Cuéllar Spine’s unwavering commitment to maximizing recovery while minimizing mobility downtime. At our practice, we prioritize innovative procedures designed to achieve precisely that goal. However, our dedication to long-term solutions doesn’t stop there. We go above and beyond to ensure that each procedure yields the best possible outcomes for our patients. By pioneering minimally invasive and non-surgical techniques, Cuéllar Spine strives to facilitate a swift return to movement and activity, empowering patients to reclaim their lives with confidence and ease.

Collaborative Approach

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., collaborates with a team of medical professionals, physical therapists and pain management specialists – which means he brings a multi-disciplinary approach to each of his patients. By offering this comprehensive care, Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is able to provide the best possible outcome to patients suffering from chronic neck pain.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Cuellar

It is imperative to get an accurate diagnosis of your condition. If you are suffering from chronic neck pain, there are surgical options available for long-term results. Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is a top spinal surgeon in Palm Beach County with the talent and expertise you seek for relief from chronic neck pain.

No one should live in chronic pain – there are treatments available to relieve your pain and restore your spine’s strength, flexibility and alignment. Regain your quality of life and reach out for a consultation with Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D.

Contact Cuéllar Spine today to get started on your journey to relieving your pain.

FAQs: 

What are the common causes of neck pain, and when should I seek medical help?

Neck pain can signal more than just a strain – chronic neck pain may be caused by a variety of spinal conditions. If your symptoms are worsening, spreading to your limbs, or are accompanied by headache, numbness and/or tingling, then you will need an in-depth assessment in order to pursue a treatment plan with your doctor. 

Can neck pain be treated without surgery?

There are a few options for treating neck pain without surgery – see our blog for various treatment plans, including non-surgical approaches to care. Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., believes in pursuing surgery as a last effort approach to treating chronic neck pain. 

What is the role of a spine surgeon in treating neck pain?

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., is a highly trained spinal surgeon who specializes in treating neck pain and its underlying condition. Medication, physical therapy, hot and cold therapy, and spinal injections are some of the various non-surgical options available to patients suffering from chronic neck pain. 

How can I prepare for a consultation with a spine surgeon for my neck pain?

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar, M.D., takes a patient-centric approach – which means, he is focused on listening to each patient as he makes his assessment. Prepare for your consultation by gathering your medical history, imaging reports and imaging discs and details on your symptoms ahead of time, and come prepared with questions for your conversation with the doctor. 

Can physical therapy be part of the treatment plan for neck pain under a spine surgeon’s care?

A successful recovery involves a commitment to the physical therapy process. Your physical therapy treatments will be assigned under the guidance of your spine surgeon and will help you to restore your strength and promote the best possible outcome of your surgery.

What should I expect during the recovery process after neck pain surgery performed by a spine surgeon?

For helpful tips and details on what to expect with your neck surgery – including pre-op and post-op things you can do to prepare – visit our blog. You will also find a detailed outline that will help guide you through the recovery process as you move closer to fully healing. It is important to follow postoperative instructions and with the tool we provide here to patients, you can more easily stay on track.