Everyone has heard the story - someone in family has history of injury to the neck, whether whiplash in an auto accident, or leading an active lifestyle in sports. They do fine for awhile on Tylenol and they have no more pain in their neck. Then after a few years, they have increasing pain and numbness either in their arms or hands.
Neurological symptoms with neck pain require imaging studies, The American College of Radiology reports. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is useful in diagnosing disk herniations, where the disk between the vertebrae bulges into either the spinal canal or into the nerves that come off the spinal cord. MRI is useful in finding tumors, ligament damage, and fractures.
The ACR recommends a 5 view x-ray series of the cervical spine in anyone with chronic neck pain of any age, with or without history of trauma, with history of cancer, or with history of neck surgery in the past.
The ACR reports that if the 5 view x-ray is normal, and there are not neurological findings, no further imaging is required.
Of course, if there is any metal in the body, such as pacemaker, or bladder stimulator, MRI is not recommended. Some people have severe claustrophobia, and therefore MRI is not recommended.
If you have chronic neck pain, make an appointment to see your doctor to get adequate evaluations. Thanks for questions and keep them coming! runsinthewynd@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment