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  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Burners and Stingers (Brachial Plexis Injuries)     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Corpectomy and Strut Graft     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Discectomy     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Foraminotomy     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Laminectomy     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Radiculopathy     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Spinal Stenosis     PDF Booklet
  • Cervical Spine Anatomy     PDF Booklet
  • Dropped Head Syndrome     PDF Booklet
  • Neck Pain     PDF Booklet
  • Posterior Cervical Fusion     PDF Booklet
  • Whiplash     PDF Booklet

    • Related News Articles

  • Measuring Neck Pain After Whiplash
  • Hoffmann Sign: Red Flag for Cervical Myelopathy
  • Cervical Medial Branch Blocks for Chronic Cervical Facet Joint Pain
  • Update on Adjacent Level Disease After Cervical Spine Fusion
  • New Trigger Point Findings in Whiplash Patients
  • Whiplash Injuries Are Worse When the Head is Turned
  • Risk of Vertebral Artery Injury in Cervical Spine Surgery
  • When Can Chiropractic Care Help Neck Pain?
  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with PEEK Spacer and Sponge Impregnated with Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenic Protein-2.
  • Electrophysiological Evaluation of Syringomyelia
  • Exercises For Neck and Shoulder Pain
  • Case Report of Torn Ligament in Whiplash Associated Disorder
  • Single-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Without Plate or Cervical Collar
  • Rare Case of Brown-Sèquard Syndrome From Cervical Disc Herniation
  • A Literature Review of Cervical Facet Joint Dysfunction
  • A Literature Review of Cervical Facet Joint Dysfunction
  • Development of Late Whiplash Syndrome
  • Fusion of Odontoid Nonunion Fractures
  • Studies Lacking in Understanding of Late Whiplash Syndrome
  • Best Treatment Practice for Chronic Neck Pain
  • Systematic Review of Neck Pain Assessment
  • Results of Surgery and Injections for Neck Pain
  • What's the Best Treatment for Neck Pain?
  • Change in Attitude and Beliefs About Neck Pain Needed
  • How Do We Know What Is the Best Evidence on Treatment of Neck Pain?
  • A New Model for the Onset, Course, and Care of Neck Pain
  • Overview of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force Findings
  • What to Expect When Recovering from a Whiplash-Associated Disorder
  • Comparing Treatment Programs for Back Pain Based on Cost Savings
  • Psychological Factors May Play Small Role in Chronic Whiplash Pain
  • Age One Factor Associated with Decline in Cervical Range of Motion
  • Trigger Point Injection with BOTOX
  • Treatment for Whiplash With Botulinum-toxin A Appears Promising; More Study Needed
  • Review of Cervical Laminaplasty
  • Two-Year Results of Cervical Artificial Disc Versus Fusion
  • Endoscopic Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
  • Effect of Repairing Versus Preserving Muscles During Laminoplasty
  • Fixation Rather Than Fusion of Hangman's Fracture Now Possible
  • Crowned Dens Syndrome More Common than Previously Thought, Say Researchers
  • Improving Anterior Cervical Fusion Rates with Locking Plates
  • Predicting Treatment Results for Cervical Radiculopathy
  • Normal, Fused, and Disc Replacement Cervical Spine
  • Plate Thickness as a Cause of Dysphasia
  • New Link Between Chiari Malformation and Connective Tissue Disorders
  • Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer Demonstrates Lower Neck Muscle Strength in Women
  • Review of Chronic Whiplash
  • Awareness of Potential Complications with Anterior Cervical Discectomy Allows for Successful Management
  • Study on Reducing Neck and Arm Pain in Computer Workers
  • Supervised Exercise Therapy for Neck Pain May Help Pain, Range of Motion
  • How Safe Is Chiropractic Manipulation of the Neck?
  • Effect of Foramen Magnum Decompression on Neck Motion
  • Microinjuries During Cervical Spine Fusion
  • Predicting Results of Physical Therapy Treatment For Neck Pain
  • Need for More Research on Chronic Whiplash
  • Improving Results of Cervical Epidural Injections
  • Results of ProDisc-C Disc Replacement after One-Year
  • First Five Cases of Human-to-Human Disc Transplantation
  • Khan Kinetic Treatment Lowers Self-Reported Neck Pain, but No Functional Differences Found
  • Review of Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy
  • Problems Swallowing and Talking After Cervical Decompression
  • MRI Results Predict Surgical Outcome for Cervical Myelopathy
  • Anterior Cervical Microdiscectomy Appears Effective in Treating Certain Cervical Disc Injuries
  • Prevalence of Memory, Concentration, and Attention Problems After Whiplash Not Predicted Through Testing
  • Stop Movement in Cervical Spine to Prevent Further Neurologic Symptoms
  • Tests to Use When Measuring Treatment Results with Chronic Whiplash Patients
  • Posterior Neck Muscles Take Burden of Rear-End Impact Resulting in Whiplash
  • No Correlation Found Between Magnitude of Injury and Incidence of Whiplash
  • Measuring Recovery After Whiplash
  • Pain and Disability Measures for Whiplash
  • Report of Adverse Effects from Using rh-BMP-2 in Neck Fusion
  • Exercise Helps Pain from Chronic Whiplash
  • Review of Rare Cervical Spine Tumors
  • Cervical Spine Outcomes Questionnaire
  • Age and Cervical Myelopathy Are Risk Factors for Problems After Surgery
  • Alternative Graft Site for Cervical Spine Fusion
  • Best Way to Treat Osteoblastoma of the Cervical Spine
  • A Rare Case of Dropped Head Syndrome
  • Effects of Acupuncture on Neck Pain
  • Neck Pain Common Reason for Doctor Visits
  • Whiplash Recovery Faster with Individual Care
  • Ossification Is Not a Problem After Disc Replacement
  • A Case of Longus Colli Muscle Tendinitis
  • Low Rate of Same- and Adjacent-Segment Disease After Cervical Foraminotomy
  • Pain Interrupts Attention and Activities
  • Update on Surgery for Cervical Flexion in Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Managing Neck Pain With Exercise in Office Workers
  • Surgeon's Guide to Corpectomy
  • Conservative Care for Cervical Spine Myelopathy
  • Laminectomy and Spinal Fusion to Treat Cervical Myelopathy
  • Diagnosing Cervical Myelopathy
  • Multiple Cervical Discectomy For Cervical Myelopathy
  • Acupuncture Safe and Effective for Neck Pain
  • Bone Graft Substitute Causes Swelling in Anterior Neck Fusion
  • Reviewing Causes and Treatment of Neck Pain
  • PT Treatment Dosage Based on Classification for Neck Pain Patients
  • Eight Cases of Spinal Infection
  • SF-36 Not Advised for Cervical Spine Surgical Patients
  • Acupuncture Good Choice for Chronic Neck Pain
  • Physical Therapists Measure Reliability of Neck Testing
  • Effects of Cervical Fusion on Facet Joints
  • Radiation May Be All That's Needed for Cervical Spine Metastase
  • Total Neck Motion as a Measure of Treatment Success
  • First Report Ever on Bone Spurs Causing Breathing to Stop
  • Radiofrequency Acceptable Treatment for Chronic Whiplash Disorders
  • Predicting Two or Three Year Outcome of Whiplash Injury
  • New System to Classify Neck Injuries
  • Fusion Rate 100 Percent With Expandable Cages for Cervical Spine
  • ACDF Failure: Next Step -- Anterior Revision or Posterior Fusion?
  • Reports of Severe Mountain Bike Injuries: Cervical Spine
  • New 3-D Image Method for Cervical Spine Surgery
  • Death After Diving Accidents Common
  • Is There a Gold Standard for Cervical Fusion?
  • Atypical Neck Motion After Whiplash
  • Whiplash Symptoms Come From Increased Joint Motion
  • Results of New Absorbable Plate for Neck Fusion
  • Results of Posterior Neck Fusion After Anterior Neck Fusion
  • When That Pain in the Neck is Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Disc Replacement After Cervical Fusion
  • Cervical Spine Fusion Without a Hospital Stay
  • Tender Spots Common with Cervical Radiculopathy
  • Adding Up Symptoms after Chiropractic Care
  • Not all Results after Neck Surgery are Equal
  • Artificial Disc Replacement for Cervical Spine
  • Physical Therapy and Chronic Neck Pain
  • Ongoing Neck Pain after Whiplash Injury
  • Nerve Damage after Anterior Neck Surgery
  • Female Athletes Shake It Up
  • Making Sense of Cervical Myelopathy
  • Exercise for Chronic Neck Pain Sufferers
  • Predicting Disc Disease after Neck Fusion
  • Ball-and-Socket Disc Implant Restores Neck Motion
  • Neck Ligaments on a Collision Course
  • Researchers Dig Deep to Find Cause of Neck Pain
  • Acute Neck Whiplash: Who Ya Gonna Call?
  • Exercise, the Needed Ingredient for Neck Treatment
  • Effect of Muscle Activity on Neck Pain after Whiplash
  • Relief after Release for Neck and Headache Pain
  • The Eroding Link after Cervical Spine Fusion
  • Balancing Chronic Whiplash Injuries with Posturography
  • New Test Flies in the Face of Whiplash Patients
  • Fear and Neck Pain after Car Crashes
  • Using Restraint to Avoid Neck Injury in Auto Accidents
  • Engineers Simulate Whiplash Injury and Study Results
  • Headers Can Lead to Spine Degeneration over Time
  • Computer Guidance for Spine Surgeons during Neck Fusion
  • Taking Position after Whiplash
  • Blaming Neck Problems on Posture
  • Rare Case of Epidural Abscess Reported
  • Looking Up and Down the Spinal Column after Cervical Corpectomy
  • Early or Late Treatment for Whiplash Injury?
  • 3-D View of Pedicle Screws after Neck Fusion
  • Three-Dimensional View of Pedicle Screws after Neck Fusion
  • Hidden Dangers of Titanium Cages Used in Neck Fusion
  • Unusual Problem after a Cervical Spine Fusion
  • Expect the Unexpected with Deltoid Muscle Paralysis
  • Warning Issued about Stand-Alone Cervical Cages
  • Middle Cervical Spine Spotlighted in Whiplash Injuries
  • Doctors Navigate in Surgery Using Computers
  • Testing the Way Whiplash Patients Walk
  • Cervical Corpectomy Is Not a Military Rank
  • Artificial Discs for the Neck
  • Neck Fusion: What Methods Work Best?
  • Physical Therapists Take a Stab at Nerve Pain
  • Recovery after Disc Surgery in the Neck
  • A New Type of Kink in the Neck
  • Testing Joint Motion before Neck Manipulation
  • Putting the Screws to Upper Neck Fusion
  • Back to the Future for Neck Surgery
  • Crystal Ball for Best Neck Fusion Result
  • New Joint Fusion System for Upper Neck Problems
  • Coping is the Key to Whiplash Injury
  • Neck Pain? Watch it Dye on Fluoroscopy
  • Whiplash Testing with the Element of Surprise
  • A Vote for Doing Select Neck Surgeries through the Back of the Neck
  • Empty Cage Implant for Neck Fusion
  • Loose Screws Rattle Patients' Neck Cages
  • Comparing Bone Substitute to the Real Thing for Neck Fusion
  • Tobacco Works against Successful Neck Fusion
  • Healing Hands Help Headaches
  • Physical Therapists Are Radiant about Test Results for Neck Pain
  • Grabbing Work-Related Disability by the Neck
  • Finding the Right Treatment Combinations for Neck Pain
  • Updated Criteria for Returning Players to Sport after Neck Injury
  • Going for the Throat to Reduce Complications after Neck Fusion
  • Enlarging the Treatment Options for Cervical Myelopathy
  • Young and Restless with a Neck Ache
  • Neck Hurt? That Is the Question
  • Surgeons Bring Relief for Headaches that Start in the Neck
  • No Muscle Backlash after Whiplash
  • Workers Compensation Patients Have a Greater Pain in the Neck
  • Confronting Neck Pain to Know When Surgery Can Help
  • Head-Turning News about Neck Motion
  • Hazard: Necks on the Loose
  • Headache? Take Two and Call Me in the Morning
  • A Knack for Nicking Neck Nerves
  • Spinal Cord in a Pinch
  • A New Doorway to Relieve Cervical Myelopathy
  • Sweating through Neck and Shoulder Pain: Exercise Scores Again!
  • Is Your Job a Pain in the Neck? Working toward an Understanding of Neck/Shoulder Pain
  • The Link between Work and Neck Pain in Teens
  • Eyes in the Back of Your Neck?
  • Big Neck Bones, Small Spinal Canals: Japanese Men Have It Bad
  • Putting a Whip on Treatment Guidelines for Whiplash Injury
  • Leaving Dummies in the Dust: Computer Technology Speeds Whiplash Research
  • A Kink in Chiropractic: No One Knows Why Neck Manipulation May Lead to Stroke
  • Car Crash Testing Is Not Just for Dummies
  • Head-Turning Research: Whiplash Reduces Neck Movement
  • Is Your Job a Pain in the Neck? Linking Psychosocial Work Factors and Neck Pain
  • Sayonara Neck Surgery: Conservative Treatment May Suffice in Some Cases
  • Surgeon's Toolbox: New Hardware for Neck Surgery
  • The Leg Bone's Connected to the--Neck Bone? The Success of a Surgical Technique
  • Right or Left? Neck Surgeons Don't Have to Choose Sides
  • MRI Is Not a Fortune Teller
  • Whiplash Won't "Whip" You for Long
  • Sidelining Football Players with Headaches
  • The Effect of Smoking on Neck Surgery: It's Not Just Smoke and Mirrors
  • To Play or Not to Play? Doctors Have Different Opinions
  • Quest for the Artificial Disc
  • For Neck Problems, One Wrong Turn Often Leads to Another
  • Still Clueless about Whiplash
  • Neck Burners and Stingers: Getting to the Nerve Root of the Problem
  • Affirmative Nod in Favor of Active Treatments for Chronic Neck Pain
  • Neck Postures May Pose Risk of Brain Attack at the Hair Salon

    • FAQs

  • I drive a forklift, and my neck is really getting sore from always turning my neck to see behind me. What can I do to keep my neck pain from getting worse?
  • I'm scheduled for spine fusion in the vertebrae in my neck. Will I be able to turn my neck after surgery?
  • My arm hurts, but my doctor says the problem is in my neck. How can that be?
  • I have pain in my upper arm. Why does my therapist do ultrasound treatments on my neck?
  • My 12-year-old daughter injured her neck in gymnastics, and there's a big competition coming up. Our doctor says it's okay for her to participate, but I'm worried. Should I let her compete?
  • I had a serious neck injury skiing last winter. I quit the ski team, but is it okay to do other sports?
  • I had a neck injury playing football, and I'm trying to decide whether to go back and finish the season. I asked two different doctors what I should do, and they told me different things. Why is that? Who should I trust?
  • I was in a minor rear-end collision a month ago and have been having headaches ever since. Could the headaches be related to my accident?
  • I have whiplash from a minor rear-end car collision. How long will the symptoms last?
  • Does the speed of your car at the time of an accident make a difference in how bad your whiplash will be?
  • I am a professional singer who has to have neck surgery. The doctor wants to go in through the front of my neck to join the bones in my spine. Will I lose my voice?
  • I've heard that surgery to fuse the spine done through the front of the neck can make patients lose their voices. Does it matter which side of the neck the surgeon operates on?
  • What's the best way to predict whether patients will get good results from neck surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord?
  • My 70-year-old mother is having surgery to take pressure off the spinal cord in her neck. Does her age put her at a disadvantage?
  • I had surgery through the front of my neck to fuse bones in my spine, and now I have to have the same procedure again. Am I more at risk for complications the second time around?
  • I am having surgery to take pressure off of the spinal cord in my neck. My doctor says the results of my MRI can be used to predict how I will do after surgery. Is this really possible?
  • I had a cervical fusion many years ago. I'm eighty-two years old now, and I don't want surgery again. How can I take care of the pain in my neck without having another operation?
  • Does the success rate for neck fusion surgery change depending on whether two or three levels in the neck are operated on?
  • My surgeon says he's going to implant a piece of titanium in my neck when he operates. Is this usual?
  • I've heard that some of the devices implanted during neck surgery can break or malfunction. Are there any new types of implants out there with better results?
  • My doctor has mentioned attaching a metal plate and screws in my neck when I have my upcoming neck fusion surgery. He used the term "instrumentation" to describe the surgery. What is instrumentation?
  • I had a discectomy and fusion at C5 and C6 two years ago. I did well for about two years. Now I'm having more pain and problems with my neck. My doctor just did some tests, and apparently there is a bulge in the disc at C6 and C7. What should I do?
  • After losing strength in her left arm and having pain that keeps her up at night, my wife had an MRI of her neck. The doctor says she has a herniation of the discs between C5 and C6 and wants to operate. Are there options other than surgery?
  • When it comes to neck fusion surgery, do men and women have different results?
  • I have a herniated disc in my neck. Why does my surgeon want to operate on more than one location in my neck? Isn't the sore disc just in one place?
  • Is conservative treatment enough for patients who have pressure on their spinal cords from a ruptured disc in their necks?
  • I have some problems from a ruptured disc in my neck that's putting mild pressure on my spinal cord. My doctor said I may need surgery but that I could just wear a neck brace instead. Am I better off deciding to have surgery right away?
  • My MRI showed I have a ruptured disc in my neck that is putting mild pressure on the spinal cord. My doctor feels my symptoms aren't too bad and that we can fix them without surgery. Is there any way to tell whether treatment without surgery will work for me?
  • A lot of my employees complain of neck pain. I've done everything I can to make the office more "ergonomic." Is there something else I should do?
  • I know that certain physical activities can cause neck pain in the workplace. But what about other, less visible factors? Does the "personality" of the office make a difference?
  • I seem to hold a lot of tension in my neck at work. My job isn't physical, but it's stressful. Could my neck pain have anything to do with my work?
  • Last week I was sitting in my car at a red light when someone rear-ended me. The car that hit me was only going 20 miles per hour, but it caused considerable damage to my car. At the time of the accident, I felt fine. But the next day, I woke up with a headache and neck pain that hasn't gone away. Why is that?
  • I am driving a 1990 American-made minivan. The seats are designed with built-in head and neck rests, so there is no adjustment possible. I am much shorter than my husband, who also drives the van. The seats seem to fit him just fine, but I feel like the extended headrest pushes my head forward. Is this style safe for both of us in a car accident? What's the best position for a headrest?
  • I just bought a used car with pull-up head supports. How should I adjust these to get the best head and neck support?
  • Does whiplash actually change the way people move their necks, or does it only change how much they move?
  • I have whiplash from a car accident that happened six months ago. It still hurts to move my head forward and back. Is this common? What can I do about it?
  • If you have whiplash, is your ability to move your neck different from the average person's?
  • I was involved in a rear-end car crash. My doctor told me I have a "whiplash injury." What is this?
  • I have seen some commercials on television about the importance of wearing seat belts. The research for these infomercials always seems to be done on crash dummies. How do they know the results are the same for humans?
  • My 72-year-old mother was just diagnosed with spinal stenosis of her neck. Is this a common condition in women?
  • What is "Lhermitte's sign"?
  • I had a whiplash injury two months ago. Since I didn't get better with activity and exercise, the doctor sent me to a physical therapist. I still have a lot of pain and stiffness with movement. It seems like the therapist is asking me to do things beyond my abilities. How far should I push through the symptoms of this injury?
  • Sometimes I see people wearing soft neck collars after car accidents. When should these be used?
  • I had a car accident six months ago and suffered whiplash injury. After about six weeks, the painful symptoms went away, and I could move my head and neck normally. My neighbor had a similar accident. Two years later, she is still having trouble with her neck. Why is that?
  • I am 70 years old and had a stroke two years ago. Last week I slept too long in one position, and now I have a stiff neck. I would like to see a specialist for a neck adjustment. Is there a chance that neck manipulation will cause another stroke?
  • I've been having adjustments for neck and shoulder pain. I've been told it's possible to have a stroke after neck manipulation. How soon would this happen, and how would I know it was happening?
  • I've heard that having my neck adjusted can cause a stroke. Is this true?
  • My niece has been diagnosed with bone cancer. The doctors have talked to the family about "limb salvage." What is this?
  • I saw a report that patients with arthritis and collapsing bones may need a corpectomy. What is this?
  • I've heard there’s a new way to treat cervical spine collapse with titanium cages. What’s the downside of this surgery?
  • I was in a car accident 10 years ago. Two bones in my neck were damaged. The doctor fused them together at that time. Since then, I've managed to avoid any more surgery, but now the bones are collapsing and causing terrible pain. What can be done for this?
  • I have severe neck pain from a collapsed disc and bone in the spine. The doctor wants to remove the bone. Won't this just make my spine collapse even more?
  • I have a "mild" case of spinal cord compression from disc herniation at C4/5 in my neck. This diagnosis certainly isn't based on my symptoms, which are very severe. What does it mean?
  • I have diabetes and brittle bones. After a bad accident I also have a herniated disc in my neck. The doctors don't want to do surgery. They've suggested an epidural steroid injection instead. What are the risks of this operation?
  • I'm going to have an epidural steroid injection into my neck for a protruding disc. How long before I can go back to work?
  • I went to the doctor for a problem with neck pain. The insurance won't pay because the diagnosis is "nonspecific neck pain." They insist they need a real diagnosis. What is "nonspecific neck pain"? I was pretty specific about the symptoms and when they occur.
  • All the women in my family have long necks and suffer from neck pain. I have the same kind of neck, but so far no pain. Is there anything I can do to keep from getting this problem?
  • My sister and I were in a car accident together. I had a little stiffness and I was sore for a few days. My sister still has severe headaches and neck pain three months later. Why the difference between us?
  • I saw a report on whiplash injuries and mental stress. The researchers showed that psychologic distress isn't linked with neck pain after a whiplash injury. How can anyone really measure this kind of stress, especially when so many people are already taking anti-depressants?
  • After a car accident and whiplash injury, I notice my neck gets cold easily. I have to wear a scarf almost all the time. Even the slightest breeze can put my neck into spasm. Is this normal?
  • I had surgery to fuse my neck in two places. After the operation my arms ached for several days. What could have caused this?
  • After years of neck problems, my doctor says my neck has fused by itself. My pain is less, but I have less motion, too. Is this a common thing?
  • I was rear-ended in a minor car accident six weeks ago. I'm still having neck pain from it. It wasn't really a huge impact, so why am I still having symptoms?
  • When a whiplash occurs, what causes the pain afterward: the forward movement of the head or the snap back?
  • With all of today's modern technology, why can't they fix something as simple as a whiplash injury? When I went on-line to look at the studies about what causes whiplash, the results were still very sketchy. There's more that isn't known than is. Why is that?
  • Now that we have airbags, can seatbelts be eliminated?
  • They say seatbelts save lives, but isn't it true people die wearing seatbelts?
  • What are my chances of recovery after a whiplash injury?
  • I was involved in a low-speed car accident. Even though we were only going 10 miles per hour, I still ended up with a whiplash injury. Is this normal?
  • I had a car accident two months ago. The emergency room doctor told me I had a whiplash. The CT scan of my head and neck was negative at that time. Since then I've had blurry vision and dizziness off and on. Should I have another CT scan?
  • What is whiplash exactly? I had a car accident but no damage showed up on the MRI. If there's no injury then why is it so painful?
  • I'm the manager of a large department store. We have several employees out on sick leave because of neck injuries from in-store accidents. Is there any way to tell when someone is faking symptoms to get benefits?
  • I had a very minor car accident last year. Ever since I notice I can't turn my head to the left quickly without getting dizzy. What could be causing this?
  • My wife was told she has myelopathy caused by degenerative disc disease. She has neck and arm pain that goes down to her fingers. Is this condition life-threatening?
  • I had my neck fused in two places six years ago. The most recent X-ray report says there is moderate degeneration at C4/5. What does this mean?
  • My father was just diagnosed with greater occipital neuralgia. What is this and what causes it?
  • Several years ago I was told I have fibromyalgia. Recently I started having headaches and neck pain. The neck pain is worse when I bend my head forward. Is this just part of the fibromyalgia condition?
  • Six months ago I had an operation to take pressure off a nerve that goes to the back of my head. I still have a place on the back of my scalp that is completely numb. Will this go away in time?
  • My doctor advised me to wear a back brace after having two of my discs heated up with a special coil. The operation was called "IDET." There were a group of us who had the operation at the same time. The brace gets in the way at work. Do I really need it? No one else is wearing one.
  • I've been told the pain in my neck and shoulder is caused by chronic trigger points. Is there any way to treat this problem?
  • I went to see a physical therapist right after I had a car accident. The biofeedback we are using shows the muscles of my neck and shoulders are contracting when they should be relaxed. We are trying to change this pattern. What causes it?
  • After six months of daily neck pain, my doctor sent me to a chronic pain clinic. They gave me a test called the NDI. Can you tell me what the letters stand for and what the test shows?
  • My sister and I were in a car accident together. We both were stopped by air bags on impact. She came out of it okay, but I have a whiplash neck injury. I've had other neck problems in the past. I wasn't having any problems at the time of the accident. Is it possible that I was injured because I had neck problems before?
  • I've been to several different chiropractors for neck pain. Sometimes I have just one session. Other times I go for several weeks. It doesn't seem to make a difference how often I go. I get the same amount of pain relief. Does that make sense?
  • I was treated yesterday for pain from a whiplash injury. The doctor did a neck manipulation. Today I have ringing in the right ear and pain down my right arm. Is this normal?
  • I was looking on-line for some ideas on how to treat my neck pain. The reports I saw were based on studies with only a few patients in each one. Can they really tell anything from that?
  • After months of neck and shoulder pain, my aunt just found out her symptoms are caused by Pancoast tumors. What is this?
  • My 78-year old mother has been complaining of neck and shoulder pain that's getting worse. She started having numbness down the arm so we took her to the hospital. Two doctors consulted on the case and decided she just had degenerative arthritis of the neck. After six weeks in physical therapy, she was no better and maybe even worse. Now she's been told she has lung cancer. Why couldn't they find the real problem sooner?
  • How is Horner's syndrome related to neck pain? My father-in-law was just told by his doctor that's what's causing his neck pain. All this time we thought he just had a bad case of arthritis.
  • I had a car accident and got a whiplash injury. I saw two doctors and a chiropractor. They all told me different things to do and not to do. Most of the time what one doctor told me to do is what the next doctor NOT to do. What's going on here?
  • I've had neck pain off and on for two years from an old whiplash injury. I get the impression from my doctor that he thinks it's all in my head. Is that possible?
  • I had a car accident and got a whiplash injury to my neck. My doctor told me to stay on bedrest until the pain was completely gone. I'm ready to go back to work now but I still have some pain. Do I really need to wait?
  • I know I have neck pain from long hours in front of the computer, but what can I do about it? My job is computer based and I can't get away from it.
  • I hear a lot about people missing work because of back pain. What about neck pain? That's my problem. Seems like there would be more neck back than back pain because of so much time in front of computers.
  • I saw a physical therapist for neck pain about six weeks ago. Even though I'm just doing some nodding exercises, I seem to be much better. How can such a simple exercise make such a difference?
  • I had a car accident a week ago. The doctor gave me a soft collar to wear but it doesn't really seem to be helping. Can I stop wearing it without injuring my neck more?
  • My wife had a bad car accident 10 days ago. When she gets out of the hospital, she will be seeing a physical therapist. Our prepaid health care plan only allows her to see the PT once a week. Is this going to be enough?
  • I had a serious car accident two weeks ago. Besides a head wound that needed 15 stitches, I also hurt my neck. When I saw a chiropractor and a physical therapist, they both insisted the problem was in the middle of my back. Does that seem right?
  • I was in a front-end collision last year and still have neck pain. The doctors can't find anything and the MRIs are all negative. Is there any explanation for this kind of lingering pain?
  • My husband is going to have a disc removed from his neck and one from his low back. Is that all there is to this operation? What keeps the bones in place without the disc?
  • I'm going to have a disc taken out of my neck and the neck fused at C45. This is supposed to help take pressure off the nerves to my arm. Right now I have constant pain down my arm with numbness and tingling in my hand. I'm concerned because I'm a professional photographer. I need all my neck motion to do my job. Is there any way to get that motion back with exercises?
  • I've got a pair of false teeth, a total hip joint, and two total knee joints. What are my chances of getting a total neck replacement? I've got chronic neck degeneration from a car accident 10 years ago.
  • I had an ACIF neck fusion about two years ago. Everything is going well. I know I might need another fusion later if there's breakdown at the spine above or below the level of the original problem. If it hasn't happened by now, am I home free?
  • I just had my two-year follow-up after a neck fusion. The X-rays show some degeneration at the level below my fusion. I'm not having any symptoms ... yet. Should I just go ahead and have that level fused, too? Why wait until it becomes a problem?
  • I understand one of the drawbacks from neck fusion is a problem with the degeneration at the next level later. If I have one fusion what are the odds I'll need another next year?
  • I followed my doctor's advice about an exercise program for my neck pain, and I got better. I can't help but wonder if it was the exercises or if I would have just gotten better anyway. Is there any way to tell?
  • I've been doing some strengthening exercises for chronic neck pain for a year now. I'm not really seeing any change. What's the next step?
  • I see there's some research to show that exercise works for problems like neck pain but in the end everyone gets about the same results. Is it even really worth doing the exercise program?
  • I have a herniated disc in my neck. It's been there for two years and seems to be getting worse. I've started to notice my hands shaking more. I seem to be clumsier and can't always hold on to things. Why does a herniated disc cause these kinds of problems?
  • I've lost some of my feeling for where my legs are when I'm walking. This is because of a disc pressing on the spinal cord in my neck. Would exercise help me get my full sensation back?
  • I had my neck fused 12 years ago. At the time of the operation, I was told to expect another operation when the nearby levels start to break down too. So far, so good. I've gone this long without problems. Will I really need another operation?
  • What is a concussion and how can you tell if you've had one?
  • My 12-year old daughter is a very good soccer player. She manages to hit the ball with her head frequently during practices and games. I'm worried about head injury and concussions. How likely is this?
  • I had a car accident three days ago. I thought I was going to be fine because the first two days there was no pain or problems. This morning I woke up and my entire neck is sore front and back. Did I wait too long to have it checked out?
  • I've been told hoarseness is a common problem after anterior neck surgery. What causes this?
  • My wife had an anterior cervical spine fusion with removal of the bone and insertion of a titanium cage in its place. She woke up from the operation unable to speak above a whisper. How long does this last?
  • The letters to the editor in our newspaper are debating the use of seatbelts. I had an accident three years ago that I still haven't gotten over. I had my seatbelt on but I still got a severe whiplash. Is there any proven link between neck protection and seatbelt use?
  • How long does it usually take to recover from a whiplash injury? It's been three weeks and I'm still stiff and sore.
  • Why is it some people get better after a whiplash injury and others don't? I've noticed over the years with friends and family that you either get better or you don't.
  • I've heard that worker’s compensation patients are less likely to return to work after low back surgery. Is this true for neck surgery, too?
  • I am a two-pack per day smoker. I'm planning to quit smoking so that I can have three bones in my neck fused together. The doctor has advised me that smoker's have more failed neck fusions than nonsmokers. How long before the operation should I quit to get this effect?
  • I'm planning to have my neck fused in three places. I understand there are some risks with this operation. What can you tell me about these?
  • I've been having neck and arm pain on the left side for three months now. I’m supposed to see a physical therapist for this problem. What can I expect from this treatment?
  • What is cervical radiculopathy? Is this the same as carpal tunnel syndrome?
  • I have had upper back and neck pain off and on for several months. Nothing the doctor has given me has helped. Should I try something else like acupuncture or massage?
  • Six weeks ago, I had a cervical spine (neck) fusion. Everything is going well and my pain is much less. Now, the doctor wants to take more X-rays. I've been poked, prodded, and tested to my limit. Is this really necessary?
  • After years of neck pain, my doctor has advised me to have a cervical spine fusion. Two of the vertebrae will be held together with a metal plate and bone chips from my hip. What will this really do for me?
  • I've heard there's a new way to treat cervical spine collapse with titanium cages. What’s the downside of this surgery?
  • I saw a report that patients with arthritis and collapsing bones may need a corpectomy. What is this?
  • I'm seeing a doctor and a physical therapist for chronic neck pain. They seem to always be talking about disability and impairment. What do these two things mean in every day words?
  • I'm seeing a physical therapist for neck pain that's lasting much longer than it should. Pain is my biggest problem but the treatment seems to be focused on getting more motion. Shouldn't we be doing both?
  • I have severe neck pain that goes down my arm from a damaged disc at C6/7. I've heard artificial disc replacement might be an option instead of fusion. What are the pros and cons of each?
  • I have severe damage to the disc in my neck from a car accident. I was fortunate enough to get an artificial disc replacement instead of having a neck fusion. The surgery went well, and I've been in a soft collar for a month. The doctor wants me to stop using the collar. I'm really too scared to let it go. What can I do?
  • I'm thinking about having a disc implant for my neck at the C5-6 level. What can I expect after surgery?
  • What is a Dowager's Hump?
  • My 66-year old father was just diagnosed with myelopathy due to congenital cervical stenosis. What is this?
  • I've been reading up on neck fusions since I'm expecting to have one this year. I see there are many different views on this subject. Some doctors think it's better to do the surgery from the front of the neck, others from behind. What can you tell me about this?
  • I am going to have my neck fused after removing any disc material that’s damaged or falling apart. The news reports patients having the wrong arm or leg removed. If this is possible, how can the doctor know for sure where the right bones and discs are inside the neck?
  • I am going to have neck surgery in two weeks. The doctor will remove a disc that is disintegrating. How is this done?
  • I am a schoolteacher working in special education. Everyday, I lift children weighing anywhere from 30 to 100 pounds. I’m planning to have an anterior discectomy and fusion in my neck. I know I’ll be off work for a while, but will I be able to go back to my work full-time?
  • My doctor has advised me to have a cervical discectomy. What are the benefits of this operation?
  • I've been thinking about having surgery to take pressure off my spinal cord in the neck area. The doctor tells me it's only a 50-50 chance that the results will improve my situation. Why aren't the odds better?
  • The doctor says I have a condition called cervical spondylotic myelopathy. I'm thinking about having surgery to take pressure off the spinal cord in my neck. What kind of results can I expect down the road?
  • I had a decompression surgery for cervical myelopathy. The tests don't show any difference in my strength or function from before surgery. But I can do so much more now and it seems like the surgery was a success. Is it all just in my head?
  • I had a steroid injection into my neck for neck and arm pain. My neck pain went away, but I had a terrific headache for three days. How often does this happen?
  • Over the summer our high school freshman was diagnosed with spondylolysis. He was treated by a physical therapist for a month and sent home with an exercise program to continue until school starts. He's still wearing a brace and it's time to start football practice. Is it safe for him to join the team this soon?
  • I've been having more and more trouble with painful muscles on the right side. I can't see any bruising or redness. I'm not aware of an injury. What could be causing this problem?
  • I went to see a physical therapist for muscle pain around my shoulder blade. He seems to be doing all the treatment on my neck. I am feeling better but what about the shoulder blade? Why isn't he treating that problem?
  • I saw a chiropractor for a neck adjustment. I was very dizzy and had a headache for about 24 hours. Would I be better off seeing my regular doctor or a physical therapist?
  • I had my first chiropractic neck adjustment yesterday. Today I have neck and headache pain. I'm also very stiff. Should I ever go back?
  • Have you ever heard of someone having a stroke after a chiropractic neck adjustment?
  • Whenever I lift my arm forward above eye level, my neck hurts. What could be causing this strange problem?
  • I notice when I raise my hands over my head for more than 10 seconds, I get a burning pain in my upper back. Is this serious?
  • What is a "neurogenic bladder?" I've been told that's what's wrong with me. It's coming from a condition called cervical myelopathy.
  • My doctor has told me I need surgery to remove a disc in my neck that's pressing on my spinal cord. What would happen if I didn't have the operation?
  • Even though my X-rays were normal the doctor says I have an "unstable" neck. What does this means exactly?
  • I'm looking for a physical therapist to help with my neck pain. There are several listed in the phone book. Two have OCS and FAAOMPT next to their names. What do these initials mean?
  • My neck often feels like I have to crack or pop it to get back to normal. Is this a bad thing to do?
  • I've been told the best treatment for early whiplash is movement and exercise. I'm not really sure what kind of exercise is good. What should I do?
  • I'm on my third day after a rear-end collision. What's the best way to treat the neck pain I'm having?
  • I heard that worrying can actually keep me from getting over my neck pain. Is this true? There's no doubt I am a worrier.
  • I'm self-insured and in need of some surgery to fuse my neck at two levels. I see they can do hip replacements on a same day basis. Could I have my neck fusion as an outpatient? It would probably save me a lot of money.
  • I've had three C-sections and have no abdominal tone at all. Would these new classes on core training help me?
  • After a cervical spine (neck) fusion I had a serious problem with swallowing. It lasted for about a month and then went away. No one seemed to know anything about it. What can you tell me?
  • I've heard it's possible to have many different types of operations on an outpatient basis. Are they doing spinal fusions this way yet?
  • I have a disc pressing on the spinal cord in my neck. I just found out the bladder problems I'm having are from the disc. How is that possible?
  • I heard you can get disc replacements now. Are these available for the neck? I have two discs that have to be removed. Maybe I could get them replaced instead.
  • I was in a front-end collision and had a bad neck injury. The MRI showed a torn ligament along the back of my neck. I wasn't even hit that hard by the other driver. Was this ligament defective and just ready to break?
  • I went to see a neurosurgeon about having an artificial disc put in my neck. I have severe arthritis and degenerative disc disease. I was turned down as a candidate. Do you think the surgery will be advanced enough in a couple years to include people like me?
  • I see there's a new disc replacement out for the neck now. If I've already had neck surgery, can I still qualify for a new disc?
  • How do they keep the new artificial discs in place once they're inserted into the spine? Are they stitched, screwed, nailed, or what?
  • Eighteen months ago I had an anterior cervical spine fusion. They took the discs out at two levels and used bone from my hip to fuse the neck together. I still have severe pain most days. X-rays show movement at one level. What's the next step from here?
  • Bummer. I had a neck fusion that failed. They took the disc out and fused the spine but I still have movement at the joint there. Is this a fluke? Did I have a bad surgeon? How often does this happen?
  • I had a very successful fusion at C4-5 about five years ago. It looks like I'm going to need another fusion at C5-6. The last time they used bone chips taken from my pelvic bone for the graft. That hurt for two years while my neck felt fine. I'd really like to avoid that problem this time. Is there any way around it? Any plastic substitute or glue they can use now?
  • I've heard that my life expectancy is less just because I have rheumatoid arthritis. Is this true? Can you explain the connection?
  • I fell from a scaffolding at work on a construction site. X-rays showed I fractured two vertebrae in my neck. They also found signs of rheumatoid arthritis I didn't even know I had. Now I'm having a clunking sensation whenever I look up to do any welding. What does this mean?
  • After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands and feet, now I find out I have it in the neck, too. The doctor is talking surgery. I'd really like to avoid any operations. Is there any way to tell if I'd be a good person to have surgery? Maybe I would do better with just exercise.
  • My 16-year old twin daughters are on the junior varsity cheer squad at their high school. They are learning how to do pyramids, back flips, and other floor tumbling routines. One of the girls is the smallest member on the team so she's being tossed in the air for what they call the "basket toss." Just how safe is this maneuver?
  • I had a neck fusion with titanium plates at two levels. I've had nothing but problems with loose screws, scar tissue, and nerve damage. Can't they invent some kind of plate or screw that is plastic or biodegradable?
  • The doctor is advising me to have a cervical spine fusion with bone graft and titanium plates. Do I really need both?
  • Back in the 1960s I worked in a factory putting together cars. That's about when they started adding head rests to help cut down on whiplash injuries. I'm long since retired but it doesn't seem like there are fewer people with whiplash after car accidents. Am I right?
  • I've been having headaches for months after a whiplash injury from a car accident. They say there isn't any nerve damage and by now the muscles have recovered. What causes this kind of pain then?
  • I saw a special on TV about cellular memories. They said many painful conditions may be linked to cells "remembering" the injury. Could this explain why I still have chronic head and neck pain after a car accident 10 years ago?
  • I can't figure something out. After a bad car accident and whiplash injury, I still don't have full motion. When I'm asleep my wife says I can turn my head all the way to one side. When I'm awake I can't seem to do it. Can you explain this?
  • Is it true that men lose neck motion faster than women as we age?
  • It's been eight months now since my car accident. I've tried drugs, acupuncture, and massage therapy. I still have pain and very little neck motion. What else can I do?
  • A long time ago I had a single-level disc fusion in my neck using bone graft donated by someone else instead of my own. It all went well but now I need a similar operation at a different level. My doc says the allograft isn't done much anymore. He prefers to use bone from my pelvic crest or even better, a titanium cage. What happened with the original method? It worked just fine for me.
  • I had neck surgery to fuse my spine in two places. The surgeon did the operation from the front of my neck to avoid damaging my spinal canal and the nerves in my neck. Unfortunately I ended up with nerve damage and can hardly talk. I work as an auctioneer and really need my voice. How long does it take for this problem to clear up?
  • A couple years ago I considered having a neck fusion but chickened out. I'm back again to think about it again, as the pain and weakness are worse then ever. When I looked at this before there wasn't that much out about which way to go ... bone chips or titanium cage. Is there any new news?
  • I'm searching for some kind of relief from a whiplash injury. It's been six months since the accident, and I still have neck and arm pain. My doctor has suggested a numbing injection like novacaine. Would that help?
  • Our 17-year old son dove into a shallow pool of water last summer. He fractured his neck at C56. He's home now after a long period of rehab. Is there any hope he could get better?
  • It seems like we are seeing more and more diving accidents from kids while swimming. Is this a national trend?
  • I went to see a rheumatologist because my regular doctor thinks I have rheumatoid arthritis. She ordered X-rays of my neck. Is this typical? What does it tell them?
  • My husband is 42-years-old and just took up mountain biking. He says he won't wear a helmet because if it's his time to go, he's ready. Is there anything I can say to help change his mind?
  • I need some surgery on my neck to help stabilize the spine. The surgeon is talking about a fusion at one or more levels with cages. I've been told the results are better if only one level is fused. What happens if we get up to three levels?
  • I'm a radio announcer home on disability after a neck fusion. It's been two months and I'm still having trouble swallowing. The doctor says it will probably go away slowly over the next few months. What do other patients with this problem say about it?
  • Eight months ago I had an ACDF to fuse my neck at C56. The X-rays show movement at that segment so I need another operation. What will they do next?
  • I have a cervical spine fusion that didn't work. The doctor wants to go back in and re-fuse the area. I already have a big bump of scar tissue on the front of my neck. Can they do this operation any other way besides cutting through the same area again?