Pity your poor neck! As if this slender structure didn’t have enough to deal with supporting your heavy (11- to 15-pound) head, cellphone and computer habits place it at high risk for an additional problem known as “tech neck.”
“Chronic neck pain is a problem a lot of people deal with,” says Dr. Richard Hynes, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Health First’s The B.A.C.K. Center in Melbourne. “Some 25 percent of all spinal surgeries involve the neck. And because the condition gets worse as you get older, the numbers will only increase in the future.”
The American College of Rheumatology states that about 30 percent of the population has an episode of neck pain each year.
Dr. Hynes says there are lifestyle adjustments that may help you reduce or mitigate neck pain. “Good muscle balance in the neck is very important. Imbalance in those muscles may lead to forward head posture, which can lead to pain in the neck and shoulders. Posture and balance training can also be beneficial,” he says.
ISSA, the International Sports Science Association, adds that neck problems are frequently caused by sitting in front of a computer for too long, playing a specific sport, and doing an excessive amount of one-sided exercise in a workout program. An example of that would be doing too much bench pressing without an equal amount of pulling exercises.
Cleveland Clinic explains that your cervical spine consists of the first seven vertebrae in your spine (C1-C7). The cervical spine provides support for the weight of your head, surrounds and protects your spinal cord, and allows for a wide range of head motions.
“The older you get, the more likely you are to have decline in the C4-C7 discs,” says Dr. Hynes.
“These are the discs that are most likely to lead to persistent pain, numbness, and weakness in your arms and hands, to mention just a few symptoms.
“You may wind up not being able to button your shirt or hold on to your coffee cup. You need to be examined by a doctor to make sure you don’t wait too long to have any necessary surgery.”
Two main types of surgery are performed to treat cervical disc problems – spinal fusion and disc replacement.
The Spine Health Foundation explains spinal fusion surgery: Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that involves permanently joining two or more vertebrae to eliminate movement between them, thereby stabilizing the spine. It is typically performed to treat various spinal conditions, including degenerative diseases, fractures and deformities that cause instability or pain.
Artificial disc replacement surgery began to be performed in earnest in the United States in the year 2000. “The evidence on the disc replacement surgery is good,” says Dr. Hynes.
“However, it’s a riskier procedure. It’s critical to place the disc perfectly.”
He adds that he, personally, would opt for a fusion because there’s no danger in it wearing out, like the disc replacement might.
Advanced Disc Replacement Spinal Restoration Center says that in more than 90 percent of patients, an artificial disc replacement should last at least 10 years.
That said, patients need to understand all the details of how long an artificial disc replacement will last before undergoing the surgery. The Center advises patients about steps they can take to maximize the lifespan of their artificial disc.
These include following all your discharge instructions, actively participating in physical therapy, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet that will help bone repair, not smoking and choosing an artificial disc replacement expert.
In closing, Dr. Hynes says to pick your head up when you’re talking on your cellphone. And remember that untreated disc problems can cause slow but permanent changes. “Don’t wait until it’s too late to get treatment,” he cautions.
Richard Hynes, MD, is a Health First board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive and robotic spine surgeries. He completed a Spine Surgery Fellowship at Harvard University, Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, and did his residency and general surgery internship at Tripler Army Medical Center, University of Hawaii. His medical degree is from Rutgers, and he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, the National Board of Examiners, the North American Spine Society, and the American Board of Spine Surgeons. He practices at The B.A.C.K. Center, 2222 S. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne. Call 321-723-7716 for an appointment.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
