Constant wear and tear on the bones in your neck creates the perfect storm for arthritis. While it’s a common condition for elderly Americans after years of abusing their neck muscles and bone structure, anyone can wear out the cushions that keep neck bones from rubbing against each other. The repetitive motions you engage in during early adulthood can increase your risks of developing arthritis in the neck earlier rather than later. Learn about the early warning signs of arthritis and begin early intervention to relieve neck pain. Call Redefine Healthcare, your New Jersey pain management center, for a consultation.
I have been under the care Dr. Eric Freeman for nearly 20 years. A consumate professional, a kind caring doctor that listens with a wonderful bedside manner. Most of all an absolute genius at administering pain management treatments.
Neck arthritis is a widespread condition that can begin as early as age 40. Early intervention and treatment for arthritis in the neck are critical to slow progression and prevent further damage to your discs.
If you’re experiencing pain or stiffness in your neck that isn’t improving, the specialists at Redefine Healthcare can help improve your condition. An accurate diagnosis tells you if you’re developing arthritis or some other debilitating neck disorder causing your neck pain.
You may not have any neck arthritis symptoms when it first begins, or you may experience stiffness and mild to severe pain in your neck from the start of the condition.
Other symptoms you may experience include:
You may find that the pain worsens if you look up or down for extended periods. You can aggravate the discomfort by holding your neck in the same position for a long time. You may do this unconsciously when reading a book, for example, or pouring over your cellphone.
Degenerative changes occur in your spine as you age. Normal wear and tear occurs naturally throughout your life, even if you’re careful to exercise and eat right. Vertebral discs lose water content and height, which causes them to weaken.
Weakened discs allow your facet joints to nudge closer together. Facet joints in the neck are the joints that allow you to turn and move your head and neck freely. When cartilage breaks down in the facet joints, you experience stiffness and reduced range of motion in your neck.
If the cartilage wears off completely, bone rubs on bone. You may end up growing new bone known as bone spurs in the facet joints. Bone spurs create a narrowing of the space that nerve roots pass through, a condition that eventually becomes painful.
The most common risk factor for developing this condition is the aging process.
Other risk factors include:
Any type of repetitive movement involving your neck — or sudden jolts to your neck — can increase your risk of developing arthritis in your neck. An example is a job that involves overhead work or sports such as football and snow skiing.
To diagnose neck arthritis, your New Jersey doctor checks your reflexes, muscle strength, and the range of motion in your neck. You may need an imaging test, such as an x-ray, MRI, CT scan, or myelography. Your specialists in pain care may also order nerve function tests to see if your nerves are sending signals to muscles efficiently.
Neck arthritis treatment aims to relieve pain, prevent permanent damage to the nerves of your spinal cord, and allow you to maintain or resume your usual activities.
Your treatment may include:
Get help for the symptoms of arthritis in the neck as soon as possible. Relief from neck pain allows you to do all the things you love to do so you can live life to the fullest. Contact Redefine Healthcare today to set up a consultation. Choose from four locations in northern New Jersey in Union, Paterson, Edison, or Clifton.
The staff and support team are excellent and as far as I can tell Dr.Freeman has provided Me relief I am only one day out of the procedure but I feel markedly better.
Dr. Eric D. Freeman is a top-rated, best-in-class pain management doctor. He is a nationally recognized pain relief specialist and is among the top pain care doctors in New Jersey and the country. He is an award-winning expert and contributor to prominent media outlets.
Dr. Eric D. Freeman has been recognized for his thoughtful, thorough, modern approach to treating chronic pain. He has been named a “top pain management doctor in New Jersey” and one of “America’s Top Physicians” for advanced sports injury treatments.
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