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cervical spine

A Pain in the Neck

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Dr. Hamilton Hall, MD, FRCSC,1 Greg McIntosh, MSc,2 Dr. Julia Alleyne, BHSc(PT), MD, CCFP, Dip. Sport Med MScCH,3 Dr. Pierre Côté, DC, PhD,4

1Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto. Medical Director, CBI Health Group, Executive Director of the Canadian Spine Society, Toronto, ON.
2Masters in Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. Director of Clinical Research for CBI Health Group and research consultant to the Canadian Spine Society.
3Family Physician practising Sport and Exercise Medicine, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network. Appointed at the University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Associate Clinical Professor.
4Canada Research Chair in Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation; Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT); Director, UOIT-CMCC Centre for the Study of Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Neck pain is common and disabling. Associated with poor posture, sedentary work and stress it is long lasting and recurrent. Most neck pain is mechanical from the structural elements within the cervical spine and can be referred to a number of remote locations. Radicular arm dominant pain is infrequent. Neck pain is diagnosed on history and confirmed with the physical examination. Routine imaging is inappropriate and the Canadian C-spine rules are recommended. Management focuses on education, range of movement exercises with associated postural improvement and strengthening exercises; neck braces should not be used.
Key Words: cervical spine, neck pain, Canadian C-spine rules, range of movement, exercise.

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Pre-test CME Quiz Post-test CME Quiz
Most neck pain is benign mechanical pain and serious pathology is uncommon.
Neck pain is longer lasting and more disabling than generally recognized.
Referred neck pain can be felt on top the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, along the jaw, in the front of the chest and as a headache.
Nerve root involvement is unusual but when it occurs typically affects C5, C6 or C7.
Routine imaging is unproductive.
Management is based on education, range of movement exercises and strengthening.
A careful history to locate the site of the dominant symptoms and a physical examination to assess posture and rule out radiculopathy will identify common mechanical neck pain.
The need for an x-ray should be based on the Canadian C spine rules.
Improving mechanical neck pain starts with educating the patient about the favourable prognosis and increasing the range of neck movement: a cervical collar is contraindicated.
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Related Terms: Back Health, cervical spine, neck pain, Canadian C-spine rules, range of movement, exercise