Chronic neck pain has many different causes. However, it’s a common condition. It creates discomfort in the structures of the neck. Chronic neck pain is the third most common type of pain within the United States according to the American Pain Foundation. The current estimation is that 70% will experience some sort of neck pain within their lifetime.
Neck pain causes vary from person to person. Some common causes associated with neck pain are:
muscle strain
bone spurs
a degenerative disc disease
spinal stenosis
rheumatoid arthritis
poor posture/incorrect posture
neck tissue diseases or disorder (whiplash or neck strain, for example)
small fractures due to osteoporosis in the spine
infection or sprains in the spine
a ruptured disc
herniated discs
meningitis
muscle sprains
These neck pain causes can range from the dullest sense toms could include headaches, fevers, redness, and/or swelling.
Neck pain treatment and methods can vary. It all depends on the underlying causes for the best treatment. Identifying the cause quickly and correctly is key in getting quick relief for the pain and for helping the patient keep the pain from interfering with their lives. All aspects of the pain should be understors that can make a correct diagnosis, should be available. The availability of complete physical exams and radiological evaluations should also be considered and offered.
A sedentary lifestyle has been often linked to this coin is that those who are physically active during leisure or relaxation time can be associated with double the chance for no neck pain at all.
Treatment approaches could include:
steroid injections – injection of steroids to lower inflammation
exercise – improves strength, range of motion, mobility; could include stretching, isometric, and aerobic exercises. Exercising regularly can had a decreased risk of neck pain and chronic pain.
chiropractic care – manual manipulation of the spin tore body movement, strengthen the body, increase the flexibility of the patient, and prevent injury.
Other neck pain treatments could be the prescription of NSAIDs – a specific anti-inflammato.
In this instance, an athlete was originally diagnosed with minor quadriceps muscle strain and was treated for four weeks, with unsatisfactory results. When he came to our clinic, the muscle was not healing, and the patients’ muscle tissue had already begun to atrophy.
Upon examination using MSUS, we discovered that he had a full muscle thickness tear that had been overlooked by his previous provider. To mitigate damage and promote healing, surgery should have been performed immediately after the injury occurred. Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the patient now has permanent damage that cannot be corrected.
The most important advantage of Ultrasound over MRI imaging is its ability to zero in on the symptomatic region and obtain imaging, with active participation and feedback from the patient. Using dynamic MSUS, we can see what happens when patients contract their muscles, something that cannot be done with MRI. From a diagnostic perspective, this interaction is invaluable.
Dynamic ultrasonography examination demonstrating the full thickness tear and already occurring muscle atrophy due to misdiagnosis and not referring the patient to proper diagnostic workup
Demonstration of how very small muscle defect is made and revealed to be a complete tear with muscle contraction under diagnostic sonography (not possible with MRI)
Complete tear of rectus femoris with large hematoma (blood)
Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited on dynamic sonography examination
Request Telehealth 
