Neck pain usually comes from the small facet joints, a disc pressing on a nerve, or the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle. Surgery is needed only when the spinal cord or a nerve is being compressed in a way that threatens function. Dr. Kiruthika locates the source and treats it with image-guided injections and regenerative therapy as day-care.
The cervical spine carries the head through a wide range of movement, so its discs and facet joints wear early. Muscles of the neck and upper back tighten to protect a painful segment and become a second source of pain. Arm symptoms mean a nerve root is irritated; clumsiness of the hands or unsteadiness on walking means the spinal cord may be involved and needs urgent assessment.
Examination of movement, strength and reflexes first. Ultrasound for the muscles and for guiding injections; MRI when arm symptoms or cord signs are present. A diagnostic image-guided injection confirms the joints when they are suspected.
Conditions treated
Age-related wear of the discs and joints of the neck. Stiffness, aching, and reduced turning. Most is managed with posture work, strengthening and medication; image-guided regenerative therapy injections for joint and disc pain that persists.
A disc presses on a nerve root, sending pain, tingling or weakness into the arm or hand. Most settle over weeks. A cervical epidural or selective nerve root injection under X-ray guidance reduces nerve inflammation when symptoms are severe or slow to improve. Surgery is considered for progressive weakness or cord compression.
Pain from the small joints at the back of the neck, worse on looking up or turning, often referring to the shoulder blade. Confirmed with a diagnostic image-guided injection; treated with regenerative therapy injections for durable relief.
Muscle and ligament injury after a sudden jolt, often a road accident. Early movement and physiotherapy; trigger point or image-guided joint injections when pain persists beyond six to eight weeks.
Tight, tender bands in the trapezius and neck muscles — trigger points — that refer pain to the head, shoulder or arm. Ultrasound-guided trigger point injections and a stretching programme.
Headache arising from the upper neck joints, felt at the back of the head and behind one eye, worse with neck movement. Image-guided injections of the upper cervical joints confirm the source; regenerative therapy injection for lasting relief. Also covered on the Headache page.
Fifteen to thirty minutes, local anaesthesia, day-care. Neck procedures are done with X-ray or ultrasound guidance throughout. Home the same day.
Seek urgent medical attention today if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the area you sit on, weakness that is getting worse, fever with the pain, a recent fall or major injury, or unexplained weight loss. These are not conditions for an outpatient injection.
Also seek urgent assessment for clumsiness of the hands or unsteadiness on walking.
Sustained forward head posture loads the lower cervical joints and the trapezius. It is a common contributor; it is rarely the only cause after six weeks.
Injections are done under image guidance by a trained pain physician precisely to avoid the spinal cord and vessels. Serious complications are very rare.
Joint-related pain typically eases for many months and the injection can be repeated; disc-related arm pain often settles permanently once the episode has passed.
No. Prolonged collar use weakens the neck. Early, guided movement is the rule.
Progressive arm weakness, hand clumsiness, or gait change — signs of cord or severe root compression.