What kind of doctor should I see for neck problems?

What kind of doctor should you see? “There are two types of doctors that typically treat neck pain: neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons,” Chun said.

Table of Contents

Does an orthopedist deal with neck issues?

An Orthopedist Treats Back and Neck Pain

Tight or strained soft tissues, whiplash, a herniated disc, arthritis, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis are all common causes of back and neck pain. Without treatment, any of these conditions could lead to chronic pain and symptoms.

What kind of doctor should I see for neck and head pain?

Neurologists are the doctors who usually evaluate chronic headaches. Pain doctors can also provide useful input. We help with headaches by addressing pain and sensitivity from problems with your neck as well as your nerves and other parts of the head.

When should I see an orthopedist for neck pain?

See an orthopedist if: You feel or hear grinding, crunching or popping in your neck bones. Applying heat or ice provides temporary relief, but the pain keeps coming back.

What are symptoms of nerve damage in the neck?

Neurological symptoms from cervical radiculopathy that can radiate down from your neck include:

Pain.
Numbness.
Tingling or a “pins and needles” feeling.
Muscle weakness.
Weakened reflexes.

Should I see a neurologist or orthopedist for neck pain?

Any neurologist is highly specialized in diagnosing back pain and neck pain, and in assessing risks and treatment options. Every back pain and neck pain patient is unique, with different degrees of problems associated with a bone or disc abnormality. A neurologist is trained to discover the causes of symptoms.

Where should I go for neck pain?

Call 911 or your local emergency number or have someone drive you to the emergency room if you have severe neck pain that’s associated with: Traumatic injury.

How do I know if my neck pain is serious?

Contact a health care provider if neck pain:

Is severe.
Persists for several days without relief.
Spreads down arms or legs.
Comes with headache, numbness, weakness or tingling.

How does an orthopedist treat neck pain?

Your orthopedist may recommend pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These drugs are suitable for mild to moderate pain. They may also prescribe other medications as part of your neck pain treatment. For more intense pain, your orthopedist might recommend corticosteroid injections into your neck.

Will MRI show pinched nerves?

MRI scans which show soft tissues, such as nerves and discs, are generally preferred over CT scans which show bony elements. Advanced imaging can show exactly which nerve or nerves are being pinched and what is causing the nerve to be pinched.

What cancers cause neck pain?

Sometimes persistent, continuing neck pain is a warning sign of head or neck cancer. Although it could also be a sign of another less serious condition, head and neck cancers might include a lump, swelling or a sore that doesn’t heal.

What are the red flags for neck pain?

Red flag symptoms

Significant preceding trauma or neck surgery.
Systemic upset (unintentional weight loss, night sweats, fevers)
Severe pain.
Nocturnal pain.
Relatively young (<20 years) or old (>55 years)
Signs of spinal cord compression.
Significant vertebral body tenderness.

What are symptoms of nerve damage in neck?

How do you know if neck pain is serious?

What does a pinched nerve in the neck feel like?

Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve. Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward. Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia) Muscle weakness in the affected area.

What are the signs of nerve damage?

The signs of nerve damage

Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
Feeling like you’re wearing a tight glove or sock.
Muscle weakness, especially in your arms or legs.
Regularly dropping objects that you’re holding.
Sharp pains in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
A buzzing sensation that feels like a mild electrical shock.

How do u know if u have a tumor in your neck?

Head and neck cancer symptoms may include a lump in the neck or a sore in the mouth or the throat that does not heal and may be painful, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty in swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious conditions.

What does a tumor in the back of neck feel like?

Patients often have unrelenting pain, as well as night pain, that is not relieved by rest or traditional measures. Patients may have neck stiffness and decreased range-of-motion. Patients may have weakness or numbness if the tumor is advanced and causing neurologic compression or irritation.

Can neck pain indicate something serious?

Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem. Seek medical care for neck pain with numbness or loss of strength in the arms or hands or for pain that shoots into a shoulder or down an arm.

How do I know if neck pain is serious?

Neck pain requires immediate medical attention if it is accompanied by any of the following:

Radiating pain into both arms or legs (myelopathic pain)
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms or legs.
Problems with balance or coordination.
Loss of bowel or bladder control.
Unintended weight loss.
Fever or chills.

What kind of doctor treats pinched nerve in neck?

If your primary care doctor is unable to diagnose the pinched nerve, you may need to see a neurologist or orthopedist.

Does an MRI show nerve damage?

Nerve damage can usually be diagnosed based on a neurological examination and can be correlated by MRI scan findings. The MRI scan images are obtained with a magnetic field and radio waves. No harmful ionizing radiation is used.

What does nerve pain feel like in neck?

When your neck is sore, you may have difficulty moving it, such as turning to one side. Many people describe this as having a stiff neck. If neck pain involves compression of your nerves, you may feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand.

What does a tumor feel like in your neck?

Head and neck cancer can cause pain or a burning sensation when chewing and swallowing food. You might feel like food is stuck in your throat. You may cough or feel like food or liquid are going into the airway (windpipe).