Neck Pain

Neck pain often has neurological origins, especially when it’s a chronic problem. At the NeuroSpine Center, talented neurosurgeon Phillip Henkin, MD, brings 25 years of advanced neurology skills to patient care. From the most conservative treatment approaches to the newest minimally invasive cervical spine surgery technology, Dr. Henkin can provide the personalized treatment approach you need. Call the Tampa, Florida, office now or use the provided online scheduling button to make your appointment.

What conditions cause chronic neck pain?

Chronic neck pain is frequently related to your nervous system, particularly compression of the nerves, or structural pathologies such as fractured vertebral bones, overgrown bones and ligaments, torn ligaments, disrupted spinal joints, and degenerated discs.

Common issues are:

Cervical radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is neck pain that shoots down an arm. It’s the same problem as sciatica but in a different area. It occurs when a nerve is compressed or pinched.

Herniated disc

A herniated disc happens when one of the discs (the cushions between the spinal bones) cracks and the gel filling leaks. The leaking gel puts pressure on the nerve roots or your spinal cord.

Bone spurs

Bone spurs are extra bony deposits that can protrude into your spinal canal and push against the nerve roots and spinal cord.

Cervical spinal stenosis

Cervical spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal in your neck area. This can compress the spinal cord. A similar effect can happen in the lower back (lumbar spinal stenosis).

Cervical myelopathy

Cervical myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord in the neck area. It often stems from cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck), physical trauma, and infections.

Cervical spine fractures

Cervical spine fractures affect the vertebrae. While compression fractures are small, they can gradually get worse, causing vertebral collapse and kyphosis (a rounded spine).

Cervical spine instability

Cervical spine instability occurs when the vertebrae move more than they should. The spine can’t properly support the head, and you can’t move your neck normally with cervical spine instability.

What are the most effective neck pain treatments?

The NeuroSpine Center offers a complete range of neck pain treatments. Dr. Henkin explains each of them so that you can make your own choices about neck pain relief. He recommends conservative treatments, like physical therapy, before considering surgery.

If your neck pain doesn’t improve or you have a severe structural problem in your cervical spine, Dr. Henkin may recommend minimally invasive neck surgery. He performs procedures like discectomy (disc removal), fusion (connecting vertebrae), and removal of spinal canal growths using incisions less than an inch long.

How long is recovery after minimally invasive neck surgery?

Recovery varies with the specific surgery. Spinal surgical procedures are performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis, allowing you to recover where you’re most comfortable.

Dr. Henkin is the most experienced minimally invasive spine surgery specialist in Tampa and has a proven history of superior patient results, so don’t settle for less. Call the NeuroSpine Center or book your appointment online now.