Neck and Arm Pain

• Common symptoms
• Typically the result of an injury or repeated activities over a long period of time
• Not all neck and arm pain has a surgical solution
• Arm pain, numbness, tingling and weakness can be caused by pressure on the nerves traveling from the neck down the arm
• Neck extension usually aggravates pain
• Relief with arm elevation and touching the back or the top of the head with the hand
• Imaging of the spine with an MRI is very useful to assess the status of the discs, patency of the spinal canal and assess for any nerve compression
• Treatment focuses on conservative management first
  • Medications – to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Epidural steroid injections – to reduce pain and inflammation. Performed by Pain specialists
  • Activity restrictions
  • Physical therapy
  • Alternative therapies – e.g. acupuncture
• Surgery is recommended when:
  • There is arm pain and/or numbness or weakness
  • There is radiographic evidence of spinal cord or root compression at the level corresponding to the patient’s symptoms
  • Symptoms are resistant to conservative therapy