Neck Pain

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, specialists at the Spine Center offer patients with neck pain the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies and techniques. Our team has expertise in comprehensive care such as nerve-conduction studies, therapeutic injections, and specialized spine imaging.

Our collaborative team approach gives patients access to neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, pain management specialists, and physiatrists with one call. Our goal is to partner with our patients in their care, get them back to health as soon as possible, and help them achieve the best outcomes.

About Neck Pain

Neck pain can be caused by many things – from injuries, herniated discs, and spinal fractures to pinched nerves and conditions such as arthritis and spondylolisthesis. For some patients, neck pain comes and goes; others deal with chronic neck pain. Regardless of the cause and type, experiencing neck pain can greatly diminish patients’ quality of life.

Diagnosis of Neck Pain

If a patient has neck pain, we’ll conduct a physical examination and order spine imaging and other studies to determine its cause. Tests, procedures, and studies used to evaluate and diagnose neck pain might include:

• Bone scans
  
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Myelography
• Nerve conduction studies to measure electrical activity generated by muscles and nerves
• X-rays

Neck Pain Treatments

After diagnosis, we make sure patients see the right experts to treat their specific symptoms. Spine Center specialists treat neck pain with a complete spectrum of therapies that might include:

• Anti-inflammation drugs
  
• Biofeedback
  
• Cortisone injections
  
• Physical therapy
  
• Surgery
  

We’ll create a care plan that minimizes the number of visits a patient needs to make, while also providing all the support needed.

Research and Clinical Trials

UT Southwestern conducts clinical trials aimed at improving the treatment of neck pain. Talk with our doctors to see if a clinical trial is available.