Should I Be Concerned About Sharp Pains The Base Of The Neck?

Posted on Wed, 12 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 1 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I have been experiencing sharp pains the base of the neck, it feels like it is on the 1-4 vertebrae. It's like a constant low level pain, a 3-4 for a whole day and then the next day it's fine. Pain comes and goes. When I stand for periods of time it is it's most painful. Heat packs seem to help but have no idea what kind of Dr's to see. I am 60 and have been in retail most of my life, standing, bending, processing freight so feel it may be related to my vocation. Please advise, thank you! XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear Madam, Thank you for posting your query on HCM. Well looking into your problem I would like to tell you that what symptoms you are telling are suggestive of cervical spondylitis . For this you will need to see an orthopaedician , get a x ray cervical spine - AP and Lateral views to see if there is any disc displacement . Sometimes an MRI of the affected area is also required but that will be decided after examining you . The movement of cervical spine needs to be assessed specially . Take care. Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (36 minutes later)

As I look for a Orthopaedician DO doctors, I am referred to Neurological clinics. Is this the correct path? Thank you for your information. I think that it is the right course of action. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear MADAM, This occurs bexcuase both the specialties deal with it , so it is not a bad idea even if you see a neurologist , the question is that if there is any kind of nerve impingement on the MRI which is giving rise to the pain then the neurologist deal with it .So dont worry they are also equally apt to be seen . If there is no neurological compression then physiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment which is dealt better by orthopedician. First let us determine the cause and then see further , see any of them. Take care. Dr. Shruti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar