Neck Straightening: What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
One of the features that improves the quality of life and makes a comfortable daily life possible is having a healthy musculoskeletal system. Problems that arise in our bones, joints and muscles, which are the elements of our musculoskeletal system due to various health problems, can seriously negatively affect our daily lives. One of the discomforts encountered in this regard is neck straightening.
What is neck straightening?
Neck flattening or cervical kyphosis; The curve in the neck part of the spine in healthy people; It is a situation where it becomes flat due to various effects and causes certain complaints. Various problems that develop in the vertebrae and other bones, muscles and ligaments in the neck region of our spine (cervical region) may result in deterioration of the neck shape.
In a healthy body; The spine curves in four different regions in its structure extending from the skull to the coccyx. These are expressed as lordosis and kyphosis, respectively, depending on whether they are concave or convex. Accordingly, the spine shows bends such as lordosis in the neck region, kyphosis in the chest region, lordosis in the lumbar region and kyphosis in the coccyx region. If these curves are larger or less than normal, skeletal system problems occur along with various complaints.
How does neck straightening develop?
Normal curve in the lordotic direction in the cervical region; Cervical kyphosis occurs when the bones, joints, muscles or ligaments in this area bend and flatten in the opposite direction over time due to the effects of various health problems. Although a complaint of straightening of the neck develops at first, as the condition progresses, the neck begins to bend in the opposite direction and kyphosis develops.
Due to abnormal development of the musculoskeletal system elements during the growth period, deformities in the bones, damage and deterioration of the structure of the vertebral bones, or the effect of various external physical traumas; The structure of the neck skeleton may be destroyed and its shape may deteriorate towards kyphosis.
What causes neck straightening?
Neck straightening; It may develop due to the effects of many diseases that concern the musculoskeletal system elements anatomically located in this region. In this sense, the development of cervical kyphosis can be seen in the following health problems:
- Poor posture: Due to abnormal neck and body posture (posture) during childhood, the development of the spine may be negatively affected and the curve in the neck may develop towards kyphosis.
- Developmental problems of the spine: Various congenital developmental disorders may occur in the spine. These may occur in the form of scoliosis, which means that the spine curves in an S shape, humpback (spinal kyphosis) or spinal lordosis. These disorders may be accompanied by neck straightening.
- Abnormally shaped vertebrae: Abnormal development of the cervical vertebrae may prevent the appearance of the curve they should normally show.
- Degenerative disc diseases: As a result of age or various diseases, the structure of the discs between the vertebrae is damaged, causing deterioration in the shape of the spine.
- Osteoporosis: In cases of osteoporosis (bone loss), which occurs especially with age or menopause in women, the cervical vertebrae may weaken and bend towards kyphosis or break.
- Trauma: Physical trauma from outside can cause damage to bones, muscles or ligaments, causing a straightening of the neck. Neck straightening may also occur due to strains and injuries due to overuse of neck muscles and ligaments.
- Cancer: Bone tumors or bone metastases of other types of cancer that cause damage to the bones can disrupt the spine structure and result in neck straightening.
- Muscular dystrophies: In muscular dystrophies, which progress with deterioration in the structure and development of the muscles, cervical kyphosis may occur as a result of the neck muscles being affected.
- Paget’s disease: In Paget’s disease, which means abnormal acceleration of the cycle of bone formation and destruction in healthy people, deformity of the cervical vertebrae and flattening of the neck arch due to deformities can be observed.
- Neurofibromatosis: In neurofibromatosis, which progresses with tumor development and deformities in various parts of the body, flattening can be observed by affecting the anatomical structure of the neck.
- Iatronegic conditions: Straightening of the neck may occur as a result of damage to the structure of the spine during another medical procedure. Cervical kyphosis may develop especially after spine surgeries.
What are the symptoms of neck straightening?
With neck straightening, various clinical symptoms may occur due to disruptions in the neck anatomical structure and function. Due to the bending of the spine, various neurological symptoms may occur, especially due to compression of the spinal cord. In this regard, the following complaints often occur in case of neck straightening:
- Neck pain
- Limitation in neck movements
- Weakness
- Weakness in neck muscles
- Loss of sensation, tingling or electric sensation in the hand or arm
- Backache
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- difficulty swallowing
- Forward vision limitation
- Paralysis in one half of the body
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
How is neck straightening diagnosed?
The first thing to be examined in the diagnosis of neck straightening is the history taken from the patient and the findings detected during the physical examination. The physician evaluates the patient’s body balance and neck movements in detail; Can examine the neck anatomy by examining it with his hand.
After the examination, neck x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be used to determine the treatment approach by examining the regional anatomy in more detail. Necessary inquiries are made regarding the patient’s additional diseases, if any, and additional laboratory tests may be carried out if deemed necessary.
The diagnosis of neck straightening is made by evaluating the data obtained from the physician’s examination and imaging methods. The physician informs the patient about appropriate treatment methods depending on the results obtained from parameters such as the severity of the patient’s complaints, quality of life, clinical and anatomical condition, and the treatment plan is decided together with the patient.
What is the treatment for neck straightening?
Since neck straightening can occur due to a variety of reasons and presents with different clinical presentations in each patient, the treatment approach varies from patient to patient. Treatment planning varies depending on the severity of the patient’s clinical condition and the underlying cause. In this regard, before treatment, the patient should be evaluated by a specialist physician, his detailed disease history should be questioned, a detailed physical examination should be performed, and if deemed necessary, additional imaging and laboratory tests should be performed. In the light of all these, the most appropriate treatment method can be planned according to the data obtained.
In the first stage of treatment, physical medicine methods are preferred. In this regard, orthopedic bands, equipment and orthoses worn around the neck may be recommended by the physician. As physical therapy, various neck exercises, neck tractions and massages are useful for strengthening the muscles in the area, relieving the compression symptoms of the spine, and regulating the bone structures.
Painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic drugs may be prescribed to relieve symptoms in patients. These medications do not eliminate neck flattening; but it helps improve the patient’s quality of life.
The main treatment for neck straightening is surgical procedures. The surgery aims to relieve the tissues exposed to pressure due to cervical kyphosis, correct the abnormal curvature, rearrange the anatomy of the cervical vertebrae and eliminate deformities.
The type of surgery and decision are made individually for the patient. In other words, depending on the severity and anatomical structure of the patient’s flattening, the surgical procedure can be performed from the front or back of the neck; Some of the vertebrae may be removed surgically or may need to be fixed with equipment such as plates and screws. Neck straightening surgeries are risky surgical procedures because they involve an operating area close to the spinal cord, spinal nerves and large vascular structures of the nervous system. In this sense, the surgeon’s experience is very effective in the success of the surgery. In the postoperative period, the patient may need to use neck orthoses or appropriate equipment for a certain period of time and be followed up with physical therapy methods.
Apart from these, a person can improve his/her complaints with various methods in daily life. In this context, not straining the neck, resting, positioning the neck appropriately during sleep, applying cold or heat, and using ergonomic products in business life or daily activities are among the things that can be done.
