Neck and back pain are among the most common reasons people seek medical care. While most episodes resolve with conservative treatment, some patients develop chronic or progressive symptoms that warrant neurosurgical evaluation. Pain may originate from the discs, facet joints, ligaments, muscles, or nerves of the spine.
The goal of neurosurgical evaluation is to determine whether there is a structural cause for the pain that can be addressed surgically. Not all neck and back pain requires surgery, and Dr. Waldron takes a conservative approach, recommending surgical intervention only when there is a clear structural problem and nonsurgical options have been exhausted.
When Back or Neck Pain May Be Serious
Most neck and back pain is mechanical and resolves over time. Certain features suggest a more serious underlying cause that requires prompt evaluation.
- Pain accompanied by progressive weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Bowel or bladder dysfunction associated with back pain (a surgical emergency)
- Pain following significant trauma such as a fall or car accident
- Pain that wakes you from sleep consistently
- Unexplained weight loss accompanied by back pain
- Pain that radiates down the arm or leg and does not improve with rest
- Pain lasting longer than six weeks despite appropriate conservative treatment
A Thorough Evaluation
Dr. Waldron begins with a detailed history and neurological examination. Imaging studies such as MRI, CT scan, or X rays may be ordered to identify structural abnormalities. The evaluation determines whether the pain has a surgically correctable cause or whether continued conservative management is the best path. When surgery is indicated, it is targeted at the specific structural problem identified on imaging.