Neck pain

Cervicalgia or Neck pain is very common

Most mobile part of spine , supports the weight of head Complex structure- bone disc , joint , muscle and ligament interact to provide stability and motion 7 cervical vertebrae○ C1 and C2 atlas and axis ( no IV disc between them )○ C3-7 connected superiorly and inferiorly to IV discs and articulate with adjacent vertebrae through Uncovertebral jts ( joints of Lushka ) Zygopophyseal joints ( Z joints or facet joints) Facet joints are diarthroses ie have synovium and hence can get involved in systemic inflammatory processesOften sites of OA changes , osteophyte formation

Affects 15.1 % of the US general population every 3 months and ranksfourth in global disability ( after back pain , depression and other MSK disorders High prevalence in developed countries Women affected more than men- the highest prevalence in middle age Can be recurrent and vary in disability Significant socioeconomic impact Few clinical trials dedicated solely to neck pain ie not well studied Most patients have " non-specific " ( simple ) neck pain where symptoms have a postural or mechanical basis

Significant trauma or skeletal injury Symptom suggestive of compression of the spinal cord ( myelopathy...