Back and neck pain

Spinal degenerative disease and related disorders

Author(s): Written by Mr Graham Flint, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Neuroscience Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, with contribtions by Mr R J C Laing, Consultant Neurosurgeon, East Anglian Neurosurgery and Head Injury Service.

Contents

• Introduction
• What causes spinal pain?
• Why do I experience different types of pain?
• What other symptoms can develop?
• How common are spinal problems?
• Could it be something serious?
• What will happen if the pain is not treated?
• What do the various words used by doctors mean?
• What tests can be performed?
• How is spinal pain treated?
• When is an operation necessary?
• What do you recommend, doctor?
• Who should perform my operation?
• What are the drawbacks of surgery?
• What is the recovery period?
• What if surgery fails?
• What advances are likely in the future?
• Conclusions
• Other organisations that may be able to help
• Your feedback on Back and neck pain