Known as military neck or cervical kyphosis, military neck is an abnormal curvature of the cervical spine. When the spine curves become too sharp or too small, the patient may experience severe disability and reduced quality of life. Moreover, they may not be able to maintain appropriate posture and balance if the curves in their spine become too sharp or too small. If the spine curves become too sharp or too small, a person may have difficulty standing upright.
Additionally, they may have difficulty maintaining their posture and balance. From the bottom, a healthy neck curves approximately 30 to 40 degrees (lordosis) and then curves back halfway up to the head. This curve can be observed from the side. You should consult your healthcare provider if you notice changes in the curvature of your neck in order to determine what may be causing these changes, and how to treat them. You may have a curve in your neck or spine for a variety of reasons.
What Symptoms Does The Military Neck Cause?
The following symptoms are associated with military neck injuries:
- Inflexibility
- Reduced range of motion
- Migraines
- Symptoms include neck and extremity pain (fingers and toes)
- Having difficulty coordinating
- Weakness of the muscles
- Deformity of the spine
- Anesthesia
- Control of the bladder and bowels
The symptoms of military neck vary from person to person.In the presence of this condition, paralysis, bladder control issues, and bowel control issues may occur only in the most extreme cases.
How Does The Military Neck Develop?
The cause of military neck is poor posture, whether it occurs during the day or at night. A poor posture may result from staring at a computer for extended periods of time, occupational conditions, or repetitive movements.
- Disc Degeneration
Military neck may, however, be caused by several other factors, including disc degeneration.Your spine’s discs degenerate and become thinner as time passes, resulting in your head tilting forward and your neck bending forward or straightening. Having a heavy head and a misaligned position on your spine may cause your neck to sag, resulting in kyphosis.
- Iatrogenic Disorder
Medical procedures can cause military neck conditions, called iatrogenic conditions. Laminectomy is one of the most common methods for relieving spinal pressure. In addition to allowing nerves to have more space, removing the lamina can also lead to unstable facet joints between vertebrae. A majority of these complications occur in children undergoing the procedure, not in adults. Too short a cervical spine fusion can also result in iatrogenic complications.
- Cervical Spondylosis
The symptoms of neck arthritis are similar to those of back arthritis. Age causes your discs to wear down, resulting in your bones rubbing against one another and breaking. A collapse of the spine results in the head tilting forward and the neck curving forward.As a result of degeneration of the discs, arthritis may result.
- Trauma
Trauma may also result from accidents, falls, or sports injuries.s. As a result of a fracture or torn ligament, the spine may curve forward and the spinal cavity may become narrower. An imbalance may result from compression of the vertebrae body, resulting in a wedge-shaped healing process. Occasionally, spinal stenosis can result in neurological complications. There can be numbness, pain, and weakness associated with compressed pressure.
- A Congenital Condition
People who suffer from congenital cervical kyphosis may experience complications in other parts of their bodies, including urinary and kidney problems. Congenital defects, such as those of the spine, are often the cause of the military neck. A triangle-shaped vertebra is the result of this defect. This results in stacked vertebrae and a curved neck.
Military Neck Treatment
Military neck treatment involves managing symptoms and spine correction. Surgery A metal plate and rod may be placed on your neck to provide stability, or your bones may be fused together. When the condition of the neck deteriorates, surgery is usually the only treatment option.
- Physical Therapy
Exercises designed to stretch, extend, and rotate your neck are available from physical therapists, as well as advice regarding how to avoid further injury. You may require physical therapy before and after surgery in order to improve your strength and mobility.
- Neck Brace
You can maintain neck stability with a neck brace, preventing neck pain, and ensuring that your neck is in the correct position by wearing a neck brace.
- Cervical Traction
Cerebral traction is a method that applies counterforce to your neck as part of your treatment. The cervical traction technique uses a halo ring to move the spine and relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Children with severe cervical kyphosis may benefit from this procedure, which is typically performed before surgery. When kyphosis is less severe, a variety of conservative treatment options may be more effective than surgery.
Treatment With Other Methods
Treatment is primarily aimed at relieving pain.
Your pain management doctor like Dr Z doctor may recommend:
- Ibuprofen and naproxen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Injections of steroids
- Pain relievers (acetaminophen or aspirin) that are available over-the-counter Medication prescribed for pain
- Care provided by chiropractors.
Summary
Normally, the neck curves forward. In the case of a neck injury or misalignment, that natural curve may become flat. A curve may occasionally occur in the opposite direction. After a while, flat neck syndrome becomes a military neck. As a result of flat neck syndrome, the spine may be damaged, resulting in overstretched muscles and ligaments. Additionally, it can cause your spine to become compressed, resulting in wear and tear on certain areas. It is not always painful to experience the symptoms of flat neck syndrome. To prevent this condition from worsening, it is crucial to identify what is causing it. Physiatry, traction, massage, and surgery are all available options for treating curves. If you are suffering from a broken neck, you should seek advice from Dr Ali’s pain management specialists.
