My Spine - Cervical
How is it diagnosed?
A clinical examination by your specialist or therapist will allow for a reason-
able suspicion, but a CT scan and radio isotope scan (see the chapter Tests and
Scans) will help make the diagnosis. The CT scan will give information about
the anatomy of the joints and the radio isotope scan will reveal any inflam-
mation in the joints. Tests can, however, only give an indication and should
be interpreted along with the clinical picture.
How is it treated?
The available treatment includes anti-inflammatory medication, analgesics,
physiotherapy and other manual treatments such as chiropractic treatment,
pressure point therapy, massage therapy, traction and other therapies.
Rhizotomies can be very successful in the management of whiplash injuries
(see the chapter Cervical Radiofrequency Rhizotomy).
Does this treatment have any complications?
The only real complication is the fact that this condition is difficult to treat
and treatment is not always successful. There have been reports that overzeal-
ous chiropractic treatment of the neck can have complications, but modern
chiropractic techniques are much better tolerated.
What are the long-term expectations?
In cases where the symptoms settle with conservative measures, the symp-
toms may reappear at some stage. This is a condition with ongoing morbidi-
ty and treatment has to be ongoing. In some cases symptoms are resistant to
all treatment, and this can be a challenging situation to manage.
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