The Spine & Back Blog

Neck pain is one of the most common complaints we see at Neuroscience and Spine Center of the Carolinas. And it’s no surprise. Between daily activities like working at computers, driving, and simply dealing with the stresses of modern life, your neck endures a lot of strain.

When neck pain becomes persistent or severe, it can affect every part of your life. From your ability to work and exercise to your overall mood and quality of sleep.

Dr. William Hunter, MD, a Board-Certified Neurosurgeon with extensive expertise in complex spine care, leads our team in providing expert diagnosis and both non-surgical and surgical treatments to help you find lasting relief.

Common Symptoms of Cervical (Neck) Pain

Understanding Cervical (Neck) Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Advanced Treatment Options - NSSC | GastoniaNeck pain can present in different ways depending on the cause. Symptoms may include:

  • Persistent or sharp pain in the neck
  • Stiffness and decreased range of motion
  • Pain radiating to the shoulders, arms, or hands
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms or fingers
  • Headaches, often originating at the base of the skull
  • Muscle weakness in the arms or hands
  • Difficulty maintaining balance or coordination in severe cases

Early evaluation is important, especially if symptoms interfere with daily activities, worsen over time, or are associated with neurological changes like numbness or weakness.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

There are many potential reasons for cervical spine pain, including:

  • Degenerative Disc Disease: Age-related wear and tear can cause discs between the vertebrae to break down, leading to pain and stiffness.
  • Herniated or Bulging Disc: When a spinal disc presses on a nearby nerve, it can cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms.
  • Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, often due to arthritis or bone spurs, which puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
  • Cervical Radiculopathy ("Pinched Nerve"): Nerve compression resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness radiating from the neck into the arms.
  • Trauma or Injury: Whiplash from car accidents, sports injuries, or falls can cause acute or chronic neck issues.
  • Postural Strain: Long periods of poor posture, particularly from desk work, can lead to muscular strain and chronic discomfort.

Advanced Non-Surgical Treatment Options

In many cases, neck pain can be successfully treated without surgery. Our personalized, evidence-based approach may include:

  • Physical Therapy: To strengthen the muscles supporting the neck and improve posture.
  • Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or pain relievers.
  • Epidural Steroid Injections: Targeted injections to reduce inflammation around irritated nerves.
  • Trigger Point Injections: For muscular pain relief.
  • Lifestyle Modifications: Ergonomic assessments and exercise programs to prevent future flare-ups.

Dr. Hunter and our team work closely with each patient to develop a customized treatment plan focused on restoring function and relieving pain.

When Surgery Becomes Necessary

If conservative treatments fail to relieve symptoms, particularly if there is significant nerve compression or spinal instability, surgical intervention may be recommended.

Some of the advanced surgical options performed by Dr. Hunter include:

  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): A procedure where a damaged disc is removed, and the vertebrae are fused together to stabilize the spine.
  • Cervical Disc Replacement: An alternative to fusion, preserving motion by replacing the damaged disc with an artificial one.
  • Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion: Performed from the back of the neck for extensive nerve or spinal cord compression.
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and faster recovery whenever possible.

Dr. Hunter brings over a decade of surgical expertise, combined with a focus on minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate, to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.

Why Choose Neuroscience and Spine Center of the Carolinas?

At Neuroscience and Spine Center of the Carolinas, we are committed to delivering comprehensive, compassionate, and cutting-edge care. Led by Dr. William Hunter, MD, we combine advanced diagnostics, evidence-based treatments, and patient-centered care to help you move better, feel better, and get back to the activities you love. Neck pain doesn’t have to control your life! Let us help you find the solution that's right for you. Contact us at our Gastonia, NC office to learn more.

Common Reasons to See a NeurosurgeonWhen people hear the word "neurosurgeon," they often think of complex brain surgeries or emergency trauma procedures. While these high-stakes treatments are a vital part of neurosurgery, the reality is that neurosurgeons are also experts in diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system — many of which are far more common than you might expect.

At the Neuroscience and Spine Center of the Carolinas, Dr. William Hunter, MD, a board-certified neurosurgeon with over a 30 years of experience, is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with neurological and spine-related concerns. His advanced expertise, combined with compassionate care, ensures that patients receive the most effective and minimally invasive treatment options available.

Knowing when to seek a neurosurgeon’s care can make a significant difference in managing your symptoms, improving your mobility, and enhancing your overall well-being. Here are some of the most common reasons you may need to see a neurosurgeon:

1. Chronic Back or Neck Pain

Back and neck pain are among the most common reasons people seek medical care, yet many individuals struggle for years without lasting relief. When pain becomes persistent or starts to limit your mobility, it may indicate a deeper issue requiring specialized care.

Common spine-related conditions that may require a neurosurgeon’s evaluation include:
  • Herniated or Bulging Discs: When spinal discs become compressed or rupture, they can irritate nearby nerves, causing sharp pain, numbness, or weakness.
  • Spinal Stenosis: Spinal Stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. Symptoms often include pain, tingling, or weakness that worsens with walking or standing.
  • Degenerative Disc Disease: Age-related changes to the spine can cause discs to lose flexibility and cushioning, resulting in pain and stiffness.
  • Sciatica or Pinched Nerves: Compression of the sciatic nerve can cause severe pain that radiates down the back of the leg.

If conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or injections fail to provide relief, Dr. Hunter can assess your condition and determine if minimally invasive surgery or advanced treatments are appropriate.

2. Sciatica and Nerve Pain

Sciatica is a distinct type of nerve pain that often originates in the lower spine and travels down one leg. It can cause:

  • Sharp, shooting pain
  • Tingling or numbness in the legs or feet
  • Muscle weakness
  • Difficulty walking or standing for long periods

While mild cases may respond to rest and physical therapy, persistent or worsening sciatica may indicate a herniated disc, bone spur, or nerve compression that requires surgical intervention.

Dr. Hunter specializes in identifying the root cause of nerve pain and developing customized treatment plans that may include minimally invasive decompression procedures or other innovative techniques.

3. Brain and Spinal Tumors

Although the word "tumor" can be alarming, not all tumors are cancerous. However, both benign and malignant tumors in the brain or spine can impact essential functions such as balance, coordination, and cognition.

Common symptoms that may suggest a tumor include:
  • Persistent headaches (especially in the morning)
  • Seizures or sudden neurological changes
  • Vision disturbances
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding language
  • Weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination

Dr. Hunter is highly experienced in performing delicate procedures that remove tumors while preserving healthy tissue and minimizing post-operative complications. Early detection and treatment significantly improve outcomes, making prompt evaluation essential.

4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve,the primary nerve in the wrist, becomes compressed, resulting in:

  • Numbness or tingling in the fingers
  • Weakness or difficulty gripping objects
  • Pain that radiates from the wrist to the arm

Mild cases can often be managed with splinting, medication, or lifestyle adjustments. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, Dr. Hunter may recommend carpal tunnel release surgery, a minimally invasive procedure designed to relieve pressure on the nerve and restore normal hand function.

5. Traumatic Brain or Spinal Cord Injuries

Accidents, falls, or sports-related injuries can cause severe trauma to the brain or spine. Common injuries that require neurosurgical intervention include:

  • Skull fractures
  • Brain hemorrhages or bleeding
  • Spinal fractures or instability
  • Nerve damage leading to paralysis

In these urgent cases, Dr. Hunter provides specialized care to stabilize injuries, minimize damage, and promote optimal recovery.

Want to Talk To An Expert?

Contact the team at the NSSC Spine Clinic in Gastonia, NC. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions.

 We invite you to join us for this informative session hosted by Dr. William Hunter, a renowned specialist in orthopedic spinal surgeries.

Spine Fusion and Joint Care with Bone Marrow & Platelet Rich Plasma Webinar

October 29th - 5:30-6:30PM (CST)
Learn More / Register Now

During the webinar, Dr. Hunter will share his insights, practical tips, and strategies for how Bone Marrow & Platelet Rich Plasma can be utilized in Spine Fusion and Join Care procedures. This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about minimally invasive procedures, bone marrow & PRP utilization, and the latest advancements in spinal & joint treatments.

Spine Fusion and Joint Care with Bone Marrow & Platelet Rich Plasma Webinar

XLIF® procedure: Placing the femoral nerve from anterior to posterior position

Dr. William D. Hunter of Gastonia, N.C., performs an XLIF® procedure. The nerve featured here was found to be in the anterior position. It is safer to have the nerve placed posteriorly. The video demonstrates a technique used to safely place the nerve in the posterior position. Once the nerve’s position is altered, the XLIF® procedure can continue – the disk can be removed and the graft can be placed.

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Transcript:

Hello, this is a video to describe how to move the femoral nerve posteriorly safely when performing an XLIF procedure. After making the skin incision, you can see there’s a fat plane which we dissect through. Once the fat plane is identified we can then identify the fascial plane which is above the muscle area. We clearly can see the muscle plane, and you need to clearly identify the muscle region. Taking the fascial plane away from the muscle is important. This then allows us to enter into the retroperitoneal space using a single finger dissection. Once in the retroperitoneal space, we can then place our initial dilator. The black dilator then goes on top of the psoas muscle, and then using the neural monitoring system, we can traverse through the psoas muscle. This is going to help identify where the nerve is located - whether it’s anterior, superior, inferior, or posterior - using the white mark. At this point in time we notice that the initial dilating, monitoring system is telling us that the nerve in anterior. Instead of taking the whole dilator out and starting all over again. We proceed with placing the k-wire and then the additional dilators into the region. We do know that the nerve is anterior to our dissection. We will be able to move the nerve posteriorly; however, we need to have better visualization. In doing so, we then place the additional dilators: the purple and then also the blue dilator. Again, this is telling us that the nerve is anterior. We then place the retractor system using AP and lateral x-rays, we fully identify the location of how the retractor system is set. Having the k-wire then placed, we take all the retractor systems out and initial dilators out. Then we use the neural monitoring system, noting that there is a nerve anterior. Below the suction, and right where the monitoring system was noted. At this point in time, we try to see whether we can fully identify the nerve itself. Sometimes we may need to have to adjust the retractor system, and clearly between these two instruments you can see the large femoral nerve. What we now want to do is try to establish an area interior to this nerve; therefore, we’ll continue to dissect the region and identify an anterior region for placement of the k-wire. With this dissection, we can clearly see that there is a disc anterior to the anterior part of that nerve. Because of the micro-bleeding, we will go ahead and proceed with the bipolars to bipolar the micro bleeding in the region closest to the posterior fade. Once this has been completed, we then can take the k-wire, which is currently posterior to the nerve, and place anterior to the nerve. The critical component is doing this under direct visualization. At this stage, you can see that the k-wire will now be removed and placed anteriorly. Once the k-wire is placed anteriorly, we then place the initial black dilator. Now, we subsequently remove the retractor system. Once the retractor system is removed, we then place the second dilator and then the last balloon dilator, noting that the nerve is now posterior. We then proceed in placing the retractor system again using a neuro-monitoring system, we know that the nerve is posterior to the blade. We then open the retractor system, and we can now see that there is muscle - small muscle bands above the disk material. Prior to doing anything with that muscle, it is imperative that we use the neuro monitoring system again to make sure that the nerve is posterior. Once we know that the nerve is posterior to the posterior blade, we are now in the safe zone. We use x-rays - AP and lateral - to help identify the location of the disc with regard to our retractor system. Once we feel we are in the safe zone - after using the monitoring system again to fully identify that the nerve is posterior to the posterior blade, and that the muscle is off of the disc - we place the shim, which will then help secure the retractor system in place. Then use an identifier to help note that we are in the safe zone, and that we have plenty of room to perform our discectomy, and then once the discectomy is performed, to place our graft and perform a fusion. This is the technique to place the nerve posterior to the posterior blade.