Mechanical neck pain with/out arm pain with no neurological deficit

This condition is treated in the Neurosurgery clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:

• Presence and duration of neurological symptoms and signs including evidence of lower limb spasticity
• Work status
• Weight loss, appetite loss and lethargy
• Fever and sweats
• Treatment to date
• Previous malignant disease
• General medical condition
• Height, weight and BMI

Tests

Investigations (only if indicated):

• Plain x-ray
• FBC/CRP & ESR
• Consider calcium and phosphate, protein
• Rheumatoid serology in specific cases
• MRI
• CT scan only in suspected fracture

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Neurosurgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

• Activity modification
• Analgesics
• NSAIDs
• Consider physiotherapy
• Education
• Maybe trial of soft collar if severe
• Spasm

Refer if symptoms and signs persist despite adequate care over 6/52 - initial referral should be to Rheumatology or Pain Assessment and they may on refer to neurosurgery

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

? Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

Mechanical neck pain

Routine (Category 3)

Patients with no referred arm pain or neurological deficit and unremarkable imaging are not routinely seen

Next available appointment. We will endeavour to see these patients within 365 days.

Availability

North

All referrals and queries are to be directed to:

Launceston General Hospital
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941

North West

All referrals and queries are to be directed to:

North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941

South

All referrals and queries are to be directed to:

Liverpool Clinics (Level 7)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941