Clinical approach to neck pain

Neck pain is a fairly common condition. Although majority of cases have benign mechanical causes it has got a wide differential diagnosis and encompasses serious albeit less common causes like malignancies, infections, etc. A detailed clinical evaluation can differentiate causes that can be managed conservatively from the ones requiring more aggressive approach. Laboratory tests, imaging studies and neurophysiologic testing is not required for majority of cases. Presence of systemic, neurologic features or red flag signs requires further evaluation. In this review we discuss a clinical approach to diagnosis and management of neck pain. The various causes of neck pain and the red flag signs are discussed.