Can cervical spine surgery cause radiating pain in neck to head?
Patient: Nine years ago I had cervical spine surgery with instrumentation.  The last three weeks I am experiencing low-grade pain in my neck--radiating up the back of my head; and, I have noticed odd tastes (metalic) and smells (burned grain like)  Could all this be connected? If so, what should I do?  Can't afford fees. Doctor: Ok.. there's a nerve from the top of the neck that runs up the back of the head (C-1 nerve). Problems in it cause pain in that location, often triggered by neck/head movement.Taste/smells are from the totally opposite side of the head (nose and the first cranial nerve that runs under the brain near the nose). A stretch to connect it to neck problems.X rays of the neck to establish the surgery didn't fall apart then physical therapy and/or traction and/or injections, pain manangement would be standard treatments.Nasal inflammation/infection/sinus blockage can cause changes in smell and taste, I cannot say in your particular case without an exam.