Other uncommon causes Neck or back pain can result from many other disorders, such as Paget disease of bone Torticollis Thoracic outlet syndrome Temporomandibular joint syndrome Herpes zoster (even before the rash) Spondyloarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, enteropathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy) Brachial or lumbar plexus injury or inflammation (eg, Parsonage Turner syndrome) Evaluation of Neck and Back Pain General Because the cause of neck or back pain is often multifactorial, a definitive diagnosis cannot be established in many patients.