Cervical Disc Herniation
The intervertebral discs consist of an outer layer that forms a fibrous capsule around the softer, inner part of the disc. This capsule can tear or rupture, allowing the softer, inner part of the disc to rupture, or herniate out of the disc space. Alternatively, the capsule may stay intact and the disc can bulge posteriorly. This usually causes less severe symptoms.
Frequently, the disc herniates back to one side producing symptoms in one arm, shoulder, or hand. Symptoms may include neck pain or pain between the scapulae. Often the pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling, perhaps even weakness. Broad disc bulges can produce bilateral symptoms by compressing the exiting nerve roots.
Less commonly, larger midline disc herniations can cause compression of the spinal cord. This can lead to weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hands, arms, and occasionally the legs. Clumsiness and difficulty walking may ensue, and longstanding or severe spinal cord compression can lead to incontinence and inability to stand or walk. For details, see the section titled "Cervical Stenosis."
How do disc herniations occur? Occasionally they are related to a specific trauma (motor vehicle accident, heavy lifting, etc). More often, however, disc herniations are spontaneous. It is common for someone to just wake up one day with symptoms and say that they felt like they just "slept wrong."
Fortunately, most cervical disc herniations will not require surgery. With time, most disc bulges or less severe herniations will resolve. Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and other medications can help alleviate the symptoms. Spinal decompression (DRX), physical therapy, and other non-surgical modalities can also expedite recovery from cervical disc disease. Spinal decompression treatments can relieve the pressure from bulging, degenerated, and herniated discs without surgery.
However, larger disc herniations and in those cases where symptoms do not improve, surgery is an option. Disc herniations that are far off to one side can be addressed posteriorly (cervical hemilaminotomy/microdiscectomy), whereas most disc herniations are addressed from an anterior approach (anterior cervical discectomy).
Frequently, the disc herniates back to one side producing symptoms in one arm, shoulder, or hand. Symptoms may include neck pain or pain between the scapulae. Often the pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling, perhaps even weakness. Broad disc bulges can produce bilateral symptoms by compressing the exiting nerve roots.
Less commonly, larger midline disc herniations can cause compression of the spinal cord. This can lead to weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hands, arms, and occasionally the legs. Clumsiness and difficulty walking may ensue, and longstanding or severe spinal cord compression can lead to incontinence and inability to stand or walk. For details, see the section titled "Cervical Stenosis."
How do disc herniations occur? Occasionally they are related to a specific trauma (motor vehicle accident, heavy lifting, etc). More often, however, disc herniations are spontaneous. It is common for someone to just wake up one day with symptoms and say that they felt like they just "slept wrong."
Fortunately, most cervical disc herniations will not require surgery. With time, most disc bulges or less severe herniations will resolve. Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and other medications can help alleviate the symptoms. Spinal decompression (DRX), physical therapy, and other non-surgical modalities can also expedite recovery from cervical disc disease. Spinal decompression treatments can relieve the pressure from bulging, degenerated, and herniated discs without surgery.
However, larger disc herniations and in those cases where symptoms do not improve, surgery is an option. Disc herniations that are far off to one side can be addressed posteriorly (cervical hemilaminotomy/microdiscectomy), whereas most disc herniations are addressed from an anterior approach (anterior cervical discectomy).
