ABOUT
Cervical Disc Herniation is the protrusion of one or more discs in the neck towards the spinal cord or nerve roots. The condition might also be referred to as ruptured disc, protruded disc, slipped disc or prolapsed disc, and they all share a general meaning. The terms all suggest the nucleus pulposus has been displaced backwards and is pressing on a nerve root (or roots). Cervical disc herniations frequently cause neck, shoulder or arm pain, and even neurologic symptoms such as arm or leg weakness or sensory problems. Treatment often consists of rest or anti-inflammatory medication, yet in some patients, the removal of the offensive disc is necessary.
The most common symptom of a cervical disc herniation is neck pain spreading into different areas of the arm—areas uniquely determined by the disc which is involved. Paresthesias (pins and needles) and weakness of some arm muscles can also be associated with cervical disc herniation.
TREATMENT
Patients find relief by turning their head away from the painful side, yet the extension of their head worsens the pain. Bending the head down usually yields some relief. Most of the symptoms of a disc herniation are related to pressure on a specific nerve root, and in rarer cases, large disc herniations cause pressure on the spinal cord. Such pressure may result in a problem called cervical myelopathy, which primarily affects walking functionality due to spasticity.
After six to eight weeks of failed conservative treatment, a surgical approach is necessary to remove the offensive disc.