Before starting the discussion about cervical disc herniation let us first get a brief about what herniation is, sounds like a very heavy word, but surprisingly has a very easy meaning and that is when something comes out of its decided surrounding which would medically be defined as an abnormal condition or process in which an organ or other tissue protrudes through an opening, as in the organ’s surrounding walls or some other narrow space.
You must have heard about the herniation in the knee joint very often or commonly called hernia in knees but what if the herniation takes place in the cervical disc forcing a part or inner stuff of the disc through a weekend weakened** part of the spine, then this condition is called Cervical Disc Herniation or Slipped Disc. Below are some key facts about the condition
- Very commonly known as The Slipped Disc
- Most common in individuals older than 40 years
- Most commonly affected part is the lower back
- Most common location for it to occur in the spine is C-5 and C-6 bone followed by C-6 and C-7 bone
- People with physically stressful and demanding jobs have a higher risk of getting a herniated cervical disc
- Pushing, pulling, lifting, bending at extreme limits may be a very common cause of the herniated cervical disc to happen
Symptoms
The most common symptom of the herniated cervical disc is pain felt mostly in the shoulder or arm. The herniation most commonly happens in the lower back but can also occur in the lower back in some cases. Herniation affects one side of the body usually but in some cases the pain can occur in both the arms or both the shoulders. Let us look at some more symptoms of the condition
Pain in Legs or Arms. Now, if the herniation of the disc took place in the lower back then the most common areas of pain will obviously be your lower back and also the buttocks, calf and thigh possibly.
Now if the herniation happened in your neck then the most common areas of pain will or can be your shoulder or arm of one side generally and both sides in rare cases.
Noticeable Weakness. The herniation will affect the nerves associated and the nerves will weaken your muscles resulting in noticeable inability to move or lift heavy items.
Tingling or numb body parts. Another possible symptom because of the affected nerves due to the herniation could be tingling or numbness in affected parts of the body.
Note: At times there could be no symptoms of the herniated disc, then the only way to detect the above would be an X-ray image of the spine.
Common Causes
Damage of the Disc with age. Disc degeneration in older people is very common a cause of disc herniation because of the rising age happening due to the tearing or rupturing of the disc making it less strengthened and way less flexible.
Wrong Weightlifting Techniques. Gym goers and heavy weight lifters are also at risk if they are using their lower back muscles instead of the leg and thigh muscles to lift heavy weights leading to the disc damage and ultimately its herniation.
Some rare Falls. Some other incidents such as a heavy fall resulting in hitting the back on the floor may result in the herniation of the disc.
Note: To prevent the condition one can start exercising with increasing age. Gym goers should hire a proper trainer and learn accurate techniques before getting into heavy weightlifting. Extreme sports and activities should be played with utmost carefulness to avoid any kind of traumatic fall or incident.
Treatment
As observed in some cases the painful symptom of the herniated disc usually goes away by itself in 4-6 weeks but if that is not the case then the herniation has possibly affected the nerves to an extent to which now self repair is not possible. In such a case, no time should be wasted before seeing a doctor and start getting proper treatment for the condition to heal. Below are Treatment steps and processes of the slipped disc.
Initial phase of the treatment is conservative and usually involves non steroidal and just the anti inflammatory medications, some of which are Aleve, Motrin etc.
Cognitive Enhancement: Controlling Focus and concentration
Note: Approximately 80% of the herniated or slipped disc cases can be treated completely in such conservative and non steroidal manner.
Traction, Ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to the muscles in pain and secondarily inflamed are employed by the therapists.
In some cases, in order to direct the given medications to the exact extent of the disc herniation or damage, an epidural steroid injection may be performed by the doctor but under proper X-ray guidance of the spine and affected parts, only performed by a neurosurgeon or pain expert.
Note: If the condition is not cured by the above methods and steps then doctors’ treatment will lead to surgery which is now necessary.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion(ACDF): The most common surgery method or say operation used for the treatment of a slipped or herniated disc.
Steps Involved
- INCISION/CUT ON THE NECK, exposing the front of the spine.
- REMOVAL OF THE HERNIATED DISC, relieving any pressure on the spine and nerves.
- PLACEMENT OF A BONE GRAFT, either from the patient’s own hip bone or from a bone bank in the space after removing the disc.
Note : Multiple ACDF’s can be performed based upon the no. of discs herniated.
Posterior cervical Discectomy: Just the opposite of ACDF where the surgery is performed on the back portion of the neck exposing the stressed nerve, followed by the removal of the disc giving the nerve enough space required to pass the spine.
Latest Treatment Development: where an artificial disc can be placed after removing the disc in the made space without having to place the bone graft, accompanied by the advantage of maintaining normal mobility of the neck and help prevent premature disc diseases in other spinal cord parts.
Conclusion
We hope that the article was helpful and informative enough to help your research about the condition, its symptoms and treatment. Last but not the least, if the condition and symptoms are worsening, the patient should waste no time before seeing an expert and start getting proper treatment. Thank You.
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