Cervical Herniated Disc

The gel must go somewhere, either outside or inside of the spinal column. When the substance compresses the spinal nerve, it causes cervical radiculopathy. If the substance spills into the spinal canal, it narrows the space that the spinal cord needs, leading to cervical stenosis.

What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Disc Herniation?

When a patient first starts experiencing neck pain or feels a twinge in the shoulders, they might not normally associate the pain with cervical disc herniation. This is why patients need to consult a spine doctor when these symptoms occur. The pain may be a sign of something more serious than a muscle strain, like a severe cervical herniated disc injury. If a patient has a disc herniation in their neck, they may complain of symptoms such as:

• Numbness in the shoulders, neck, chest, arms, or hands
• A tingling sensation in the fingers, arms, neck, or shoulders
• A shooting pain in the shoulder or arms
• Pain whenever there is movement in the head or neck
• Weakness in the arms and hands

Several conditions, like a cervical spinal cord injury or cervical myelopathy, require the best treatment for a herniated cervical disc. In these situations, patients need to rely on a dedicated neurosurgeon like Dr. Skovrlj. When someone suffers one of these injuries, they may experience additional symptoms, including:

• Difficulty walking
• Loss of bladder control
• Numbness and tingling in the legs and feet

What Causes Cervical Disc Herniation?

The body breaks down as someone ages. The hardest hit areas are usually the places that are used repeatedly, like the shoulders and neck. A herniated disc in the cervical spine is often the result of years of wear and tear.

There are two types of wear and tear in the neck, and both are common reasons for neck pain:

• Cervical degenerative disc disease: This is the medical term for disc damage.
• Cervical degenerative joint disease: This refers to the wear and tear of the vertebrae and is a form of arthritis.

Although rare, someone may also develop a cervical disc herniation from trauma. A car accident or a direct hit can lead a disc to bulge or slip, causing pain. Lifting heavy items incorrectly can get someone in trouble, too. Seek a spine specialist to get an accurate diagnosis for back and neck pain.

When Should Someone Seek Cervical Herniated Disc Treatment?

The best neurosurgeons recommend that patients seek herniated cervical disc treatment sooner rather than later. How to treat a herniated disc in the neck depends on the stage of the herniation. Possible stages are:

• Protrusion (Incomplete herniation, without symptoms or pressure on nerves)
• Prolapsed (Incomplete herniation, possibly with some symptoms and pain)
• Extrusion (the soft interior of a vertebral disc (nucleus) squeezes out of the tough cartilage)
• Sequestered (a piece of the herniated disc breaks off)

The earlier a herniated disc can be identified, the more likely a doctor can treat it successfully. The longer the condition remains untreated, the greater the impact on the spine.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

A surgeon may recommend a non-surgical treatment for a cervical herniated disc first to see if it will relieve the pain. Patients may find relief through:

• Resting and keeping the neck immobile
• Wearing a cervical collar or a neck brace
• Taking anti-inflammatory medicine
• Going in for steroid injections to neutralize the affected nerve
• Getting physical therapy that includes cervical traction

Surgical Treatment Options

The problem with non-invasive treatments for cervical herniated discs is that they do not always deliver long-term results. It may be that a combination of conservative treatments with minimally invasive spine surgery provides the best outcomes. Surgical methods directly address the root causes of the herniation to get patients back to a pain-free life.

To treat cervical herniated discs, NU-Spine may recommend one or more of the following surgical procedures:

• Laminotomy
• Laminectomy
• Hemilaminectomy
• Minimally invasive laminectomy
• Transthoracic discectomy
• Microdiscectomy
• A corpectomy and spinal fusion combination

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Cervical Herniated Discs

Minimally invasive spine surgery involves an incision that is two centimeters or less where a small tube is inserted. The tube contains a microscope, camera, light, and precision tools. The spine surgeon completes the procedure through that small incision.

The biggest benefit of minimally invasive spine surgery is that it is done with less damage to the body because there is no need to cut through muscle and tissues. Other benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include:

• Faster results
• Less blood loss
• Less muscle and nerve damage
• Less bruising
• Faster recovery time
• Lower risks

Many patients can also go home on the same day that they have their surgery, allowing recovery to begin in the comfort of their homes.

Choose NU-Spine to Treat Cervical Herniated Disc

The world-renowned staff at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute advocates for minimally invasive spine surgery. The team believes the technique is on par with traditional spine and neck surgery, but it is less invasive, leading to a quicker healing time for the patient.

Whether a patient has a cervical herniated disc or is seeking a more accurate diagnosis of neck and back pain, visit NU-Spine as soon as possible. We are conveniently located in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, Holmdel, and Hainesport, New Jersey.

Transform your life with a touch of care! Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatments. Don’t wait for relief; schedule your appointment with our spine experts today and take the first step toward a pain-free future. Contact us today.