Cervical disc herniation is a very common disorder. In such a case, patients may feel neck pain, restriction in neck movements, pain radiating to the arm, hitting the shoulder, numbness in the fingers, and weakness in the arm muscles. Pain can sometimes be severe or even unbearable.
Is there a straight ratio between the size of the cervical disc herniation and the intensity of the pain?
In longitudinal hernia, the patient's complaints are not compatible with the size of the hernia. In other words, while a patient with a large hernia may complain of mild back pain, a patient with a tiny hernia pressing on the nerve may experience unbearable pain.
What does "your hernia has ruptured" mean?
Some clinicians say Even though neurosurgeons, especially neurosurgeons, love to use this word, it is actually an expression that means nothing other than confirming what is happening. The first stage of a herniation is the bulging of the disc, which we call bulging. This is a relatively mild condition. When the soft inner part of the disc tears the outer fibers and comes out, it is called hernia or protrusion. Without this tear, there would be no herniated disc. In other words, there is nothing exploding like a bomb, there is a ruptured disc section.
Is surgery necessary in a patient who complains of weakness in the arm due to a cervical disc herniation?
Weakness in one or both of the arm muscles due to a cervical disc herniation is an important complaint, although it is relatively rare. But since the arm muscles receive branches from several different nerves, permanent weakness rarely develops. Here, the degree of damage to the nerve is measured with the EMG test and this is helpful in decision making. In such cases, surgery is usually not required and most cases recover. What is dangerous in a cervical disc herniation is the compression of the spinal cord. It is usually caused by canal stenosis due to hernia on the basis of congenital narrow canal. This situation can have much more serious consequences than when the nerves going to the arm are under pressure. When pressure damages the spinal cord, the patient usually feels weakness and loss of control in the legs. Sometimes, this pressure may not show symptoms until weakness occurs. This group of patients, which we call asymptomatic, is the highest risk group. Spinal cord due to hernia or canal stenosis in MRI examination Bone damage can be demonstrated before clinical findings appear. If this condition, which we call myelopathy, occurs in the spinal cord, surgical intervention is required. In elderly patients, the patient can be closely monitored with frequently repeated MRI examinations.
Are neck movements useful in cervical hernia?
Neck movement is definitely not recommended in the acute phase of cervical hernia. This is incorrect information. Neck movements are not allowed in patients with canal stenosis. Damage to the spinal cord may occur. The neck is already the most mobile part of the body. Therefore, neck movements are restricted in the early period. The neck is in the least risky position in an upright posture on the shoulders. It is harmful to bend the neck excessively left or right or back and forth. However, after the patient has fully recovered, movements can be given to correct the hunched body posture, which we call posture. Pilates is one of the most useful exercise systems for these patients.
Which is easier to heal, a cervical disc herniation or a lumbar disc herniation?
Contrary to popular belief, cervical hernias are treated non-surgically, which we call conservative. It responds to methods much better than herniated disc. Most cases resolve without the need for surgery.
Read: 0
