The spine, which allows the body to stand upright, consists of 33 bones called vertebrae, through which the spinal cord passes. The vertebrae are connected to each other by a soft disc and two superficial joints. The disc, consisting of strong connective tissue, is the most important structure connecting one vertebra to another. Inside the disc, there is a cartilage tissue that acts as a shock absorber to the pressure on the vertebrae.
With movements such as making wrong or reverse movements or lifting weights, the muscles contract and these bonds become compressed. In addition, as we get older, the center of the disc loses its water content, which may make the disc not perform its cushioning function as well as before.
When the disc is damaged for these reasons, its outer layer may tear and the cartilage tissue within the disc may come out of a tear in the outer layer and enter the space where the nerves and spinal cord are located. overflows. This condition causes cervical disc herniation. This overflow creates various complaints because it puts pressure on the nerves going to the arm and spinal cord.
What is Cervical Disc Herniation?
Cervical Herniation occurs due to trauma, strain, accidents or as the disc loses its central water content as we age. As the disc continues to deteriorate, its outer layer may rupture, and the center of the disc may emerge from a tear in the outer layer and overflow into the space where the nerves and spinal cord are located, causing a cervical herniation.
Our neck consists of 7 vertebrae and there are discs between our vertebrae that allow us to move. The disc, which is the most important structure connecting one vertebra to another, consists of strong connective tissue and serves as a cushion or shock absorber between the vertebrae.
CAUSES OF CURVICAL DISC HERNIA?
Cervical disc hernia occurs between the ages of 20-40, usually in people who use their bodies a lot. Lifting heavy loads, doing reverse movements, and frequent pushing movements increase the risk of rupturing the connective tissue, that is, hernia. Traffic accidents or falling from a height are among the other causes.
In addition, this disorder frequently occurs in people who sit at a desk or computer for long periods of time, which causes posture disorders.
Mobile phone use. prolonged use, looking at the screen for a long time by bending the neck, or Talking while pinching your face can also lead to cervical disc herniation.
Keeping the phone or tablet below eye level and looking at it this way for a long time poses a risk of cervical disc herniation.
There is an exact genetic transmission. Even if it is not the case, the risk of having a cervical disc herniation is higher in children whose parents have this disease, as genetic factors may be effective in the sensitivity of the disc joints.
What are the Symptoms?
Neck The most prominent symptom of hernia is neck pain. But not all neck pain is caused by a hernia. Most of these are caused by muscle pain. Cervical hernia occurs due to straining and heavy lifting.
Pains due to hernia; It is seen as pain extending to the back, shoulder blade, shoulder, back of the head and fingertips. In addition to pain, in advanced hernias, numbness, tingling, and loss of strength may occur in certain parts of the arms and fingers, depending on the function of the compressed nerve.
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Neck pain: It may spread from the back of the head to the temples. It is seen as severe, persistent pain radiating to the arm.
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Pain in the back, arms and shoulders
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Decrease in manual dexterity
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Numbness and tingling in arms and fingers
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Sensory loss
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Electrification
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Weakness in arm and hand muscles
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Weakness in reflexes
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Thinning in the arm
Very rarely, a herniated disc can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause problems in the legs. Numbness in the feet, urinary and fecal incontinence may be observed very rarely.
When pressure is placed on a nerve root or a spinal cord tissue, edema may occur in that area. Since edema increases the pressure, the discomfort may enter a vicious circle.
Treatment for cervical disc herniation?
Most patients with cervical disc herniation can get better without any treatment. . There are different options for the treatment of patients whose pain continues.
The majority of patients use non-surgical methods, namely physiotherapy, manual therapy and eczema. It is getting better with you.
The purpose of non-surgical treatment for cervical disc herniation is to reduce the irritation of the nerve caused by the herniated disc, relieve pain and improve the general condition of the patient. You should definitely ask your doctor whether you will be able to go to work during the cervical disc herniation treatment process.
After the onset of pain due to cervical disc herniation (cervical disc herniation), short-term rest (1-2 days) may be beneficial. It is important to start moving again after this short rest in order to prevent joint stiffness and muscle weakness.
With the help of your physiotherapist, he can inform you about this by teaching you special exercises to strengthen your neck.
While you can practice these exercises at home, you may need to see a physiotherapist to implement a more specific program that suits your needs and skills. Exercises must be done regularly, exactly as the physiotherapist explains.
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