Slipped Disc in the Neck

Apart from bearing the weight of the head, the neck is also subjected to a constant phase of movement throughout the day. So you can imagine the amount of stress that is exerted on this part of the body. The spine is a structure which is made up of bones, and these bones have a cushion of small oval pads of cartilage for protection.

These are also known as discs, which again, consist of a tough outer layer and soft inner layer. Annulus is the clinical term for the outer layer, and nucleus for the inner. Now, the reason this condition occurs, is associated with the nucleus.

This structure, due to injury or an accident, pushes its way through a tear in what is known as the annulus, into the spinal cord. This triggers irritation in the nerves, which manifests itself in pain, numbness, or weakness.

The pain in this condition, can be mild or severe in nature. It all depends upon the location of the damage and the severity of the condition. This pain might be accompanied by a feeling of the neck getting weak or numb. The numbness may cause the affected area to be felt as if it has fallen asleep, hence reducing mobility.

The pain that is felt is not localized, and is known to radiate towards the shoulders, back, and all the way down towards hands, fingers, and sometimes, even legs. Then again, the pain can also be limited to the shoulders. It depends upon the pinched nerves that have occurred as a result of the cervical disc. Also, one of the noticeable symptoms is if the pain shows no sign of retreat, or starts increasing overtime.

This condition gives rise to one more important symptom in the affected person, a tingling sensation in the area that neighbors the affected location. For example, in this case, you can experience a prickling or a tingling sensation near your ears, jaw, or any other area close to the neck.

In most cases, the symptoms improve by doing a few dedicated exercises, avoiding painful positions, and taking pain relievers. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, this kind of conservative treatment helps about 9 out of 10 patients.

Recommendations may include a few modification in activities to prevent the pain from getting aggravated, and taking up physical therapy. Application of heat and ice also helps the disc slip back into its original position, hence relieving pain. For dealing with mild to moderate pain, over-the-counter pain killers do well.

Some patients may require to take muscle relaxants, to deal with muscle spasms. Severe cases require bed rest for a day or two, and as far as the recovery period is concerned, it takes about four to six weeks for the condition to improve.

To conclude, not all cases of cervical disc need surgery to be treated. According to medical experts, only 10% of patients eventually go for a surgery. Normally, noninvasive treatments mentioned above, do well for improving this condition. Surgery is only required when these treatments do not work.