DISK BREAK IN THE NECK
What is herniated disc in the neck?
The Latin name for the neck is cervical. So on a referral from the doctor it may say Cervical disc herniation. The neck consists of 7 vertebrae and between each vertebra in the spine is a disc. The disk consists of a gelatin-like core and a harder outer casing. The task of the disc is to absorb the load to which the back / neck is exposed and enable movement between the vertebrae. The head weighs about 5 kg, which puts a considerable strain on, especially the lower part of the neck during sudden movements and jumps. In disc herniation in the neck, the outer shell cracks and the gelatinous mass in the core of the disc protrudes and can press against nerves, spinal cord and ligaments. The most common is that this happens in the lower part of the neck, which is most exposed to strain. The nerves in this area control force, pain, sensation in the shoulder, shoulder, arm, hand. So depending on the level of the herniated disc, different parts of the arm or shoulder are affected. A herniated disc in the neck can occur acutely after an odd load on the neck, for example a jump, jerk or fall with a rapid onset of symptoms. It can also be a result of prolonged load that is aggravated by, for example, poor posture, working position with static load on the neck or monotonous movements. In these cases, the disc wears gradually, the height between the vertebral bodies decreases and it becomes crowded for the nerves in the area with increased discomfort as a result.
Next to the lumbar spine, it is most common to get a herniated disc in the neck and it is a relatively common diagnosis. The risk increases at the age of 40-60 years, if it occurs in the family and if you smoke.
To the left of the picture is the vertebral body, which is facing forward towards the neck. To the right are the neck protrusions that we can feel as hard lumps in the middle of the back of the neck, especially in its lower part. The disk sits between the vertebral bodies and is beige in the color in the picture. The nerves are yellow. The red should represent a herniated disc that lies and presses against the nerve as in a herniated disc.
Symptoms of cervical disc herniation
Common are moderate to severe pain down the shoulder, shoulder, arm, hand. The most common is that one page is affected. How the spread looks in more detail depends partly on what level in the neck the herniated disc is at, which part of the nerve is affected (feeling, force, pain). Some have the most problems with numbness / tingling in, for example, forearm / hand. Others have pain and or weakness in the shoulder, arm, hand. The problems are often affected by the main position you have. It is relatively common for the patient not to have a sore neck, even if the discomfort comes from there. The symptoms are partly due to the mechanical pressure on the nerve, spinal cord, ligaments and may also be due to a chemical influence in the area around the nerve where the gelatinous disc core has penetrated.
We listen and ask questions about the patient's history regarding these complaints. An examination is performed of the affected area and of the neck to see if it is possible to provoke the symptoms from there and thereby strengthen the suspicion of herniated disc. If we can get the problem picture together for a probable diagnosis, we will start treatment immediately.
Treatment for herniated discs in the neck
Part of the treatment is to correct the posture if necessary and see if it can relieve the symptoms. We review and adjust the working position and any training. We give tips on position position and pillows if nocturnal pain is a problem. The manual treatment is characterized by "less is more". It is common for light stretch treatment of the neck, tractions are test treatment and what we start with. To initially go on with other local treatment of the neck, can easily increase the discomfort temporarily, which is undesirable for both us and the patient. Relieves the discomfort after 3-4 treatments in combination with the other tips, so you can test if it is possible to treat more locally to release muscular tension and increase mobility without triggering the discomfort. Gradually, we also get started exercise rehabilitation to reset the function. This is an example of how it can be done. We adapt the treatment plan to each individual patient, to find an optimal plan.
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Treatment for herniated discs in the neck
Part of the treatment is to correct the posture if necessary and see if it can relieve the symptoms. We review and adjust the working position and any training. We give tips on position position and pillows if nocturnal pain is a problem. The manual treatment is characterized by "less is more". It is common for light stretch treatment of the neck, tractions are test treatment and what we start with. To initially go on with other local treatment of the neck, can easily increase the discomfort temporarily, which is undesirable for both us and the patient. Relieves the discomfort after 3-4 treatments in combination with the other tips, so you can test if it is possible to treat more locally to release muscular tension and increase mobility without triggering the discomfort. Gradually, we also get started exercise rehabilitation to reset the function. This is an example of how it can be done. We adapt the treatment plan to each individual patient, to find an optimal plan.
Forecast
A herniated disc with moderate symptoms often goes well without treatment. With the right treatment, we can often shorten the complaint period and make it clear to the patient what he should avoid or perform in order to minimize this happening again. In a few cases, where treatment does not lead to improvement, surgery may be necessary.
