Understanding the Condition
A cervical disc herniation is diagnosed when the inner core of a disc in the neck herniates. It may even leak out of the disc or put excess pressure on a nerve root lying next to it. This type of herniation usually develops among people belonging to age group 30-50 year. The main cause of cervical herniated disc is a neck injury or trauma. In most cases, the patient experience the symptoms immediately.
Symptoms
Herniated discs in the neck (cervical spine) leads to pain, weakness or numbness in the neck, chest, shoulders, hands, and arms. In some cases, the patient may suffer from a large herniated disc in the neck which causes an unusual tingling and weakness affecting legs and all other parts of the body.
Diagnosis
Doctors will get patients undergo an initial exam. Thereafter, special diagnostic imaging tests are prescribed for better diagnosis of a cervical herniated disc. Some of the common diagnostic process include:
MRI Scan - This is very helpful in identifying a cervical herniated. An acronym to Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan. An MRI scan can effectively image any pinching experienced by nerve root due to a herniated cervical disc.
CT Scan (with Myelogram) – Doctors may occasionally recommend a CT scan with a myelogram. The test is more sensitive and capable of diagnosing even mild cases of nerve root pinching.
Treatment Options
Non Surgical Treatment
In most cases, arm pain resulting from a cervical herniated disc can be easily controlled with medication. Non-surgical treatments can provide relief from symptoms of this condition. As soon as the patient feels improvement in arm pain, it is unlikely to recur in most cases. The doctor also suggest patient to continue with nonsurgical treatment. All treatment plans for cervical disc herniation are essentially designed to relieve arm pain. Other symptoms such as weakness and tingling/numbness also fade away with time.
Medications - Since pain is caused due to a combination pinching of a nerve root and inflammation of disc material, medications are prescribed for relief. Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors help reduce the pain. Anti-inflammatory medications help with removing inflammation and decrease pain. Also the pressure on the nerve root is also resolved. Under cases of severe pain originated from a cervical herniated disc, the doctors will prescribe oral steroids (short term) for relief.
Activity – Patients are also advised to undertake physical therapy and exercise. A physical therapist may assist with use of modalities, such as heat/ice or ultrasound. This provides great relief from muscle spasm.
Cervical Traction – Head traction on the head will help reduce pressure over the nerve root. Patients can also use a home traction device once they feel comfortable with the process.
Chiropractic Manipulation – This will help reduce the joint dysfunction. It is a kind of low-velocity manipulation known as mobilization.
Bracing – There are cases where a special cervical collar or brace may also be recommended to ensure rest for the cervical spine.
Injections – Patients are also prescribed cervical epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation under severe pain cases.
If you looking for cervical disc herniation treatment so visit the following link : www.spinecentermiami.com
A cervical disc herniation is diagnosed when the inner core of a disc in the neck herniates. It may even leak out of the disc or put excess pressure on a nerve root lying next to it. This type of herniation usually develops among people belonging to age group 30-50 year. The main cause of cervical herniated disc is a neck injury or trauma. In most cases, the patient experience the symptoms immediately.
Symptoms
Herniated discs in the neck (cervical spine) leads to pain, weakness or numbness in the neck, chest, shoulders, hands, and arms. In some cases, the patient may suffer from a large herniated disc in the neck which causes an unusual tingling and weakness affecting legs and all other parts of the body.
Diagnosis
Doctors will get patients undergo an initial exam. Thereafter, special diagnostic imaging tests are prescribed for better diagnosis of a cervical herniated disc. Some of the common diagnostic process include:
MRI Scan - This is very helpful in identifying a cervical herniated. An acronym to Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan. An MRI scan can effectively image any pinching experienced by nerve root due to a herniated cervical disc.
CT Scan (with Myelogram) – Doctors may occasionally recommend a CT scan with a myelogram. The test is more sensitive and capable of diagnosing even mild cases of nerve root pinching.
Treatment Options
Non Surgical Treatment
In most cases, arm pain resulting from a cervical herniated disc can be easily controlled with medication. Non-surgical treatments can provide relief from symptoms of this condition. As soon as the patient feels improvement in arm pain, it is unlikely to recur in most cases. The doctor also suggest patient to continue with nonsurgical treatment. All treatment plans for cervical disc herniation are essentially designed to relieve arm pain. Other symptoms such as weakness and tingling/numbness also fade away with time.
Medications - Since pain is caused due to a combination pinching of a nerve root and inflammation of disc material, medications are prescribed for relief. Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors help reduce the pain. Anti-inflammatory medications help with removing inflammation and decrease pain. Also the pressure on the nerve root is also resolved. Under cases of severe pain originated from a cervical herniated disc, the doctors will prescribe oral steroids (short term) for relief.
Activity – Patients are also advised to undertake physical therapy and exercise. A physical therapist may assist with use of modalities, such as heat/ice or ultrasound. This provides great relief from muscle spasm.
Cervical Traction – Head traction on the head will help reduce pressure over the nerve root. Patients can also use a home traction device once they feel comfortable with the process.
Chiropractic Manipulation – This will help reduce the joint dysfunction. It is a kind of low-velocity manipulation known as mobilization.
Bracing – There are cases where a special cervical collar or brace may also be recommended to ensure rest for the cervical spine.
Injections – Patients are also prescribed cervical epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation under severe pain cases.
If you looking for cervical disc herniation treatment so visit the following link : www.spinecentermiami.com