Herniated Disc in Neck Symptoms

In all, there are 24 segments of movable bones that form the spinal column. They are known as vertebrae. The cervical section or spinal column that lies in the neck region consist of 7 vertebrae. Each of these vertebrae are cushioned with soft cartilage tissue called disc. The main function of this cartilage disc is to prevent the bones from getting rubbed against each other when you move your head in any direction. Herniated discs occur when one of these discs suffer split or rupture and its jelly like content is leaked out. It is also known as bulging disc or slipped disc. Herniated disc in neck symptoms show up when a part of the ruptured disc touch the pair of nerve root that exit through a small opening near it.

Causes

One of the most commonly found causes behind a herniated disc in the neck is degeneration of the cartilage disc with aging. With increase in age, the elastic properties of the cartilage tissue decreases. As a result, the disc becomes stiff and dry which make it susceptible to wear and tear. Traumatic injury can cause damage to the discs. Repetitive bending of the cervical spine during recreational or occupational activities, lifting of heavy weight, incorrect posture while sitting often contribute to this problem.

Symptoms

You will be surprised to know that many people have bulging discs in the neck but they are not aware of it as there are no visible symptoms. You will not experience them as long as the protrusion from the disc is not affecting the soft nerve tissues of the surrounding areas. One of the most obvious symptoms of herniated disc: neck pain usually starts all of a sudden in the morning without any trigger. In this condition, if you hold the arm in an overhead position, you may find some relief as the pressure on the nerve is eased off. The intensity of the pain often vary from mild to extreme which largely depends on the severity of the pressure exerted on the nerve root. As the nerve gets affected, the pain comes along with other symptoms like tingling, numbness, weakness in muscles and muscle spasms.

Besides, there are some typical symptoms of herniated disc in neck. These symptoms are felt in those parts of the body where the pressed nerve is extended. They are as follows:

• A nerve root pinched at the cervical segment 4 and 5 or (C4-C5) make the muscles of the upper arm (or deltoid muscle) weak and give rise to a sharp shoulder pain.
• When the nerve at segment C5 and C6 gets affected, then it leads to weakening of the biceps or frontal part of the upper arms and the wrist extensor muscles. In this case, a constant pain is experienced at the thumb side of the hand and is accompanied by tingling and numbness.
• When the herniation occur at the C7 nerve root, then weakness is felt in the triceps that lies at the back of the upper arm and is often extended to forearm and finger extensor muscles. One can experience pain, numbness and tingling in this entire region which at times give intense pain in the middle finger.
• An impingement of C8 nerve root that lies in between C7 segment and thoracic segment 1 can badly affect the gripping ability of the hand. Here, the pain from the arm region gets extended to the little finger.

Treatment

Bulging disc in neck is diagnosed with the help of its symptoms, physical examination of the patient and laboratory tests like x-ray and MRI scan. The main aim of the treatment is to reduce the intensity of the symptoms by non-surgical means. The patient is advised to avoid all such activities that tends to intensify the pain. Application of ice several times a day is of great help for relieving the pain and muscle spasm associated with it. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are widely used for pain relief. For a more severe pain, muscle relaxants and narcotics are also prescribed. If the pain is unmanageable with oral medicines, steroid injections are administered. As the pain subsides, doctors suggest some exercises for bulging disc that can make the muscles of the area strong and flexible and reduce the pain. In those cases where the spinal cord is squeezed, these conservative methods of treatment does not yield results and the pain becomes severe, then surgical option is availed.

If you are experiencing herniated disc in neck symptoms, then do not neglect it and start treatment now before it turns too bad. However, do not panic unnecessarily. With the right kind of treatment and exercises, the problem of slipped disc in neck can be resolved and you can lead a productive life in future.