Cervical Disc Herniation in Vacaville

When you have a cervical herniated disc in Vacaville, it can cause different types of pain or no symptoms at all. The pain can vary from aching in the arm, neck, and/or hand to an electric-like pain in those same areas as well. There are cases where an arm or hand numbness can also be present. This type of condition can come as a result of an injury or trauma and the symptoms can start spontaneously.

Cervical herniated disc pain and other signs can usually be felt in one arm or the other. Symptoms can vary depending on which disc is herniated and which nerve root has been compressed or inflamed. There are rare cases where the pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness can happen in both arms or in the lower part of the body if the spinal cord is affected. Loss of bladder and/or bowel control can also happen rarely but has possible outcomes.

Cervical herniated disc pain management in Vacaville

Neck and/or arm pain from a cervical herniated disc will only last for a few days, or it can also become chronic where it will last for months or longer. The pain usually comes and goes, or it can have bad flare-ups during certain activities. When neck and/or arm pain comes from a herniated disc, the symptoms can resolve on its own within 4 to 6 months, though the disc itself will not heal.

Most cases of cervical herniated disc pain can be relieved with nonsurgical treatments, such as ice or heat packs, over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the neck, and/or lifestyle modifications to avoid painful movements until the pain has decreased. In certain cases, oral steroids or an epidural or selective nerve root injection using x-ray guidance and contrast is needed to relieve the pain and advance rehabilitation.

How a cervical disc herniates

The cervical spine consists of 6 intervertebral discs. Each cervical disc can be found between adjacent vertebrae to cushion the vertebral bodies and distribute the load from the neck and head above. There are 2 basic components in a disc:

• Annulus fibrosus - The sturdy outer layer is made of concentric collagen fibers, which makes the disc strong enough to protect the soft inner layer. The annulus fibrosus is responsible for handling the spine's heavy loads and absorb shocks.
• Nucleus pulposus - This gel-like network consists of a loose network of fibers suspended in mucoprotein gel and protected within the annulus fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus provides extra cushioning and flexibility of movements.

A herniated disc can happen when a portion or all of its protective outer layer tears and some of the nucleus pulposus leaks out. This condition can cause more pain when the nucleus pulposus leaks out of the disc and irritates a nearby root. There are some instances where a herniated disc may even leak into the spinal cord.

When a cervical herniated disc becomes serious

There are cases when the signs and symptoms of a cervical herniated disc may gradually feel worse instead of stabilizing and resolving on its own. If a cervical nerve root becomes inflamed or pinched, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness may develop into the arm. Similarly, if the spinal cord is inflamed or pinched by a cervical herniated disc, you can experience difficulties in coordination, walking, and/or reduced bowel or bladder control. These neurological deficits will require immediate medical attention to prevent it from worsening or becoming permanent.