Neck pain is a common complaint in the community, but it would be wrong to evaluate every neck pain as a neck hernia. Neck hernia: degenerative changes in the spine cause the particle of a disc to extend to the spinal canal and press the nerve root(s).
HOW DOES THE NECK DISC
The most common symptoms caused by a herniated neck; pain extending to the shoulders, arms and hands, numbness, tingling, pain extending straight to both shoulder blades(scapula), strength loss in the arm.
In advanced cases, there might also be complaints about balance problems, weakness in the legs, inability to control bladder and bowels. Patients with such complaints are advised to consult a spine surgery specialist. After thorough questioning and physical examination, accurate diagnosis can be made with neck films (X-ray, MR, computed tomography). Electrodiagnostic (EMG) tests can also help diagnose.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
No surgical treatment is required for each hernia. MRI examination shows degenerative changes in the neck and most of them can be treated without surgery. Non-surgical treatments include;
pain relievers and muscle relaxants
physiotheraphy
massage treatment
some arrangements in life.
When the surgery is required?
Non-surgical treatment does not help with weakness in the arms and / or hand muscles, balance problems, weakness in leg muscles, inability to control bladder and bowels.
Surgery can be performed through neck or nape(back of the neck). In serious cases, both approaches may be needed. The aim of surgical treatment is to eliminate the pressure on the nerve roots and prevent the hernia from occuring again on the same area.
Decompression is usually made through the nape, the herniated part is removed from the opened cut on the bones.
Anterior discectomy and fusion are done through the neck. The most preferred surgical technique. The entire disk is removed and a lattice is placed at the intermediate distance to weld the vertebrae.
Disk prosthesis should be applied in rare, selected and appropriate cases. Not suitable for every neck hernia. It is applied through the neck.
