Cervical Hernia Causes & Treatments

Cervical Hernia Causes & Treatments Cervical hernia affects spinal health and can change how someone lives. It happens when a spinal disc gets worse or moves out of place. This leads to a herniated nucleus pulposus. It causes a lot of pain and discomfort.

Understanding Cervical Hernia

The cervical spine has seven vertebra in the neck. Each vertebra has a cushion called an intervertebral disc. This disc helps absorb shock and lets us move easily.

Definition of Cervical Hernia

Cervical Hernia Causes & Treatments A cervical hernia happens when the intervertebral disc in the neck gets hurt. The outer layer can tear, letting the inner part push out. This can press on nerves or the spinal cord, causing pain and other problems.

---

Get Free Consultation

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

- Step 1 of 4

Select Your Gender *

• Woman
• Man

Next

Select Your Age

Age: 0

Next

When do you plan on getting The Treatment? *

• As Soon
• 3 Months
• 1 Year
• Only Info

Next

What is your name? *

Dropdown *Select Your TreatmentCheck-upEar Nose ThroatCardiovascular SurgeryMedical OncologyDentistryNutrition and DieteticsPediatricsDermatologyPhysical Therapy and RehabilitationGeneral SurgeryOphtalmologyInternal MedicineObstetrics and GynecologyWeight Loss SurgeryOrthopedics Traumatology and Sport InjuriesNeurologyNeurosurgeryRadiation OncologyEndoscopyCardiologyRadiologyUrologyOrgan TransplantationHematologyAesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryBone Marrow TransplantationIVF

Phone *

What is your email? *

Paragraph Text

Get Your Consultation

---

ACIBADEM Health Point: The Future of Healthcare

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, which is why we have established multiple branches in strategic locations. Whether you're in need of routine check-ups, specialized treatments, or emergency care, ACIBADEM Health Point is here for you.

---

This issue is called a herniated disc.

How Cervical Hernias Form

Cervical hernias can come from wear and tear or injuries. Over time, the discs in the neck can get weaker from stress. This makes them more likely to herniate.

Accidents or sudden moves can also hurt the discs right away, causing a hernia.

Common Causes of Cervical Hernia

Cervical hernias come from many things. Knowing what causes them helps prevent and manage them.

Age-Related Degeneration

As we get older, our cervical spine wears out. This is called cervical spondylosis. The discs in our spine lose moisture and get stiff.

This can lead to conditions that make cervical hernias more likely.

Injuries and Trauma

Getting hurt in the neck can cause cervical hernias. This includes car accidents, falling, or sports injuries. These injuries can hurt the cervical spine and cause discs to herniate.

They can also make existing spine problems worse.

Genetic Factors

Our genes can affect getting a cervical hernia. Some people are more likely to get conditions like degenerative disc disease because of their genes. If your family has spine problems or cervical spondylosis, you might get a cervical hernia too. Cervical Hernia Causes & Treatments

Symptoms of Cervical Hernia

Knowing the signs of a cervical hernia is key for quick diagnosis and treatment. This issue mainly affects the neck and upper body. It leads to neck pain and other signs that can make daily life hard.

Neck Pain and Stiffness

Neck pain and stiffness are common signs. This pain can be mild or very bad. It often gets worse when you move or stay in one position too long.

Because of this, moving your neck can become hard. Simple things become tough to do.

Numbness and Tingling

People may feel numbness and tingling in their arms and hands. This happens because the herniated disc presses on nerves. This leads to radiculopathy.

These feelings can be mild or very strong. They can make life hard and cause a lot of pain.

Weakness in Arms and Shoulders

Many people with a cervical hernia feel their arms and shoulders getting weaker. This is because the nerves don’t send the right signals to the muscles. Doing things that need lifting or keeping your arms up gets harder.

If you don’t get help, these problems can get worse. The muscles can keep getting weaker.

Understanding these symptoms and their effects shows why seeing a doctor is important. Getting help early can ease neck pain and stop more problems.

Diagnosing Cervical Hernia

Getting a correct diagnosis of cervical hernia is key to making a good treatment plan. The process includes several steps to fully check the patient’s condition.

Physical Examination

The first step is a detailed physical check-up. A healthcare provider looks at how the neck moves, feels for sore spots, and checks muscle strength and reflexes. This helps spot signs that might mean a cervical hernia.

Imaging Tests

To be sure about a cervical hernia, imaging tests are used. An MRI scan shows the spinal cord, nerves, and discs clearly. It’s a vital tool for seeing herniated discs. A CT scan also shows the spine in cross-section, helping spot problems. These tests give important info for diagnosis and treatment choices.

Neurological Assessments

neurological tests check how the hernia affects nerve work. Electromyography looks at muscle and nerve electrical activity. This helps doctors understand nerve damage and plan treatments.

Surgical Treatments for Cervical Hernia

If non-surgical methods don’t help, surgery might be needed for a cervical hernia. The type of surgery depends on the condition and the patient’s health.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is a common surgery for cervical hernia. It removes the herniated disc through a front neck incision. Then, the vertebrae are fused together for stability. This surgery helps reduce pain and improve mobility, but it takes a long time to recover.

Posterior Cervical Surgery

Posterior Cervical Surgery is another way to fix a cervical hernia. It goes through the back to reach the herniated disc. The surgery may fuse the spine for stability. It removes parts of the vertebra to ease nerve pressure. This surgery is more invasive and needs careful recovery.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

For less invasive options, Minimally Invasive Surgery is available. This includes microdiscectomy or endoscopic spine surgery. These methods use smaller cuts and less tissue damage. In a microdiscectomy, only the part of the disc pressing on the nerve is taken out. Endoscopic spine surgery uses a tiny camera for guidance, helping patients recover faster. These procedures are great for those wanting a quick return to normal life with less pain.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Cervical Hernia

There are many non-surgical ways to help with cervical hernia symptoms. These methods focus on treating the problem without surgery. They help manage pain and make moving easier. Cervical Hernia Causes & Treatments

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is key for treating cervical hernia without surgery. It makes neck muscles stronger, helps with posture, and boosts function. Therapists also use special techniques to ease pressure on the neck and help with pain.

Medications

Medicines are important for managing cervical hernia symptoms. Doctors often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to lessen inflammation and ease pain. For worse cases, corticosteroids can be used to reduce swelling around the nerves. It’s important to use these medicines as your doctor says to stay safe and get the best results.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections are a non-surgical option for cervical hernia. They put corticosteroids right into the spine to fight inflammation. This can help a lot with pain and can last for months. But, it’s important to think about the good and bad sides, like temporary pain at the spot or rare but serious issues.

Some people also try chiropractic care as part of their treatment. Chiropractors use special moves to lessen nerve pressure and improve spine alignment. This can help with pain and make moving easier.

hernia cervical

Cervical Hernia Causes & Treatments Living with a cervical hernia can be tough. It can affect your quality of life. Knowing the long-term effects and how to prevent them can help a lot.

Understanding its Implications

A cervical hernia puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can cause neck pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms. These symptoms can make daily tasks hard, lowering your mobility and quality of life.

It’s key to spot these issues early. This way, you can act fast and avoid more problems.

Preventative Measures

It’s vital to take steps to prevent cervical hernia problems. One good step is to focus on ergonomics. Make sure your posture is right when sitting or lifting things. This helps ease the strain on your cervical spine.

Also, doing regular exercises that strengthen your neck and back muscles is good for your spine.

Here are some tips for good ergonomics and spinal health:

• Use ergonomic chairs that support your lower back and keep your spine straight.
• Don’t sit or stand for too long; take breaks to stretch and move.
• Make sure your computer screen is at eye level to avoid neck strain.
• Use supportive pillows while sleeping to keep your spine in its natural curve.

Cervical Hernia Causes & Treatments By knowing about cervical hernia and taking steps to prevent it, you can boost your quality of life. This reduces the risks linked to this condition.

Living with Cervical Hernia

Living with a cervical hernia can be tough, but there are ways to make it easier. Managing chronic pain is key. Using adaptive equipment every day can help ease pain and prevent more harm. For example, a supportive neck pillow can make sleeping better.

Changing your lifestyle is also important. Doing exercises like swimming or walking can keep your neck flexible and strong. It’s also good to sit and stand right at work and home to ease neck strain. Try to avoid heavy lifting or moving your neck a lot, as it can make things worse.

It’s a good idea to see doctors regularly if your symptoms don’t go away or get worse. They can give you advice tailored to you. They might suggest things like physical therapy or changes in your medicine. Being active in managing your pain and changing your life can really help you live better with a cervical hernia.