What is a slipped disc in neck?

Overview. A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like center of a spinal disc ruptures through a weak area in the tough outer wall, similar to the filling being squeezed out of a jelly doughnut. Neck or arm pain, numbness or tingling may result when the disc material touches or compresses a spinal nerve.

What does a slipped disc in the neck feel like?

For a herniated disk in your neck, you'll typically feel the most pain in your shoulder and arm. This pain might shoot into your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or move into certain positions. Pain is often described as sharp or burning. Numbness or tingling.

How do you fix a slipped disc in your neck?

Most cases of cervical herniated disc pain can be successfully managed with nonsurgical treatments, such as over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the neck, ice or heat packs, and/or activity modifications to avoid painful movements until the pain has subsided.

What causes a slipped disc in your neck?

The aging process and wear and tear on your spine can cause a herniated disc in the neck. A herniated disc can also be caused by repetitive activities or an injury to the spine.

Can you fix slipped disc?

There's more than one way to fix a disk problem. The specifics of your surgery have to do with what's actually wrong with your disks. Herniated/bulging/slipped disk: The procedure is called microdiscectomy. The surgeon removes the part of the disk that's pushing on a nerve.

Herniated Cervical Discs

Are slip discs permanent?

7: Slipped disc is a permanently disabling condition

Many believe that once they get a slipped disc it's a lifetime problem and they will never be able to return to normal activity.

Can a chiropractor fix a slipped disc?

It can get to the point where many patients mistakenly believe surgery is the only option. But it's not. Chiropractic care may be effective in the treatment of slipped discs, no matter the severity.

How is a slipped disc in the neck diagnosed?

An imaging study can show whether a disc has started to flatten out or move beyond its normal location. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the preferred method for viewing a herniated disc due to its high-quality view of soft tissues. If an MRI is not an option, a CT or CT myelogram may also be considered.

How serious is a herniated disc in the neck?

When a spinal disc becomes herniated in the neck, it can leak out into the spinal canal or nerve root tunnel and impinge on the exiting nerve root. This process can cause cervical radiculopathy with symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness that can radiate down into the shoulder, arm, and/or hand.

How long does a slipped disc take to heal?

A slipped disc in the lumbar region of the spine (the lower back) can press on the sciatic nerve and cause pain that often radiates down one leg and into the foot. Most people recover from a slipped disc within six weeks without treatment.

What happens if a cervical herniated disc goes untreated?

Nerve Damage

When a herniated disc puts significant pressure on a nerve, it can lead to significant damage by cutting off nerve impulses. Compressed nerves can lead to significant conditions, including loss of sensation in lower extremities or even loss of bowel control.

How long does a herniated disc in neck take to heal?

In most cases cervical disc herniations improve with time and symptomatic treatment. This can take 6-12 weeks. Improvement is usually seen within 2-3 weeks and full recovery in the ensuing 2-3 months.

How is a slipped disc diagnosed?

MRI. Radio waves and a strong magnetic field are used to create images of the body's internal structures. This test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected.

How painful is a slipped disc?

A slipped disc is when a soft cushion of tissue between the bones in your spine pushes out. It's painful if it presses on nerves. It usually gets better slowly with rest, gentle exercise and painkillers.

Can a herniated disc in the neck cause paralysis?

A severely herniated disc can cause paralysis. Disc herniation is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine). Causes include age and sudden injury, such as from falling or heavy lifting.

Is surgery necessary for bulging disc in neck?

If you or a loved one is experiencing neck pain and/or arm pain, numbness, or weakness, surgical treatment such as cervical herniated disc surgery may be appropriate for your condition.

Can a chiropractor fix a bulging disc in neck?

Yes! Chiropractic care is the preferred treatment method for many patients suffering from a bulging disc. It is non-invasive and does not require drugs or injections of any kind. Chiropractic can help provide you with improved mobility, decreased pain, and overall better quality of life.

Can a slipped disc pop back in?

In theory the disc should be able to be popped back into its natural state, but it is very difficult to just “pop” a herniated disc back into place like a displaced gear. In fact, trying to pop a disc back into place can make the issue worse if the person doing the “popping” doesn't know what they are doing.

What type of doctor treats herniated disc in neck?

Herniated discs are quite common and do not always need treatment. Most of the time they can be healed by rest; however, if symptoms persist, you may need to see an orthopedic surgeon near you specializing in spine surgery.

Is a herniated disc the same as a slipped disc?

Herniated disks are also called ruptured disks or slipped disks, although the whole disk does not rupture or slip. Only the small area of the crack is affected. Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots.

Is slipped disc serious?

An untreated, severe slipped disc can lead to permanent nerve damage. In very rare cases, a slipped disc can cut off nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves in your lower back and legs. If this occurs, you may lose bowel or bladder control. Another long-term complication is known as saddle anesthesia.

What makes a slipped disc worse?

The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because there is more pressure on the nerve.

Does slip disc require surgery?

Fortunately, the majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. With time, the symptoms of sciatica/radiculopathy improve in approximately 9 out of 10 people. The time to improve varies, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.

What is worse bulging or herniated disc?

Herniated discs are considered more severe than bulging discs because they put significant pressure on nearby nerves, which can cause intense pain, inflammation and difficulties with movement.

What is best treatment for slipped disc?

Treatment with rest, pain medication, spinal injections, and physical therapy is the first step to recovery. Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity. If symptoms continue, surgery may be recommended.