Cervical Slipped Disc/Bulging Disc

About Cervical Slipped Disc/Bulging Disc

A cervical slipped disc is nothing to ignore, since seeking treatment not only resolves the pain from the condition, but it also prevents much worse complications that may include paralysis. Instead of trying to modify your activities and manage the pain yourself, visit a nearby office of the Sports & Rehab Group for an exam, x-rays and expert advice. While you may just need to rest for a while, it’s best to know how bad your cervical disc bulge has become. Cervical slipped disc treatment is effective and may provide permanent relief. Call today for a consultation.

What Is a Slipped or Bulging Cervical Disc?

A bulging cervical disc happens when an intervertebral disc, sitting between the bones in your spine — called the vertebrae — becomes compressed and bulges out from its normal place. This physical change may pinch or inflame a nerve root in your cervical spine, leading to neck pain. The cervical spine is highly flexible, which allows free movement of your neck as it supports your head.

There are seven vertebrae in your neck with muscles, ligaments and tendons connecting each to the other. The gel-filled cervical discs act as shock absorbers to protect the vertebrae during movements and prevent the bones from grinding against each other. When a disc slips or bulges backwards into the spinal canal because of an injury, degenerative disc disease, or another cause, it can lead to incapacitating upper back pain.

At the Spine & Rehab Group in New York City and northern New Jersey, Dr. Amr Hosny and other spine doctors use the latest medical technology for effective cervical disc bulge treatment. Their first goal is to treat your pain, and the second is to resolve the cause of that pain: the slipped or bulging disc.

Should I Worry about a Slipped or Bulging Cervical Disc?

Maybe you regularly take medication to resolve that nagging neck pain, but this doesn’t address the underlying problem, which may be a cervical slipped disc or a bulging disc. Additionally, doctors advise against taking over-the-counter pain medications for extended periods. While pain management using pain medication is a popular option for such pain, consider the symptoms and effects of the bulged or slipped cervical disc, such as:

• Debilitating pain that affects your quality of life
• Upper back pain that worsens with movement, even something as minor as a sneeze
• Numbness or tingling in your shoulders, arms or fingers
• A reduced range of motion in your neck
• Painful neck and head movement
• Decreased bladder and bowel control
• Muscle spasms in your neck
• Weakness and numbness in your arms
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Paralysis in the case of a severely damaged disc

The specific nerve that’s pinched determines the symptoms you experience. This is why your spine doctor at the NYC or northern NJ back and joint clinic examines you and requests diagnostic tests to understand the location and severity of your spinal problem.

What Causes a Cervical Slipped/Bulging Cervical Disc?

Every case of a slipped or cervical disc bulge is unique. The exact cause requires medical tests to determine. The slipped or bulged disc condition may happen suddenly or over some time. Some causes of this spinal condition include:

• A single, excessive strain
• An accident or sports injury
• Poor posture
• Lifting weights with improper form
• Wear and tear with age, as the fibrous outer wall of the disc weakens
• A sudden fall, leading to a neck injury or whiplash
• Cervical degenerative disc disease

These causes and symptoms of a bulging or slipped cervical disc are like those of other common spinal conditions, such as cervical radiculopathy, and cervical disc herniation. For a correct diagnosis, Dr. Hosny and his team leverage cutting-edge technology at their state-of-art spinal clinics.

Who’s At Risk of a Slipped Disc or Bulging Cervical Disc?

Preventing a bulged or slipped cervical disc is preferable to treating the condition. This condition can turn your life upside down because of the pain, discomfort and reduced flexibility. Some factors that make you more prone to cervical spine disc bulge or slipped disc include:

• Inactivity and sitting in the same position for long periods of time
• Extreme sporting activities with a high risk of injury
• Physically demanding jobs involving repetitive lifting with cervical spine and neck movement
• Smoking
• Aging, which increases the wear and tear on the cervical discs

During initial consultations, your spine specialist explains the causes, risk factors and treatment options. The doctors at the Spine & Rehab Group work closely with you to restore your spinal function and help you understand everything about this spine condition so you can avoid the pain in the future.

What’s the Best Treatment for a Bulged/Slipped Cervical Disc?

After reaching a diagnosis, your spine doctor recommends the safest and most effective cervical slip disc treatment. Treatment options include:

• Over-the-counter painkillers
• Physical therapy
• Heat or ice packs
• Modification of normal activities to keep your neck from hurting
• Cervical epidural steroid injection for pain management and to advance rehabilitation
• Cervical bulging disc surgery, such as spinal fusion surgery or artificial disc replacement

A slipped or bulging disc in the cervical spine can devastate your life and require immediate attention. Contact the spinal specialists at the Spine & Rehab Group and enjoy effective treatment in a modern facility. The team is available in eight locations across New York City and northern New Jersey.