Herniated Neck Disc Treatment
Herniated Neck Disc Treatment. There are many different types of traumatic injuries that someone could sustain; however, injuries that involve the neck and spinal cord are among the most severe. Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to permanent loss of motor or sensory function in different parts of the body. This may even include paralysis. According to some of the statistics which have been released by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC):
- There are about 54 new cases of spinal cord injuries for every one million people in this country.
- This equates to about 17,000 diagnosed spinal cord injuries annually.
- There are around 300,000 people living in this country with a spinal cord injury.
Like many other medical problems, neck and spinal cord injuries can range widely in their severity. One of the most frequently seen injuries is a herniated disc. This occurs when the liquid inside of the disc that acts as a cushion between the vertebrae in the back starts to leak out. When this happens, serious symptoms can result.
Diagnosis of a Herniated Disc in the Neck
When someone has suffered a herniated disc in the neck, there are a few common symptoms that patients might notice. These include:
- Severe pain in the neck
- Shooting pains down one or both arms
- A markedly limited range of motion in the neck
When someone presents to the doctor with these symptoms, the physician will often perform a variety of imaging procedures. These could include:
- An x-ray of the neck
- An MRI of the spine
- An electromyelogram of the nerves in and around the injury site
The purpose of these images is to evaluate the bones of the spine (called vertebrae), the discs in between the vertebrae, and the nerves of the spinal cord. Once a herniated disc has been diagnosed, the treatment options can be discussed.
Herniated Neck Disc Treatment: Options
The herniated neck disc treatment is multifaceted. The first step is to control the pain. This is often done with over the counter pain medications, such as Tylenol and Motrin. If these fail, narcotic pain medications can be administered. These medications do have their side effects, such as respiratory depression and addictive potential, which makes them dangerous. Most physicians like to limit their use unless absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, many people still have severe pain despite these treatment options. In this situation, a procedure called a spinal fusion is often performed. A trained neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon will remove the herniated disc and fuse the vertebrae above and below the damaged disc. This will keep the vertebrae from sliding over each other and put a stop to the pain. Unfortunately, this will also slightly decrease the individual’s range of motion in the neck.
With the Help of a Caring Lawyer
Someone who has sustained a serious injury to the neck region could require a prolonged hospital stay. This can place a family under a significant amount of stress and may leave them wondering what to do next. In these situations, meeting with a caring personal injury lawyer in Sacramento can be helpful. All of the details surrounding an accident should be examined because you and your family might be entitled to financial compensation.
Related Articles
Personal Injury Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. A herniated disc in the neck causes severe pain. If you or a family member has suffered neck injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. I would be happy to offer friendly, free advice.
You can look on Google, Yelp, and Avvo to see ratings and reviews by our past clients.
I am happy to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Feel free to browse through our verdicts or settlements.
Image Attribution: The image at the beginning of this page was seen first on Unsplash. The picture has been printed here with permission
:dr cha [cs 677] cv