How serious is cervical disc protrusion?

How serious is cervical disc protrusion?

In some patients, a cervical herniated disc can cause spinal cord compression, where disc material pushes on the spinal cord. This is a much more serious condition and may require a more aggressive treatment plan. Spinal cord compression symptoms include: Awkward or stumbling gait.

What areas do C6/C7 affect?

The C6-C7 disc is 6th cervical disc near the lower part of the neck, near the top of the shoulders. The nerve root that would be affected by the C6-C7 disc herniation controls the arms, the shoulders, the heart, the lungs, and more.

How serious is a protruding disc?

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 are the symptoms of a bulging disc in your neck?

A bulging disc in your neck may be relatively painless. Or it can cause severe pain in your neck, as well as your shoulders, chest, and arms. It may also cause numbness or weakness in your arms or fingers. Sometimes, this pain and numbness may even cause you to think that you’re having a heart attack.

What causes disc protrusion in neck?

Acute injury to the area can cause a bulging disc in the neck. Long-term trauma, such as poor posture or being overweight, can also cause a bulging disc in the neck. These structures in the spine tend to weaken over time, so aging can increase the risk of a bulging disc in the neck.

How do you stretch C6 C7?

How to perform a side-to-side head rotation in a lying down position:

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Move your chin toward your right shoulder.
3. Hold this position for 20 seconds.
4. Move your chin toward your left shoulder.
5. Hold for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat 3 to 5 times on each side.

How do you fix a disc protrusion?

Nonsurgical treatment may include:

1. Rest. One to 2 days of bed rest will usually help relieve back and leg pain.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain.
3. Physical therapy.
4. Epidural steroid injection.

What doctor treats bulging discs in neck?

An orthopedic healthcare provider is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in problems—from head to toe—of the musculoskeletal system. This includes, of course, the spine. An orthopedist might address conditions such as ruptured discs, scoliosis or other types of neck or low back pain.

What is cervical spondylosis C5 C6?

C5 to C6 spondylosis describes spinal degeneration that develops in the space between the fifth and sixth vertebrae in the cervical (upper) spine in the neck. The term spondylosis is a general term used to describe normal, age-related spine degeneration and the presence of related conditions and symptoms.

What is C6 spine?

The C6 vertebra is the sixth cervical vertebra of the spine. It is found in the base of the neck between the C5 and the last cervical vertebra, C7. The C6 vertebra plays an important role in supporting and protecting the structures of the head and neck as well as anchoring the muscles that move and support the neck.

What is C5/C6 nerve damage?

Damage to a nerve may compromise its ability to provide sensory information from its associated body region, resulting in numbness. When the C6 nerve is damaged, numbness in the arm and thumb can result. C5 damage sometimes manifests as numbness over the shoulder region.

What causes disc protrusion?

Disc protrusion is often associated with a herniated disc and bulging disc, because they are both forms of protruding discs. Disc protrusion is most often caused by the natural degeneration process of the spine.