Fulya Mahallesi Yeşilçimen Sokak Polat Tower Residence No:12 Kat:33 Kapı No: 385, 34394
What are the Symptoms of a Neck Hernia?
Symptoms of cervical hernia mainly include pain in the arms, back, neck and shoulders, sensation defect and numbness in the arms, tingling in the arms, loss of strength in the arms, Deceleration in reflexes are observed.
Neck Hernia Symptoms
Symptoms of cervical hernia mainly include pain in the arms, back, neck and shoulders, sensation defect and numbness in the arms, tingling in the arms, loss of strength in the arms, Deceleration in reflexes are observed.
Herniation occurring in the neck region may pose an increased risk with age for both women and men. The age group in which neck herniation is particularly observed is identified as between thirty and fifty years old. The incidence of neck herniation symptoms in women is one and a half times higher than in men.
Neck pain is quite common in society, and one of the major causes is neck herniation. Neck herniation is most commonly seen between the fifth and sixth vertebrae. The frequency of occurrence between the sixth and seventh vertebrae ranks second. The reason for this is the significant mobility of these vertebrae, making them more prone to stress. Therefore, it is associated with greater exposure to stress. With the development of herniation, various symptoms can occur in the individual’s neck.
These include:
Pain in the arm, back, neck, and shoulders
Sensory loss and numbness in the arms
Tingling in the arms
Weakness in the arms
Decreased reflexes
Thinning in the arms
Symptoms of neck herniation are characterized by complaints that start above the affected area and spread towards the lower parts of the body after the herniation. After neck herniation, the pain felt in the patient’s neck can extend towards the shoulder, arm, and hand. In addition to pain, functional loss is also observed, and in those affected, a burning sensation from the neck to the hands, accompanied by numbness and weakness, can occur. In cases without any intervention or advanced stages, careful attention is required because complete loss of sensation and paralysis may develop in the affected areas.
There are various alarming signs of neck herniation, including:
Fever
Chills
Tremors
Night sweats
Unexplained weight loss
Additionally, the patient’s history may include:
Cancer
Joint inflammation
Tuberculosis
Inflammatory diseases like HIV
Use of immunosuppressive drugs after various health problems or organ transplantation
Persistent pain
Sensitivity felt after the doctor touches the bones of the spine during a physical examination
Problems related to the lymph nodes in the neck area
In the presence of these symptoms, it is necessary to seek medical attention at the nearest healthcare facility and consult a neurosurgeon and physical therapy specialist.
Causes of Neck Herniation
Between the spinal bones, known as vertebrae, there is a gelatinous substance responsible for absorbing shock waves during movements. Neck herniation occurs as a result of any damage to the disk structure, causing this substance to shift towards the spinal canal.
The wear and tear and loss of function in the disks are caused by:
Traumas
Strain
Prolonged inactivity
Aging of the disk leading to loss of water
The outer layer of the disk wears out or tears, causing the gel-like fluid inside to leak through spinal or nerve gaps. This unhealthy condition is referred to as neck herniation. The diseased disk loses its normal properties over time and also degenerates. It also compresses the nerves. The area where herniation occurs extends into the canal, affecting the nerves in this area. As a result of the involvement of these nerves, the body’s metabolism responds with inflammation. These events lead to the appearance of specific symptoms of neck herniation in the individual.
Herniation in the neck area usually occurs on both the back and sides of the vertebrae, which form a strong and sturdy sheath structure to support the spine, and it is thinner.
Among the main symptoms of neck herniation are:
Keeping the neck motionless for an extended period and looking at one point
Sitting for a long time in front of a computer or television
Lack of exercise
Being in an environment with cold air conditioners
Sometimes the problem is structurally familial, making a genetic predisposition to neck herniation significant. If people in the family have neck herniation, there is a higher likelihood of it occurring in oneself. Blows to the neck or accidents can also lead to neck herniation. Additionally, this condition can manifest as an occupational disease. Neck herniation is quite common in domestic service workers, bankers, those who need to work on a computer for a long time, and drivers.
Aging can pave the way for the development of neck herniation. As age progresses, there may be deterioration in the structures of the disks located between the vertebrae. The gelatinous substance responsible for support loses its properties over time, making the development of herniation easier.
The symptoms that occur after the development of neck herniation tend to progress over time. They often have a subtle onset and, in some cases, can be insidious. In cases of neck herniation that occur suddenly due to trauma or other causes, symptoms may start immediately after the incident. Also, compared to colonized neck herniation, more serious symptoms occur.
Neck Hernia Surgery
Surgical intervention may be required for approximately only ten percent of patients diagnosed with neck hernia. The remaining 90 percent can find permanent relief from neck hernia through non-surgical treatments. The goal of neck hernia surgery is to remove the portion of the disk causing compression on the nerve.
Depending on the procedure applied in surgery, this operation is referred to as either laminectomy or discectomy. In cases where there are advanced or neurological problems or when the patient’s complaints cannot be controlled despite other treatment methods, discectomy aims to remove the herniation and prevent its recurrence.
During the laminectomy procedure, the surgeon reduces the pressure in the area by expanding the region from which the nerve roots are removed. This surgical procedure is performed through a small incision, using a microscope. Nowadays, especially in the upper back region, herniated discs can be completely removed through surgical intervention, and prosthetics can be placed in their stead. All these procedures are carried out while the patient is under general anesthesia. However, the application of prosthetics does not yield the same favorable results for every patient.
