Your back is on fire and it isn’t quite clear what is causing it. While medical attention is recommended to determine the exact issue, it very well could be a cervical disc herniation. Our providers at Plymouth Bay Orthopedic Associates can help you determine if you are experiencing this condition.
Intense pain in your back can drastically affect your quality of life, confining you to a bed or couch and leaving you unable to do various activities due to mobility issues. Pain in your neck or back that is acute or potentially stronger than anything you’ve felt before can be a symptom of a cervical disc herniation.
What Is A Herniated Cervical Disc?
To begin, we’ll provide a brief overview of the spine and its construction so we understand just what a cervical disc is and how it can be herniated. The spinal column is comprised of bones called vertebrae, which provide the strength and structure to hold us upright. The vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord, which is a tube that stretches from your brain to the bottom of your spine and contains the central element of our nervous system.
Between the vertebrae of your spine are spongy cushions called discs, which act as shock absorbers for our regular movements. The spine is built of three segments, the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar, with the cervical being at the top closer to the neck. It contains nerves that connect to your arms, hands, and upper body. When a disc is herniated, the outer and harder part of the cushion that contains the soft padding is torn or split. This causes the gel to poke out, causing a herniated disc.
Symptoms Of Cervical Disc Herniation
One of the most common causes of neck pain is a herniated cervical disc. The herniated disc may be pressing upon a nerve, causing this uncomfortable and potentially unbearable pain. Additional symptoms include numbness or tingling in a shoulder or arm that can extend down to the fingers. Weakness in a hand or arm is also a common symptom of a herniated disc. In extreme cases, a loss of balance or coordination may be experienced, as well as problems using your hands for fine motor skills.