Hunchback Posture is the Most Important Cause of Cervical Disk Herniation
Hernia occurs when a disc between the two bones puts pressure on the nerve. The hernia may be stems from a slipped, swollen, or torn disc. Cervical disk herniation is an injury that occurs in one of the elastic intervertebral discs.
Hernia which forms usually in the sixth or seventh vertebra causes swelling or slipping of the disc and putting pressure on the nerve. Researches show that the poor neck posture and hunchback posture is the most leading cause of this kind of hernia.
This posture during which the head and shoulders come forward causes the neck and vertebrae to be bent. There may be many different reasons for the occurrence of cervical disk herniation. However, in the majority of patients diagnosed with cervical disk herniation, posture disorder is observed.
What are the Causes of Cervical Disk Herniation?
Hernia emerging in the neck is a very common disease. It directly affects the quality of life. Neck and shoulder pains may make daily life difficult.
It is a disease that occurs more frequently with increasing age. This disease is more common in people who do not exercise and stay always in the same position throughout their lives. Causes of neck cervical disc herniation are as follows;
Posture that affects the spine negatively,
The loss of flexibility and strength of discs with increasing age,
A history of trauma in the cervical spine,
Not exercising regularly,
Not keeping a balanced diet,
Smoking,
Sitting at the computer or elsewhere in the same way for too long.
What are the Symptoms of Cervical Disk Herniation?
People with cervical disc herniation experience some symptoms. Although they are not the same in everyone, symptoms of cervical disc herniation occur in a certain way. While some people have sudden and sharp pains, some people may have long-term mild pain. There may also be neck stiffness. Moving your neck to left or right may be difficult. There may be loss of strength in your arms. Pains may be severe to a degree that they affect daily life.
Symptoms can be listed as follows;
Sharp pain in your neck in certain positions or in your shoulder after certain moves,
Paresthesia spreading to your arms and fingers,
Numbness in your shoulder or arm,
Loss of strength in your shoulder, arm and hand,
Reflex decay,
Thin arms,
Recurrent pains in your neck,
Pain in your neck when rising your arm,
Pain when moving your neck.
How is Cervical Disk Herniation Diagnosed?
People with such complaints should apply to the Neck and Nerve Surgery Department. Physician performs a physical examination firstly. Afterwards, MRI, computed tomography and EMG are utilized to determine whether this kind of hernia is present.
Diagnosis and treatment of this hernia vary in people with disabilities. Wheelchairs used by people with disabilities should not cause diseases such as cervical disk herniation. Or, when people diagnosed with this type disease, the wheelchair should support the treatment.
As ARC Medical, we offer wheelchair options that support neck and spine health of people with disabilities. We create perfect support together with our business partners for our solutions that improve the life quality of people with disabilities. By improving the life quality, we offer comfortable life opportunity.
Is Surgery Necessary for Treatment of Cervical Disk Herniation?
Surgery is not always necessary when the person is diagnosed with this kind of hernia. In approximately 85% of patients, symptoms disappear spontaneously with physiotherapy, proper rest and treatment supported by painkillers. If surgery is necessary, it is performed by a neurosurgeon. When severe and acute nerve dysfunction occurs, surgery may come into question.
In cervical disk herniation surgeries, the part of the disc that puts pressure on the nerve is removed. This surgical method called discectomy can only be performed upon the advice of a specialist surgeon. When the hernia is treated via physical therapy, the patient should also support this procedure. During treatment, the patient should do the recommended exercises and follow recommendations of the physician. Surgery is the method chosen to be last for the treatment of this kind of hernia.