Bulging Disc in My Neck

Like other conditions that occur in the cervical spine - that portion of the spine that runs through the neck - a bulging disc can cause more severe symptoms than it can in other parts of the spine. This means that treatment is sometimes more urgent. On the other hand, as with any section of the spine, some people have only mild symptoms or are even unaware that they have a bulging disc at all. The course of treatment for this condition will depend on the severity of the symptoms.

Causes & Symptoms

The intervertebral discs are discs of cartilage that lie between each of the vertebrae, cushioning the spine, absorbing shock, and facilitating movement. A bulging disc occurs when a disc flattens out; it causes symptoms when it presses against the nerve roots and spinal cord.

The nerves that run through the cervical spine innervate the entire body, which is why having a bulging disc in your neck can be more serious than one in the lumbar spine: the displaced tissue can press against nerves that send signals to and from the brain, resulting in symptoms almost anywhere in the body. Symptoms include:

• Pain in the neck
  
• Pain in the arms or legs
  
• Tingling in the arms or legs
  
• Muscle weakness 
• Symptoms in the body's core
  

When symptoms are severe or getting progressively worse, immediate treatment is warranted. Left untreated, a severe bulging disc in the cervical spine could potentially cause paralysis or other serious conditions; however, this is quite rare, especially with bulging discs.

Treatment

If symptoms are mild to moderate, non-surgical treatment is often effective; examples include medication, injections, and chiropractic care. Surgery will only be considered when those options fail. On the other hand, if the disc needs immediate treatment, surgery may be the first option.

Bulging discs can be effectively treated using laser spine surgery. This procedure is minimally invasive: an endoscopic camera is used to view the disc, and a laser is used to dissolve or remove the portion of the disc that is causing symptoms. To learn more, please call (646) 374-1799 or click below.