A prolapsed disc, also called a herniated disc or slipped disc, can occur anywhere along your spine. The most common sites are the low back and neck. Your discs are jelly-like structures that are found between the vertebrae. They help your back to move and the provide a cushion for your spine. If your disc prolapses or herniates, it means this jelly-like center is protruding out of its normal space. This condition can be mild or severe, depending on how far the disc is prolapsed, and if it presses on adjacent nerves or tissues. If you recognize the symptoms, see your physician to help develop a treatment plan.
Pain and Numbness
According to the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch, a cervical disc can prolapse abnormally as a result of a disease or injury. Other times it can occur because of degeneration of the spine, which normally occurs with age and wear and tear. This condition is common with age, and your disc may just be herniated slightly. In this case, you can have a herniated cervical disc without ever having symptoms or needing treatment.
However, if the disc prolapses far enough, symptoms will occur. The most common symptoms are neck pain that radiates into your arms, which may or may not be accompanied by numbness or a pins and needles sensation in the neck and arms.
Additional Symptoms
The Mayfield Clinic states that the location and severity of the symptoms depends on the extent of the herniation and exactly what nerve(s) it is pressing on. Additional symptoms you may have include, muscle weakness in the arms as well as muscle spasms and twitches. In addition, your pain may radiate to your hands or shoulder blades. The pain may become worse when you look up or turn your head in one direction. You may also have trouble gripping or holding onto objects.
Severe Symptoms
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons states atNeuroSurgeryToday.org that cervical disc herniations can also cause severe complications. This is because almost all of the nerves in your body pass through your neck, allowing signals to travel from your brain to your body. If the cervical disc prolapse compresses any of these nerves, you may need surgery to help relieve your symptoms. Severe compression can interfere with the normal functioning of any of your organs; cause weakness to the point you cannot walk or coordinate movement; and cause severe, disabling pain.
