Neck Injury : Disc Disease

Any injury to the neck, even a minor twisting or lifting injury, can result in a prolapsed, or "slipped" disc. This is also referred to as a "herniated" disc. The spinal column consists of vertebrae that are anatomically positioned on top of one another, from the tailbone to the base of the skull. The vertebrae are separated by a fibrous, pulpy mass known as discs. Any destruction, rupture, movement, or prolapse of a disc can result in compression on a nearby exiting nerve root. Irritation of the nerve root gives rise to the typical neurologic symptoms of disc disease. Pain shooting down the arm, with numbness, tingling, or weakness in ONE arm is commonly seen. Other common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, with reduction in overall range of motion. Evaluation will include a physical examination to reveal any neurologic deficit. X-rays of the neck will be done to rule out any fractures of the spine or reveal changes consistent with degenerative arthritis, which could mimic a disc problem. CT-scanning or magnetic resonance scanning can show the discs and nerves themselves. Cervical disc herniation can be diagnosed using these tests.

Treatment involves anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen), pain killers, and,occasionally, muscle relaxants. Temporary immobilization in a soft cervical collar can help reduce inflammation. Physical therapy has been helpful in select cases but only under the direction of a physician. Cases that do not respond to medications, or situations where neurologic deficit is substantial (e.g. muscle weakness), will require surgery to correct the problem. This is best handled by a Neurosurgeon or an Orthopaedic Surgeon, specializing in cervical disc disease.


12 Hip Dislocation
12 Hip Fracture
12 Insect Stings and Spider Bites
12 Human and Animal Bites
12 Shoulder Injury Fracture
12 Toxic Inhalations and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
12 Facial Injury Jaw Fracture and Dislocation
12 Kidney Injury
12 Knee Injury General Considerations
12 Knee Injury Contusion
12 Knee Injury Fracture
12 Knee Injury Sprain
12 Stab Wounds
12 Leg Injury Fractures and Contusions
12 Leg Injury Shin Splints
12 Lightning Injury
12 Oral and Tongue Injuries
12 Nasal Fracture or Contusion
12 Neck Injury General Considerations
12 Neck Injury Fracture
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Pelvic Bone Fracture
12 Puncture Wounds
12 Chest Injury Rib Fracture
12 Back Injury Sacrococcygeal Injury
12 Scorpion Bites
12 Abrasion Injuries
12 Shoulder Injury Clavicle Fracture
12 Shoulder Injury Strains and Sprains
12 Snakebite
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Abdominal Injury Ruptured Spleen
12 Foot Injury Toe Fracture and Sprain
12 Vaginal or Vulvar Injury
12 Drowning and Near Drowning

INJURIES

Abdominal Injury
Abdominal Injury: Contusion
Abrasion
Amputations
Animal Bites
Ankle Fracture
Ankle Injury
Ankle Injury: Contusion
Ankle Sprain
Back Injury
Back Injury : Sacrococcygeal Injury
Back Strain
Burns
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Chemical Burns
Chest Injuries
Chest Injury: Aortic Rupture
Chest Injury: Hemothorax
Chest Injury: Myocardial Contusion
Chest Injury : Pneumothorax
Chest Injury: Pulmonary Contusion
Chronic Back Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Compression Fractures
Contusions
Decompression Sickness
Disc Disease
Gunshot Wounds
Hand Injury: Fingertip Amputations
Head Injury
Liver Injury
Marine Stings
Muscle Strains
Rib Fracture
Ruptured Spleen
Shoulder Injury: A-C Separation
Spider Bites
Spinal Cord Injury
Sternum Fracture
Testicular Injury
Wrist Injury
hi Scuba Related Injuries
i Hand Injury Finger Amputaion
de Lecerations
de Cold Injury and Hypothermia
dd Dental Injury
xs Facial Injury
sdf Neck Injury
e Shoulder Injury Dislocation
e Ear Injury
ed Elbow Injury
de Elbow Injury Fracture
dfe Elbow Injury Nursemaids
ee Electrical Injury
de Eye Injury
ed Facial Injury General Considerations
fr Facial Injury Contusion
ed Hand Injury Finger Sprains
ded Fingernail and Toenail Injuries
dd Hand Injury Fractures
23 Head Injury Skull Fracture and Concussion
44 Chest Injury Myocardial Contusion
fde Heat Illness
ed Hest Injury Hemothorax
y Back Injury Disc Disease
;l High Altitude Illness


Become a regular visitor at our "Health Care Blog" - Here are the latest blog entries:


 

Home © health-care-information.org. All rights reserved.

Health Care BLOG || Your Feedback & Suggestions || Health Directory

 

Disclaimer: Health-Care-Information.org is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional medical services. Any medical or other decisions should be made in consultation with your qualified health care provider. We will not be liable for any complications, injuries or other medical accidents arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon any information on this web site.