Pain and soreness in the neck, shoulders, and arms are common in office workers. However, if the pain occurs frequently, lasts long, worsens, or is accompanied by numbness, it may not be typical office syndrome symptoms. It is possible that ‘cervical disc degeneration’ is developing.
Causes of Cervical Disc Degeneration
Cervical disc degeneration can result from various factors, including aging and lifestyle habits such as frequently looking down at a mobile phone for long periods or sitting in front of a computer screen with poor posture regularly. In younger individuals, it may be caused by disc injury due to heavy lifting, sports activities, or accidents.
If neck, shoulder, and arm pain persist without treatment, the condition may progress to the point where the cervical disc compresses the spinal nerve, causing radiating pain from the neck to the shoulder and arm, along with numbness in the fingertips.
Symptoms of Cervical Disc Degeneration
In the early stages, the pain from cervical disc degeneration resembles office syndrome but lasts longer. It starts with pain in the upper neck and shoulder blades, making neck movement difficult. Later, stiffness in neck movement occurs, with radiating pain to the shoulders, arms, and fingertips. As the condition worsens, numbness in the arms, legs, hands, and feet develops, along with weakness that significantly reduces quality of life because the nervous system is disturbed and cannot control the body normally. Therefore, if you experience these warning signs or symptoms, it is advisable to see a doctor promptly for examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Treatment Approaches for Cervical Disc Degeneration
Currently, there are several treatment methods for cervical disc degeneration, depending on the severity of the condition. If symptoms are mild, treatment may include medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments to relieve pain and improve symptoms.
If symptoms do not improve after following medical advice and self-care for 6 weeks, doctors may consider additional treatments such as laser therapy, heat wave therapy, nerve injections in the neck area, or high-frequency radio waves to reduce disc pressure.
For patients with severe symptoms, including numbness and weakness in the arms and legs, treatment may involve microscopically assisted surgery with high magnification. This precise and safe surgery results in only a small incision, reducing the risk of complications. Patients recover quickly and do not need to stay in the hospital long, allowing them to return to normal life promptly.
