Cervical Disc is the part located between the cervical vertebrae, consisting of a total of 7 pieces called the cervical spine, with the 1st piece adjacent to the skull down to the 7th piece adjacent to the sternum.
The cervical disc functions to bear weight and provide flexibility, aiding in the movement of the neck, allowing us to bend or tilt the neck. However, prolonged or improper use can lead to cervical disc degeneration.
What are the main causes of cervical disc degeneration?
Generally, degenerative disc disease is found in people aged around 40 and above. However, nowadays, cervical disc degeneration is increasingly found in young working adults due to risky behaviors involving neck and back muscle use, such as prolonged computer use, sitting in incorrect postures, and groups of people who spend many hours daily looking down at their mobile phones. Additionally, cervical disc degeneration can result from certain accidents, such as a strong rear-end car collision causing the neck to whip backward and forward, leading to injury of the cervical vertebrae and tissues, which is a contributing factor to symptoms of cervical disc degeneration.
Symptoms of cervical disc degeneration
When the disc degenerates or ruptures, there is a chance of compression on the spinal cord and nerve roots, often causing severe symptoms.
- Stiff neck, making it difficult to move or turn the neck normally
- Neck pain radiating to the shoulder or arm
- Frequent numbness in the arms, legs, hands, or feet, leading to weakness
- Difficulty walking due to abnormal body coordination
- Inability to button clothes
- Loss of control over bowel or bladder functions
Patients should see a doctor because if left untreated, it may cause permanent bone damage.
Treatment approaches for cervical disc degeneration
Generally, treatment aims to slow down the degeneration by adjusting behavior combined with taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy, including heat application, which helps temporarily relieve pain.
There are also treatments using heat waves or injections above the nerves in the neck area, and treatments using high-frequency radio waves on the disc to reduce disc pressure and destroy nerve fibers growing into the center of the disc.
In cases where medication and the above methods do not improve symptoms after more than 6 weeks, surgery using artificial discs is another option. Currently, there is a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery method, which is a small incision surgery with high safety. Surgeons perform the operation through a high-magnification endoscope, allowing clear visualization of the nerves in the neck, reducing the risk of postoperative disability or tissue damage, which helps faster recovery. The small surgical wound can solve long-term problems.
How to care and prevent cervical disc degeneration
The easiest way is to change behavior, move the body, and avoid sitting in front of the computer for too long. At least, sit for 1 hour and then stand for 1 minute. Adjust the computer screen to eye level, use a chair with a backrest, exercise, and engage in regular physical activities. Be cautious when exercising or playing sports that carry a risk to avoid neck injuries.
