CERVICAL HERNIA TREATMENT
The spine is a structure made up of 33 bones. Each of these bones is a vertebra and the spinal cord is located within the vertebrae. The spine allows the body to stand upright and move. A herniation of the disc in the neck region of the spinal structure is called a neck herniation. This condition can occur in individuals who engage in physical work, such as heavy lifting, engaging in reverse movements, or straining the neck. Additionally, individuals who spend a lot of time on computers, tablets, or cell phones may also develop neck herniation. Neck herniation can cause significant pain and partial loss of movement and it is a treatable condition.
What is cervical spondylosis?
The spine contains a gel-like substance. This substance is effective in tolerating any vibrations in the spine. It acts like a cushion. When the damage in the structure of the disc progresses and is ongoing, this substance is no longer able to cope with the situation and starts to leak outwards. Depending on which point of the spine it occurs, the hernia will take on this name. Hernias generally develop in the lumbar region and neck near the sacrum.
Diagnosis of Neck Herniation
The diagnosis of neck herniation is made by listening to the patient’s history of the development of the disease. Especially, it is evaluated whether the patient’s job plays a role in the formation of neck herniation or not. The thought is given to whether any stressful situations or continuous damage in the job causes the disease. Neck MRI is taken and EMG is examined. If the scans show that the disk has a different structure than other disks and the fluid inside has leaked into the intervertebral space and nerves, the patient is diagnosed with a neck herniation.
What are the symptoms of cervical herniated disc?
Pain in the neck is quite common in the general population. Headaches can also be accompanied by neck pain. Especially from a certain age, neck hernia symptoms often include these types of complaints. In addition to these, the following symptoms can be discussed:
- Weakness in the arms, accompanied by tingling, numbness or atrophy.
- Normal head and neck pain is not experienced. Pain can sometimes spread to the arms and back. The patient may feel like an electric shock.
- The patient’s neck pain may increase when he/she coughs or sneezes.
- The patient may have difficulty walking and maintaining balance while walking.
- The patient has difficulty holding objects and may drop them.
- The patient does not feel pain, even if he is resting. It continues constantly.
What Methods are used in the Treatment of Neck Herniation?
In the treatment of neck herniation, two different methods are followed: physical therapy and surgery. Physical therapy is applied in cases where the disease is just beginning and there is no severe pain in the course of the disease. Painkillers are given, and the patient’s stress-free life is supported. The patient’s rest time during the day is also increased.
Surgeries for neck herniation, that stand out among the surgical methods, are performed when the pains are very severe and the herniation does not improve with alternative methods. During the surgery, the herniated disc in the neck region is eliminated by microsurgical methods and the structure in this area is preserved. In traditional methods, problems such as screwing or leaving significant surgical wounds can be encountered. Microsurgery preserves functions and eliminates herniation with the least damage. In this way, the patient will recover faster.
What should be done in the post-treatment process?
Patients who have undergone surgery for herniated discs, rather than alternative methods, must follow a very careful process after the surgery. Patients should pay attention to their rest after discharge and should not get out of bed unless necessary throughout the day. Sitting and standing activities should be performed in the way the doctor taught. It is recommended that they should not sit for the first two weeks after the surgery, and then start sitting on a soft chair.
Another important point for patients to pay attention to is their diet. They should make an effort not to gain weight and follow a good nutrition plan. Also, since smoking is one of the main causes of herniated discs, taking a break and trying to quit after the surgery will be effective in preventing reoccurrence. In case of any leakage at the surgery site, the patient should visit the doctor and report it.
Why Choose Us?
At Dr Özgür Akşan – Health Türkiye, we have been providing top-quality neurosurgical treatment options for almost a decade under the guidance and leadership of Op. Dr. Özgür Akşan. Our team is comprised of highly experienced and skilled surgeons, including Dr. Özgür Akşan, Dr. Nail Özdemir, and Dr. Feryal Akşan, all of them having more than 20 years of experience in medicine.
We offer a wide range of treatment options for various neurosurgical conditions, including herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, cervical disc herniation, Chiari malformation, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more. Our team is highly skilled in performing advanced neurosurgical procedures, such as microsurgical discectomy, endoscopic discectomy, spinal fusion instrumentation, craniotomy, craniectomy, gamma-knife radiation therapy, and many more.
At Dr Özgür Akşan – Health Türkiye, we are committed to providing personalized care and tailored treatment plans for each patient based on their unique needs and medical history. Our clinic in Izmir is equipped with the latest technology and we are working with private hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure the highest level of care for our patients.
Choose Dr Özgür Akşan – Health Türkiye for your neurosurgical needs and experience the expertise and care of our highly trained team of neurosurgeons, led by Dr. Özgür Akşan himself.