Although the condition is far more common within the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine, it’s not unheard of for a bulging disc to develop in the neck (cervical region). About 85 percent of bulging discs occur in the lower back within the area of the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae and the first sacral (pelvic) vertebra. This is because the lower back bears most of the weight of the upper body, and its flexibility generates a great deal of stress on the anatomical components of the lower spine. Over time, this weight-bearing function and movement combine to wear down the intervertebral discs, which can force one or more outer disc walls beyond their normal boundary (a bulging disc). To a lesser extent, the same factors – mobility, weight – are at work within the cervical spine, which enables head movement and supports the bulk of the skull and brain. By the time most people reach middle age, disc degeneration has begun to take a toll on all areas of the spine, including in the neck.

How Symptoms Are Produced By A Bulging Disc In The Neck

Most of the time, a bulging disc in the neck will produce no symptoms. In fact, many people have the condition and never realize it unless their doctor sees it in an MRI or CT scan that was performed for a totally separate physical issue. One potential concern for someone diagnosed with an asymptomatic cervical bulging disc is that it may develop into a herniated disc, which means the disc’s outer wall ruptures to allow a portion of the gel-like material from the center of the disc to leak into the spinal canal. Even a herniated disc does not necessarily produce symptoms, although the presence of extruded material does increase the likelihood that pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness might occur.

What causes these symptoms? Spinal nerve compression. The spinal cord begins within the cervical region of the spine, and nerve roots branch off in pairs at each vertebral level. These delicate neurological components have very little room to begin with; any deviation within the framework of a healthy spine can lead to an interference of neurological function. In the case of a bulging disc in the neck, nerve interference, or compression, occurs when a portion of the disc’s outer wall comes into contact with the spinal cord or an adjacent nerve root.

Where Symptoms Might Be Experienced

The nerves that originate within the cervical region of the spine are responsible for innervating most of the upper body, including the head, neck, shoulders, upper torso, arms, hands, and fingers. When one of the cervical nerve roots is compressed, or impinged, it can produce localized pain – a dull ache, or a sharp twinge – at the site of the compression. This is colloquially known as a “pinched” nerve, and it can replicate the sensation of pain that accompanies a strained neck muscle or sprained neck ligament. In addition, referred pain can travel the length of the affected nerve, or there can be a loss of sensation in the arms, hands, or fingers.

Fortunately, these symptoms generally can be managed using a combination of nonsurgical, conservative treatment methods. These methods can include pain medication, exercise, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and others. Surgery usually becomes an option only if chronic symptoms persist after several weeks or months of conservative treatment.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for bulging discs and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Bulging disc