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What Is a Bulging Cervical Disc?

Our spine consists of bony vertebrae with cushioning discs in between. These intervertebral discs can cause pain if they are damaged or slip out of alignment with the spine. They can bulge or even become herniated. These conditions may be improved with therapy, but sometimes surgery is needed.

  1. Cervical Disc

    • A cervical disc is part of the cervical spine, one of the first seven vertebrae starting from the neck down. Below the cervical spine are the 12 thoracic vertebrae, followed by the five lumbar vertebrae and the fused bones of the sacrum and coccyx.

    Parts of the Disc

    • The inner soft part of the disc is called the nucleus pulposus, and it is surrounded by a tough outer ring called the annulus fibrosus. The discs sit between the vertebrae like washers, separating them while allowing them to move and bend through the flexibility of the discs.

    Bulging Disc

    • A bulging disc is when the nucleus pulposus protrudes slightly into the spinal canal, coming into contact with spinal nerves, which may cause pain. The outer annulus fibrosus has not been ruptured. If the center of the disc protrudes so much that the annulus is ruptured, it is called a herniated disc.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of abnormal cervical discs include pain, numbness or tingling in the neck, shoulder or arm. It can be unilateral (one side) or bilateral (both sides). The site of the pain can indicate which disc is pressing on a nerve.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Cervical discs are usually diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment options are rest, heat/ice, medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxers or opiates) or surgery. For cervical spine surgery, the approach is usually anterior (from the front of the neck) because the neck muscles part easily and give better access than through the bony back of the neck.

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