For Neck Disc Treatment, Be Careful When Deciding Surgery

When people have a strained pain in the neck, they tend to worry about their neck disc. However, the reason you get a pain in the neck is usually from myofascial pain syndrome, not neck disc problems. This happens when the muscles around the neck have trouble circulating blood due to stress.

Neck disc pain occurs when the soft circle-shaped disc between the vertebrae degenerates and pressures nearby nerves. If the pain in the neck or strain happens through the connected nerves as well as in the shoulders and arms, then you should seriously be concerned about your neck disc.

When the nerves receive strenuous pressure, you have less energy in your arms and hands. If you happen to often drop dishes while washing dishes or drop cups when you drink, it may be signs of neck disc problems, so you should go see a doctor.

The strained pain of myofascial pain syndrome becomes severe when you put your head down. But neck disc patients experience more pain when they put heads backwards because of the pressure on the nerves.

If I Have Neck Disc Problems, Should I Undergo Surgery?—

It is not always necessary to have surgery for the patients diagnosed with neck disc problems.

The most important barometer for choosing surgery is the existence of pressure on central nerves. When the degenerated disc gives pressure on central nerves, the pain is indescribably severe, so patients even have difficulties in sleeping. In this case, surgery is needed since a slight fall can cause whole-body paralysis.

There are some patients who do not have much pain, just disc pressure on central nerves. Doctors are divided into two groups in this case. The first insists on immediate surgery, the other group says physical therapy and observation of progress is best. Neck disc patients should choose surgery after carefully considering the level of nerve pressure, symptoms, and safety of surgery.

When a degenerated disc stresses root nerves and central nerves, these patients receive both medicinal and physical therapy. But for patients who get numb arms and hands and have little energy in their arms and hands, surgery is recommended although their disc does not pressure their central nerves.

Careful and Steady Exercise Is Desirable—

If you have neck disc or pain in the neck muscle, you should avoid hiking that involves steep hills. Fast walking and swimming are recommended for neck disc patients, but butterflies and the breaststroke are not advised. Inline skating and mountain biking are not recommended either.

Experts say ailments on vertebrae are related to genetic conditions. If your parents have a history of disc problems, you should exercise steadily to slow the aging of your disc. Nicotine and carbon monoxide are causes of disc aging, so non-smoking is advised.

Adjust the height of your pc monitor, so you don’t need to look upwards or downwards. The proper angle is 10 to 15 degree down from the horizon level.

(References: Professor Shin Hyeon-cheol of the Neurosurgery Division at Severance Hospital, Jeon Sang-ryong of the Neurosurgery Division at Seoul Asan Hospital, Jeong Seong-soo of the Orthopedics Division at Samsung Medical Center, and Lee Yang-gyun of the Rehabilitation Medicine Division at Soonchunhyang University Hospital.)

TK Sohn sohn@donga.com