Cervical Disc Herniation
Cervical Disc Herniation Treatment on Long Island
Symptoms of a herniated disc in the cervical spine can affect every area of your life. They can prevent you from sleeping, working, enjoying your hobbies, exercising, and spending time with family and friends. If your symptoms are interfering with your quality of life, it’s time to visit a specialist. Dr. Salvatore Palumbo, is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical disc herniation on Long Island and throughout New York. Call to schedule a consultation and find relief from your symptoms so that you can return to living the life you love.
What Is Cervical Disc Herniation?
A cervical disc herniation is a herniated disc in the cervical spine. The cervical spine is the section of your spine that contains seven bones, the C1-C7 vertebrae and extends from the base of your neck to the base of your skull. A herniated disc or bulging disc is an injury to one of the intervertebral discs that separates your vertebrae. These discs have a tough outer exterior and a softer, jelly-like interior. When a disc is herniated, it means that the outer exterior has cracked and the interior is spilling or oozing out. When this happens in one of the vertebrae in your cervical spine, it is called a cervical disc herniation or a herniated cervical disc.
Causes & Risk Factors for Cervical Disc Herniation
You are more likely to get a herniated cervical disc between the ages of 30-50 years old. Men are twice as likely to experience this injury than women. Other risk factors for cervical disc herniation are:
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Regularly sitting for long periods in the same position
- Obesity
- Regularly lifting heavy objects
- Repetitive motions like bending or twisting motions
- Smoking
There are many different things that can cause a cervical herniated disc. In some cases, the patient never knows the cause. The most common causes of cervical disc herniation are:
- Age-related disc degeneration
- Obesity
- Repetitive motions
- Strains from improper lifting
- A traumatic injury like a fall, car accident, sports injury, or abuse
Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms
Cervical herniated discs are the most common cause of neck pain in adults. Neck pain is the primary symptom of a herniated disc in the cervical spine. Other common cervical disc herniation symptoms include:
- Sudden, severe neck pain.
- Neck pain that worsens with movement.
- Burning or itching neck pain that radiates from the neck and shoulders down one arm to the hand.
- Neck stiffness.
- Loss of range of motion in the neck.
- Numbness and tingling in the neck, shoulders, arm, or hand.
Diagnosis of Cervical Disc Herniation
Dr. Palumbo can diagnose cervical disc degeneration and assess its severity. He will begin by asking about your symptoms, lifestyle and habits, home and work environments, health history, and family medical history and then conduct a thorough physical examination. He may feel your neck for signs of swelling, inflammation, and pain and assess your neck’s range of motion, reflexes and strength, flexibility and dexterity, and neurological condition. He will then recommend diagnostic imaging tests like an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI.
Cervical Herniated Disc Treatment
Dr. Palumbo offers highly personalized cervical disc herniation treatment. His treatment methods and therapies are tailored to the severity of your symptoms, your age, the cause of your cervical disc herniation, your lifestyle, your goals, and your needs. The most common cervical herniated disc treatment options are:
- Lifestyle and activity modification, including changes in sleep position and sleep habits, modification of work duties, change in diet, getting more exercise, avoiding movements that cause pain, and making your workplace more ergonomic.
- Pain medication.
- Physical therapy and therapeutic exercise.
- Therapeutic injections.
- Cervical traction.
- Spinal surgery.
Why Choose Dr. Salvatore Palumbo
Dr. Salvatore Palumbo, specializes in neurosurgery, neurological disorders, spinal disorders, and spinal reconstruction. He is board-certified and has decades of experience in his fields. Dr. Palumbo and his team take a highly patient-centered approach toward treatment. Our goal is to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms, address and relieve pain, restore function and mobility, prevent further injury, improve your overall health and quality of life, and help you return to the activities you enjoy. We will work closely with you and your medical team to design a personalized treatment plan.